By Sukriti Wahi Interiors 21.07.2025

This Interior Style Turns Your Home Into a Work of Art

Plus, the pro tips you need to bring it home.

Chaotic, colourful and more than a little kooky, maximalist décor is on the rise once again – though not quite as we might know it.

Make way for “art school maximalism” (no fancy degree needed), a creative twist on the “more is more” approach that’s been trickling up from Pinterest to our places IRL.

As for what separates its flair and flavour from the usual maximalism? We consulted Bungalow Home senior property stylist Cassie Braunthal for the complete guide to this up-and-coming style.

Read on for everything there is to know about art school maximalism in interior design.

What is the ‘art school maximalism’ style about?

Imagine a design mood board where every idea gets a “yes”, and you’ll start to get a sense of what art school maximalism is all about.

“Art school maximalism is that glorious explosion of colour, pattern, and personality. It’s the creative chaos of an art student’s studio turned all the way up. Nothing matches, everything clashes, and somehow… it works. More is more is more,” explains Braunthal.

Beige? Monochrome? Don’t know them. This style is much less “calm and uncluttered” and more “Pass me the glitter and three more prints”.

“It’s about layering textures, mixing eras, and celebrating the messy, wonderful spectrum of creativity. Think bold colours, over-the-top décor, and a fearless commitment to self-expression,” she continues.

As for why it’s not-so-quietly taking off? In Braunthal’s opinion, we’re collectively done being subtle.

“Art school maximalism is about joy, nostalgia, and making space for the weird and wonderful,” she says.

“In a world that feels a little too curated, it’s your permission to colour outside the lines, on purpose.”

What’s the difference between art school maximalism and maximalism?

Think of standard maximalism as a collector’s paradise, says Braunthal.

“[Imagine] plush sofas, gilded frames, vintage rugs, and curated clutter. It’s bold, rich, and layered, but it often leans toward luxury and design polish,” she explains.

In contrast, Braunthal says art school maximalism is “the creative kid who spills paint on their jeans and calls it a masterpiece”, and values personality over perfection.

“It’s chaotic in the best way. Where gallery walls are less ‘curated exhibition’ and more 'creative eruption’,” she says.

“Where traditional maximalism might showcase a designer lamp, art school maximalism plonks down a handmade ceramic blob that looks like it was born in a kiln and raised on vibes. It’s magazines over coffee table books. Doodles over da Vinci. Unapologetically DIY.”

How can we bring art school maximalism into our homes?

Fancy giving your space a maximalist makeover of the art school variety? Read on for Braunthal’s best tips on how to curate the chaos and make it feel like you.

1. Choose joy over trendiness

Forget what’s ‘in’, choose what makes you grin, Braunthal emphasises.

“Whether it’s a squiggly lamp, a kitschy cat vase, or a wall full of postcards from your teens, lean into what lights you up. That’s your style talking,” she says.

In short? Think: dopamine décor – it’s all about the feel-good factor.

2. Start with one blank canvas – the wall

“Got a blank wall? Make it your personal gallery,” says Braunthal.

“Mix frames, posters, sketches, maybe even a weird little sculpture or a glued-together teacup creature. No rules, just a visual celebration of you.”

3. Add a “Huh?” piece

According to Braunthal, one item in your space should make people stop and go: “What is that?”

“[Think] a squiggly mirror, a wobbly stool, a ceramic worm with googly eyes — something wonderfully odd that makes no sense except to you,” she adds.

4. Opt for the op-shop

Not sure where to start? Hit up thrift stores and op-shops.

“Look for pieces that feel odd, fun, nostalgic, or expressive. It’s low-risk, high-reward, and full of potential character pieces,” Braunthal tells Bed Threads Journal.

5. Mix, don’t match

While minimalism advises sticking to one style, maximalism is about going ham and embracing the clash.

“Pair grandma florals with 80s pop art. Toss in a vintage lamp with a Moroccan rug. If it sparks something in you, it belongs,” Braunthal advises.

6. Always make it personal

This isn’t just about stuff, it’s about you, Braunthal notes.

“Think doodles from your sketchbook, a pottery piece made at a hen’s party, or a mirror you bedazzled at midnight. Your home should feel like a living scrapbook of creativity,” she adds.

7. Layer like you mean it

When it comes to bedding, lean towards texture, colour, and contrast.

“Mix bold prints with vintage florals, add a velvet throw, a frilly pillowcase, or that crocheted blanket your nan made after one too many espressos,” says Braunthal. “Your bed should feel like a joyful, artful pile of personality.”

8. Curate a clutter-core shelf

Dedicate one bookshelf – it could even be a kitchen shelf or hallway ledge – to cheery chaos.

“Stack books sideways, add a squishy toy, a neon candle, a strange figurine, and a Polaroid. If it looks a little unhinged, you're doing it right,” Braunthal says.