Mini Maximalism: Bold Interior Design in Small Spaces

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Leave maximalism to massive great rooms and sprawling primary suites? We don’t think so. As Meghan Shouse writes in House Beautiful, “Small spaces almost work better with a maximalist aesthetic than minimalist ones because you can create truly transformative vignettes.” We couldn’t agree more. From pattern mixing in a powder room by Aveon Designs to a lime green work niche by Billy Cotton, small spaces are the ideal environment for fleshing big ideas, displaying bold design choices, and expressing plenty of personality.

Why Small Spaces Deserve Your Big Design Ideas

Small spaces often get the short end of the design stick; they tend to be treated as afterthoughts or toned down for practical purposes. But done right, they can evolve into the most visually exciting corners of your client’s home. The trick here is to embrace bold, intentional choices. When approached with care, maximalism can turn compact areas into rich, layered experiences.

Powder rooms, home bars, entryways, and laundry rooms are ideal for big design moments without overwhelming the flow of a house. In fact, their limited square footage is often what makes them so successful. A wallpaper that might feel too busy in a bedroom can feel delightfully immersive in a powder room. A glossy, saturated paint color might feel over the top in a kitchen, but in a hallway or under-stairs niche, it’s an unexpected design delight.

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Maximalist design in small spaces doesn’t mean cramming in as much as possible. Every element much earn its spot. A statement light fixture, a standout tile, or a strong color story can make even a tucked-away study nook feel expressive and intentional. In these spaces, maximalism isn’t excessive; it’s expressive. Below are ten mini maximalist interiors by some of our favorite designers.

10 Mini Maximalist Spaces by Talented Interior Designers

This Pattern Mixing Powder Room from Aveon Designs

Proof that playful doesn’t mean chaotic, this powder room by Aveon Designs strikes a smart balance between whimsy and polish. The large-scale floral wallpaper brings a soft, painterly drama to the space, while the plum-toned tile laid in a geometric pattern adds structure and contrast.

What could have clashed instead feels layered and deliberate, thanks to a disciplined palette and thoughtful repetition of form, from the curved mirror echoing the floral lines to the symmetry of the twin sconces. Take this as your lesson in mixing motifs while maintaining flow and a reminder that maximalism works best when every choice serves the design story.

This Home Bar with Rich Finishes by Fern Santini

Leave it to Fern Santini to turn a home bar into a full-blown art installation. With its layered finishes and unapologetic glamour, this compact corner proves that small square footage is no excuse to play it safe. A marbled wallpaper by Beata Heuman sets a dynamic backdrop, framed in brass for structure and sheen.

Above, a sculptural light fixture by Chris Wolston spills down like gilded jungle vines, echoing the organic chaos of the pattern behind it. Mirrored antique glass panels and glass shelving reflect both light and detail, while high-gloss cabinetry and unlacquered brass elevate the tactility of this space.

This Black, White, and Blush Powder Room by TKS Design Group

If you have a client who’s curious about maximalism but not ready to go all in, take cues from TKS. TKS Design Group shows how to flirt with boldness without overwhelming the space. Blush floral wallpaper adds softness and romance, while the graphic black-and-white floor and marble vanity bring edge and drama.

The organic veining of the stone plays beautifully against the angular geometry underfoot, creating a subtle pattern-on-pattern moment that feels sophisticated, not chaotic. Sculptural lighting and a shapely mirror add to the visual richness; even restrained maximalism can deliver serious impact in a small footprint.

This Hall by Storied Interiors

This layered hallway by Storied Interiors proves that a pass-through space can hold just as much personality as a primary room. The hand-drawn wallpaper adds rhythm and movement without overpowering, while a trio of antique rugs grounds the space with pattern and history.

An old-world bench, a botanical installation, and a striking portrait hung just off-center create a sense of lived-in narrative. This space reminds us that small corridors are ripe for storytelling, especially when you let texture, line, and contrast do the heavy lifting.

This Teal Laundry Room by Laura U Design Collective

Proof that no space is too utilitarian for bold design, this laundry room by Laura U Design Collective turns wash day into an experience. Saturated teal cabinetry and a matching washer-dryer combo make the space feel sophisticated, while the lush palm wallpaper adds energy and movement.

But the show-stealer here is the sculptural, abstract light fixture, an art piece in its own right that brings in an unexpected, high-design twist. Even the smallest functional zones deserves a little drama and this room nails it: practical, punchy, and unapologetically stylish.

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This Small Study Nook by Billy Cotton

Tucked inside Lily Allen’s now-iconic Brooklyn home, this study nook by Billy Cotton is a maximalist masterclass in less-than-ten square feet. From the intricate chinoiserie mural to the lime-painted millwork, every inch of this vignette bursts with intentional excess.

The antique desk, layered art, and pleated lampshade inject vintage British whimsy, while the bold green framing pulls the whole moment into focus. The tension here is what works: classic meets eccentric, soft meets saturated. For designers working in tight quarters, this is proof that a small footprint can still carry a maximalist punch if every choice is made with narrative and nuance.

This Quietly Bold Powder Room by Heidi Caillier Design

This petite powder room by Heidi Caillier Design is quiet but bold. Striped and dotted in blue over a warm neutral base, the hand-painted walls wrap the entire room in pattern, drawing the eye inward and upward. A marble-topped console sink and round mirror keep the composition airy, while smoky green sconces and a simple vase of red blooms add contrast and depth. This space is still entirely immersive despite its subtlety.

This Golden Ocean-Inspired Bar in De Gournay’s London Showroom

This bar is pure enchantment. Only de Gournay could turn a regular residential space into a gilded fantasy. De Gournay’s bas-relief “Océane” wallpaper turns the space into a shimmering seascape with stylized fish, coral, and curling seaweed that nod to Art Deco metalwork.

Rich terracotta cabinetry, etched with gold detailing, grounds the composition and keeps the glamour from floating away. Everything here is layered for impact, from the sleek glass shelves that hold sculptural glassware to the marble countertop that offers a quiet moment of grounding amidst all the brilliance. Small but transportive, this is maximalism at its most luxurious and lyrical.

This Sweet Reading Nook by Tod Hunter Earle Interiors

Upholstered wall-to-wall in coordinating Fermoie fabrics, from the micro-patterned cushion and ceiling to the floral bolsters and curtains, this space is both cozy and visually rich. The effect achieved by Todd Hunter Earle Interiors is immersive yet soothing, with the soft palette and repetition of print creating a cocoon-like ambiance. Add in a pleated lampshade and delicate embroidery, and you have a quiet corner that feels both considered and full of character.

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This Floral Laundry Room by Cameron Ruppert Interiors

Laundry rooms often fade into the background of our lives but not this one. Cameron Ruppert Interiors transforms a utilitarian space into a lively, layered jewel box with bold plum cabinetry, floral wallpaper, and charming café curtains. The result is both functional and visually magnetic.

Aqua accents from the sculptural ceiling fan and pitcher add a welcome jolt of contrast, while crisp white counters keep the look fresh. Even the laundry feels luxe here, proving once again that no space is too small—or too practical—for a strong point of view.

Written by the DesignDash Editorial Team
Our contributors include experienced designers, firm owners, design writers, and other industry professionals. If you’re interested in submitting your work or collaborating, please reach out to our Editor-in-Chief at editor@designdash.com.