Extra Cute, Extra You! 12 Adorable Maximalist Design Ideas For All Your Rooms

Cute Maximalism, for me, is simply an overdose of cute. And the kitchen is a good place to start because have you seen the kitchenware available in the market right now? With brands like Smeg, Le Creuset, even homegrown brands like Nestasia, Chumbak, Wonderchef and more, designing and shopping for our kitchen has become an activity we all look forward to. There are a lot of ways to design a kitchen—you can have an open kitchen, a peninsula kitchen with a dining area and so much more. For a maximalist kitchen, whichever the type of the kitchen, it’s important to keep a colour scheme in mind. Remember, you don’t just have to stuff products in your kitchen… Decide on a colour theme, pick nice patterns and wallpapers that go together. Here are some inspirations to help you out! 

The first time I looked at this kitchen designed by Maitri Mody aka @honeyidressedthepug, I swooned (no comments on if I was biassed because of the pug or not)! It’s the prime example of a maximalist kitchen that’s like scenery to the eyes. Making good use of wallpapers, colour schemes and kitchenware, everything that is there makes a statement but it’s still not in your face. It’s a subtle kind of maximalism, owing to the fact that it is so well kept and organised. If you like this design, here’s everything you need to shop for. 

This is the kitchen from a TV series called ‘Ugly Betty,’ and we like it because it’s everything you’d expect from a maximalist kitchen. Yellow floral wallpaper, pink floral curtains, a pastel green fridge dotted with magnets and postcards, more floral decor, and a whole range of kitchenware on the slab. The kitchen even has two cute windows. It is the kind of kitchen that makes sense to be on TV and also the kind that the people who like all things extra can get. 

While this Italian kitchen from the Timothee Chalamet movie Call Me By Your Name might not be the most aesthetic kitchen you have seen, the thing I like about this is that you can definitely see yourself having a good time here. I'm a big fan of the dining area built inside the kitchen, that will also make sure that there’s an abundance of dinnerware inside the kitchen at all times. The kitchen appears to be real, messy, but still an ‘organised messy’. It’s a wholesome kind of kitchen to have, so here are some similar products!

Now I come to the room in which we all want to spend most of our lives. Just curled up on the bed with a book or our laptops and we’re at the epitome of contentment. It will only add to our pleasure if this bedroom looks right out of a dream filled with everything we like. Add as many photo frames and memories as makes sense to you, fill up your bedroom with your world. Photos, fairy lights, book quotes you love, what’s stopping you? 

Taking more inspiration from Maitri Mody, I like the fact that there are so many different elements, different colours, different patterns, some bright and some pastel, yet somehow, all of them go together beautifully. While most of the room has a plain white background, the colour comes from the bed linen, the feature wall with blue checks and the decor. Not to mention, the modern chandelier that’s there in the room.

This is the bedroom of New York decorator Todd Romano’s San Antonio apartment, in case you were wondering why I put this art gallery on the list. It’s like a crafted concoction of everything; books, art, and other pieces of art that make this wonderful display of extra. The walls are wrapped in fabric—a tomato soup red wool felt trimmed with chocolate grosgrain ribbon. He pushed his taste to its limits, went a little overboard with the colours but that’s because he wanted the place to completely stand out. In his own words, ‘It’s meant to be provocative, non-serious and fun. 

To clarify, I am not all about only pinks, reds, and pastels. You can go big with any colour of your choice, and green is a good one. Plus, having green in your home promotes serenity and calmness. This room inspiration from Geri Sammut-Alessi or @overatno18 goes a little overboard with the green, but in a really good way. One of the walls is teal green, one is a light blue, and one is black, but with a colourful floral design. The bed linen, the bedside cabinet and the rug—all are of different shades of greens. Other than the bold wall colours, the decor is composed of neon lights, a wall mounted white bookshelf, and  a whole lot of cushions. 

This is the living room of interior designer Summer Thorton’s Chicago home. Summer believes in using colours and patterns recklessly, and I approve! The design is a mix of vintage Victorian architecture, that certainly feels very luxurious and royal, a healthy dose of colour and some modern elements. But it definitely is as extra as it gets, with its giant chandeliers and tea light holders. A massive carpet on the floor, animal print cushions, a fluffy throw, and bright sofas. If you want to add a boldly opulent touch to your home, this design is it! 

What’s maximalism if it doesn’t give a little messy vibe? Messy but totally cute, this design by Vicky or @joytospare has my whole heart. It’s a ‘living exhibit of all the things she’s made’ in the last couple of years, and it’s a prime example of decor that is wholly and unabashedly, you. There’s an abundance of cushions and throws that give a cosy feel to everything. The highlight of the room is of course the pink wall art—that’s made up of woollen pom pom balls! 

Another inspiration from Summer Thorton’s Chicago home, this entryway is basically how to get the attention of your guests the minute they step into your house. The idea is the same—use colours boldly, go a little wild with the decor (wild but wise) and let the magic happen. I really like the black and white striped staircase that’s contrasting with the pale-ish pink. The decor is a mix of popping pinks and whites, and is a very tasteful curation of art.  

Finally I come to my happy place! I've made countless memories just chilling with my friends on my balcony, or simply sitting there for a little bit of peace and quiet. Going extra with your balcony is so easy too, all you need is like tons of plants and planters!

Chilling in the balcony with your loved ones is therapeutic. Just chatting with a glass of wine, maybe. This makes a nice balcony an essential for most people. And Sana or @blossomgoodvibes balcony is a cute goal to look up to. Just the abundance of the potted plants in brightly coloured planters gets many points from me. The rug, throw and the cushions add the right amount of cosiness and warmth. I can surely see myself sitting on a balcony like this one on a pleasant night, with fairy lights, of course. 

If there’s one way to look forward to waking up and getting work done every day, it’s having a desk like this. This design by Shekinah Glory or @_glorystudies has a very neutral, peach and beige tone. But the hero of this desk is obviously the hand painted drawings that she has put liberally. Other than the wall art, this design has a lot of cute desk decor like a small potted plant, a tiny table fan, an adorable pen stand, a baby pink mouse, and endearing stationery! 

The thing I like the most about this bathroom design by Geri Sammut-Alessi or @overatno18 is that it is an inspiration for a realistically sized bathroom. It’s not a lavishly sized bathroom like 5 star hotels have. It’s what most of our homes look like, making this inspiration an achievable one. And it's too cute! Right from the bathroom tiles to the colourful decor, and the potted plants, everything is right on point.