Vintage Maximalist Interior Design Home Ideas
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“More is More” is the philosophy for maximalists. If vintage pieces bring you joy, why not bring as much into your home as possible to maximize your happiness? That’s what I did with thrift store finds until I felt like I was suffocating under all my stuff. It’s taken a few years to figure out how to have a home that’s stuffed with retro pieces but also functional. Here are my best tricks for achieving the maximalist look without losing my marbles.
Prioritizing Vertical Design
Focusing on designing on the vertical has made a big difference for my home. I used to stack things on the floor which can be super cute, but not very practical. Between setting grocery bags on the floor, laundry drying racks taking up space and putting craft tables out I really don't need more stuff cluttering the floor. Instead, I use tall furniture to show off all of my collections. That way I'm not tripping over any of my precious tins and knick-knacks, but they are safely displayed on my chippy shelves.
Seasonal Items You Can Keep Out All Year
I only figured this one out recently! When I pack up my holiday decor I scan for pieces that can be used another time of year. For instance, red and orange bowls used at Christmas and Halloween work great on my rainbow shelf during the summer. Kitsch ceramic deer that I use in winter greenery work great in the springtime too. I recently kept out some Christmas putz houses for a Valentine’s Day display. Reusing decor all year round can help minimize the number of items you have in your house.
Highlight the Clutter You Want to See (And Hide the Rest)
Maximalism is all about cleverly designed clutter. But some things you don't want to see, like cords and wires. I have this pie safe which I use as a TV stand but it is open on the bottom so you can see a lot of cords hanging down. I cut up a piece of cardboard into the size of the opening and cut a few holes to fit cords for our Playstation (The cardboard is at the very bottom right of the photo). You can even paint the cardboard to match your furniture, but I don't notice the cardboard and it's so much nicer than seeing a surge protector with cords hanging out of it.
Using Hidden Storage for Bulky Seasonal Decor
I don't know about you, but I've been guilty of owning a cute vintage cupboard or chest and not bothering to use the available storage space it provides. When you're a maximalist, any storage space should be used! I have this purple cabinet that I use as a quilt cupboard. I have a lot of seasonal pillows and quilts that are really bulky to store. The lower half of my purple cupboard has doors and it is the perfect hidden storage! Now I don't have to lug my quilts and pillows up and down from the basement every holiday.
You can watch me declutter my basement in the video below!
Hidden in Plain Sight
Along with hidden storage, I keep a lot of items in their place but just hidden from view. Inside all the frames in my house are seasonal change-outs. I have Halloween and Christmas prints inside the frames but behind the spring prints and you would never know! That way I never have to worry about my artwork getting wrinkled because they are safe and sound in their frames. It makes for a quick and fun reveal when I switch all the frames out when the holiday season starts. I wrote a tutorial on how to make collage artwork for yourself here.
Those are my best tips for designing as a vintage maximalist! If you’d like personalized help with decorating your vintage home you can always book a design consultation with me. We’ll discuss what you’re struggling with and we will come up with some solutions together. Let’s work together to create the vintage home of your dreams!
