I can’t believe “maximalism” is underlined in red. Of course it’s a real word.
If maximalism isn’t familiar to you, it is still quite likely that minimalism is. Minimalism is a far more common term, one that has gained popularity quickly over the last few years.
Minimalism is simply the practice of having minimal things, of possessing less. It involves selecting what is essential and letting go of the rest. Minimalists tend to surround themselves only with what they truly find important or necessary.
I have seen minimalism talked about quite a bit, with everything from capsule wardrobes and no-buys, to minimalistic themes and templates on design websites. While I respect minimalism and see its value, my heart has always been more drawn to bright colors, designs spanning every direction and the delight that comes with a little bit of chaos.
You guessed right—that’s maximalism. Maximalism is the opposite of minimalism; it’s the aesthetic that embraces more. Maximalism welcomes rich, layered designs with myriad colors, patterns and an abundance of decorative elements.
But to me, maximalism is much more than just the visual designs it encompasses. Maximalism is an instrument for creativity and self-expression. It’s a way of living that invites each individual to display her unique flair and enjoy the abundance and wonder that comes with that kind of limitless expression.
When Maximalism Seems Like Clutter
Sometimes, people may find maximalism excessive, overwhelming or otherwise negative. Many people think that maximalism can quickly turn into a mess, especially when it is equated to constantly buying more things to fit maximalist standards.
I soon came to realize that maximalism isn’t about buying more or filling a space up with as much as you can—that’s clutter. So today, I wanted to clear up some of the common misconceptions around maximalism and how it can be embraced as a state of mind that supports creativity in a multitude of ways.
1. More products—of the mind
Maximalism: Embracing the products of the mind, enriching new ideas and relying on oneself as a perpetual source of creativity. Focusing on stimulating the creative spirit at every opportunity and using its products to fill up a space.
Clutter: Feeling the need to constantly buy things and relying solely on external sources of creativity. Often leaves behind a lingering feeling of dissatisfaction and the pressing need for more without any fulfillment.
2. Intentional vs. Random Decor
Maximalism: Curating pieces that complement each other; finding a way to form a connection even if they are different. Choosing and designing items purposefully and with a broader vision to make a cohesive whole.
Clutter: Harboring a random collection of items with little thought put in, or even worse, keeping an actual mess which may include things that need to be discarded.
3. Inspiration vs. Overload
Maximalism: Inspiring creativity and joy by displaying items and ideas that are meaningful and positively influence you to continue creating more.
Clutter: Leading to a sensory overload, feelings of drain and exhaustion, and unnecessary distractions.
4. Consider the Energy
Maximalism: Collecting a variety of things that you value, ones that make you feel positive and inspired.
Clutter: Accumulating items that harbor negative energy such as old things associated with bad times, things that no longer fit your style or ones that disrupt the theme and feel that you are working toward.
5. Innovation and Fresh Perspectives
Maximalism: Designing new things fearlessly, being open to experiment with new ideas while drawing inspiration from near and dear old ones. Being mindful of your stream of thoughts and the inspiration all around you to uncover original perspectives at any time.
Clutter: Remaining stuck on old ideas out of the fear of trying new things or taking a risk. Or perhaps letting old things be because of the lack of vision to continually keep growing.
6. Creative Abundance vs. Accumulation
Maximalism: Embracing abundance as a means of fueling creativity, filling your space with its fruits, with things that matter and fit your broader theme and goals.
Clutter: Having anything just for the sake of having more, leading to dissatisfaction and feelings of unrest.
7. Creativity and Sourcing Ideas
Maximalism: Welcoming a profusion of ideas and allowing them to take different forms. Being plentiful in your approach by drawing from different sources of inspiration and remaining self-assured in your ability to always create more.
Clutter: Clinging onto a scarcity mindset by hoarding ideas, not taking action or letting go of ideas of the past.
I hope these distinctions give you a new approach toward maximalism, and more importantly, toward seeing it as a creative and intentional way of living. Embrace maximalism not as an excuse to plainly accumulate or buy more, but rather as a philosophy that celebrates abundance in a meaningful and thoughtful way.