"Maaliwalas" Is the Filipino Design Trend You Need to Try Today
When I was growing up, my family hated to waste, so we kept everything … and I mean everything. If anyone had a stained T-shirt, we wouldn’t just throw it out — my mom repurposed it as a rag to clean with. Still, she always managed to find room for all the items we accumulated and was a wiz at hiding things, especially because each room appeared surprisingly neat, and all our closets, bins, and storage boxes would close.
All in all, our home channeled the Filipino concept of maaliwalas in its own way. “Maaliwalas translated to English from Tagalog refers to something being bright, clear, and open,” explains designer Karen Nepacena of Destination Eichler. “In design, this translates to spaces that are minimalist-leaning and organized.”
When I first came across this popular Filipino interior design trend, I thought I’d been embracing it my entire life after modeling what my mom did — but the opposite was actually true. My husband, whose hobby is making art, often scatters his pens, sketchbooks, and other tools around our home. Any time he leaves his stuff unattended for too long, I have a habit of putting it in the closest drawer without thinking … and then I can never seem to remember where anything is.
While our home looks great, I’m clearly still learning how to lean into the functional decluttering aspect of maaliwalas. It’s not enough for things to seem organized from the outside — there has to be order inside the nooks and crannies, too. The best way to establish structure through the maaliwalas trend is with a less-is-more philosophy.
“Think quality over quantity,” says Joanna Villena, project director of the award-winning Manila-based firm Empire Designs. “Invest in functional pieces. The maaliwalas trend is considered a form of design therapy and self-expression for the younger generation, as they declutter and go for a more minimalist design.”
Incorporating a fresh, neutral color palette is another major component of maaliwalas. “It’s a comfortable, intentionally designed space with a foundation of natural hues,” adds Lauren Reyes, LVR Studios principal designer and owner. But this doesn’t mean you’re limited to beiges and browns. “I balance things out with punchy, warm pops of color,” she adds. “Then, I suggest [filling] your space with plants of different heights and natural textures like light wood tones and raffias, along with furniture that’s low to the ground or airy so your home will feel cozy.”
As a maximalist, I’m all about combining color with a form-meets-function mentality. My version of maaliwalas might not have been perfect at first, but it gave me a solid starting point for turning my space into a home. Overall, I couldn’t be prouder to continue elevating a rising style that I learned from my Filipino American upbringing.
Further Reading
I Tried the 90/90 Rule and My Closet Is Now Fully Decluttered
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
