For decades, minimalism has reigned supreme in the world of design, championing simplicity, neutral tones and clean lines. Its "less is more" philosophy promotes restraint, leaving spaces pared back to the essentials, plus maybe a decoration or two. But not everyone finds serenity in sparse interiors and muted palettes. Enter maximalism, a bold and unapologetic counter-movement that embraces abundance, eclecticism and personal expression.

Maximalism is not about clutter or chaos (or at least, that's not all it's about). Rather, it’s an intentional celebration of individuality. Layered patterns, dramatic colors and a fearless mix of old and new are key traits of this design philosophy. It thrives on blending styles, eras and influences to create outfits, spaces and designs that feel deeply personal and downright fascinating. Discover why maximalism is so trendy, what it's all about and whether it's here to stay.

What is Maximalism and Why is it Booming?

Two images arranged side-by-side. The photo on the left shows an opulent bedroom that’s decorated with ornate furniture, a marble bust, intricate vases, a brightly colored rug and a black and white striped canopy hanging above the bed. The photo on the right shows a large but simple kitchen with all-white cabinetry, all-white walls, concrete flooring and a simple wooden table.
In the Skillshare class “Minimalist vs. Maximalist Interior Design: Find the Perfect Blend for You,” teacher Ana Marcu teaches the principles of interior design that contribute to the minimal or the maximal look.

Maximalism is a design style that celebrates abundance, personality and visual impact. In contrast to minimalism's clean and restrained aesthetic, maximalism revels in bold patterns, saturated colors and layered textures.

In terms of interior design, it’s about creating spaces that feel lived-in, expressive, and curated rather than stripped down. A maximalist living room might feature an eclectic mix of vintage furniture, jewel-toned velvet upholstery, gallery walls filled with art and books stacked like sculptures. And in a maximalist kitchen, you might find open shelves brimming with colorful ceramics, patterned tiles and a collection of old cookbooks.

In terms of fashion, it's about loud colors, plentiful accessories, intricate patterns and lots of layers. A maximalist outfit could incorporate patterned pants, a colorful sweater, oversized jewelry and a sparkling bag. But outfits in muted color schemes can be maximalist, too—they just might feature extra layers and accessories in place of a bold color scheme or large patterns.

So, why is maximalism having a moment now? In many ways, it’s a response to cultural and generational shifts. After years of stark, Instagram-ready minimalism dominating social media, many people—particularly members of younger generations—are craving warmth and individuality.

That's because maximalism is an effective antidote to sameness. It allows for playful self-expression and a more personal approach to design. So Millennials and Gen Z, two generations shaped by a love of nostalgia and access to a vast digital archive of styles, are eager to embrace maximalism and showcase their personalities through their spaces. 

Meanwhile, the rise of secondhand shopping, sustainability and DIY culture has only amplified maximalism’s appeal, and encourages people to mix and match unique finds instead of following rigid design rules.

Last but not least, it’s worth considering that maximalism is also gaining traction because of its undeniably human feel. As AI technology becomes more advanced by the day, people may be craving design trends that embrace messiness, imperfection and grit. As accomplished designer, Aaron Draplin said in his Skillshare class on dirty design, “little imperfections can actually make your work better.”

How Maximalism is Influencing Visual Culture

Maximalism isn’t just changing the way we decorate our homes and accessorize our outfits—it’s also making waves in visual culture across various creative fields. This aesthetic’s emphasis on bold contrasts, layered elements and whimsical elements can be seen everywhere, from graphic design to digital content creation.

