I've never been able to describe my interior design style until I came across the term Scandi Maximalism – here's everything you need to know about this folky, playful trend

Surprisingly, even as a style editor, I’ve always struggled to pin down my interior design personality. I love the warmth of neutrals and natural textures, but I also can’t resist a bold color, a patterned rug, or a vintage piece that tells a story. For the longest time, I thought that meant my taste was a bit mismatched or eclectic – until I recently came across the term Scandi maximalism.

When I first heard of this design trend, I thought it sounded like an oxymoron. After all, the Scandinavian style we all know and love is synonymous with minimalism and pared-back spaces. But I've come to discover, this is a whole new take on Scandinavian decor.

Blending playful patterns, folk traditions, and bold color, this maximalist aesthetic is like a breath of fresh air against Pinterest-perfect interiors. It’s a joy-inspiring trend that makes homes feel lived-in and loved – individual yet all within a distinct interior design style that is almost too hard to define. But I'm going to give it a good go below.

What is Scandinavian Maximalism?

The traditional Scandinavian interior design trend has long been defined by minimalism. Clean lines, pale woods, decorating with neutrals, and zero fuss. But, as it turns out, there is actually a sister (not twin) to that aesthetic that looks totally different.

And this isn’t just Scandi minimalism with a twist – it’s a whole new aesthetic in its own right. Scandi maximalism was born with a bolder, more expressive personality. It's all about layering, storytelling, and adding joy to spaces in a way that feels cozy, warm, and peppered with meaningful moments.

'Minimalist Scandi design has long been a design darling, but Scandi maximalism is rewriting that playbook,' says designer Nina Lichtenstein. 'This approach holds onto the craft and warmth of Nordic design, but instead of quiet understatement, it embraces exuberance.'

'Picture painted folk florals on cabinetry, jewel-toned textiles layered over pale oak, and whimsical patterns woven into upholstery or rugs.'

'Where traditional Scandi favors a pared-back palette, Scandi maximalism isn’t afraid of magenta, mustard yellow, or cobalt blue room color ideas, all grounded by natural textures like wool, birch, and ceramics,' she adds.

And it is certainly not anything new.

If you went thrifting for true Scandinavian antiques, you'd find a sea of hand-crafted wooden benches and chairs adorned with intricate painted motifs. As well as decorating with vintage pieces like painted furniture, frescoes are popular across walls and ceilings, inspiring plenty of wallpaper and mural designs to this day.

But while it is an aesthetic that thrives on color and pattern, it is done so in a fresh and livable way that feels lighter and more contemporary than heritage maximalism, allowing you to make your home feel unique without leaning too far into weirdness (although you should attempt to make your home feel weirder this year).

'For us, it’s not about intentional clutter or excess but about bringing personality into the home,' says Malin Glemme, founder and creative director of LAYERED.

'Colors, patterns, and materials are chosen with care but without fear. There’s a certain confidence in mixing what feels right, even if it defies convention.'

'At LAYERED, we’ve always embraced an expression that challenges the traditional idea of Scandinavian minimalism. Scandinavian maximalism is all about contrast, where clean lines and timeless shapes meet bold patterns and expressive colors. A simple wooden chair or minimal sideboard might be paired with a vibrant rug trend or playful textiles. The tension between calm and character is what makes the style interesting,' she adds.

How to get the Scandi Maximalist look

1. Layer patterns and textures

At the heart of this trend is a love of layering, not just for coziness, but for storytelling. Where classic Scandinavian interiors might stop at a single wool throw or neutral rug, this trend leans into abundance.

'Layering plays a central role,' adds Nina. 'Think striped wool blankets on floral bedding, patterned rugs overlapping, ceramics in mismatched colors. It's playful, storied, and deeply human.' In other words, it’s not about chaos – it’s about crafting a home that feels authentic and warm.

'Adding color and pattern isn’t just about decoration, it’s about setting a tone – creating joy, warmth, or even a bit of drama,' adds Malin. 'This new wave of Scandinavian interiors feels more personal and intuitive. It’s less about rules and more about emotion, and I think that freedom is what people are drawn to.'

'Scandi Maximalism works best when clean lines are balanced with layers of pattern and color in a considered way. Whether it’s through the addition of smaller pieces like candlesticks, or an upholstered footstool for a larger statement, this anchors the design scheme while allowing the textures and details to come through,' adds Birdie Fortescue.

2. Play with unexpected color

While traditional Scandi style is often associated with a muted palette, Scandi maximalism opens the door to richer, more expressive, and unexpected color schemes.

'Scandi maximalism combines the very best qualities of Nordic design,' adds designer Lauren Gilberthorpe. 'It is layered, textural, and grounded in color. Warm shades such as mushroom, chocolate brown, and soft whites help it feel inviting and timeless, while natural materials also provide balance.' She notes that patterns are then key for energizing the style.

Dominic Myland, who worked on a collaboration of paints with Swedish designer Beata Heuman with Mylands, points out how color can be used to highlight features that usually fade into the background.

'Maximalism within traditional Scandinavian-style interiors incorporates stronger colors like Crayfish Party BH.19, a rusty red, and the strong blue, Stockholm BH.11 from The Dependables, our collection with Beata. These shades work especially well as accents to highlight features that would usually go unnoticed, such as a window frame or radiator cover. Using bold colors to bring life to these features uplifts the atmosphere, creating a space that feels both modern and classic.'

3. Embrace folk influences

One of the defining elements of Scandi style is its connection to folk decor traditions. Drawing on heritage patterns and hand-painted, playful motifs, it’s about adding something sweet and unexpected to your home – whether that’s with painted cabinetry, embroidered textiles, or pottery decorated with traditional designs.

For Kailee Blalock of House of Hive Design Co., embracing these influences is one of the most exciting parts of this trend: 'Scandi Maximalism is for those who crave something a little more bold and artistic. We love the folk-inspired side of this look, heavy wooden furniture with sculptural presence and pops of true primary colors against an otherwise neutral base. We love seeing this look with a true red,' she adds.

Lauren Gilberthorpe adds: 'Contrasting patterns such as geometric designs and Aztec-inspired motifs add energy and create points of interest. It is a joyful evolution of a familiar aesthetic, bringing both comfort and character to a home.'

Whether through woven rugs, painted pieces, or patterned textiles, the key is to embrace the warmth and richness of this authentic style to bring some playfulness back into modern interiors.

Shop the Scandinavian Maximalist look

Discovering this design trend has felt like finding the missing piece of the puzzle in describing my own style. It captures that love of warmth, craft, and storytelling, but also leaves plenty of room for joy, color, and a little bit of playful drama.

If, like me, you’ve been searching for a style that celebrates both comfort and character, Scandi maximalism might just be the answer. And if you're hungry for more, I'd suggest taking a scroll through these cozy homes that showcase Scandinavian style.