Add some maximalist magic to your space for a feelgood home

Lovers of colour and pattern rejoice! The maximalism trend is everywhere right now, giving you all the encouragement you need to fill your home with a joyful riot of colour, shapes and textures. The polar opposite of a neutral, matchy matchy look, this more-is-more vibe is all about making your home express your personality and creativity. But how can you style it to ensure your space ticks the box for ‘stylish eclectic’ and not ‘junk shop chaos’?

It may seem scary, but getting maximalism right is nowhere near as hard as you think, we promise! All you need are a few clever styling tricks and products that make you smile, and you’re on track for a unique home that’ll give you a dopamine hit – aka the happiness hormone – as soon as you step through the door.

Colour queen and interior stylist Gemma Gear is on-hand to show you how it’s done, offering a wealth of easy-to-steal ideas using some statement products from design-powerhouse Habitat’s 60th anniversary collection. Be your own interior designer, and style up a maximalist home that feels like an extension of your personality. Gemma has shared some of her style secrets – follow these, and you’re golden.  

1. Build from a strong base

Gemma always starts with large pieces of furniture to anchor the space. Take your time to get these right, then you can build your room around them. Just because they’re big pieces, you can still choose designs that are colourful, or that feature interesting and unexpected shapes or textures. 

‘Basically, your blank canvas doesn’t have to be blank,’ says Gemma, who definitely hasn’t played it safe with the brilliantly bold Larsa dining table – that look-at-me red makes it the perfect starting point for a dining space, with curved details that give a nostalgic nod to classic bistro furniture. 

2. Add in smaller accessories

Maximalism is all about layering, and smaller accessories such as vases, table lamps and artwork offer a way to mix in more colours, patterns and textures. ‘Give the patterns and shapes you choose space to shine, and this means not overcrowding them,’ says Gemma. Although creativity and expression abound, taking time to curate and balance your look is key. 

‘Take a step back, have a look and just play around with things,’ says Gemma. A considered colour palette is one way to create visual cohesion. Stick to a few hero shades to tie your look together. Gemma has chosen a confident and upbeat mix of primary colours. All her accent shades feature in Habitat’s Ripple Rug by Simone Brewster, and then she has dotted them across the rest of the room, so that the overall choice of colours and products feels intentional. 

3. Play with plants

House plants and displays of lush foliage are a great way to introduce an organic element to a maximalist room. Contrast large leaves with more delicate stems – the different sizes, shapes and textures add interest and height to tables or sideboards. The pops of green will break up areas of colour and pattern, to help balance out a lushly layered scheme. 

4. Mix it up with multi-functional pieces

As well as having fun trying out various combinations of colour or pattern, be creative with how you use furniture and accessories, too. Look for unexpected and surprising ways to introduce them to your scheme. The red Tam Tam stool – a much-loved Habitat design classic – offers a great display surface when used as a side table, but doubles up as handy extra seating when guests pop round.  

5. Enjoy the process

Take your time, it’s not a race! This feel-good decorating style is all about finding a look that makes you happy, and there’s nothing wrong with experimenting. The true beauty of a maximalist home is that nothing’s fixed and you can constantly change things up. Maximalism embraces individuality and personality, which means that every maximalist home will be different and unique. 

Habitat’s 60th anniversary collection makes adding some maximalist magic to your home simple. As has been the case for the last 60 years, Habitat always delivers when it comes to great design at affordable prices. This latest collection doesn’t disappoint, with an inviting menu of on-trend pieces for anyone who loves bold patterns and colours. Create your very own maximalist room recipe, and make embracing this look a real celebration of joyful design.