Here’s how maximalism is shaping key areas of visual culture:

  • Graphic design: Many designers are stepping away from pared-down minimalist looks and are instead opting for chaotic beauty, clashing patterns, bold typography and vintage-inspired collages (or in other words, dirty design). Maximalist designs feel busy, but intentional, and they’re often full of layered details that invite viewers to look closer.
  • Music and album art: Surreal illustrations, psychedelic color palettes and nostalgic designs offer a maximalist approach to album covers.
  • Visual branding: Some brands are using maximalism to stand out from the crowd. With playful patterns, bright color palettes and whimsical, unconventional packaging, they're creating memorable identities that customers feel a kinship with. Maximalist-inspired visual branding feels youthful, fresh and full of personality.
  • Content creation and digital aesthetics: Influencers and content creators on platforms like TikTok and Instagram are rejecting the sanitized look of highly curated minimalism in favor of eclectic, hyper-stylized visuals. Think clashing filters, over-the-top graphic overlays and layered textures that transform a simple post into an artistic statement.
  • Web design: Remember when websites didn’t all look the same? We’re headed that way again. Modern websites are becoming more dynamic and experiential, and may incorporate bold animations, textured backgrounds and mixed-media elements. These layered design elements can turn web browsing into a fully immersive visual experience.

Maximalism in visual culture is more than just an aesthetic trend—it’s a way to tell more compelling stories, have fun and harken back to a time before Apple's minimal designs took the world by storm. 

Maximalism on Social Media 

By giving birth to trends that celebrate sustainability, individuality and self-expression, social media has played a significant role in the rise of maximalism. Platforms like TikTok, Pinterest and Instagram are filled with maximalist-inspired posts that encourage users to reject traditional ideas of perfection and embrace a more playful, chaotic aesthetic.

These are a few of the social media trends that show how maximalism is reshaping online culture and personal style, one vintage trinket at a time.

Cluttercore

A woman dressed in a brightly multicolored outfit standing in a bedroom. The room’s walls are decorated with layers of posters, photos, hanging objects and shelves of trinkets. The desk is filled with colorful crafting materials, and the bed features cartoon-themed bedding. 
The kind of cheerfully crowded spaces that the cluttercore aesthetic celebrates. Image via Maggie Shannon for The Cut. 

This trend is all about displaying beautiful and sentimental objects. Far from being messy, cluttercore emphasizes carefully curated collections of objects—link vintage trinkets, books, plants and sentimental items—that have been arranged to create cozy, visually rich spaces. 

On social media platforms, creators gladly share their cluttercore spaces, and by doing so showcase how maximalism can evoke a comforting, lived-in vibe that feels authentic and personal.

Looking for ways to incorporate the cluttercore look into your space without making it seem, well, cluttered? Try adding a trinket shelf to display your curios and treasures. The shelf will keep your trinkets elevated and out of the way, while still allowing you to get inspired by your favorite knick-knacks.

Dopamine Dressing

The goal of dopamine dressing is refreshingly simple: just wear what makes you happy. Although everyone will have slightly different results, loud colors, touchable textures and statement accessories are typically central to this trend, with influencers encouraging followers to let go of fashion “rules” and embrace fearless self-expression.

For some, that means layering on the rhinestones, mixing bright colors and embracing bold patterns. For others, it could be choosing their outfit based on their favorite color, or simply wearing clothes that might be considered “too fancy” for the occasion.

To discover what dopamine dressing means to you, try paying attention to how different colors, textures and materials make you feel when you wear them. If you find yourself excited to wear certain pieces, then you’re heading in the right direction. 

Rococo-Style Opulence

A woman in a pink painted room that’s decorated with opulent furniture, silk curtains and dessert carts filled with cakes. The woman is wearing a pink corset and a white hoop skirt, and she’s sitting on a swing hanging from the ceiling. 
Ruffles, pastels and intricate details combine to make rococo a maximalist-friendly trend. Image via Pinterest Predicts 2025. 

Inspired by the lavish aesthetics of 18th-century Rococo design, this trend brings ornate details, gilded frames, floral patterns and pastel hues into modern contexts. It’s a digital-age spin on aristocratic luxury—think Marie Antoinette, but infinitely more accessible, and minus the tragic ending.

As illustrator and Skillshare teacher Carrie Cantwell said in our round-up of graphic design trends to watch in 2025, “the girly trend is going strong, so leaning into that hits the Rococo trend, the ever-popular bows, dolls, coquette and also demure feminine. Think innocence with flair."

