Vintage Maximalism Is Perfect for Those Who Love to Break Design Rules
- Evelyn Long
- Apr 8
- 5 min read
In a world of neutral tones and minimalistic designs, vintage maximalism throws caution to the wind and embraces a clash of colors and eras. The style couples bold and over-the-top elements with classic and nostalgic pieces.
It’s where your grandparents’ china meets retro furniture and vibrant walls, and each corner reflects your personal narrative.
If you’re ready to break free from trending designs and want something familiar and aligned with who you are, vintage maximalism can help you achieve joyful extravagance.
What Is Vintage Maximalism?
Vintage maximalism embraces eclecticism, combining bold colors and layers with carefully curated older pieces. Maximalism carries its “more is more” philosophy into each space, while vintage design brings a sense of timeless charm, character and warmth. Both interior design styles celebrate curation, self-expression and cherished belongings.
According to the Pinterest Predicts 2025 report, searches for “vintage maximalism” increased by over 260% as Gen X and baby boomers plan to fill their homes with bold colors, prints and textures.
Why Vintage Maximalism Appeals to Rule Breakers
Your home should reflect your personality and preferences, a space in which you feel free and happy. For natural-born rule breakers, vintage maximalism lends itself to individuality and encourages challenging conventions.
Breaks Traditional Design Rules
The days of neutrals and matching everything in your space are behind you. Instead, vintage style and maximalism urge intentional clashing. Consider the story you can tell when integrating two periods — a midcentury modern, green tufted accent chair with contemporary chevron-patterned pillows.
Mixing unlikely motifs is also a clean break from the norm. Designer Matthew Williamson is an expert in this, suggesting you use florals and stripes together, such as a floral-printed sofa and a striped rug.
Painting the walls a dramatic color or applying a busy wallpaper is another way rule breakers veer from traditional design rules. As New York-based interior designer Megan Hopp states, bright, showstopping color is necessary if you truly want to capture maximalism.
You may like this unique style because it allows you to create your own. Just because something is popular among the masses doesn’t mean you must design your home the same way.
Tells a Story
TikTocker Michelle Pham has grown her following as a maximalist and do-it-yourself enthusiast. To her, maximalism is about things that bring her joy and make her happy to live in her space.
For example, she’s decorated her New York apartment with nostalgic furnishings and decorative items that remind her of her childhood.
Vintage maximalism allows you to showcase personal collections, stories and family heirlooms while emphasizing evolution, experimentation and originality. It’s unlikely you’ll design rooms with similar styles — each will stand out with an important story to tell.
How to Embrace Vintage Maximalism in Your Home
You might feel overwhelmed by starting over with your home’s interior design. However, you may find yourself adding more to each space than swapping items out. Here are ways to get started with vintage maximalism at home.
1. Start a Collection
The first step to adopting vintage maximalism is curation. You’ll want to collect quality vintage elements with lots of character and a rich history. Some of the best places to find older furnishings are flea markets, antique shops, thrift stores and estate sales. There are also several online marketplaces where you can discover distinctive pieces.
Thoroughly cleaning every furniture item you bring into your home will better maintain its quality and prevent germs from spreading.
For instance, flu viruses may live up to 48 hours on surfaces, so it’s best to clean right after thrifting. Additionally, it's advised to remove dust to prevent respiratory problems and allergies.
2. Balance Busy and Comfortable
The next step is choosing your color palette and patterns. However, your selections must maintain balance to keep your space comfortable and inviting. Utilize color theory to uncover what shades complement and contrast each other, allowing your decorative items and furnishings to stand out.
For example, blue pops against lighter wall colors like cream or beige. From there, you can integrate complementary colored throw pillows in red, yellow or orange. For the vintage element, include brass or gold antiques.
Don’t be afraid to layer different textures and fabrics. Looking at your space in different lighting and including special accessories will also help you bring it to life.
As maximalist interior designer Isabel Ladd says, the key is knowing when to rein it in or continue adding things. As long as the space feels comfortable, you can incorporate more.
3. Design One Room at a Time
You might be eager to transform your home into the ultimate vintage maximalist haven. However, all good things require patience. To avoid getting overwhelmed, design each room one at a time.
The living room is a great place to start since you and your household may spend a lot of time relaxing and socializing there. The bedrooms may be another area to consider — use vintage headboards and lamps with bold walls, contemporary patterns and personal mementos.
Don’t forget smaller spaces, though. You can maximize a powder room with a unique wallpaper motif. A vintage wood vanity, brass or chrome faucet, and antique artwork will then add richness and warmth.
Avoiding the Most Common Design Mistakes
While you can break the rules however you want with vintage maximalism, a few design mistakes can take away from achieving optimal comfort and joy. For example, the elements you bring into your home should be cohesive and intentional. A good place to start is deciding on your color palette.
Likewise, just because you can add an abundance of vintage pieces doesn’t mean they will all fit in the space. It’s best to edit your curation and decide how much to display. It helps to find moments of negative space.
Also, having too many statement pieces will draw eyes in all directions. Choose your focal point wisely in each room and add one large piece wherever you want people’s attention.
Remember, you’re not simply trying to fill open space — you want to purposefully collect furnishings.
Designing Endless Beauty With Vintage Maximalism
There is no end to vintage maximalist interior design. It’s a style that evolves as your personal tastes change. At its core, creating spaces that are reflective of you and tell a story is crucial to making the most of this look.
Evelyn Long is the Editor-in-Chief of Renovated Magazine, where she writes on interior design and home organization content. She is passionate about making home styling easier for all homeowners and renters by writing about home interior trends. Subscribe to renovated.com/subscribe for more posts by Evelyn!
