Vintage Maximalism: 13 Examples To Embrace This Eclectic Trend!
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If you’re tired of playing it safe with your decor, get ready to dive into the joyful world of vintage maximalism!
In this blog post, we’ll talk about the concept behind this trending decor style, and learn some practical tips about how to apply it with some stunning real-life examples sprinkled in for inspiration!
Vintage Maximalism: How to Embrace Eclectic Charm in Your Home Decor
Personally, I adore this style and it makes me so joyful that people are taking up a more unique personal style in their decor again. This style embraces Albert Hadley’s motto, “Rooms should feel collected, not decorated.” I couldn’t agree more!
That being said, such a dramatic style can feel a bit intimidating at first glance, especially after such a long time of neutral color schemes and minimalism being the front runners in the interior design world, such a dramatic style can feel a bit intimidating at first glance. But, worry not!
In this post, we’ll go over some of the key concepts behind vintage maximalism and how you can apply it to your home.
What is Vintage Maximalism?
Vintage maximalism is a daring and vibrant interior decor style that thrives on celebrating collected vintage pieces, bold color pairings, eclectic mismatches, and unexpected design choices. It breaks free of traditional rules, allowing you to mix and match an array of styles, eras, colors, and textures to create a space that bursts with individuality and creativity.
At its heart, vintage maximalism is about crafting a home where pieces from all different eras and styles come together to tell a story of your unique sense of style.
Vintage Maximalism vs. Regular Maximalism: What Sets Them Apart
While both vintage maximalism and regular maximalism embrace boldness, eclecticism, and a fearless approach to design, there are some key differences that set them apart.
Maximalism is more focused on contemporary elements and trends. While it can incorporate vintage pieces, it’s not its primary focus. On the other hand, vintage maximalism thrives on the juxtaposition of different eras and styles, with a stronger emphasis on antique and vintage pieces and historical aesthetics.
Embracing Bold Colors
One of the fundamental pillars of this eclectic style is the use of bold colors.
In the world of vintage maximalism, you don’t tiptoe around with neutrals; you embrace a vibrant color scheme and go all out. Think deep, luscious jewel tones like emerald green, royal blue, bright yellow, and ruby red. These colors are your allies in creating an atmosphere that’s vibrant and brimming with personality.
If you’re not quite ready to go all-in with your walls, start small by introducing colorful accents to your decor — an unexpected throw pillow arrangement, layered rugs, accent walls in a vibrant hue, or even a small-scale gallery wall with vintage frames.
Remember to find the balance that suits your taste! This style is all about collected decor that works for you, so you set the pace.
Exploring Patterns and Textures
Don’t be shy about mixing and matching patterns and textures! Vintage maximalism is where stripes cozy up with florals and velvet flirts with leather accents.
Experiment by dressing your walls with lush wallpapers in dainty floral patterns, pair mismatched armchairs with clashing patterned upholstery, and cover your coffee book tables with your favorite books and collected figurines.
Mixing Styles and Eras
Mixing styles and eras is your secret weapon when crafting dramatic vintage maximalist interiors. Blend mid-century modern with Victorian, Art déco with industrial — Don’t be shy about it!
Here is where thrift shops become an essential part of pulling off this style. You can pair your contemporary furniture with mid-century and baroque-style pieces you find in local thrift stores. The beauty of this style is in the unexpected harmony of it all.
Key Pieces for a Maximalist Look
Big, small, ornate, or simple decor accents like mirrors, art pieces, framed photographs, figurines, vases, and plants are the easiest way to start your vintage maximalism journey. For a true transformation, you need to add a more dramatic flair.
The best way to do this? Statement furniture! Think bold, oversized sofas in plush, rich fabrics — something that demands attention from the moment you walk into the room.
Statement furniture is a game-changer that can instantly elevate your maximalist game instantly.
Don’t forget about eye-catching headboards for your bed, intricately carved dressers, or curated collections of your favorite books. These are the show-stoppers, the conversation starters, and the heart of your vintage maximalist home!
How do you feel about this trending interior design style? Let me know in the comments, I love reading your thoughts!
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vintage maximalism can be very interesting and sophisticated however to show what it is must be tidy and all in its place otherwise the effect will be very unwelcoming . This is my opinion.
