If Japandi’s minimalist calm leaves you feeling cold, you’re not alone. That lone Scandinavian chair in the corner? It’s officially out. In its place: colour, character, and curated chaos. Maximalism is back—and this time, it’s louder, brighter, and more intentional than ever.
Since 2024, maximalist interiors have been making a strong comeback, and the momentum shows no signs of slowing in 2025. According to Pinterest’s trend report, “clustering” is now a design verb, with layered, eclectic spaces forecast to dominate home feeds and real life alike.
At its heart, maximalism is about abundance. It invites you to surround yourself with things you love—art, books, treasures, patterns, textures—and put them proudly on display. Think of it as decorating with joy, not restraint.
Gone are the icy whites and cool greys of the minimalist era. Colour is not just back—it’s everything. Saturated hues form the foundation of any maximalist look, setting the tone and tying even the most chaotic collections into a cohesive visual story.
‘Colour can elevate a space from clean-lined to quirky just by juxtaposing layers of colour that complement or augment each other—pastel shades with brights, deep saturated tones with delicate patterns,’ says interior designer Sarah Ord, renowned for her bold use of colour in projects from the Eastern Cape to Tanzania, including the recent revamp of Cape Town’s Cape Cadogan Boutique Hotel.
‘I respond on a visceral level to “wow” shades—my hair literally stands on end when I see a rich combination that resonates. At my old retail space, we painted the whole façade in Plascon’s Burnt Horizon R7-B1-1. It went from bland to “we have arrived!”—layered with a turquoise pot and hot pink bougainvillea. I still miss walking into that punch of colour each day.’
Sarah’s go-to shades include coral, watermelon pink, ruby red, aquamarine, ochre, and sea-green. She’s especially fond of Plascon Millionaire Gold Y2-B1-1, which graced her own front door and is earmarked for her sunroom makeover—a “nest of sunflower-yellow happiness.”
For Genneth Lyn, a Cape Town-based décor stylist and former magazine décor editor, colour choices begin with context.
‘I consider the architectural style, how the room is used, its decor and collections—then I choose one or two hues that reflect the space’s energy and tie it together,’ she explains.
She recommends always sampling colours with tester pots first.
‘Paint always looks different once it’s on the wall. Factors like substrate, natural light, and paint finish can all shift the result. I live with the samples for a few days—daylight, night, cloudy skies—it’s not a quick process, but when you get it right, it’s magic.’
Patty Mulauzi, colour expert at Plascon, calls maximalism ‘an unapologetic embrace of colour, pattern, and texture… layering the unexpected and letting even clashing hues harmonise in unexpectedly beautiful ways.’
Below, Patty shares her expert colour combos for creating different emotional moods in maximalist interiors:
For depth and drama
Deep teal (Plascon Headwaters G5-B1-2) and emerald green (Plascon Jungle Book G5-C1-1) create a rich, sophisticated canvas.
‘A deep teal backdrop exudes elegance and makes brighter accents truly come alive.’
For energy and playfulness
Vibrant yellow (Plascon Crazy Daisy Y4-A1-1) or bold pink (Plascon Fuscia Fizz R2-A1-1) are joy-sparking essentials.
‘A splash of yellow instantly lifts a room’s mood and adds exuberant personality.’
For warmth and grounding
Earthy neutrals (Plascon Free State Earth O1-C1-2) and burnt orange (Plascon Freckle O3-C1-2) create visual balance.
‘Terracotta tones ground the look and bring warmth to the vibrant mix.’
For unexpected contrast
*Pair jewel tones like deep blue (Plascon Saphire B7-A1-1) with mustard yellow (Plascon Tuscan Wall Y1-B1-2) or coral (Plascon Adobe Desert R6-B1-2).
‘Mixing bold contrasts—say, rich blue with zesty yellow—creates a dynamic, stylish visual conversation.’
Maximalism isn’t just a design trend—it’s an invitation to live boldly. Ready to unleash your colour confidence?
Explore Plascon’s full colour range at www.plascon.co.za
Discover Sarah Ord’s work at www.sarahord.com
Follow Genneth Lyn on Instagram at @genneth_lyn