More Or Less
Story Tamarisk McNalty Stephens | Photography Jason Hartog
In the world of interior design, there is always a debate about minimalism versus maximalism, and whether “more of less” or “more of more” reigns supreme. It becomes as much a philosophical debate as an aesthetic one.
One is not better than the other, trendy or passé. They are simply different approaches on how to curate and edit the environment in which you inhabit, based purely on personal preference.
Both aesthetics are equally difficult to execute properly and require just as much thought and attention to detail. A minimalist space of “too little” can feel cold, bare and incomplete when implemented with the wrong formula. A truly maximalist space of “too much” can seem chaotic without consideration of the principles and elements of design.
Minimalism
Although the term minimalism has become more mainstream during the last decade, the concept emerged in the 1950s visual arts and was later applied to other streams, such as architecture and interior design. Its focus is on intentionality – removing the distraction of excess to focus on core values or life purpose. Minimalism is not so much about how much (or how little) stuff you have but is focused on deciding what is wanted and needed. One of the biggest misconceptions about minimalism is having to live with bare necessities and doing without life’s luxuries. The intention is the opposite – to consciously decide what is important in your life – and creating a life centred around that.
Minimalist interiors tend to exhibit the following qualities:
an uncluttered, simple, clean space
a monochromatic colour scheme
items that meld function and beauty
focus on architectural features rather than on decorating
focus on essentialism (nothing is generally present without thought to function)
a strong emphasis on light, form and material selection
You might prefer a minimalist interior if:
you like clean lines and uncluttered space
you’re overwhelmed by too much stuff
you prefer the calming effect of natural, subdued colours
Maximalism
In the world of interiors, maximalism was born as a reaction against minimalism. A maximalist space is defined by more of everything – colour, patterns, art and accessories. The appeal for people who love decorating and collecting is that there are no hard and fast rules and it’s about personalization over perfection. Although minimalists would find a maximalist space cluttered and excessive (one of the biggest misconceptions about maximalists is that they are hoarders and that there is no sense of order in their space), a successful maximalist space has been highly curated to keep it from turning into complete disarray.
Maximalist interiors generally include the following characteristics:
layers of patterns
bright, bold colours
a blend of different period styles
collections of art, found objects, heirlooms, etc.
an air of glamour
You might prefer a maximalist interior if:
you are energized by bright, bold colours and various patterns
you love collections
you find minimalist spaces to be boring and devoid of self-expression
At the end of the day, the way you choose to live in your home is an expression of your style, lifestyle, beliefs, appreciations and values. Everyone has different preferences and can handle various levels of stimulation in the environment that surrounds them. Whether you prefer “more of less” or “more of more” – regardless of what’s trending – just do you. OH