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minimalism vs maximalism I’m bit confused?

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Bubble99

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Mar 15, 2015
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There seem to be lot of talk about some people mostly some generation z that like maximalism where other people like minimalism look.

A fast Google search shows maximalism looking sorta like vintage , Victoria look and hippie look.

Yes lots of stuff and looks vintage.



Yes very busy and lots of stuff.

eb1f0f605f442f0cceeceed01aaa02e7.jpg


Yes some thing your grandma or grandpa house looked like.


Well minimalism look doing a google search is some thing new and clean to counter the clutter the maximalism look has. Really clean looking and calmer tone.

bright-minimalist-living-room-design-scaled-1916x1150.jpeg

Minimalist-Interior-Design-Living-Room-Ideas.jpg

minimalism-freshome-1.png



All clean and counter to the maximalism clutter.

And Apple was inspired by the minimalism and software makers and fashion looks later on by minimalism.

But one thing I find on the internet is this minimalism vs maximalism debate but no one talks about the 80s and 90s that seem to be more in middle of the two.

957e10f90755b9c0cfd73ec4cf718a92.jpg

full%2Bliving%2Broom%2Bbefore.jpg

a84fd41c035d750a072472005eeda267.jpg

Yes the 80s and 90s was more in middle.

But there seems to be two types one that want maximalism and one that want minimalism.

On other article I read 30s to 60s logos are making come back now and some vintage stuff for the kicken.

It seems some of the generation z want the really old look.

I’m confused that no one talks about the 80s and 90s and what that look is , as it seems to be more in the middle of the two looks.
 
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The other thing that strikes me about the "minimalist" interiors is the coldness; these are not warm, inviting, interesting spaces, spaces that invite not just the comfort of the lived-in, but also invite entry into the world of the imagination.

Actually, to my eye, they look almost soulless, and lack both character, and comfort.
 
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I probably fall somewhere between. I don’t really like a lot of clutter. Design wise I prefer mid century modern. Not all the black and white of modern. I want some color to pop from my furniture. I love some of the reddish orange or lime greens. Although I’m really fond of grey tweed. Which is what I went with when making my chair.

there’s a lot of design styles I Like. Victorian, traditional Japanese, Art Deco, Modern, but mid century modern is my favorite.

If you ever watch the Thin Man movies. Nick and Nora’s apartment have beautiful doors. But the overall look in North by Northwest especially the Vandamme house is gorgeous.

0C60790C-B244-490D-82F4-7AD8955C364C.jpeg
66875CB3-F3BF-4BD5-B5B0-96731928ECC3.png

The absolute epitome of the perfect house is the Sheets-Goldstein residence.
7603ED74-38DE-4BD8-B8FD-00382B4A86BD.jpeg

7D2703AB-8001-4EA2-B42D-7928FEC5EB5C.jpeg
 
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Bubble99 said:
There seem to be lot of talk about some people mostly some generation z that like maximalism where other people like minimalism look.

A fast Google search shows maximalism looking sorta like vintage , Victoria look and hippie look.

Yes lots of stuff and looks vintage.



Yes very busy and lots of stuff.

eb1f0f605f442f0cceeceed01aaa02e7.jpg


Yes some thing your grandma or grandpa house looked like.


Well minimalism look doing a google search is some thing new and clean to counter the clutter the maximalism look has. Really clean looking and calmer tone.

bright-minimalist-living-room-design-scaled-1916x1150.jpeg

Minimalist-Interior-Design-Living-Room-Ideas.jpg

minimalism-freshome-1.png



All clean and counter to the maximalism clutter.

And Apple was inspired by the minimalism and software makers and fashion looks later on by minimalism.

But one thing I find on the internet is this minimalism vs maximalism debate but no one talks about the 80s and 90s that seem to be more in middle of the two.

957e10f90755b9c0cfd73ec4cf718a92.jpg

full%2Bliving%2Broom%2Bbefore.jpg

a84fd41c035d750a072472005eeda267.jpg

Yes the 80s and 90s was more in middle.

But there seems to be two types one that want maximalism and one that want minimalism.

On other article I read 30s to 60s logos are making come back now and some vintage stuff for the kicken.

It seems some of the generation z want the really old look.

I’m confused that no one talks about the 80s and 90s and what that look is , as it seems to be more in the middle of the two looks.
Click to expand...


If you are speaking of Apple's GUI then it has to do with helping end users easily find what they need/want to do.

The more busy a GUI is the more difficult it is to use.
 
