Let’s face it – that Scandi, minimalist interior design aesthetic that’s been big news for years isn’t exactly easy to achieve. Firstly, you have to be something of a storage savant; super tidy, supremely organised, and never leaving mess or debris unattended for more than a few seconds. You also have to own very little, but also have a wallet well-furnished enough to make those furnishings look ultra-modern. Hmmm…
For those of us who struggle, the season’s hottest trend is every minimalist’s worst nightmare and every ditsy person’s dream. Cluttercore is, in essence, the inverse of those pared back interiors, instead embracing frippery and frivolity.
So, how do you define cluttercore? Stylist writes that it’s “The antithesis of minimalism, the aesthetic celebrates ‘stuff’ and is all about bringing together objects in a chaotic but organised way so your home truly reflects you”.
Another definition from House Beautiful is that it “is more sentimental in expression, advocating for homely interiors that cocoon us in happy moments”.
Let’s get this out of the way before we proceed; cluttercore isn’t exactly celebrating living a messy, disorderly life. It’s about highly and thoughtfully curated curiosities that are carefully and artfully displayed. So, how do you achieve this look without making your home look like a dumping ground? Here’s how; our ways to embrace 2022’s cluttercore trend.
A GRADUAL ACCUMULATION OF CHERISHED ITEMS
As cluttercore operates on a ‘more is more’ basis, there’s a temptation to buy everything at once to achieve this interior look. However, throwing the kitchen sink at your space in a desperate bid for cluttermis a bad idea. You’ll likely end up with items that you only semi-love.
The intention behind this trend is to fill your space with items that spark you with joy (a little ironic that this comes from Marie Kondo, the decluttering Queen, but there you go).
Your cluttercore journey should work by gradually adding items. Vintage curiosities that have a story to tell are a major part of this trend, so spend your weekends rummaging around charity shops and antique shops to find pieces that speak to you. Heaven!
If you’re going on holiday and see a trinket you love, then don’t hesitate to buy it. Sentimental items full of memories are part and parcel of the cluttercore trend after all.
Even if the objects that bring you joy are not useful or conventionally beautiful, so be it; there’s much beauty to be found in the weird and the whacky after all.
By not going full throttle all at once with this trend, you’ll have the luxury of time, able to move objects around and figure out an aesthetic that works for you.
Read: 6 IDEAL pieces of functional art to bring style into your home
MISMATCH WITH CARE
The cluttercore trend is all about filling your home with a mismatch of big, bold and bright decor. An easy way to achieve the mismatched aesthetic is to mix the old with the new.
However, the key here is to mismatch with care. A gorgeous antique mirrored coffee table next to a bold, brightly coloured contemporary accent chair, for instance, brings that curated incongruity that we’re after.
This is an interior design trend where anything goes, and being actively eccentric should be encouraged!
Remember, cluttercore is about surrounding yourself with things that make you happy, so don’t buy something that’s new and trendy just for the sake of adding another item to your collection. Instead of just hanging the latest fashionable quote or trending artist – something overly generic, basically – opt for items that are more personal. Art is subjective, and for many people, it’s a succinct way to channel a unique, innate part of your personality. Channel your exquisite taste to the greatest effect.
Read: How to frame, hang and display your artwork to catch the attention of guests
SHOW OFF YOUR HOBBIES & PERSONALITY
The fantastic thing about having esoteric hobbies is that the equipment which you’ve accumulated over the years, rather than being a storage burden, can bring real character to your home.
For more on that, let us direct you to our article on ways to add personality and your own sense of style to your home.
IT’S ALL ABOUT BOLD COLOURS & TEXTURES
Discreet yet bold choices when it comes to furniture are ideal for the clutter core trend. When it comes to choosing the colour you want, go for those with meaning to you, not something that’s on trend.
Many believe that the mere presence of colour in a room could affect the behaviour of its occupants, or at least, influence their mood. Because of this, the psychology of colour plays an integral role in many interior design decisions. Be sure to choose a colour that resonates with you and your vibe.
If you live in a rental and can’t paint the walls or don’t have space to include new furniture additions to your home, consider reupholstering an old chair using a bold colour palate of fabrics.
Or, place a colourful patterned rug under an armchair or piece of furniture you already have, framing the piece and giving a ‘look-at-me’ sense of gravitas to an otherwise ordinary piece.
Read: 5 IDEAL ways to give your old furniture a modern makeover
GO WILD WITH WALLPAPER
You can even achieve a sense of curated chaos with your wallpaper.
While we’re fans of feature walls, this one’s all about newly minted maximalism and showing off your bullish side. Think of your walls as a canvas, ready to express your personality in a loud and proud way.
While recent years have seen tropical wallpaper (replete with palm leaf and the odd parrot) enjoying huge popularity in design magazines and Instagram alike, here at IDEAL we’re fans of a more understated botanic design which works perfectly in a maximalist environment. Think elegant Far Eastern florals, such as cherry Japanese blossoms, Chinoiserie garden murals and Vietnamese lotus flower designs, all in subtle pastel and warming hues, bringing a soothing quality to a maximalist room.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Cluttercore is all about creating a home haven that truly represents your identity. While your home won’t be to everyone’s taste, it will be to the most important person of all; you.