Eclectic Maximalism: How to Style Bold Without the Mess

If you’ve been following my blog for some time now, you know that I’m all about taming the clutter, minimalism, clean look and less is more. So, when I heard about this eclectic maximalism thing, I got really curious.

What is it all about?

To know more about it, I browsed Instagram and from the designs that I saw, these are what I learned.

What is eclectic maximalism?

Eclectic maximalism is all about mixing styles, colors, textures, patterns, eras – the result of which is a bold and expressive decor that showcases you and the story you want to tell.

It’s like giving your home a little bit of everything that you love without worrying whether it will “make sense” when all these things start to come together.

More is more.

You will often hear this – more is more – when you talk about eclectic maximalism.

When I heard the term, my first thought was more stuff and more clutter which will result in more chaos.

So, I’m somewhat relieved to learn that eclectic maximalism is not like that at all.

More is more here doesn’t necessarily mean more stuff, but more personalities, more stories and more visual interest – more meaning and more intention.

And I got it!

You know it’s just like cooking pizza.

I always love an overloaded pizza – with lots of toppings!

But you don’t just throw everything you have in the pantry. You pick specific ingredients that will make your pizza more flavorful and more delicious. For example, I love cheese, ham, fresh bell pepper and pineapple on pizza. And I put loads of it! The more, the merrier, and definitely more delicious and more satisfying.

It’s just like that in eclectic maximalism.

Yes, somehow, this can mean more stuff. But again, you’re not just putting things at random. You are intentional with what comes into your space. You pick specific things.

These are those that you love, they’re meaningful to you. And together, these things tell your story.

So how can you adopt eclectic maximalism into your home without resulting into chaos?

Let’s jump right in!

1. Choose your colors.

Pick a few colors that you will use over and over in your home. This way, even if you add various styles and different pieces, they will look like they all belong together.

Take this one for example.

The wall is a soft, warm white, not a stark or bright white, but more of a gentle, creamy tone.

It works really well as a neutral backdrop, especially for the eclectic gallery wall with all those vintage signs and paintings.

It keeps everything feeling light and open, while letting the art and decor shine.

Here’s another. This bedroom has such a cozy dreamy vibe!

The wall and ceiling color is pink – warm and soft pink. Everything blends together – the warm accent that the burnt orange velvet chair brings and the soft textures of the fuzzy white pillow and pink pouf. Plus, the vintage style art and florals add to the charm.

It’s a very eclectic maximalist look, but it still feels intentional and calm because the color ties everything together.

2. Display your favorites and let them shine.

I know it’s tempting to display everything you have. But it’s better if you rotate things.

This will prevent your space from looking cluttered, while giving your favorites their own time to shine.

For example, in this bedroom, it is clear that the owner loves abstract art – you just can’t help but notice.

Also, the nightstands are vintage treasures that add warmth and style to the room. And lastly (my favorite part here), the pillows – those round pillows, they don’t really match in a traditional sense, but they coordinate, and it feels fun and playful!

And here’s another – where you can’t just see but feel… the owner’s love for music. It’s music front and center!

That guitar, it caught my attention – it’s there, ready to be played – a functional decor in itself.

And the speakers, they’re huge! The owner could have chosen something smaller and discreet, but he didn’t. He chose something that will definitely stand out.

Lastly (my favorite part), the plants. Oh, I love plants! It’s loud and clear, the owner of this room loves nature too!

3. Use layers, not piles.

Piles are messy stacks – things just thrown together. Like a pile of books in the corner, or a stack of clothes on the chair. It’s chaotic and it doesn’t show what you love. It’s clutter.

Layering, on the other hand, is where you arrange things – like front to back or side by side, where your eyes move naturally across them.

Let’s take this room for example. The pillows on the bed are well arranged. White pillows at the back. Decorative pillows in front.

The blankets too are draped and not just tossed in a corner. Then there’s two matching lamps on either side of the room. Plus, the mural is like a layered backdrop, perfectly fit on the wall.