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Scepticalscribe said:
Scepticalscribe said:
The other thing that strikes me about the "minimalist" interiors is the coldness; these are not warm, inviting, interesting spaces, spaces that invite not just the comfort of the lived-in, but also invite wntry into the world of the imagination.

Actually, to my eye, they look almost soulless, and lack both character, and comfort.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
That why I feel like the 80s had look that was more in the middle and almost playful look.

But interior designers never talk about it today it is only the minimalism vs maximalism being only the two looks.

A 80s look can look warm and playful and in middle like a balance of both worlds.

55ab331f94503479c742f1b01cedb6f1.jpg

16824a1913cbecaf21cbcfa0a359953a.png

a0e64f5d6a4920a9c3712ca7816910f8.jpg

89adae7be95c444933ce183da974a5e8--not-enough-architectural-digest.jpg

fc2bc4502a38164c52c8332124ad71fa.jpg

fb3c80870b4ece8d5edce1d8ff1df6f0.jpg

2a167dc601950a4b21122aaf25fcb9d1.jpg



ed30eef4f05503b19765e3623193d470.jpg

The 80s warm playful look seems to be lost history now.Well sandy interior designers don’t talk about it. It is like a lost history or some thing.

Today every thing is only the large contrast of two looks being minimalism look and the extreme maximalism look.
 
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sam_dean said:
If you are speaking of Apple's GUI then it has to do with helping end users easily find what they need/want to do.

The more busy a GUI is the more difficult it is to use.
Click to expand...

There is video explaining and also article I read that saying people got overloaded with 2000s and spending too much time in front of the computer and people started to embrace to minimalism look because the world was too much contrast and too busy.

So fashion, interior designers, logos, software and OS started to go for more simple minimalism look of the overly busy world.

In Japan the same thing is happening in contrast now of the overly busy cities that have almost cyberpunk feel to it of too much lighting, neon signs, and busy streets.

There was article saying the maximalism movement started with covid lockdowns that some people are embracing maximalism and growing tick talk and instagram groups of maximalism. Saying before people came home from work and busy world and needed needed simple clean minimalism of almost void of this and contrast. But long covid long down people spending so much time in their home that some started to embrace maximalism.

Apple and Microsoft seems to be moving away from flat design now to modified hybrid skeuomorphism now.

There is lot more transparency now and bit more skeuomorphism like Apple Icons. A bit more modified hybrid skeuomorphism. It is interesting to see where both companies take this later on.

The 2000s skeuomorphism will probably not come back for other 8 or 10 years when people get bored with this look and than when it does come back probably only be around for 8 to 10 years than some thing else.

And if the world is overly busy and saturated than skeuomorphism will not come back.

But Apple had always gone with clean minimalism with computer deign has to PCs that was more like a tank.

Take for example a more clean minimalism.

e83600772dab0b3044a9b030848c7f47.jpg

Than typical PC bit more big and besy.

maxresdefault.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/waQ6IrUksBw/maxresdefault.jpg

Apple never thought big boxing tower and all that stuff belongs in some one home. Well Apple has Desktop towers they believe it should be for workstation in contrast to PC makers that are working with 90s model.

Even in 2000s Apple had more clean minimalism look.

Well I know there are many PC users that still like the 90s model it just Apple wanted more clean minimalism look.

Like this look even way back than.
a21fb217cc91533b5d23805cf14fe277.jpg

Than the typical PC where Apple would say this is too much and in contrast to more simple minimalism look that Apple has been working with even in the 2000s.

p1jck2h5jqv11.jpg
 
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Bubble99 said:
There is video explaining and also article I read that saying people got overloaded with 2000s and spending too much time in front of the computer and people started to embrace to minimalism look because the world was too much contrast and too busy.

So fashion, interior designers, logos, software and OS started to go for more simple minimalism look of the overly busy world.

In Japan the same thing is happening in contrast now of the overly busy cities that have almost cyberpunk feel to it of too much lighting, neon signs, and busy streets.

There was article saying the maximalism movement started with covid lockdowns that some people are embracing maximalism and growing tick talk and instagram groups of maximalism. Saying before people came home from work and busy world and needed needed simple clean minimalism of almost void of this and contrast. But long covid long down people spending so much time in their home that some started to embrace maximalism.

Apple and Microsoft seems to be moving away from flat design now to modified hybrid skeuomorphism now.

There is lot more transparency now and bit more skeuomorphism like Apple Icons. A bit more modified hybrid skeuomorphism. It is interesting to see where both companies take this later on.

The 2000s skeuomorphism will probably not come back for other 8 or 10 years when people get bored with this look and than when it does come back probably only be around for 8 to 10 years than some thing else.