"Pinterest Predicts just shared that Rococo is going to be huge" she continued, "and it's the perfect example of how the feminine trend shows no signs of stopping. Imagine three-tiered cakes with bows in bright aqua, pink and pale lemon yellow and you're on the right track."

Thrifted Everything

Generally speaking, maximalism isn't nearly as wasteful as other design trends. That's because thrift culture has become a cornerstone of maximalism on social media. There, creators proudly showcase secondhand finds, refurbish old furniture and upcycle garments in lieu of buying new ones. As a result, thrifted maximalism promotes sustainability while also giving new life to forgotten treasures.

To take part in the thrifting fun, start by heading to your local thrift stores, flea markets and antique malls. If it’s secondhand clothing you’re after, don’t despair if you can’t find what you’re looking for—online thrift stores like ThredUp make it easy to find pieces that suit your style. 

These trends resonate particularly well with those who value authenticity, creativity and freedom of expression. As maximalism spreads across social media, it has become a form of self-empowerment—a way for people to embrace their quirks, share their unique stories and find community in the process.

What About Minimalism?

A minimalist portrait of a woman’s face depicted in black lines against a white background. Only the outlines of the woman’s major facial features are shown, such as her eyes, eyebrows, nose and lips. 
In the Skillshare class “Minimalist Portraits: Realistic One-Line Drawing Using Procreate,” teacher Attabeira German makes a realistic portrait using the minimalist one-line drawing style.

With maximalism gaining traction, you might wonder: Where does that leave minimalism? Rather than fading into irrelevance, minimalism has evolved in response to maximalism’s bold, expressive presence. In many ways, it has shed its rigid "all or nothing" approach by becoming softer and more flexible. To that effect, modern, everyday minimalism embraces warmth and personality by incorporating organic textures, layered neutrals and carefully chosen statement pieces that reflect personal style without being overwhelming.

In other words, maximalism’s influence is pushing minimalism to feel less sterile and more lived-in. The stark, all-white interiors of early minimalism are giving way to muted color palettes, natural materials and designs that blend simplicity with comfort. Trends like “warm minimalism” and “soft minimalism” have emerged as a result, with both aiming to marry the restraint of minimalism with the coziness of maximalism.

Warm and soft minimalism, for example, emphasize elements such as: 

  • Warm, earthy colors in shades of taupe, tan, green and terracotta. 
  • Touchable textures like those you’d find in hand-knit sweaters and cozy blankets.
  • Natural materials like linen, cotton and wool. 
  • Soft lighting to create an inviting atmosphere (no overhead lights allowed). 
  • Gentle curves rather than harsh, straight lines. 

But will traditional minimalism ever make a full comeback? We can't predict the future, but there's no reason why not. After all, design trends are cyclical, and there will always be a place for peace and simplicity. As maximalism dominates, some will inevitably crave the calm, uncluttered environments that minimalism provides. For those who feel overstimulated by busy spaces and loud color palettes, minimalism remains a refuge and provides a way to focus on simple living without distraction.

Does Maximalism Have Lasting Power? 

As maximalism continues to dominate visual culture, design and fashion enthusiasts might wonder if it's just another fleeting trend, or if it has the staying power to rival minimalism’s decades-long reign.

While it may be tempting to dismiss maximalism as a short-lived reaction to years of stark minimalism, there are signs that it may be more than just a passing phase. Its emphasis on personal expression, nostalgia and eclecticism aligns perfectly with the values of younger generations' members, many of whom prioritize individuality and reject aesthetics that they perceive as being one-size-fits-all.

Even those same younger generations' own previous trends aren't immune: just hop on TikTok and see what people are saying about "Millennial gray" home decor.

Maximalism’s adaptability is another reason it could endure. Unlike rigid design movements, maximalism is loosely defined by nature and thrives on evolution and reinvention. It’s not tied to a specific set of rules or a particular color palette—rather, it’s about freedom and storytelling. This means maximalism can morph to suit changing tastes, whether through bold, futuristic designs or cozy, vintage-inspired looks.

That being said, no dominant trend will reign supreme forever. Some may eventually grow tired of visual abundance and long for the calm and simplicity that minimalism offers.

