Maximalism is enjoying a renaissance, but the secret lies in creating spaces that feel curated rather than chaotic.
Layering colour, pattern and texture with intention creates interiors full of character and charm.
1. Choose your Hero
Start with a single print as your foundation, ideally one that features two or three key colours. Giving the eye somewhere to begin prevents even the most colourful room from feeling overwhelming. Then build the room around it by choosing rugs, curtains and accessories that either pick up those tones or complement them. This creates a sense of cohesion throughout the space.
2. Vary the Scale
Pair a large-scale floral with a smaller geometric, stripe or ditsy print. If every pattern is shouting at the same volume, the room can quickly become overwhelming. Giving each pattern a different scale allows them to work together rather than compete.
Try mixing our floral print, FLEUR, with the more versatile ditsy print DORA.
3. Mix and Match
Don't be afraid to combine patterns that wouldn't traditionally be seen together. Florals, stripes, checks, geometrics and playful prints can all sit happily alongside one another when they share a common thread. Look for a colour, motif or tone that connects them, rather than trying to make everything match. The result should feel layered and collected, rather than overly coordinated.
RIOT and PEACH make a good combo. They both come in fabric and wallpaper - so the possibilities are endless!
Meredith House Tip
For more tips on mixing and matching, read our How to Mix Florals and Stripes journal.
4. Share the Love
Spread colour, shape and pattern evenly throughout the space so no one area feels too heavy or overwhelming.
Don't let all your colour and pattern live in one corner of the room. Repeat shades, shapes and motifs throughout the space so the eye naturally travels around the room.
A colour from your wallpaper might reappear in a cushion; a shape from a rug might be echoed in a piece of artwork; a pattern from your curtains might pop up again on an occasional chair. You don't need everything to match, repeating elements is enough to make the scheme feel connected.
5. Get Your Nic Nacs Out
The most memorable interiors are the ones that feel lived in and personal. Vintage pieces, artwork and collected objects add warmth, character and a sense of story to a space. The best rooms evolve over time, layered gradually with things you genuinely love, rather than being decorated all at once. That’s what gives a home personality and keeps it from feeling overly staged.
Don't worry if it doesn't all come together immediately. The beauty of a maximalist room is that it should feel collected rather than put together in one afternoon.
6. Don't overdo it
Maximalism is all about confidence: layered prints, collected treasures, rich colours and personality in every corner. But the secret to doing it well is knowing when to stop. A room should feel curated, not chaotic.
The best maximalist spaces still have balance. Give the eye somewhere to rest, repeat colours throughout the room and let a few key pieces be the heroes. More is more: but only when it’s done thoughtfully.
If you're standing in the doorway and your eye doesn't know where to land, it may be time to take something away. Try removing one or two things rather than redesigning the whole room. Sometimes a little breathing space is all a maximalist scheme needs.
7. Don't Forget to Give Your Eye Somewhere to Rest
Maximalism doesn't mean every surface needs to be covered in colour and pattern. Some quieter elements are what allow the more exuberant ones to shine. A plain painted wall, a natural wood floor, a simple piece of furniture or a plain cushion can give a busy scheme somewhere to breathe. Think of them as the punctuation marks in an otherwise very colourful sentence.
IN A NUTSHELL
Ready to embrace a little more pattern?
Explore our Fabric Collection →
Explore our Wallpaper Collection →
We believe the most memorable homes aren't created overnight. They're collected slowly, layered thoughtfully and filled with pieces that mean something to the people who live there.
To help you make the right decision for you and your home, we regularly share decorating inspiration and ideas in The Journal.