And if the world is overly busy and saturated than skeuomorphism will not come back.

But Apple had always gone with clean minimalism with computer deign has to PCs that was more like a tank.

Take for example a more clean minimalism.

e83600772dab0b3044a9b030848c7f47.jpg

Than typical PC bit more big and besy.

maxresdefault.jpg
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/waQ6IrUksBw/maxresdefault.jpg

Apple never thought big boxing tower and all that stuff belongs in some one home. Well Apple has Desktop towers they believe it should be for workstation in contrast to PC makers that are working with 90s model.

Even in 2000s Apple had more clean minimalism look.

Well I know there are many PC users that still like the 90s model it just Apple wanted more clean minimalism look.

Like this look even way back than.
a21fb217cc91533b5d23805cf14fe277.jpg

Than the typical PC where Apple would say this too much and in contrast to more simple minimalism look that Apple has been working with even in the 2000s.

p1jck2h5jqv11.jpg
Click to expand...
To think iMac 24" M1 uses less than 80W of power. All those computers must used more than 280W
 
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Re minimalism, - and some of the images shared on this thread - I must say that I loathe glass topped tables.

Give me the warmth, solidity and gorgeous appearance of wood, any day.

Does anybody human ever live in any of these antiseptic and soulless spaces?

And, where are the books?

Personally, I want to be able to see - and lay hands on - both books and music in any spot I have come to call home.
 
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Scepticalscribe said:
Re minimalism, - and some of the images shared on this thread - I must say that I loathe glass topped tables.

Give me the warmth, solidity and gorgeous appearance of wood, any day.

Does anybody human ever live in any of these antiseptic and soulless spaces?

And, where are the books?

Personally, I want to be able to see - and lay hands on - both books and music in any spot I have come to call home.
Click to expand...
In September 1980 I turned 10 years old. In September 1990 I turned 20 years old.

So my late childhood, adolescence and teen years and my early adulthood were solidly the 1980s.

OP posts a lot of pics regarding the '80s' look and I do remember this - but primarily from the mid to late 80s and as decoration in demo houses for developers trying to sell homes in new housing developments.

There was a lot of plastic/acrylic in the 1980s and not so much steel or glass. In my own parents house, tables were wood. Most of the homes of friends I visited were not decorated in this manner unless you were trying to 'show off'. Maybe your dining room table was glass, but that was about it.

This look was for upper class or rich people. In the parlance of the UK, these were posh homes.

Basically for looks and unobtanium for the rest of us.

EDIT: That last one, with the seashell cushions looks like something you'd find at a 1980s retirement home or a set on the Golden Girls.
 
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Bubble99 said:
There seem to be lot of talk about some people mostly some generation z that like maximalism where other people like minimalism look.

A fast Google search shows maximalism looking sorta like vintage , Victoria look and hippie look.

Yes lots of stuff and looks vintage.



Yes very busy and lots of stuff.

eb1f0f605f442f0cceeceed01aaa02e7.jpg


Yes some thing your grandma or grandpa house looked like.


Well minimalism look doing a google search is some thing new and clean to counter the clutter the maximalism look has. Really clean looking and calmer tone.

bright-minimalist-living-room-design-scaled-1916x1150.jpeg

Minimalist-Interior-Design-Living-Room-Ideas.jpg

minimalism-freshome-1.png



All clean and counter to the maximalism clutter.

And Apple was inspired by the minimalism and software makers and fashion looks later on by minimalism.

But one thing I find on the internet is this minimalism vs maximalism debate but no one talks about the 80s and 90s that seem to be more in middle of the two.

957e10f90755b9c0cfd73ec4cf718a92.jpg

full%2Bliving%2Broom%2Bbefore.jpg

a84fd41c035d750a072472005eeda267.jpg

Yes the 80s and 90s was more in middle.

But there seems to be two types one that want maximalism and one that want minimalism.

On other article I read 30s to 60s logos are making come back now and some vintage stuff for the kicken.

It seems some of the generation z want the really old look.

I’m confused that no one talks about the 80s and 90s and what that look is , as it seems to be more in the middle of the two looks.
Click to expand...
I agree with @Scepticalscribe viewpoint, that it is a combination of appearance, taste, and comfort. Of note, we moved to the Midwest in the 1980s, from the East Coast, where I grew up, and in the East painted woodwork was more of a standard, while in the midwest stained woodwork, which I hate was the standard.

