Most of us would remember the recent era when minimalistic lifestyle, decor and fashion trends were everywhere, propagated by countless bloggers, YouTubers and Instagram influencers. While its origins date back to the 50s and 60s, in popular culture, Minimalism came in like a whirlwind lifestyle trend via social media somewhere around the mid-2010s and garnered an immense following. However, recent google trends show that the movement’s popularity has been steadily declining. So, what is it that changed?
Coming out of the pandemic with renewed zeal
When the pandemic hit the globe and we were locked up inside our homes for months, people came face-to-face with the brevity of life. As we are emerging from the trenches of a global emergency, there is a renewed enthusiasm towards living life to its fullest. As a result, people are looking to express themselves boldly and unapologetically in all aspects, including personal fashion and home decor.
What is Maximalism all about?
Maximalism in pop culture stands for the idea that “more is more”. It acknowledges the joy and pleasure that we may receive from “materialistic things” and lays the onus on us to use them in a way to make the space our very own. When it comes to home interior design, the movement aims to revitalise spaces by imbuing a sense of intensity, warmth and a touch of personalisation through a thoughtful mix of decor.
Is Maximalism for you?
To truly embrace Maximalism as a movement, one must resonate with the idea of living a vibrant life that is enhanced by beautiful, aesthetically pleasing objects. You should be someone who finds joy in collecting furniture, art, accessories and manifesting a spatial narrative that builds interesting stories into spaces.
How can one configure a Maximalist interior decor?
While there can be several ways to go about it, it is imperative to understand that mish-mash is not Maximalism. Maximalism, as a movement, requires building intensity into a space with elements, each of which has a unique thought behind it. The aim is to tell a story, paint a picture and build a heritage.
The rule that works most often is- ‘when in doubt, decorate your spaces with furniture and accessories, and fill up your walls with art.’ Each item has its own unique story to tell and distinctly impacts the energy of a space. One needs to use various elements, be it artefacts, sculptures, lighting or furnishings, to build up visual layers into an area and add depth to its narrative.
The Future of Maximalism
Maximalism as a design trend will only grow stronger and become more commonplace in the near future. With ever-increasing choices at our behest, it is becoming easier and more affordable to have greater autonomy in making one’s own decor choices and thereby inculcate a sense of “my space” into one’s home.
Looking for interior decor inspiration? Here are 5 decor items that are must-haves in your homes.