It’s likely that maximalism won’t completely disappear, though. Instead, it may settle into a more balanced form as individuals merge it with other styles and adapt it to their needs. So, instead of being an all-or-nothing movement, maximalism could become a permanent part of the design conversation and continue to provide inspiration for people who appreciate creativity above all else.

Maximalist-Minded Influencers to Watch 

Maximalism is thriving thanks to a wave of artists, designers and social media personalities who are pushing the boundaries of creativity. From resourceful interior decorators to eclectic fashion stylists, these influencers and brands embody the spirit of maximalism in everything they do.

Here are some key figures to keep an eye on for ideas and inspiration:

Sara Camposarcone

A woman standing in front of a silver photo backdrop in an apartment with white walls. She’s wearing a loud, colorful outfit that includes a fruit-themed cardigan, hat, purse, glasses, earrings and boots. 
Sara styles a fruit-themed outfit with the help of plenty of accessories. Image via @saracampz on TikTok. 

This Canadian stylist, designer and self-proclaimed "sustainable maximalist" is one of the most well-known proponents of the trend. Her outfits often combine bright colors, heaps of layers and bold accessories. And if you need some inspiration to find secondhand treasures, look no further than her many videos, in which she takes viewers along on her thrifting adventures. 

Saraa

An apartment living room with wood floors and white walls. The visible wall is decorated with several framed art pieces, a warm amber-colored light, several books, sculptures and other pieces of decor, and a large potted plant. 
Saraa demonstrates how some thoughtful lighting, art pieces and decor can transform an otherwise plain room into a cozy and inviting space. Image via @sareishh on TikTok. 

Maximalism isn't necessarily synonymous with luxury or excess, and Saraa's content is proof of that. With colorful decorations, framed art and some creative lighting, she creates gorgeous interior designs that viewers can easily try for themselves, even with a limited budget. 

Eve-Lily

A woman standing inside a room with white walls. She’s wearing a pink silk corset over a pink lacy dress, and has decorated the top of the corset with large mint green silk bows. Behind her, a vintage-style folding screen decorated with bouquets of pink roses is visible. 
Eve-Lily styles an outfit inspired by the character Glinda from the movie “Wicked.” Image via @evelilycp on TikTok. 

"Layered opulence" might be one of the more accurate ways to describe this British influencer's style. Large prints, eye-popping colors and sumptuous materials all combine to create her distinctive aesthetic. And since she often combines thrift store finds with designer pieces, there’s a little something for everyone in her looks. 

Lisa Says Gah

A woman standing on a city sidewalk with a street in the background. She’s wearing a red and beige square print cardigan that’s decorated with red bows, and white and blue gingham shorts that are decorated with a teddy bear motif. 
The type of kitschy, campy pieces that put Lisa Says Gah on the map. Image via @lisasaysgah on TikTok. 

Widely regarded as a Gen Z favorite, Lisa Says Gah is a San Francisco-based clothing brand that focuses on vibrant colors, bold prints and sustainable practices. This combination is mesmerizing and not likely to be found in other brands. 

Find Your Artistic Style on Skillshare

Maximalism is more than just a design trend. It’s a celebration of individuality, self-expression and creative freedom that's here to stay. From its rise in interior design and visual culture to its influence on social media and fashion, maximalism encourages us to reject rules and embrace what feels authentic and personal, whatever that means to us. Whether it’s the cozy messiness of cluttercore, the playful flair of dopamine dressing or the layered chaos of maximalist branding, this movement is all about turning your surroundings, your outfits and your online presence into a canvas.

Inspired to explore different aesthetics and find your own distinctive style? Start with Skillshare's vast library of online classes. Our expert-led classes in graphic design, fashion design and interior design can help you discover new ways to express yourself and build the skills you need to bring your vision to life.
Whether you want to experiment with bold color palettes, create eclectic folk art on your iPad or learn how to style your home like a pro, Skillshare's experienced teachers are ready to help you make it happen.

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Written By
Carrie Buchholz

Carrie Buchholz

Carrie Buchholz is a freelance writer who lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and dog.

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