Wowed by eclectic maximalist interiors on Instagram? And intrigued as to how you can create your own? Lily Sawyer is an interior designer and content creator embracing the more is more mantra. Here she gives her tips for creating an eclectic maximalist interior.
Take a look through Lily’s London home and you’ll find a visual cacophony of colours, patterns and textures.
A hand-painted floral wall mural.Beautiful personalised wall art. A velvet armchair and bare brick walls. Neon lights. Beautiful artwork on pretty much any available wall space. And deliciously dark colour schemes throughout.
Her Victorian terrace faces north-east, Lily tells us, which limits the light coming into each room. But she’s embraced the darkness to create cosy, enveloping spaces with layer upon layer of detail and interest.
For those who dream of doing something similar, here are Lily’s tips for designing and creating an eclectic maximalist interior:
Create a Mood Board
“Planning is key to any room design. And creating a mood board is crucial in my opinion. It allows you to see whether the room elements you have in mind actually go together.
“Before I plan a space, plenty of thought and research (online and in magazines) goes into it. I put all these ideas and inspirations together in a mood board before I even think of purchasing anything.”
Be Patient Where Possible and Let a Design Grow Organically
“I didn't set out to have one particular style in my home. Everything grew organically over time.
"I'd like to think my home reflects our journey as a family with items that have been collected over the years. Story and soul are very important for me when it comes to creating an eclectic maximalist space.
"Story and soul are very important for me when it comes to creating an eclectic maximalist space."
“I find it more of a challenge when starting from scratch. For example, when we changed our bathroom, I didn’t want it to look brand new. I wanted pieces with history rather than something that looked perfectly curated.
“So for the bathroom project, I reused and up-cycled wherever possible. And I found new items that had been designed to look vintage or retro. Mixing pieces from different eras and styles makes your design much more unique.”
Try Alternatives to the Big Homeware Shops
“The internet gives us easy access to so many furniture and interior retailers. The choices are vast. There's eBay, Amazon and so many amazing small businesses I have come across on Instagram. Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace are also good options for finding second-hand items.
“But I always do a little digging to check reviews and Google results about a particular seller or online store before handing over any cash.
“Whenever I can, I visit flea markets, antique shops and (when in France) brocantes. Brocantes are a great place to find quirky items at amazing bargain prices.
“I’ve also been lucky enough to find things discarded on the street in the past, such as my big letter “L”, which I always get asked about. I try to always keep an eye out when passing places and shops for anything that could be added to my interiors.”
Don’t be Afraid of Dark Colours
“You can probably tell that I'm a fan of dark interiors. Contrary to what many people think, dark walls make a space feel bigger and deeper. There's logic to this.
“In colour theory, darker colours recede and bright, light colours jump out at you. When you paint walls and ceilings the same colour, you're doing away with boundaries and creating an illusion of endless space.
"If you’re afraid of going dark, start with a small area first like the porch or the front hallway or a downstairs bathroom."
“If you’re afraid of going dark, start with a small area first like the porch or the front hallway or a downstairs bathroom. See how that feels to you. You can always paint it back to the original colour or try something new if you don’t like it.
“A few years ago I wasn't bold enough to go completely dark with my hallway. I painted all three floors of it a mid-grey colour. It ended up looking dull and I hated it. But couldn’t face repainting it. So I lived with it for two long years.
“Now it's painted a dark grey colour – almost black with blue undertones. And the difference it has made is shocking! It looks sophisticated, bigger, deeper and more dramatic. And it makes me really happy.”
Embrace Pattern and Texture Clash
“When it comes to patterns and colour, going matchy-matchy is a big no-no in my book! For example, matching the colour and fabric of curtains to that of cushions. Or lampshades to soft furnishings.
“It reminds me of shop catalogues where everything starts to look the same. I don’t like rooms that look like they’ve come off the shelf. Where's the uniqueness? It's so much better if you put your own personality into your interiors.
"I'd suggest just going with what you love. Instead of asking whether things match, find prints, patterns and colours you like and put them together."
“Instead of going for a theme, I'd suggest just going with what you love. Instead of asking whether things match, find prints, patterns and colours you like and put them together. The more you juxtapose contrasts the more interesting your interiors get.
“Traditional and contemporary side-by-side is another go-to for me. Bold black and white prints against colourful florals. Concrete against gold and bronze. Wicker against steel. I’d recommend mixing things up until they just feel right together.”
Think About How You Want a Room to Feel
“When designing spaces, I always go by how I want to room to "feel" as opposed to what style I want it to have.
“If you’re designing a space ask yourself some questions. Do you want your space to feel calm, airy and peaceful? Or cosy, cocooning and homely? Do you want it to feel warm and vibrant or relaxed and serene? Do you want a rustic vibe or are you trying to create an eclectic, lived-in space?
“I start with that and let the details follow. I think this approach gives you the freedom to build your own design according to who you are and what you love, rather than following a particular style. That way you don’t risk limiting your own creativity or personal expression.
A huge thank you to Lily for sharing her home and interior design tips with us. You can see more of her beautiful interior images over on Instagram. Or head to her website for more great design ideas.