For myself in order of appearance:
  • 1 the bookshelf can be just fine if painted white, never blue, and the rest of the room is too way too cluttered. It’s ok to have a single room with painted red or green walls, I would choose the dining room, but stop there.
  • 2,3,4- too cold and bare, but by virtue of a wall hanging and a floor with color, 2 is best.

    One golden Huntn Rule is you don’t frame windows or floors with brown. :D I love creamy white Walls and white ceiling but not cold, white white and I prefer windows with creamy almost white painted woodwork, to provide slight contrast with the walks by virtue of a semi-gloss finish, and not just be holes in the wall.

    And since I’m talking about white walls, the absolute best is deep red-brown finished wood floors, and again white painted baseboards to make it pop, not brown stained woodwork. Wood floors and windows look best when they are framed by painted white woodwork, not brown stained woodwork because the brown baseboard competes with the floor, and the brown framed windows looks to harsh by my standards.
  • 5 is a bit too cluttered, but I love the red dining room floor, and the white carpet in the family room, while hating the red brick fireplace (yuck!) With a fireplace in this configuration, I’d put the wide screen TV over the fireplace and get rid of the TV cabinet.
  • 6 is acceptable I like the wood book shelves for contrast, but hate the horrid rustic fireplace which is more suitable for a cabin or western/country motif.
  • 7 one of the better rooms, love the white painted woodwork, but the furniture is not my preference. I’d replace the mirror with a wide screen TV.

velocityg4 said:
I probably fall somewhere between. I don’t really like a lot of clutter. Design wise I prefer mid century modern. Not all the black and white of modern. I want some color to pop from my furniture. I love some of the reddish orange or lime greens. Although I’m really fond of grey tweed. Which is what I went with when making my chair.

there’s a lot of design styles I Like. Victorian, traditional Japanese, Art Deco, Modern, but mid century modern is my favorite.

If you ever watch the Thin Man movies. Nick and Nora’s apartment have beautiful doors. But the overall look in North by Northwest especially the Vandamme house is gorgeous.

View attachment 2147046
View attachment 2147049

The absolute epitome of the perfect house is the Sheets-Goldstein residence.
View attachment 2147047

View attachment 2147048
Click to expand...

I have been in love with the design of the North By Northwest House* ever since I was first saw this as a kid. It’s one of the reasons why I wanted to be an Architect when I grew up.

For the other space, I like/live open layouts, but have mixed feelings about the segmented concrete ceiling and not crazy about the furniture either. :)

*Frank Lloyd Wright in appearance, my understanding is that this house with an outstanding Western contemporary motif is just a lovely mat painting.

Royksöpp said:
That house was featured in Vogue Italia in 2000.

View attachment 2147102

More Here:

hannelore-knuts-by-steven-meisel.html
Click to expand...
Here, I must say yuck… :)
 
Last edited:
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Bubble99 said:
  1. That why I feel like the 80s had look that was more in the middle and almost playful look.

But interior designers never talk about it today it is only the minimalism vs maximalism being only the two looks.

A 80s look can look warm and playful and in middle like a balance of both worlds.

55ab331f94503479c742f1b01cedb6f1.jpg

16824a1913cbecaf21cbcfa0a359953a.png

a0e64f5d6a4920a9c3712ca7816910f8.jpg

89adae7be95c444933ce183da974a5e8--not-enough-architectural-digest.jpg

fc2bc4502a38164c52c8332124ad71fa.jpg

fb3c80870b4ece8d5edce1d8ff1df6f0.jpg

2a167dc601950a4b21122aaf25fcb9d1.jpg



ed30eef4f05503b19765e3623193d470.jpg

The 80s warm playful look seems to be lost history now.Well sandy interior designers don’t talk about it. It is like a lost history or some thing.

Today every thing is only the large contrast of two looks being minimalism look and the extreme maximalism look.
Click to expand...
  • 1 is ok, no to pink walls and contemporary furniture.
  • 2 no to platforms and furniture on the ground.
  • 3 no to horrid couch, and black built in furniture.
  • 4 feels cluttered and lighting too oppressive,, but otherwise ok,
  • 5 again cluttered, but I like the wall decorations despite bathed in pink lighting, or is that because everything is pinkish in that room? ;)
  • 6 and 7 yuck and yuck, getting pink queasy. ;)
  • 8 wins award for most nauseating combo of colors. :D
 
eyoungren said:
In September 1980 I turned 10 years old. In September 1990 I turned 20 years old.

So my late childhood, adolescence and teen years and my early adulthood were solidly the 1980s.

OP posts a lot of pics regarding the '80s' look and I do remember this - but primarily from the mid to late 80s and as decoration in demo houses for developers trying to sell homes in new housing developments.

