Moving into a student apartment is always exciting--whether it’s your first off-campus home, or you’ve enjoyed this style of living at college before. When you choose to move out of the dorms and into an apartment, it’s always a good idea to have a plan on how you want to handle decorating your new rooms. That’s right, this year you have a few rooms to live in instead of one space! Deciding on a decor style for your living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom is up to you (and your roommates’) personal taste, and there are a lot of ways you can go with this. 

Have you considered doing up your space in maximalist decor? If you haven’t heard of this style before--or perhaps you’d like to learn a little bit more about it--you’ve come to the right place. In this post we’re going to delve a little deeper into:

• What exactly is maximalist decor
• How you can achieve maximalist style in your student apartment
• Items to include in your maximalist apartment decor

What is Maximalism Decor?

Defining what maximalist style is, and what it is not

While you’ve probably heard of minimalism, which has been a very popular trend in the past, you may not be as familiar with its counterpart--maximalism. While minimalism focuses on having fewer items in a calming, more neutral-colored space, many people feel like their rooms are left feeling a little empty. When you have to pare down what you display in any given room, perhaps all that space can start to feel a little lonely without your treasured photos, wall hangings, books, and other sentimental objects. Your student apartment doesn’t have to be this way!

Maximalism by definition seeks to rethink how objects can function in a room, and what kind of colors and patterns are acceptable. It originated in the early 1980s with bold colors and a “more is more” mantra that applied to everything from art and music, to architecture, and even fashion. Maximalism incorporates patterns, colors, and layering schemes to attract the attention of your eyes and can really make a room stand out. It should be noted that just because you’re decorating “to the max,” it doesn’t mean that you should fill your student apartment with clutter! There is a difference, as maximalism uses complementing stylistic elements to really make your space feel full, cozy, and personalized. 

Although you may think minimalism and maximalism are complete opposites, they in fact actually work quite well side by side. In your student apartment, you can choose whether or not you’d like to incorporate a little of both styles, or stick to a more maximalist theme.  

How You Can Achieve Maximalist Style

Easy ways you can incorporate maximalist decor into your student apartment

When you decide that maximalism is right for your apartment, what’s the next step? Well, it’s important to be aware of how you can best achieve the look you’re going for, and not end up with a cluttered mess in your living room or bedroom! Remember, this kind of decor is very personal, but there are still a few tips and tricks you should follow when planning out how to set up your maximalist student apartment.  

1. Be prepared to layer.

One of the hallmarks of maximalist style is its ability to layer. If you check out some of the examples of maximalist rooms on Instagram or Pinterest, you’ll notice that there are layers at work. First, you start out with your base pieces such as couches and chairs. You can choose to keep these more neutral (in a nod to minimalism) or make them colorful. Then, you’ll want to layer throw pillows and blankets of different textures, but that complement the colors or textures of the furniture. 

You’ll do the same with your walls, choosing a color (or not) and including wall art, paintings, and other eclectic heirlooms that speak to your style. Tables are a great place to include photos, books, and other collectibles that really tie the room together. Don’t forget about area rugs!

2. Use rich colors in repeated patterns.

Maximalism is all about being bold, and that includes colors. Blues and greens are super easy to use, as they complement almost any space. Keep in mind everything in your space should not be the same color, but there should be a theme to how you’re styling your decor. If floral patterns are your thing, go with it. Include floral pattern pillows, blankets, and perhaps a similar style rug, in addition to wall prints featuring flowers, or drapes that remind you of bouquets of roses. The more you play with what colors and patterns please you, the easier it will be to design your ideal maximalist apartment!

3. Include unique pieces.

Side tables, coffee tables, night stands, and even dining room tables are great places to showcase some unique pieces that really speak to your personality. If you have a cool piece of Native American pottery you picked up on your last trip to Arizona, this is the place to show it off! You could also include candlesticks or photo frames with your loved ones nearby. The best part about maximalist style is that it allows you to follow your own innate sense of style, and finally put what pleases you in your home--regardless of what the interior design magazines say! There’s something incredibly freeing about surrounding yourself with objects and items that bring you joy--whether that’s in the bathroom or your bedroom!

4. Showcase your own favorite objects.

While maximalist style encourages you to fill up space with pleasing to the eye objects, try to include them in a way that makes sense. If you have a lot of books, keep them on the bookshelf, but why not also put some on the coffee table and side tables to really emphasize this visual repetition? You can do the same for everything you want to showcase, such as pictures, figurines, candles, or a collection of items you might have. 

