Living Maximalist: Room-by-Room Inspiration
Maximalism, Reimagined: A Collected Life
Maximalism isn’t about more for more’s sake. It’s about meaning—layering cherished pieces, expressive color, and tactile materials that tell your story. In a world of fast everything, maximalist interior design doubles down on presence. Each object becomes a chapter: the hand of a maker, the memory of a journey, the spark of a conversation. This guide offers room-by-room inspiration to help you embrace maximalist home decor with nuance, restraint where it matters, and joyful abundance everywhere else.
At Trove Gallery, we believe the heart of a maximalist home is artisanal. Handcrafted decor carries the intimacy of process and the clarity of intention. Sculptural ceramics—especially individually numbered works by contemporary makers—bring an elevated, collectible sensibility to living spaces. Two artists we love for their distinct voices and impeccable craftsmanship are Noe Kuremoto and Beverly Morrison. Their work anchors vignettes, defines sight lines, and invites you to live with art every day.
This style guide highlights sculptural ceramic vessels and figures in context, with styling tips you can scale to your rooms—entryway to bedroom, dining to study. Whether you’re new to maximalism or refining a seasoned collector’s eye, you’ll find ideas to layer pieces with polish and personality.
What Maximalism Means Now: Artful Layers, Purposeful Choices
Today’s maximalism favors curation over clutter. Think of it as composing a visual symphony: high and low notes (scale), rhythm (repetition and spacing), and emotional tone (color and material). Handcrafted ceramics are ideal for this approach because their forms carry both sculptural weight and poetic lightness. They’re quiet anchors that amplify everything around them—art, books, textiles, and botanicals.
Consider the sculptural presence of Beverly Morrison’s vessels. Each piece is a study in silhouette and gesture, designed to interact with light and shadow throughout the day. The floral-forward Floral Vessel 115 (USD $1,440.00) brings organic curves to console tables and mantels; it’s an elegant way to soften linear furniture. For a statement centerpiece, Morrison’s Lotus Vessel 120 (USD $5,290.00) feels serene yet dramatic—an heirloom-level focal point that elevates a dining table, entry plinth, or credenza. And Gestural Earth Vessel 126 (USD $3,000.00) reads as a living sketch in clay, the kind of tactile form that rewards slow looking.
In contrast—and in complementary harmony—Noe Kuremoto’s sculptural figures channel a totemic quiet power. Named works like the Haniwa Warriors, Dogu Ladies, and Crane Wife series nod to ancient archetypes while remaining decidedly contemporary. Their presence is less about literal narrative and more about atmosphere: a calm guardian in an entryway, a contemplative companion on a bookshelf, a poetic trio across floating shelves.
Maximalist interiors thrive on this kind of dialogue. Pair the lyrical curves of a Morrison vessel with the steady poise of a Kuremoto figure to create a visual conversation. Echo a vessel’s contour in a mirror’s frame; repeat a figure’s vertical presence with a stack of tall books. Let materials—glazed ceramic, linen, wood—interweave.
Most importantly, buy what moves you. That’s the golden rule of maximalism: emotional resonance first, styling second.
Entryway and Living Room: First Impressions with Depth
The entry sets the tone for a maximalist home. It’s your visual overture—a distilled sense of your palette, patterns, and sculptural language. Start with a clean surface (console, pedestal, wall shelf) and plan a vignette in three layers: backdrop (art or mirror), mid-tier (tall sculpture or vessel), and ground (books, trays, or candles).
For a serene but striking welcome, place Morrison’s Floral Vessel 115 at center stage. Its elevated price point, USD $1,440.00, reflects fine craftsmanship and refined presence; the vessel’s organic silhouette invites light to play across its surface. Balance the softness with the quiet authority of a Haniwa figure—Kuremoto’s warriors bring a grounded calm to transitional spaces.