There was a lot of plastic/acrylic in the 1980s and not so much steel or glass. In my own parents house, tables were wood. Most of the homes of friends I visited were not decorated in this manner unless you were trying to 'show off'. Maybe your dining room table was glass, but that was about it.

This look was for upper class or rich people. In the parlance of the UK, these were posh homes.

Basically for looks and unobtanium for the rest of us.

EDIT: That last one, with the seashell cushions looks like something you'd find at a 1980s retirement home or a set on the Golden Girls.
Click to expand...

Yes most of these looks have synthwave rage and disco vibe.

You can see lot more in action cop movies and showns showing bit of naughty side. Most guys provably did not go with those big pink looks like 1 and 6 and also 7 that is really girly like.

These all more playful like warm tones.

None of the people I know had house look like it in 80s and 90s it was more messy and clutter like these below. But still warm tone.

ISejqh091rcecj.jpg




c2aa804d49c09dea54d050fba43aed0d--room-set-living-rooms.jpg

And carpets where big back than giving it warm cosy feel.

After the switch to more minimalism and colder rooms like today.
 
Bubble99 said:
Yes most of these looks have synthwave rage and disco vibe.

You can see lot more in action cop movies and showns showing bit of naughty side. Most guys provably did not go with those big pink looks like 1 and 6 and also 7 that is really girly like.

These all more playful like warm tones.

None of the people I know had house look like it in 80s and 90s it was more messy and clutter like these below. But still warm tone.

ISejqh091rcecj.jpg




c2aa804d49c09dea54d050fba43aed0d--room-set-living-rooms.jpg

And carpets where big back than giving it warm cosy feel.

After the switch to more minimalism and colder rooms like today.
Click to expand...

I do not like carpet at all, I would think it would depend on what type of hardwood flooring you have and the coloring of that flooring along with everything else that brings the room/location together.
 
rhett7660 said:
I do not like carpet at all, I would think it would depend on what type of hardwood flooring you have and the coloring of that flooring along with everything else that brings the room/location together.
Click to expand...

Not even bathroom carpets? 💩🤮

I wonder who first thought, "You know what this toilet needs. Permanently affixed brown shag carpet around it. What could go wrong?"
 
rhett7660 said:
I do not like carpet at all, I would think it would depend on what type of hardwood flooring you have and the coloring of that flooring along with everything else that brings the room/location together.
Click to expand...
In 1984 my parents were renting a home. The owners notified them that they were returning (they were missionaries) so we had to find another place to live fairly quickly.

So, my parents settled on a repo home built in the early 60s. It came complete with shag carpeting - although the room between what was originally the outside wall and the garage was vinyl tile (the previous occupants ran a hair salon out of the space).

As hard as my parents tried, it wasn't until around 1996 when they were able to convince me to have the carpet in my room replaced. At that point it was the last remaining room with shag carpeting.

As to some other alternative (wood flooring, etc), that was not an expense my dad was ever prepared to pay. :)

Probably a good thing though - that house had zero insulation in the walls. Froze your butt off in the winter and sweated like a pig in the summer.
 
eyoungren said:
In 1984 my parents were renting a home. The owners notified them that they were returning (they were missionaries) so we had to find another place to live fairly quickly.

So, my parents settled on a repo home built in the early 60s. It came complete with shag carpeting - although the room between what was originally the outside wall and the garage was vinyl tile (the previous occupants ran a hair salon out of the space).

As hard as my parents tried, it wasn't until around 1996 when they were able to convince me to have the carpet in my room replaced. At that point it was the last remaining room with shag carpeting.

As to some other alternative (wood flooring, etc), that was not an expense my dad was ever prepared to pay. :)

Probably a good thing though - that house had zero insulation in the walls. Froze your butt off in the winter and sweated like a pig in the summer.
Click to expand...

Shag carpet!!!

hqdefault-1.jpg
 
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velocityg4 said:
Not even bathroom carpets? 💩🤮

I wonder who first thought, "You know what this toilet needs. Permanently affixed brown shag carpet around it. What could go wrong?"
Click to expand...

I think one reason why carpets started to disappear is one it become associated with old look of 80s and 90s and not the modern look and two carpets can get dirty if not well maintain. Even the cleanest person and being paranoid at well maintaining carpet is every 10 to 15 years it should be ripped out and new carpet installed.

And new look and minimalism seems to be more colder look now than the 80s and 90s warmer look.

Well probably in the future when people get bored of this look the carpets and 80s and 90s may make a come back.
 
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