Recently seen on social media like TikTok, Instagram and other associated platforms, people started to shift from minimalism to maximalism in individuals’ living, fashion, trends and design.
There is a major difference between these two things. Minimalism focuses on prioritizing clutter, appearance, cleanliness and what is most essential. Maximalism is the use of vibrant colors and embracing rich textures and often results in an ‘overstimulating’ appearance. Both terms can be used for different purposes as well. For minimalism, it is used in decor, fashion. Lifestyle, or philosophy. For maximalism, it can be all those things, but specifically in style. This is because maximalism expresses complexity, diversity and individuality. In contrast, minimalism is the complete opposite.
Minimalism in design consists of clean lines, a neutral color palette and emphasis on functionality rather than decoration. For decor, everything is done very simply, and every item has a purpose. Everything is about function over form. This is shown through avoiding clutter and using beautiful and useful items. The color usage for minimalism consists of greys, whites or muted tones. Balance and symmetry are essential too. There is limited art when designing, leaving a lot of negative space. Designing through minimalism is mostly about clarity and simplicity.
In regards to fashion and minimalism, it is similar in essentials to design. Clean lines, neutral colors and the concept of less rather than more. There are even brands that built empires on minimalism fashion. Examples include The Row, COS or Everlane. These types of clothes that these brands provide consist of neutral colors such as white, grey, navy or beige tones. They aim for versatile items that pair well together and provide timeless pieces like button-down shirts, tailored trousers or simple dresses. People who choose to dress very minimally think “the simpler, the better.” A specific example of minimalist fashion is ‘chic minimalism.’ According to Good on You, this means having a minimal amount of clothes in your wardrobe that feel right and bring joy. Minimalism in fashion is about stripping back the unnecessary.
Maximalsim, as discussed previously, is about more. It reflects on standing out and being different. For design, maximalism includes layering bold colors, mixed patterns, diverse textures and a lot of personal items. Maximalism decor allows someone to express themselves just as much as minimalism, yet it is more creative. A good example of maximalism shown through decor/design is a popular TikTok creator, Danielle Walter. She just recently moved to San Francisco and is decorating her new home. Her style of design is a lot of radiant patterns on the walls. Each room has its own vibe, yet they are similar in a way that they all correlate together. She also presents a lot of expressive art pieces. Maximalism through design is identical to this example, and many people discriminate against this concept. There could be multiple theories for this. According to The Science Survey, maximalism is not a lot of people’s style. Maximalism allows people to embrace their individuality. Finding order in chaos can be difficult for some people, considering the goal is to make it all come together.
Maximalism in fashion emphasizes expression, often dramatic and bold visual statements. Actor and singer Janelle Monáe represents maximalism through fashion perfectly. Although she is known for wearing specifically black and white, she is consistently seen with exotic choices of clothing. For many popular events like the Met Gala, she wears beautiful, big, out-of-the-ordinary dresses that fit into the category of maximalism. The use of accessories is essential for maximality too. The goal is to give ‘big’ and chunky necklaces, stacked rings, oversized sunglasses, and embellished bags. This fashion style works because the individual believes in it. Maximalism rejects subtlety in favor of drama.
Minimalism and maximalism are ultimately different in many ways. They are opposites when discussing design, decor, fashion, and in some ways, a state of mind. Maximalism brings out someone’s creativity, and minimalism can do the same, but overall keeps things simple. Minimalism represents the concept that less is better, and maximalism represents more is better. Everybody may not understand the two terms, but they both have a way to appear in an individual’s life, and sometimes without even realizing it.
