Interior design is key to making sure that you feel happy and comfortable in your home. After all, your home really should be a reflection of you and your tastes. Most home design trends can be sorted into one of two camps, maximalism and minimalism – although there is a middle ground. Minimalism and maximalism are obviously polar opposites in terms of home design. Is one better than the other? Let’s find out.
Initial Considerations
One of the two camps is likely to speak to your design preferences. You can also relax your approach a little; you can meld the two if you want. Maximalism is often seen as homier than minimalism has been called clinical in the past – just think about Kim Kardashian’s terrifying, museum-looking home.
Your home is your sanctuary. As long as you are happy with it, that is all that matters! Decorating your home is a personal process unless, of course, you require the help of a tradesperson, and luckily, MyBuilder allows you to find someone near you.
Colour Palettes
Obviously, there are a number of differences between minimalism and maximalism, but one of the biggest is actually the colour palettes that they use. Minimalism tends to exclusively use neutral tones like beige, grey or white; earth tones are sometimes used for a pop of colour. The use of these colours is meant to encourage a state of relaxation while also making the room look lighter and airier.
Conversely, maximalism is all about colour. The pops of colour throughout the home should be numerous and bold, in fact, jewel tones are incredibly popular at the minute. Other colour trends for maximalism include bohemian and seventies-inspired colour palettes. You can bring in colour via the furniture and textiles too.
Accessorising
Minimalism is all about keeping clutter to a minimum. This means any accessories, knickknacks or decorative pieces that you choose to display in your home need to have a purpose and add value to the home design. This usually means opting for smaller, sleeker pieces that are a little more subtle instead of attention-grabbing.
Maximalism, on the other hand, is all about the more is more approach. That being said, clutter is still to be avoided. Instead, it is more about curating the space. Gallery walls are incredibly popular because they create more visual interest. Display the knickknacks that give you joy in open spaces.
Personalisation
Arguably, minimalist homes are pretty cookie-cutter in their design; by its nature, minimalism is the removal of clutter and identifying features, so a lot of homes tend to look very samey.
Maximalism, however, is deeply personal. You get to curate a home that feels like an extension of you. For a lot of people, the personal touches are really what makes a house feel like a home.
The Final Verdict
Truthfully, it is hard to say whether one is better than the other because it really depends on the preferences of the individual. Some people prefer minimalism and some maximalism, and that is totally fine. Think about what you prefer. There is also a happy medium which a lot of people have begun to refer to as relaxed minimalism, which represents a marriage of the two.
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