Maria Mavrikos
Yes, everything in it’s place is always a good idea Maria!
Wasn’t sure what my style was a little bit of this and that, color, patterns now I know! Thank you for your article!
I think that with a good eye and a knowledge of some basic design principles, this style can really be so interesting Diane!
This decorating approach can be a bit hard to process, but it has charm and validity. What pleases me is seeing rooms decorated to truly personal taste. I’m elderly, and I’ve learned that a very important practice in life is simply to be yourself (which can be challenging, amid various influences and pressures). Kudos to people who furnish and use their homes in ways that celebrate their own individuality! 🙂
Susan, perfectly said. The older I get I love exploring a variety of styles and perhaps incorporating some ideas to mesh along with what I truly love!
Im soon to 69 ive lived in 16 major cities in the US from NYC to LA.I didn’t realize my sence of style had a name Vintage Maximalism so good to know!! Being half Spanish and half Swedish im drawn to bold colors then the blues like my dad’s eyes to the neon lights at Studio 54. I love huge bulky furniture pieces to those new desk you can get that screw on to wall. Lighting is everything to me I love lamps old and new big and small different hues and colors always seasonal.!! I only buy things that I absolutely love anymore or things that remind me of somewhere ive been because it takes me there to a time and a place where i was supposed to be to get the experience,meet the people,learn the lesson to live the life that became me.!! I wouldn’t change a thing many tears of joy and laughter that’s left me filled with incredible creativity that I express into my design that gives my home that wow factor!! Im so glad that not everything has to make sense it just has to look good. Lol.
It sounds like you really embrace your own style Chet and that’s what ultimately counts in design! As an older influencer, I feel the same that we need to put ourselves and personal experiences into the design of our homes. It makes our home come alive!
Since 1970 I have been a thrift shop junkie and love the chase. Now that I am selling my home I have had to become a minimalist and declutter my rooms and walls. What’s left to stage my home are really fine stand alone pieces of art and furniture that I love and will carry with.
The collecting is so much fun…a thrill when you find something you love Erol! I understand that as time goes on we generally have the need to declutter. Have been doing the same here.
Maybe another word for tidy clutter?
Could be Margie, good point
I am a joyful practitioner of the vintage maximalist decorating style. So glad to see it getting its due! All the decorating posts with nothing but white and boring neutrals and very few decorative items made every room lack personality and warmth. Who wants to live in a space that looks like a hotel room? To each her own, I guess.
Yes, to each their own Tammie and that’s why we try and post a variety of decorating ideas for our readers. Glad you are following and beating to your own drum Tammie!
Hi Janet! Though I’ve dabbled at copying some of your ideas in the past, I found most of your style too… well, for lack of a better term, froufrou! This posting hit the nail right on the head with me though, and I subscribed so I can follow along more closely. As a lifelong collector of many different styles, (many call clutter) lol, I am so happy to be validated and now have a name for MY style. Vintage maximalist! Has a nice ring to it, and I am inspired to bring out the cottagey pillows, paint a few smaller pieces of furniture and a couple of picture frames, in brighter and more contrasting hues, and dare I say, (?) put those couple of rolls of floral wallpaper, that I’ve saved from a tag sale, for more than a hot minute, to use, in all its gawdy glory on the backs of my bookshelves! Thank you for this little nudge to unleash the true me that has been hiding behind too many Pinterest perfect ideas for far too long! Now where did I stash the wallpapering tools?
Glad that this post resonated with you Karen! It’s so fun finding our style and allowing it to evolve over time
Vintage maximalist is what I love, but my vintage items seem to be harder to incorporate. I love old tools, tobacco items, bottles & items I find in estate sale garages. My biggest issue is what type of shelves to display them on & how much is too much for each shelf.
I feel like you should collect what you love Cindy and display it proudly. This is what makes a house a home of one’s own. Maybe mix in the old tools, etc with some floral arrangements, books and wicker pieces to soften the look? Enjoy!
This is me. I have been collecting stuff for years and years. Can’t wait to have my own home once I sell my business which is a BnB. It will be like 20 Christmases when I unpack everything and start dressing my home. Great to have a confirmation that your life on show is much more interesting than blah bland!