Sometimes, completely opposite designs can come together wonderfully. The blend turns out to be so stunning that it surpasses the charm of the individual styles. Case in point: maximalist home decor and mid century modern decor.
When they come together, they create a space that’s both sophisticated and vibrant. The maximalist interior design focuses on bold colors and eclectic patterns. The mid-century modern design, on the other hand, embraces clean lines and natural materials. These are contrasting design elements—and blending them requires a careful balance.
Keep reading to learn all about the art of layering, where we bring together the maximalist and mid-century modern interior design styles.
Understanding the Two Styles
Maximalist Home Decor
If you love drama, maximalist decorating is for you. This design style says “more is more”. There’s a lot of color—and even more personal expression. This design philosophy relies on layering. Think: bold wallpaper, luxurious textiles, ornate furniture, etc. It’s basically a celebration of personality, where every piece tells a story.
Common elements of the maximalist interior design style include:
- Vibrant color palettes
- Mixed textures
- Plenty of patterns
- Statement lighting
- Gallery walls
Mid-Century Modern Design
This design style is about timeless simplicity. There are sleek and simple silhouettes and organic forms. We often see tapered legs in furniture. This interior design style originated in the 1950s and 60s and has remained a favorite ever since.
Hallmarks in the mid-century modern design are:
- Neutral, earthy tones
- Uncluttered spaces that are functional
- Wood, leather, and metal materials
- Iconic furniture designs, e.g., Eames lounge chair or tulip table
How to Blend Maximalist and Mid-Century Modern Interior Design Styles
There’s one secret: intentional curation. Let’s look at this in detail.
Start with a Mid-Century Modern Base
Mid-century modern furniture can help set the tone for this design style—and also the base of our blended design. Some of our favorite picks in luxury mid-century modern furniture are:
- Lawson-style sofas—With its deep seat and loose-back cushions, this is the epitome of mid-century modern design
- Eames lounge chair—This has a striking shape and invites you to relax
- Le Corbusier-inspired desk—This has straight and sleek lines yet a perfectly mid-century modern style
- Oval dining table—This keeps the dining area sleek while factoring in a touch of the mid-century style
- A sleek walnut-hued console table—the deep shade will instantly add drama
Add on Bold Color
The maximalist design absolutely thrives on vibrant colors. And that’s what we’re going to pick first from this design style. Simultaneously, we shall keep in mind the muted tones mid-century modern design sticks to. Here are some color palettes that are a nod to both these styles:
Retro jewel tones with earthy colors.
- Main colors: emerald green, mustard yellow, burnt orange
- Accent colors: teal, walnut brown, deep plum
Playful pastels and moody tones.
- Main colors: blush pink, mint green, powder blue
- Accent colors: charcoal gray, burgundy, warm walnut
Bold primaries and warm woods.
- Main colors: cobalt blue, mustard yellow, tomato red
- Accent colors: deep burgundy, warm mahogany, cream
Black and white with pops of high-contrast colors.
- Main colors: crisp white, charcoal black, warm beige
- Accent colors: electric blue, fuschia, citrine yellow
Deep hues with metallic accents.
- Main colors: forest green, aubergine, rust
- Accent colors: Gold, brass, deep navy
Mix in Patterns
The maximalist design style loves patterns. And we leverage wallpaper design to add these to luxury homes. We especially love abstract designs—think: retro circles and asymmetric lines—-because these mix the geometric lines of mid-century modern with the bold scale of maximalist design. Such designs are perfect for a layered mid-century modern living room. For the bedroom, consider something more relaxing, like vintage-inspired botanical prints.
Layer Textures
One of the best parts of maximalist decorating is adding on textures—and plenty of them. For example: combine smooth leather sofas with plush velvet cushions. Or lay a shaggy rug under a sleek marble coffee table. Doing so can help keep the ambiance dynamic and inviting, all while maintaining the structured aesthetic of mid-century modern decor.
Create a Statement Gallery Wall
Both styles appreciate displaying art. So take the mix of both to showcase all your favorite pieces. Bonus points if you curate a gallery wall with these pieces to add personalization to your space. You want to keep balance in the setting. That is to say, a maximalist interior design approach would allow for paintings, vintage pieces, and sculptural pieces all at once. On the other hand, mid-century modern design favors minimal but bold artwork. Take the best of both pieces for a gallery wall that reflects these design styles.
Eclectic Accessories
The devil is in the details 😉 Maintain the character of the maximalist style with unique accessories. Think: brass candlesticks, ceramic vases and sculptural lighting. We especially love these three additions to luxury homes. But remember, mid-century modern decor calls for purposeful decor. So ideally, make your accessories feel intentional rather than cluttered.
Statement Lighting
Lighting plays an important role in both maximalist and mid-century modern design styles. Layer fixtures from both together for a cohesive space. Like mid-century modern pendant lights and sculptural floor lamps. Then, add on maximalist decorating elements, for example, unique table lamps and colorful shades. To go the extra mile, think of a vintage chandelier.
A Functional and Aesthetic Balance
Mid-century modern design values function. So, wherever you add maximalist design elements, make sure they serve a purpose. You can add on bold textiles in the form of cozy throw blankets, plush ottomans, and oversized area rugs. Notice how each of these add warmth but are all functional.
Create Focal Points
Eye-catching elements are an important part of the maximalist design style. Simultaneously, mid-century modern design favors standout furniture. Bringing the two ideas together, consider creating a focal point with a stunning piece of furniture. Some ideas for luxury homes are:
- A mid-century modern living room can feature a bold, tufted velvet sofa as the centerpiece.
- In the dining area, a mid-century modern decor dining table can be accentuated with maximalist chairs. Bonus points if they have patterned upholstery.
- Use an oversized wallpaper design in the hallway. This sets the right tone in the entryway.
Smart Storage
Remember, maximalism doesn’t mean messy, and mid-century modern style values functionality. So, storage solutions play a big role in the blended design style. For example, mid-century storage units with sliding doors. Open shelving can help display maximalist decor, such as ceramic and vintage books. If you’re looking to go the extra mile, consider scullery (a secondary kitchen prep space); this helps maintain a clean kitchen while still having room for maximalist decor.
Mid-Century Modern Maximalism in Different Rooms
Many of our maximalist and mid-century modern design ideas were for the living room. Let’s peek into what the blended style will look like in other rooms.
- Bedroom. A simple mid-century platform bed with maximalist bedding (featuring bold colors and patterns).
- Bathroom. Vintage-inspired wallpaper design with geometric patterns alongside a sleek mid-century vanity unit.
- Home office. A minimalist mid-century desk, but layer on maximalist decor like an ornate rug and gallery wall.
Ready to Add the Blended Style to Your Arizona Home?
We love bringing such design projects to life in Arizona homes. Let’s chat today and see how we can add the maximalist and mid-century modern interior design style to your luxury home 🤍