Living the Maximalist Lifestyle in Your Shea Home

Maximalism is an interior design trend embracing excess, making your space feel more lived-in with eclectic features and combinations. Think maximalism is right for you? Here is how you can get more out of your Shea home by putting more in it.

Keep in mind the flow of the room while you place furniture and décor. Prioritize the most useful pieces, like comfortable sofas or dining tables, over accessories. Leave plenty of open surfaces to set down needed items like your drink or your phone. Keep walkways wide and unblocked, for both convenience and safety.

Like with any interior design style, maximalism strikes the right balance between aesthetics and practicality.

Consider how you would clean your maximalist space. Anything left in the open will inevitably attract dust. Whatever you leave on the tables or shelves should be easily moved for cleaning. For smaller or more fragile items, you may want to use a display case. Keep hazardous items away from children and pets.

Break out the fun patterns and bold colors, but make sure to limit the color palette and curate your belongings in order not to overwhelm the senses. You can base the room’s design on a single item, such as an heirloom or a unique art print. Or, embrace your passions – perhaps you have a green thumb, a fondness for urban photography, or a baseball memorabilia collection.

This bedroom from a former Shea Homes® model in Harmony has maximalist elements, with combinations of patterns, unique furniture pieces, and a collage of framed prints on the wall.

To save money on items, try:

• Visiting local antique or consignment shops

• Browsing festivals, markets, or garage sales

• Checking online marketplaces or auction sites

• Attending swap meets

Such a complicated design does not come to fruition overnight. Consider your maximalist space a work in progress. Periodically audit your belongings and remove items that don’t work, don’t fit the design scheme, or don’t make you happy. Remember, your needs and preferences can change over time, and there is no wrong way to decorate your Shea home.