What is maximalism, and what is a maximalist apartment?
Consider maximalist decor if you’re moving into a new apartment or revamping your apartment. Maximalist interior design is currently trending, and it’s not hard to see why. Maximalism incorporates bold colors, vibrant prints, elaborate detailing, and a lot of personality. However, creating a maximalist apartment doesn’t mean you have to max out your budget. Let’s explore how you can design a maximalist apartment on a minimal budget.
First…What Is Maximalism?
You might be more familiar with minimalist designs, which include neutral colors, clean lines, efficient storage solutions, open floor plans, and a lot of natural light. In short, minimalist interior design is very simplistic. Maximalism, as it suggests, is the exact opposite of that. Maximalist interior design incorporates:
- Florals and animal prints
- Bright colors that steal the attention from your white walls
- Layering rugs, curtains, textures, and patterns
- Eye-catching lamps and armchairs
- Mixing and matching unique colors and textures (think feathers and leather with neon colors)
- Faux plants and artwork
- Mixing classic styles with more eclectic styles
In short, maximalism has no set rules and doesn’t adhere to a specific style, motif, or colorway. We’d also like to add that maximalism doesn’t equate to your apartment appearing cluttered, overstuffed, and messy.
Can I Create a Maximalist Apartment if My Apartment is Small?
Absolutely! A common misconception is that you should avoid maximalism because it will make an apartment appear smaller. However, maximalism works whether you’re renting a small apartment or one with ample square footage. Creating a maximalist bedroom or living room adds more depth and interest. You can place maximalist decor in any space to draw the eye upward or outwards. Thus, you can make the space look larger.
Budgeting for a Maximalist Apartment
You would think that adding more rugs, artwork, and lamps to your apartment means spending more money than ever before. However, this is far from the truth. There are many budget-friendly ways to decorate your apartment without breaking the bank, which include:
Choosing Colorful Accessories, Bedding, and Curtains
A few colorful throws in fun patterns and ornate curtains can help create a maximalist living room or bedroom. You can also jazz up your apartment bathroom with a textured shower curtain and unique decorations.
Thrift Shopping
Macklemore might have been onto something when he wrote the song “Thrift Shop.” With only $20 in your pocket, you might be surprised by what you can find at a secondhand shop. Keep your eyes out on affordable mirrors and decor. Thrift shopping is also an excellent way to mix modern and vintage styles. Secondhand stores are also places where you can find larger furniture items at a fraction of the price.
Refrain from Covering Every Surface with Decor
Remember that a maximalist apartment doesn’t have to appear chaotic. You can ground your space with hard finishes. Hard finishes and bold interiors go hand in hand. You can maximize and strategize your budget by not buying too much decor and incorporating a few hard surfaces, such as end tables and coffee tables, into your maximalist design.
Layering and Stacking
You can maximize layering by adding ornate decor and meaningful mementos to your shelving. You can also utilize a bookshelf to house your books, faux plants, photos, and art prints. The point is to add interest and height. Another idea is adding two large patterned or textured rugs that don’t overlap to complement your color scheme. Incorporating rugs into your apartment makes it appear cozier and more inviting.
We hope that you take every opportunity to maximize your apartment living space. Decorating your apartment is just one of the many things you can do to turn an apartment into a homey space!
Let Us Be Your Apartment Home!
Whether you need your very first apartment home or are relocating to the area, Apartments of Harborside Village would love to be your dream apartment home. Are you looking for beautiful waterfront apartments in Joppa, Maryland? Let us show you one of our spacious and affordable apartments at the Apartments of Harborside Village. To learn more about our residence options, visit us online, give us a call at 410-679-1130, or email us. For a peek into what it’s like to live in our community, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube.