Oh snap, WTF Hubby is a minimalist who doesn’t worship at the temple of KonMari. Me? I’m a maximalist. We live together, and not a day goes by where Hubby isn’t eyeing my stuff like he wants to set fire to them.

For a brief time, I walked down the road of minimalism home design. The simplicity was nice until it bordered sterility. Then it became a quiet scream of conformity.

It is possible to reduce until only the essential elements remain, but who is really dictating how much is too much? What if you live colourfully, vibrantly, and unapologetically true to yourself? Are you too much? Should you pare yourself and your home down to look like Pinterest aesthetics when it could, instead, represent your lived experiences?

I’m okay with being too much.

I’m okay with having more life in my home than having less of it. My things aren’t who I am, but here are some of the things I use to paint a mood, or tell a story in this little box I call home.

Artsy Maximalism Design Ideas for LESS

1. FANY Tufted 3-Seater Sofa in Yellow, $399 - Structube

Rating: 5 Heart-eyes emojis!!!

Yellow can bring both cheer and warmth into a home. I already had a giant Sunflower print from the Van Gogh Museum, but I figured, why stop there?

The Fany’s yellow is more muted than an emoji, which is great for giving your room an understated ray of sunshine. Well, as understated as you can get in the world of yellows.

It also doesn’t eat up 6 hours of your life to assemble!

2. Lichtenstein-Style Finger Print Wall Art, $5 - Shein

Finger Print Lichtenstein Comic Wall Art.jpg

Rating: 4 Heart-eyes emojis

For $5, I was surprised to get a durable, glossy, canvas print. The only small downside was that the edges were a bit messy and needed a slight trim.

Besides this Lichtenstein-inspired print (WTF Hubby and I saw our first Lichtenstein at SF Moma last year!), you can also get one in the style of Matisse. Shein has just enough of a selection to keep my art nerd heart happy.

3. Cat Print Plaid Pattern Wall Sticker, $3 - Shein

Rating: 5 Heart-eyes emojis!

Stickers are not just for kids! Walls appreciate them too, especially when they’re this stinking cute.

This sticker came in a roll, but unrolled without any creases. I spent a stupid amount of time sticking and unsticking it from the wall, because it didn’t look straight in our entryway. Luckily, it didn’t take chunks of paint from the wall with it when I did that. Phew!

4. Cushion covers, $5 - Shein

Rating: 5 Heart-eyes emojis!

Cushion covers are another easy way to refresh your home. The different styles, textures, and colours that Shein has in stock is dangerous. I can easily buy ten.

I love the cushion covers that are modern twists on classic paintings.

5. Polka Dot Print Sheet Set, $36 - $44 - Shein

Rating: 3.5 Heart-eyes emojis

As much as I love Kate Spade’s cute aesthetics, I could not justify shelling out a couple hundred dollars on bedding. Luckily, I spotted these and the polka dot and pink paired amazingly well with our Lichtenstein print.

I took away one and a half emojis because the material used to make the duvet cover started to come apart a little after one wash, and the sheets weren’t fitted.

6. TV-Shaped Tissue Storage Box, $18 - $20 - Shein

Rating: 4 Heart-eyes emojis!

Things that serve a dual function are great for small spaces. Not only can you hold tissues in this, you can also slide in your phone and watch your favourite shows while having dinner or washing dishes.

The only reason I took one emoji off was because I had to really cram the tissues into the holder. It wasn’t as wide as I thought it would be…

7. Abstract Figure Graphic Shower Curtain With Hooks, $20 - Shein

Rating: 4 Heart-eyes emojis

I just wanted to fill our house with as much art as I could - even in the bathroom! What better way to do this than with a waterproof tapestry? ;)

I am in love with how they depicted The Girl With A Pearl Earring in the style of Matisse!

8. Mona Lisa or Girl With A Pearl Earring Serving Tray, DEKORERA, $3.99 - $12.99 - Ikea

Rating: 4 Heart-eyes emojis

I binge-watch Lisa Holt Design on Youtube all the time! When she said that Ikea’s 2021 line was going to be inspired by the Dutch master painters (think rich textures, florals, and contrasts), you bet I was excited!

When we went to get our mattress and desks from Ikea, I managed to snag up this serving tray of the Mona Lisa, done in the style of a cubist painting. LOVE THIS!

As an artsy maximalist, I ask different questions when it comes to the acquisition of things:

“Is it beautiful?”
“Does it inspire?”
“Can I create with it?”

These things do that for me, and they give a nod to who I am as a person. Being at home an exorbitant amount of time during this pandemic has showed me how much I enjoy all my things. As much as WTF Hubby might see them as excessive and unnecessary, it makes me happy when we sit on the yellow couch together, watch shows on the tiny TV, or share a slice of cake on the Mona Lisa serving tray.

These things are still just things. It’s WTF Hubby and I that breathe life into them.