Sustainability & Maximalist Design

In the last decade, we have been flooded with minimalist concepts, making us believe that's the way of living. But clean lines, a monochromatic palette, and a simple, airy design doesn’t represent everybody. Some of us feel most at ease when surrounded by beautiful objects collected over time that spark creativity. We’ll teach you everything about incorporating maximalism into your space using sustainable interior design ideas, especially in your bathroom.

What is Maximalism?

Maximalism defines the art of more-is-more, characterizing spaces with numerous patterns, textures, objects, and colors. Everything is eclectic in maximalist style, from walls to ceilings to furniture and decorations. Often referred to as an 'aesthetic of excess,' maximalism is based on Art Nouveau, represented by an amalgam of shapes, curving lines, flowers, and heavy ornamentation.

All in all, maximalism is about making your space tell your story. Maximalism implies letting shapes, textures, and colors do the talking, grab attention and create an over-the-top space. And while some may think "it's just stuff," embracing maximalism is an authentic expression of your style, where the beautiful things around you add value to your life. If you appeal to sustainable interior design, choose environmentally-friendly furniture and recycled materials and even implement energy measures that reduce costs.

What is a maximalist aesthetic? 

The maximalist aesthetic represents designs that blend loads of layers, bold colors, paintings, and treasured collections that can be summarized as "more is more." If, in the past, maximalism was a practice of wealthy people to showcase their riches, nowadays, it is more than a trend and is here to stay.

If you're into playful prints, clashing patterns, and a tendency to leave no naked wall, you can say you're a maximalist aesthetic person. This aesthetic of excess is the opposite of minimalism, the clean, bright, and airy design that it has.

What does maximalist mean in interior design?

In interior design, maximalist design represents rooms that play with a combination of patterns in the same space, united by a common color or hue palette, statement lighting, and accessories. While it may appear messy, busy, chaotic, maximalism interior design is not about crowding a lot of stuff into one place but rather artistically creating an exciting mix for the eye to relish.

Here are some hallmarks of maximalism interior design: 

• Abstract patterns 
• A mix of prints and floral motifs
• Bright colors
• Eclectic furnishing
• Displayed books, statues, paintings, and artworks 

You can have a maximalist design anywhere in your home, but it's the bathroom where you unwind after a long day. A maximalist approach in your bathroom can make the ideas that come in the shower brighter and can make you start and end the day inspired as you enjoy a space that represents you. 

How to Design a Maximalist Bathroom - Sustainable Interior Design

You can't miss a maximalist bathroom. They spark with layers of colors, textures, and prints, all in harmony with your personality. It's even better if it is sustainably designed so that you can enjoy your space knowing you are not harming the environment for the sake of maximalism. For instance, ensure you purchase fair-trade furniture, and a bathtub made of porcelain, stone, wood, iron, or marble. The same goes for the countertop; pick marble, wood, quartz, or recycled glass. Also, to minimize the carbon footprint of shipping large items, prioritize buying everything locally where possible.

The first and most important thing is to picture your eclectic bathroom. Identify a color palette you'd like, and wallpaper and curtains that will match this style. Think about the lighting, sink, curtains, and floor. Find an object to inspire the entire maximalist bathroom, whether it is the wallpaper, a piece of art, the shower curtain, or your cosmetic packaging.

1. Embrace sustainable packaging

Details make the difference, and they are an essential trait of maximalism. Yes, statement furniture and opulent chandeliers define a maximalist bathroom, but the smaller elements complete the design. For example, showing off your spectacular skincare arsenal is the perfect addition to your maximalist bathroom design. Even better if your products are sustainable skincare brands that use ethically-sourced ingredients and have a minor impact on the environment.

Guess what? Our refillable packaging system can become the centerpiece of your bathroom to revolve around and be lit up by. Kick off and end the day using effective and sustainable skincare with a mind-blowing design to enhance your maximalist bathroom.

Time to design your bathroom with the grandeur it deserves.

2. Incorporate wallpaper or colored walls

Experiment with florals, jungle-themed motifs, geometrical or contemporary wallpaper to give the bathroom your maximalist feel. Or, if you don't want to commit to decorative wallpaper, you can choose one color for the walls and leave the pattern for your shower curtain. And since you're into sustainable design, look for eco-friendly polymer wallpaper made with water-based pigment inks, PVC-free, and zero-VOC.

To avoid a messy, cluttered space, focus from the beginning on at most three or four colors. The 60-30-10 rule in home decor can help you avoid creating a busy area. 60% of the room should be a dominant color, 30% the secondary color, and 10% should be the accent.

3. Play with textures

Playing with textures is the perfect opportunity to be just as creative.  You'll want to capture attention without being overwhelming and add dimension through various textures that form an oasis in your bathroom. A rug, ornaments, vases, mirrors, and candles create textures and play a key role in creating a specific feeling in the room. Try to contrast textures; it will add visual weight to the area, drawing eye attention quickly. You can use rough and smooth surfaces, which look better when used near each other. For instance, unpolished stone and wood make the bathroom warmer and more comfortable.

Our powder jars can be upcycled to add texture to your maximalist bathroom: from DIY candles to keeping your hair bands and barrettes or as a vase for dried flower arrangements like cotton or bunny tail.

Here is more about how to recycle your beauty products.

4. Add plants 

The best part of maximalism is showing off your hobbies and personality. So, in addition to sustainable cosmetics packaging, add plants. They will freshen up your bathroom and make it feel more alive.

Use a mix of hanging, tall and dramatic plants of varying heights and sizes to make the space feel airier, enhancing the decor and catching the eye. Examples of statement plants are Dracaena Gold Star, Ficus Alii, Bamboo Palm, and Monstera.

10 Gorgeous Maximalist Bathrooms

It's important that the maximalist design you create in your bathroom leaves a personal touch and is in harmony with your style, hobbies, and personality. That's the way to feel connected with your space. But inspiration is always good as it helps you step outside your boundaries of creating and decorating. Feast your eyes and get inspiration from the world's most beautiful hotel bathrooms.

Shop Exponent's Selection of Products with Sustainable Design

At Exponent, our mission is to make your life easier and create effective skincare products with sustainable packaging that's not watered down and deactivated by the first beam of light. It gets better: our unique (and fabulous) packaging would look amazing in your maximalist bathroom. Take a peep at our Superior Serums and convince yourself.