Pro Tip: One of the easiest ways to tie a room together is with plants. That’s right, including a variety of plants into your space will keep it cohesive with a green color, but also allow the kind of boldness that maximalism loves with the different sizes, textures, and leaf shapes of each plant. As long as you have a window, this can work especially well in your bathroom! 

5. Mix and match textiles.

Who says you can’t have both velvet and satin pillows on your couch? In fact this is a great way to add texture to your room--and be sure to do it in a colorful fashion! If you have a neutral colored couch or set of chairs, why not add two colorful sets of pillows, each in different textures? Or if you’re more of a pattern person, include tiger or leopard print pillows and complement them with additional pillows or throw blankets in a color that works with your room. 

You can play with textile types with rugs and curtains too. Having a sheer curtain underneath a heavier curtain is a great way to use different textiles and control the amount of light you get in your room. You can do the same thing by using wooden blinds, but adding a cozy layer of velvet curtains on top of it.

6. Don’t be afraid to blend styles.

One of the best parts of maximalism--and one of the reasons it’s so popular--is that you can blend your own personal style into it. You can also choose to include influences from other decor trends, such as boho, minimalist, English country, art deco, and hygge. Remember, this style is all about what makes you happy, comfortable, and allows you to feel right at home in your student apartment!

Maximalism is a great style to include in your apartment if you’re looking to create a space that inspires maximum cheer and maximum comfort. You can’t go wrong including items throughout your apartment that remind you of past travels or experiences, in fact those types of objects really seem to tie in with your own unique sense of style. In order to get an inkling for what you’d like your maximalist decor to look like, consider starting in your bedroom and learn to get a feel for how colors, patterns, and textiles can complement each other. Then, move your expertise into the common living space, bathroom, and kitchen. You’ll be a pro in no time! 

Must-Have Items to Include in Your Maximalist Student Apartment 

Be sure to include these products in your apartment to give off those maximalist vibes!

While you’ll want to fill your student apartment with personal items and objects, you can’t go wrong including some of the basics such as these items. 

Area rugs

WIth its vibrant blue and swirling pattern, this Tremont Salem rug is the perfect way to get your maximalist decor off on the right foot! If you have hardwood floors, this is a great way to instantly make your space more cozy and inviting without too much trouble. Have carpeting in your student apartment? Not to worry, you can still layer this area rug under a coffee table, kitchen table, or put it at the foot of your bed. 

No matter where you choose you to put this piece, it’s vibrant blues can serve as a base to build off of--whether with wall decor, pillows, furniture, or other objects you want to include in your space. 

Throw pillows

Remember when we mentioned textures and different textiles are a key way to get the maximalist look? Well, this shaggy Space Dye Pillow fits that description to a tee! Not only will you love the softness of this pillow, but it’s interesting style is sure to fit right into your maximalist theme. Creating a comfortable and eye-catching space is easy to do with a variety of textiles, and who wouldn’t love snuggling up to one (or a few) of these? Throw pillows are an easy way to add depth to your couch, chair, or bed. The neutral color of this pillow would serve as a great complement to another sized pillow, or one of a different texture. 

Pink not your style? Not to worry, these pillows also come in blue and gray to meet anyone’s preferred color palette. 

Wall art

Every student apartment needs wall art, and when you’re going for maximalist style, you want it to be bright, bold, and attention grabbing! You can’t go wrong adding the Today is a Good Day Hand Poster to any room in your new space. If you’re going for the maximalist look in your living area, you probably want to create a gallery wall full of cool posters, images, and photos. This uplifting piece would feel at home on any maximalist home’s wall! Surround it with other images that make you feel at home and complement the many colors, and you’ll be on your way to having a stylish maximalist apartment in no time. 

Extra blankets

Maximalist style loves not only different textures, but also different patterns--and you can never go wrong with leopard print! Not only is this throw blanket super plush and soft, but it also will look right at home in your maximalist living area or bedroom. If you’d like to use this cozy blanket on the couch, surround it with other textured pillows--perhaps even in another animal print such as tiger or zebra! If you’d like this to stay on your bed, not only will you love the extra warmth it gives, but how easy it is to combine with complementary bedspreads, curtains, and rugs. 

Maximalist style in a student apartment can be achieved by anyone--no matter how big or small your space is. Let your personality shine through in your decor with a maximalist style apartment!