Maximalist Interior Design and Rugs

Your Guide to Maximalist Interior Design

What does “Maximalist” mean?

“Maximalist” is a term used to describe a person or a style that embraces excess, abundance, or an inclination towards extreme measures.

In various contexts, it can refer to different aspects, such as art, design, fashion, or even personality traits:

  • Art and Design: In the realm of art and design, a maximalist approach involves using an abundance of elements, colors, patterns, and textures in a composition. Maximalist art often seeks to create a visually rich and busy aesthetic, with a focus on intricate details and a sense of opulence.
  • Fashion: In fashion, a maximalist style is characterized by boldness, flamboyance, and a tendency to incorporate numerous elements into an outfit. It involves combining vibrant colors, mixing patterns, and layering accessories to create an extravagant and attention-grabbing look.
  • Personality: When describing someone’s personality as maximalist, it suggests that the person is inclined towards excess or extremes. They may have a penchant for overindulgence, taking risks, or pursuing their goals with an all-or-nothing attitude. A maximalist personality may also indicate a preference for grand gestures, larger-than-life experiences, or an overall enthusiasm for life.

In general, maximalism stands in contrast to minimalism, which emphasizes simplicity, restraint, and a reduction of elements. Maximalism, on the other hand, revels in abundance, complexity, and an unapologetic celebration of the extravagant.

What is a Maximalist Person?

When using the term “maximalist” to describe a person it means that that person has views that are extreme and is refusing to compromise.

What is a Maximalist Interior Design?

In its basic definition “Maximalism” or the “Maximalist Style” is based on the approach of more is more. Maximalist interiors are interior decors that will be drenched in richly saturated colors, ample accessories, grouping of paintings and lots of bold fabrics.

You probably know all about minimalist interior design. We’ve written about it in our blog, and in years past, it’s been all over the social media and blogs of top interior designers and celebrities. However, it’s slowly but surely going out of style, and what is it being replaced with? Maximalist interior design.

Maximalist interior design is the opposite of minimalist interior design. Each one occupies an extreme end of the decor spectrum. While minimalism includes getting rid of anything unnecessary, be it a pattern, color, or piece of furniture, maximalism does the opposite. Inherently, maximalism doesn’t exclude any color, pattern, print, embellishment, or anything else.

No, maximalist interior design isn’t about simply throwing every single decor piece you find into a room and hoping it looks good. It’s an art, and very similar to eclectic interior design. The thing about maximalism is that it combines bold colors, patterns, shapes, and everything else in ways that are unexpected. So go ahead, pair chintz and chevron. Jewel tones and pastels together? It’s fair game. As long as you are pairing these supposed opposites together with a purpose, it’s maximalism.

Maximalist Interior Design Elements Nazmiyal

Maximalist interior design mixes and matches patterns.

Ways to Incorporate Maximalism in Your Decor

There are a few decor elements that are pretty universally seen in some form in maximalist interior design. The first one is a gallery wall. Maximalism emphasizes the use of lots of art, and it doesn’t have to “complement” the other pieces in the traditional sense. Mix and match colors, sizes, frames, patterns, anything. Mix photography with abstract painting. And most importantly, don’t go light. Use a heavy hand when selecting your art because with maximalism, more truly is more.

Another common decor item in maximalist interior design is books. Cover an area of a wall with a floor to ceiling bookshelf and fill it with books. They don’t have to be sorted or organized, and they don’t have to match. Big books, small books, vintage books, new books, books you haven’t read – anything goes. Use books in other areas besides the bookshelf, as well. Put a stack of art books on the coffee table, or pile up books in varying shapes against your walls.

Maximalist Interior Design Books Nazmiyal

Books are a big part of maximalist interior design.

Maximalist interior design doesn’t forget about comfort. In the living room or bedroom, pile up throw pillows on soft surfaces like the bed or couch. They can be different materials, colors, and patterns. Toss a few throw blankets around, and add in an ottoman. Soft surfaces and comfort are right at home in maximalism.

Maximalist Decor and Interior Design Emphadata-sizes Comfort Nazmiyal

Maximalist decor and interior design emphasizes comfort.

Rugs for Maximalist Interior Design

Maximalism’s opposite sister, minimalism, favored rugs in light, neutral colors and little or no pattern. This was the perfect design principle for many modern rugs, that were machine made in simple white or taupe. For those who wanted to add a little more life, the perfect pieces were antique decorative rugs and faded, shabby chic rugs in neutral colors. We may be biased, but our favorite thing about maximalism is that literally any rug can work perfectly in the space.

Maximalist Interior Design Antique and Vintage Nazmiyal

Antique and vintage pieces look great in maximalist design.

Since maximalism is about pairing the unexpected, antique and vintage rugs are perfect for the decor. Art is heavily valued in maximalist interior design, and hand woven rugs are art in and of themselves. These rugs come in bold colors, geometric patterns, floral patterns, tribal patterns – anything you could imagine. You can make your decor lean eclectic and choose an imperfect, primitive tribal rug. You could go Boho chic and pair the sharp geometric shapes of a Moroccan rug with soft, swirling shapes in other areas of your decor. Choose a majestic antique rug in rich colors and a bold medallion, and juxtapose that with modern furniture with clean lines. The possibilities are literally as endless as your imagination when it comes to maximalism.

Maximalist Interior Design Tribal and Floral Nazmiyal

Mixing a tribal rug with soft florals is great for maximalism.

Check out some of our favorite rugs below that would look beautiful in maximalist interior designs. If you still need help choosing a piece, our team of experts is ready to help you discuss what would be best for your space.

What are maximalist rugs?

Maximalist rugs will be richly colored bold rugs. Many of the area rugs used in the Maximalism style will tend to be more graphic and even tribal.

Here are some great maximalist rugs for your maximalism inspired interior design:

Rustic Antique North West Persian Rug #72073 by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Rustic Antique North West Persian Rug #72073

Bold Antique Jewel Tone Persian Heriz Rug #72099 by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Bold Antique Jewel Tone Persian Heriz Rug #72099

Tribal Antique Persian Serapi Area Rug #72002 by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Tribal Antique Persian Serapi Area Rug #72002

Antique Tribal Caucasian Karabagh Runner Rug #72108 by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Antique Tribal Caucasian Karabagh Runner Rug #72108

Colorful Tribal Antique Turkish Konya Rug #70988 by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Colorful Tribal Antique Turkish Konya Rug #70988

Bold Antique Persian Heriz Rug #72105 by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Bold Antique Persian Heriz Rug #72105

Antique Tribal Caucasian Chi Ci Rug #72113 by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Antique Tribal Caucasian Chi Ci Rug #72113

Bold Antique Persian Heriz Rug #72100 by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Bold Antique Persian Heriz Rug #72100

Bold Blue Antique Persian Mohtasham Kashan Rug #72114 by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Bold Blue Antique Persian Mohtasham Kashan Rug #72114

Red Antique Silk Indian Mughal Rug #71755 by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Red Antique Silk Indian Mughal Rug #71755

Bold and Richly Colored Antique Persian Sultanabad Rug #72084 by Nazmiyal Antique Rugs

Bold and Richly Colored Antique Persian Sultanabad Rug #72084

This interior design blog about the rich and bold maximalism interior design style and maximalist rugs was published by Nazmiyal.

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