The 'midimalist' trend is the perfect mix of maximalism and minimalism
Most of us will be familiar with the idea that when it comes to interior design, there are two distinct camps: team minimalist (less is more) and team maximalist (more is more). And yet many of us find that minimalist spaces can feel cold and impersonal, while maximalist ones can seem too busy or even overwhelming. That’s why we’re welcoming you to team ‘midimalist’, the new approach that takes cues from the minimalists – think clean lines and understated patterns – but also uses some of the more modest elements of maximalism – tactile textures and bolder colours. It’s simple to do and even easier to live with. Here’s how you can achieve it in every space…
Divide and conquer with paint
Paint is a powerful tool in your decorating toolkit, so why not have fun with it? The sitting room above is given a creative look with the contrasting blue painted up the ochre wall from the skirting board. As the separation of colours begins just above eye level when lounging in the space, the room still feels liveable.
Paint can also be used to divide an open-plan space. In the working-from-home spot above, the graphic lines that drift into the window and ceiling cleverly create an organic ending to the study area. To achieve a similar result, keep to a roughly 60/30/10 proportion, where most of your design is one shade, followed by roughly a third of the second complimentary colour and then the final accent pop. While minimalists might be tempted to opt for beiges and greys, and maximalists a mix of darker jewel tones, a palette inspired by nature is the perfect balanced choice: bold, but not overwhelming.
Clash different prints and patterns
Combining different patterns is a key pillar of the maximalist aesthetic, and there’s no better place for midimalists to join in than the dining room. As a rule of thumb, keep the look liveable by letting one showstopping print take centre stage (see the floor here) and using a smaller one for the largest surface area (usually walls). To balance the busyness, add a couple of medium-scale motifs in complimentary colours (here, they come from the tablecloth and napkins). Lucinda Chambers and Serena Hood, co-founders of the cult lifestyle emporium Collagerie, are masters of this mix-and-match style – their lust-worthy collaboration with John Lewis & Partners, featuring the tablecloth above, launches on 8 September.
Embrace one beautiful colour
If you’re a fan of a particular hue, don’t be afraid to make it one of the standout features of your space. The latest take on the ‘colour drenching’ trend, where the same colour is used all over, is all about using different shades of it for a more layered, three-dimensional look – perfect for midimalists who don’t want to overwhelm the eye with a single strong colour. In kitchens, where different materials tend to sit side by side, create added contrast by using darker, more dramatic tones. The teal paint shown here (try Dowsing & Reynolds' Teal The Show for similar), echoed in the bar stool and decorative display of china, draws attention to the grainy marble surfaces and herringbone wood floor. The colour helps to accentuate these elements rather than overtaking them.
Turn walls into the star of the show
While a bold wallpaper design might not be an instinctive option for bedrooms, keeping other elements in the space relatively pared-back (using white sheets, for example, and complementary hued cushions and quilts) can make even the most flamboyant of motifs feel surprisingly restful. The key is not to cover all four walls. Using it behind the headboard means you can still enjoy a neutral view from the bed. If you’re putting together a new look for your bedroom, create a moodboard using paint, wallpaper and fabric swatches to see how they’ll look together – it’ll be a process of trial and error to get it right, but that’s part of the fun.
Upgrade the essentials
Don’t let the thought of avocado bathroom suites put you off choosing colourful fixtures and fittings for your bathroom. Where once we may have experimented with wild wallpapers, adding an aqua basin, like the one shown here, or a bright orange bathtub is now a surefire way to induce bathroom envy. A note for midimalists: most ceramic and metal surfaces can be repainted using specialist finishes, so be brave! Learn from minimalists and balance the bright pop of your chosen colours with soft shades and simple shapes when it comes to accessorising.
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