Are You a Minimalist or a Maximalist?
Picking out the interior design of your home is like choosing an outfit for yourself. Aside from making your humble abode pleasing to the eyes, you can also express your style and personality with the choice of décor and style you want to incorporate inside of your home.
But more than the aesthetics, choosing the interior design of your home also cares for the functionality of it, depending on who are the dwellers of the property. The pandemic has brought light on the importance of interior design from the outside world. Looking from the outsider’s perspective, the interior design of your house speaks a lot about you as the homeowner. Do you want bright screaming (but not to the point of being overbearing) colors? Or are you the type to opt for white walls like a blank canvass? Do you want a lot of furniture inside of your home or you just want to keep a few stylish but functional pieces?
Whether or not you’ve heard about minimalism and maximalism, we’re here to break down the difference between the two and let you find out which stylish option best suits your home and your personality.
What is Minimalism?
I’m certain you’re very familiar of this, as the internet especially the social media are loaded with various ‘minimalistic design ideas’ — from wallpapers, tattoos, mood boards, clothes and accessories, there’s a minimalistic approach in all of them.
For starters, minimalism focuses more on highlighting the space of your room interior. Rather than having large, bulky furniture and loud, screaming colors plastered on the wall, minimalism’s approach to interior design is straightforward and simple. It’s all about the clean lines, plain hues and patterns, and eliminating clutter.
Minimalism is meant to be practical — it doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t have things, you just like them organized so that they won’t be immediately seem by any snooping eye. According to a blog published by danetti entitled Minimalist vs. Maximalist Interiors | Creating a Personalised Home, minimalism has five key elements which includes:
Simple but fitting color palette
Sleek silhouettes
Modem finishes
Clever storage solutions
Streamlined details
For instance, a minimalistic living room may have one neutral tone (usually nude or white) painted on the walls, with one picture frame hanging from it as well. It may also have a basic furniture (with lots of hidden storage as minimalism respects the value of spaces) which adds style and functionality altogether in that space.
In a minimalist bedroom, typically has one bed with a table on one side. There could be a rug, but there may also be none. Of course, the color scheme is monochromatic, and the clutter is strategically hidden away inside clever storages.
Are you the type to go minimalist? Well, according to an article published by Diane Koopman on Lifehack entitled How To Tell If You’re A Minimalist or a Maximalist, “A person who prefers the minimalist style or philosophy of life tends to have a need for singularity and clarity. “
Truly enough, the saying ‘less is more’ is fitting for people who prefer minimalism like you.
What is Maximalism?
On the opposite end of the spectrum lies the literal counterpart of minimalism, which is Maximalism.
To be bold and loud is the central core of the maximalist design. While there are lots of things going on around here doesn’t mean that it’s not as visually pleasing compared to its counterpart. Of course, there’s still the style and aesthetic but with a different way of execution. The maximalist is all about bold colors, patterns, loads of creativity. The key element here is comfort.
A Maximalist-inspired interior design allows its dwellers ease of access to practicality and convenience while giving them the freedom to by dynamic and flexible.
Picture a space with a bright color on the wall, adorned with intricate patterns, and filled with furniture (that serves a purpose of course). Shelves and table tops are filled with decors and ornaments (which are surprisingly isn’t over bearing to the eyes). Indoor plants are also always present to the scene, filling every nook and cranny and wasting no empty space.
Depending on its dweller, a maximalist room can look like a library in one day, and a painter’s studio on the next. That’s the beauty of the maximalist design — it is ever changing but still respects the aesthetic and design aspects.
The Minimalist-Maximalist
Surprisingly enough, these two inspirations can converge into one and create another muse for your interior decor. According to danetti, “minimal maximalist style is a combination of considered furniture, luxe materials and pops of wile. This could be a minimal furniture paired with patterned wallpapers and pop of neon. Or it could be a sleek, white room with a statement, brightly coloured curved sofa.”
Expression of Oneself
Choosing a design for your niche is more than just aesthetics — it’s a reflection and expression of oneself. According to an article published in Best Online Cabinets titled Minimalism & Maximalism: What’s the difference?, “Minimalists see their homes as places where they seek calm like a sanctuary.” They are the ones who tend to make a statement by highlighting the functionalities of furniture.
On the other hand, maximalists tend to see their space as “extension of themselves.” Being surrounded by the things close to them brings forth joy or nostalgia.
Getting the Best of Both Worlds
So have you discovered what type of interior design best suits you?
If you are planning to do some home improvements to level up your home’s curb appeal, or you just want a fresh new look for your niche, then this is the perfect time to explore the inner interior designer in you and let the ideas come out through minimalism or maximalism. At the end of the day, whatever style you choose, it is the self-expression that matters most. I cannot emphasize enough how style and design conveys what’s inside your soul. So, tap onto that and let that creativity come out!
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