Clutter is unplanned. It’s the pile of bits and bobs that just… landed. Bills mixed with takeaway menus, keys thrown on top, yesterday’s cup still sitting there. Maximalism, though - that’s considered. It’s the same amount of stuff, but it’s placed with intent. It sparks joy, not heart palpitations.
Here’s how to nail it:
- Curate, don’t dump. Stack a few books, add a candle, top it off with something quirky you love. Suddenly, it’s a moment.
- Find a thread. A colour that repeats, a shape that pops up again - that’s what stops the eye from panicking.
- Play with scale. Big next to small, tall next to squat. The contrast makes it interesting.
- Layer it. Art behind objects, textiles overlapping, different heights working together.
- Leave breathing room. Even maximalists need a pause - otherwise it looks like a garage sale went rogue.
So yes, show off your treasures, but do it with intent. Clutter overwhelms. Maximalism delights. Be the curator, not the clutter culprit.
HAPPENING IN FEBRUARY 2026 | Styling Retreat with Julia Green
Love interiors and love styling – but not sure how to turn your passion into a career? Then read on, as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for all aspiring stylists. Julia Green is one of Australia’s most published interior stylists and owner of Greenhouse Interiors… and now she’s opening up the showroom for a weekend to a very small group of emerging stylists to share her insights, tips and tricks on how to become a successful interiors stylist.
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