Choose a single guardian or compose a small battalion depending on your entry’s scale. Individually numbered figures like Haniwa Warrior 93, Haniwa Warrior 85, and Haniwa Warrior 74 (each USD $1,700.00) read beautifully as a trio with subtle variation. If your console is longer, extend the rhythm by alternating heights with Haniwa Warrior 92, Haniwa Warrior 124, Haniwa Warrior 107, Haniwa Warrior 113, and Haniwa Warrior 126. The repetition of form adds cohesion, while the hand-worked individuality keeps the eye engaged.
In the living room, scale up your storytelling. A maximalist seating area thrives on layered heights: table lamps, tall plants, sculptural ceramics, and art. On the coffee table, a low stack of books topped with a ceramic piece becomes a quiet focal point. For a mantle or media console, pair one tall vessel with two to three figures. Place Morrison’s sculptural Gestural Earth Vessel 126 (USD $3,000.00) slightly off-center to break symmetry and flank it with a poised figure—say Haniwa Warrior 92 on one side and Haniwa Warrior 113 on the other. The conversation between organic and totemic forms gives your room both movement and calm.
If you prefer a more intimate scale, the Dogu Ladies bring a contemplative note to living spaces. With gentle presence and nuanced variation, pieces like Dogu Lady 91, Dogu Lady 93, and Dogu Lady 95 (each USD $1,105.00) nest beautifully among books and small framed art. For elevated contrast, mix in Dogu Lady 74 (USD $1,236.00), Dogu Lady 19 (USD $1,247.00), and Dogu Lady 104 (USD $1,356.00). Notice how slight variations in size and energy create a layered tableau—no two moments feel the same.
Color strategy tip: If your room already sings with saturated textiles, let your ceramics offer a textural neutral. If your palette is quieter, a sculptural vessel can serve as a color anchor—just one bold hue or surface can pull a seating area together. Maximalism isn’t chaos; it’s a chorus. Each material has a role.
For those who love a signature statement, Morrison’s Lotus Vessel 120 (USD $5,290.00) has the presence to carry an entire wall. Place it on a pedestal near a window and watch how daylight and evening lamplight shape-shift its contours. A vessel of this caliber is a conversational compass—your room will orient around it.
Dining Room and Kitchen: Conversation Pieces, Literally
Maximalist dining thrives on theater—layers you can adjust for daylight brunch or candlelit dinner. Start with your surface: a wood or marble table wants tactile counterpoint. A sculptural vessel as a centerpiece brings height and restraint amid all the glassware and ceramics you’ll set for meals.
For everyday artistry, center the table with Morrison’s Floral Vessel 115 (USD $1,440.00). Its botanical energy pairs effortlessly with linens and seasonal branches. If your room invites bolder drama, let Lotus Vessel 120 claim the spotlight—its commanding silhouette rewards a minimal table setting; the vessel becomes the course you savor with your eyes.
Wall shelves and hutches are prime maximalist real estate—stages for rhythm and repetition. Create a visual poem with Kuremoto’s Crane Wife trio. Place Crane Wife 9 (USD $1,356.00), Crane Wife 14 (USD $1,356.00), and Crane Wife 7 (USD $1,347.00) across a floating shelf, interspersed with stemless glassware or small stacks of plates. The cadence of the three forms fosters a quietly dynamic horizon while you keep the eye moving with varying intervals—tight spacing here, a breath there.
On a sideboard, try a symmetrical approach subverted just slightly. Anchor each end with a Haniwa warrior—perhaps Haniwa Warrior 85 on the left and Haniwa Warrior 124 on the right (each USD $1,700.00). Between them, layer wine decanters and a compact arrangement of taper candles. The figures quiet the scene and feel like gentle sentinels for everything in motion.
For open kitchens, think vertical. Above the counter, a single niche or upper shelf can host a focused ensemble: Gestural Earth Vessel 126 (USD $3,000.00) beside Dogu Lady 104 (USD $1,356.00). The contrast between a gestural vessel and a poised figure elevates utilitarian space into a pocket gallery—perfect for the ritual of morning coffee.
Practical styling note: To keep the table versatile, place felt or cork pads beneath heavier ceramics and move them with both hands. In high-traffic areas, position sculptural pieces at least a palm’s width away from edges.
