For the last 10 or so years, interior design was dominated by gray colors, minimalism, and huge, open spaces. And it's not the only victim of the sad beige aesthetic. Clothes, household items, and even children's fashion are victims, too. At least that's what the TikTok account That Sad Beige Lady points out with her sarcastic Werner Herzog impression as she made fun of "sad beige toys for sad beige children."
The interior design aesthetic dominated by neutral colors and decluttered spaces has been long associated with millennials. Not that long ago, Bored Panda wrote about the differences between Gen Z and millennial decor. People were pointing out the equivalents of millennial interior design trends to what Gen Zers choose today. Like how fairy lights were all the rage back in the day, and today, people opt for neon strips.
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However, it seems that the sad beige aesthetic trend is coming to an end. Even millennials are reportedly ditching it. They're swapping muted home decor and clothing for what they call de-modernization. And while it's not quite the same thing as maximalism, it's still a nice (in my opinion) move toward something more expressive and authentic.
Business Insider describes de-modernization as "an interior design aesthetic that values secondhand furnishings, items built to last, and interiors that speak to the personality of the homeowner or renter." And most proponents say they don't wish it to become a trend; they want it to be a movement.
Maximalist interiors often feature playful, bright-colored interiors. Living in a colorful space can benefit us positively. Mental health experts say that happy, bright colors increase our mental activity and can make us feel more energized.
They recommend colorful interiors for people who deal with low moods often or struggle with depression. However, some rooms might need to have a more calming aura about them, like a bedroom or a bathroom. That's why more muted, cold colors that bring energy levels down might be a better option in these rooms.
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Many people associate maximalist interiors with excess: decorations, furniture, patterns, and textures. Its critics say that it's just too overwhelming. But a maximalist interior doesn't have to be chaotic.
When done right, maximalist design can be very pleasing. Archwhispers write that the trick is "to group similar objects and avoid negative space altogether." They also advise "to use colour & material repetition and similar textures to anchor the look rightly" for a more cohesive maximalist look.
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A good way to start planning a room's maximalist interior is to start with a neutral foundation. For example, a sofa in a muted tone goes very well with some brightly colored decorative pillows. It's about making a neutral base and putting playful accents on it, whether that's a rug, a sofa, or a wall.
"This way, you aren't incorporating too many areas where patterns can clash, and you also allow yourself the opportunity to swap things out if you eventually get sick of a pattern or color scheme," Designer Ariel Okin told Apartment Therapy.
When an untrained eye looks at a maximalist design, it might see just chaos and clutter. But designers say that the placement of every item in a maximalist room should be carefully thought out.
To achieve the look of curated chaos, Designer Ana Claudia Schultz recommends layering items using different heights or depths of field. That means not putting things in a perfectly straight line. "Move one piece off-center and center the other," Schultz explained to Apartment Therapy.
