Colour Your Living Spaces
Trend analysts are marking the mass return of maximalism as homeowners turn away from less is more to, well, more is more by adding colour to their living spaces.
23/07/2025
If you’re over the minimalist
aesthetic and Japandi style has you feeling
anything but calm, then you’re not as alone as
that single Scandinavian chair placed carefully
in the corner. Trend analysts are marking the
mass return of maximalism as homeowners turn
away from less is more to, well, more is more.
Finally, it’s cool to clutter – as long as it’s
done with intention.
Maximalist decor
schemes have been on the rise since 2024 and the
trend continues into 2025, with ‘clustering’ now
a verb. Pinterest’s trend report has predicted
that messy, eclectic interiors will be an
out-and-out #fav this year.
The key to
it all is generosity and abundance, with
beautifully curated collections of personal
items on display on open shelves and walls
instead of tucked away in storage. It's easy to
understand why so many of us are keen to embrace
a decor direction that feels like we’re
surrounded by a warm hug.
Unsurprisingly,
gone are the stark greys and cool off-whites
favoured by minimalism. Saturated colour in all
its glory is the king, queen, jack and ace of
achieving a maximalist look. This provides a
potent backdrop for everything else in a room
and fills in any gaps with a field of colour,
creating visual coherence.
‘Colour can elevate a space from clean-lined to quirky just by juxtaposing layers of colour that complement or augment each other - pastel shades with brights, deep saturated tones with delicate patterns,’ says South African interior designer Sarah Ord.
‘I find that I respond on a visceral level
to “wow” shades and designs using interesting
colours – literally, my hair stands on end if I
see a combination or rich colour that resonates.
When I had a retail space, we painted the entire
facade in Plascon Burnt Horizon R7-B1-1, a
colour that took what was a grey and boring
shopfront and made it shout that we had arrived!
I layered it with a giant turquoise pot at the
front door and a hot-pink bougainvillea. I miss
going to work in that space each day,’ she says.
Ord embraces colour in her personal life
too, with her favourites over the years having
been coral and watermelon pink, aquamarine, ruby
red, ochre and sea-green. ‘My front door at home
was Plascon Millionaire Gold Y2-B1-1 and I plan
to paint the sunroom that colour again - a nest
of sunflower-yellow happiness!’
When
deciding on colours, Cape Town-based décor
stylist and former magazine décor editor Genneth
Lyn considers ‘the architectural context,
decorative elements, collections, style, what
the space is used for, and the overall
aesthetic’, then she chooses ‘a colour or two
referencing decor accent pieces to create a
sense of cohesion in the space’.
Lyn
trials these preliminary colour choices with
tester pots before painting the entire room.
‘It’s very important to consider that paint
swatches always look different to the actual
colour when painted, and the end-result also
depends on the substrate, the quality of light
in the room and the finish of paint chosen. I
live with it a bit to feel it out in the day and
night, and on sunny and overcast days. It’s not
a quick fix, but it is extremely satisfying when
the desired effect is achieved.’
According to Plascon colour expert Patty
Mulauzi, maximalism is ‘an unapologetic embrace
of colour, pattern and texture. It’s about
layering the unexpected and allowing clashing
hues to harmonise in surprising and beautiful
ways. Colour becomes not just an element, but
the heartbeat of the space.’
Mulauzi shares her insider know-how on how to create different emotive responses using colour.
- For depth and drama: Think deep teal like
Plascon Headwaters G5-B1-2 or emerald green like
Plascon Jungle Book G5-C1-1 on the walls. These
colours serve as a sophisticated canvas,
allowing vibrant accents to shine. ‘I love using
a deep teal as a foundation; it exudes
refinement and creates a dramatic backdrop where
brighter tones truly come alive.’
For energy and playfulness: Vibrant yellows like Plascon Crazy Daisy Y4-A1-1 or bold pinks like Plascon Fuscia Fizz R2-A1-1 are perfect for injecting personality; whether used on statement furniture or in art, they spark joy. ‘A splash of vibrant yellow can instantly lift a room’s mood, adding a playful, exuberant energy that perfectly complements a maximalist look.’
For warmth and grounding: Amid all the visual stimulation, earthy tones like Plascon Free State Earth O1-C1-2, and burnt orange, like Plascon Freckle O3-C1-2, offer balance, lending a sense of comfort and grounding to a space. ‘Incorporating warm terracotta tones anchors the maximalist aesthetic, offering a touch of earthiness and welcoming warmth.’
For unexpected contrast: Maximalism thrives on surprise. For a dynamic, high-impact palette, you can pair rich jewel tones, like deep blue Plascon Saphire B7-A1-1, with accents of mustard yellow, like Plascon Tuscan Wall Y1-B1-2, or coral, like Plascon Adobe Desert R6-B1-2. ‘Don’t be afraid to mix contrasting jewel tones – the interplay between a bold blue and zesty yellow creates a vibrant and sophisticated visual dialogue.’
Maximalism invites us to be
bold, expressive, and fearless with colour. Are
your rooms ready to reach their fullest
potential?
For more information on
Plascon’s colour range visit www.plascon.co.za.
For more on Sarah Ord Interiors see
https://www.sarahord.com/. Follow @genneth_lyn
on Instagram.