When it comes to maximalism, more is more. This can be the use of bold colours, elaborate patterns, mixed textures and much more. Since interior design trends are moving towards a seventies influence with bold colours and fantastical patterns, it's safe to say that maximalism is making a comeback.
So, what is maximalism in art? Maximalism, like art, is great for self-expression and a way to showcase your personality in your space. There are a number of maximalist trends in art, such as elaborate floral designs, geometric patterns, bold contrasting colours and botanical aesthetics to name a few. So, if you want to discover how you make a bold statement in your home, keep reading!
Botanical Brilliance
With plant sales on the rise and the botanical theme going strong, people have been looking for ways to bring the outside, inside. So, why not get tropical with your space? You can choose artwork that highlights the best of nature, from jungle themed pop art, to classical woodland photography. This trend is also ideal for those who don't have a garden but still want to feel connected to the outdoors. Real plants are great too, but if you don’t want to commit to buying (and watering) an array of houseplants for your home, a botanical themed artwork may be the way to go. Floral designs are also a great way of interpreting a garden theme into your home along with a pattern to create the busy element that thrives in maximalism.
If you’re looking for maximalism in a bedroom, contrasting pastels and botanical greens and blues can create a calming space—yes, even in maximalism, and help you find the perfect balance between trend and tranquillity.
Contrasting Colours
Out with the old, in with the bold. Using colour in a space is one of the easiest ways to achieve maximalism with the least amount of effort. Pops of colour, particularly when contrasting, are a great way of creating a statement. If you want to know the method behind using the right contrasting colours in your space, you may want to take a look at our Colour Wheel blog here for more information.
With the range of maximalist block colour artwork on Artfinder, all you really need to do is pick your favourite. To make use of our handy colour filters, simply click on the ‘Colour’ tab on the left-hand side. You will then be able to choose from a number of different colours (and more than one) to help aid your search for the perfect bold piece.
Striking Sculptures
Less is bore, right? And, not all art needs to be on the wall. Ornamental pieces are an important part of maximalism—and some of us have already filled up our walls!
Sculptures are a great way of bringing artwork to life in your space and honing in on that maximalist feel. Maximalism within interior design also draws on contrasting textures which is something you can play with amongst different types of sculptures and 3D artworks. Maybe your mantlepiece is looking a little bare, the coffee table needs a focal point or you’re looking for a centrepiece for your dining room table. If so, you can browse our wonderful sculptures on Artfinder here.
We believe that some of the best sculptures and 3D pieces fall within maximalism, and we are all for the weird and wonderful. So, if you’ve been searching for a talking point, look no further!
Prominent Prints
A kind of ordered disorder. Repetition works well in maximalism as a way of reining in the chaos and creating harmony between the disorder. Geometric patterns are a popular trend in maximalist art and consist of a collection of shapes; repeated or altered to create a cohesive design. These repetitive lines and shapes used in geometric patterns are what make them so satisfying to look at, despite their striking appearance. This trend is perfect for creating a fun, kaleidoscope of design that is great for any space in need of a spark of interest.
Patterns are necessary for maximalism though, and you may want to have a browse of the quirky prints we have to offer!
Our Tips:
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Layering is an important aspect of maximalism in design, so you may be interested in creating a gallery wall for your space. For a better understanding of how to choose the right art for a gallery wall, see our blog post: How to build a contemporary gallery wall.
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Fun frames are a great way to add to your maximalist theme without breaking the bank and are great for gallery walls and collections of artwork.
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Large artworks can make large statements, so go big on patterned pieces to let them speak for themselves.
And finally, have fun with it! Maximalism is all about self-expression and creating a fun atmosphere, so find out what works for you and go for it!
Words by Megan Keane
Header image credit: Seunghwui Koo