Let’s have another example.

Here’s a wall full of display. Each shelf here is full but not messy.

Books, instead of the usual arrangement in a shelf, are used like risers, elevating decorative pieces.

Items are also placed both at the back and front of the shelves. And there’s an intentional mix of tall and short objects.

Even the bold colors are layered across shelves in a balanced way – intentionally scattered, avoiding overwhelm.

So, you see, the key here is to display items with intention. It’s called intentional layering, not just adding more and more stuff.

Layers add interest without mess. And that’s what eclectic maximalism is.

4. Group with purpose.

It looks cluttered when things are scattered. But when you group similar items together, they look like a thoughtful collection. It gives your items a visual purpose.

For example, in this room, there’s a lot going on, but it feels intentional rather than cluttered. First, notice the group of plants in the yellow cart. Then there’s the art gallery on the wall, plus the shelves with books.

Each group has a role to play. The shelves serve as the room’s anchor, giving it a stable feeling.

The art pieces are bright and playful, and they pull your eyes upward, instantly adding energy and personality to the space. Then all the greenery adds a calming and cool vibe to the room.

Here’s another sample. This room looks colorful and fun!

The striped rug and furniture give the room a solid feeling. The colorful wall art, pillows, and hanging mobile add fun and movement. Then the plant, lamp, and hanging lights create different heights in the room.

In short, the room looks playful, but everything is placed with care to keep it all looking neat and put together.

In both samples, each group is not random but doing design work. It may look spontaneous. But it’s actually deeply thoughtful.

5. Make it personal.

Let your mix of colors, patterns and objects reflect you – your personality, interests and story.

You can mix in memories, like photos and pieces that you have collected over the years.

Oh, you can break rules if it feels right! And don’t worry about trends, because eclectic maximalism is unique, and yes, it can also mean unexpected. So, don’t be afraid to show who you are in your designs and decors.

Inspiration… inspiration…

Just more samples to inspire you.

Here’s a cozy bedroom that shows off an eclectic maximalist style with its mix of colors, patterns, and decorations. The floral bedspread, gingham curtains, vintage furniture, and fun wall art all come together to create a cozy and creative space.

Here’s a living room full of personality. The plants, patterned pillows, vintage furniture, and wallpaper all work together to make the space feel warm and inviting. And the rug – I love it! – with its rich colors and detailed pattern.

Then here’s a colorful gallery wall in the hallway. It really stands out and it makes the room feel so bright and cheerful!

And here’s another very colorful living room. It’s charming and feels relaxing, inviting you to just stay for a while and forget your worries.

And how about this for your kitchen? You like pink? If it will make cooking more fun, why not, right?

Eclectic maximalism is not about filling every inch with things.

As you have seen, eclectic maximalism is more about choosing pieces that reflect who you are and arranging them with thought and care.

It’s true that intentional choices speak louder than more stuff. And your home should feel like a sanctuary, and not a storage unit.

To make it short eclectic maximalism, when done right, doesn’t result into chaos or clutter.

Instead, it’s about a home where every detail means something to you. Yes, there may be more things than when you’re adopting minimalism. The space may be full. But it’s not cluttered.

It’s just like creating a playlist where every song is meaningful, and you actually listen to it!

It’s not about trends.

At the end of the day, this isn’t about trends. It’s about what fits your family – what makes your home feel more like home.

If any of these decors and designs piqued your interest, or you know deep down that you love bold colors, patterns, and you like mixing and blending colorful things, you might want to give eclectic maximalism a try!

And whatever you call it, if it makes you happy and your home functions for your family – that’s the right style for you.

Happy decorating!

Looking for more home decor tips? Check these out!

• 30 Beautiful Storage Ideas that Double as Home Decor
• How to Turn Junk into Jaw-Dropping Home Decor
• How to Decorate Your Home on a Budget
• or simply visit our Home Decor category page for everything about decorating!

Has this post helped you? Take a second to PIN it!