Mindful Maximalism in 2026
The last ten years of interior design trends have favored clean neutral rooms with layers of gray, white, and oatmeal. Modern minimalism to calm the environment and mind while supporting resale value. Now, the tide has changed. Homeowners want their home to tell their story and reflect who they truly are. In general, homeowners are now planning to stay longer, on average at least ten years, before considering another move. This has influenced the shift to living in a home that showcases who we are as individuals while balancing the functions of daily life. Music to my ears!
As an interior designer, my first conversations with clients always begins with how they want the home or room to feel and what they envision. Within those conversations are the foundational tidbits to begin developing a design that reflects who the individual homeowner is and how they live. Mindful maximalism embraces color, texture, pattern, and personal history to create a curated, cohesive home. A personality filled home and a peaceful home can live in harmony, with sophistication, when utilizing few professional guardrails.
At the foundation of any design, there needs to be a thread of continuity that connects and unifies the space. Elements that remain constant allow the rooms flows into one another as you move throughout the house. Each room can stand on its own while still feeling connected to the whole home. A decisive repetition, such as color scheme, flooring, or material selections used strategically and with intention creates cohesion.
The fear of clutter is real, especially when everyone is searching for inspirational images to find the “perfect” room that reflects their personal style. I am hear to tell you that the ultimate image does not exist. The algorithms are built to provide you more of what you click on, so eventually the images become repetitive. The same design, slightly shuffled. Same deck, different hand. While they can be extremely helpful in narrowing down the overarching feel of a room, they do not infuse your personal style. This is often where the fear begins: the fear of a costly mistake, fear of a room that is scattered, or fear that it won’t look like the inspiration photo.
Remember those tidbits defining who you are and what you love from our first conversation; it is time to create your own deck. The secret sauce everyone loves but no one has the recipe for. With the foundation in place, personal maximalism is layered in with high-priority selections that reflect your lifestyle, history, and individuality. Larger pieces that you cannot live without, such as an area rug, artwork, furniture, or personal collections, are thoughtfully incorporated into the overall design. Your favorite color reflected and balanced throughout. Design decisions are made with intention to create focal points and functional zones that support who you are and how you live.
Interior design in 2026 is not about playing it safe. Mindful maximalism is about embracing your personal story with purpose and intention. When you free yourself from the pressure of following the rules or replicating an image, your home is layered with what you love and is entirely yours.