Bedroom and Sanctuary: Restful Layers, Personal Rituals
Maximalism in the bedroom leans tactile and reflective. Rather than loud color, explore a spectrum of textures: embroidered linens, woven throws, velvet pillows, and the matte glow of ceramic forms. The goal is cocooning—not clutter—but still rich with personality.
Start with the nightstand. A small figure offers a daily moment of quiet. The Dogu Ladies are especially resonant here: Dogu Lady 91, Dogu Lady 93, or Dogu Lady 95 (each USD $1,105.00) tuck beautifully beside a favorite book and a petite lamp. If you prefer a bit more drama, choose Dogu Lady 74 (USD $1,236.00) or Dogu Lady 19 (USD $1,247.00) to add visual weight. Their contemplative profiles create a personal altar without overpowering the room.
On the dresser or a low cabinet, a single tall vessel sets the tone for slow mornings. Morrison’s Floral Vessel 115 (USD $1,440.00) offers an organic counterpoint to framed photographs. If your space is amplified by a single, definitive gesture, consider the orchestral presence of Lotus Vessel 120 (USD $5,290.00). Styled with a silk scarf and a favorite fragrance, the composition reads tailored and deeply personal.
Across from the bed, a reading nook becomes a small sanctuary. Layer a bookshelf with Crane Wife 7 (USD $1,347.00) and an asymmetrical stack of novels. The piece’s lyrical posture creates a gentle pause between volumes, reminding you that collections are living, breathing things.
If your bedroom has a mantle or wall ledge, bring the protective calm of a warrior into the mix. Haniwa Warrior 107 and Haniwa Warrior 126 (each USD $1,700.00) offer a sense of stability—visual anchors you’ll appreciate in the quiet of evening and the first light of morning.
Lighting tip: Maximalism loves shadows. Use soft, directional light (sconces or shaded lamps) to graze the surfaces of ceramic forms. You’ll catch subtle variations throughout the day—the kind of slow delight that makes a room feel truly lived in.
Study, Hallways, and Creative Corners: Small Spaces, Big Character
Some of the most compelling maximalist moments happen in-between—in hallways, at the edge of a bookcase, on a windowsill above a radiator cover. These peripheral spaces are perfect for intimate dialogues between pieces, especially individually numbered works with quiet charisma.
In a study or home office, think in terms of visual pacing. On an open shelf, alternate books and artworks with figures to create breath. A rhythmic sequence of warriors—Haniwa Warrior 113, Haniwa Warrior 92, and Haniwa Warrior 74 (each USD $1,700.00)—punctuates rows of spines while keeping the cadence calm. Place one figure near framed ephemera and another adjacent to a small plant; let your eye travel the shelf, discovering small harmonies.
Hallways benefit from repetition and a strong focal anchor. Set a narrow console and compose a linear tableau: Morrison’s Gestural Earth Vessel 126 (USD $3,000.00) flanked by Dogu Lady 104 (USD $1,356.00) and Crane Wife 14 (USD $1,356.00). The interplay of height and posture creates an elegant echo as you walk past—your hallway becomes a curated promenade.
Creative corners—windowsills, desk edges, bar carts—reward modest gestures that feel intensely personal. A single Crane Wife 9 (USD $1,356.00) beside your watercolor set; Dogu Lady 93 (USD $1,105.00) watching over your journal; Haniwa Warrior 124 (USD $1,700.00) standing sentinel near a turntable. These are the small rituals of a maximalist life—moments that tether the day.
If you share your home with curious pets or energetic children, place figures on stable surfaces or within niches just above reach. The art of maximalism includes caring for the art itself.
Curating, Caring, and Collecting with Intention
Maximalism is a practice—an evolving conversation between you and the pieces you live with. These guiding principles will keep your rooms expressive and cohesive:
Establish a color chord. Choose two to three recurring hues that appear in art, textiles, and ceramics. This doesn’t limit you; it tunes the room so that new notes always harmonize.
Compose with silhouette. Pair rounded vessels with upright figures. Repeat a vertical presence across spaces to carry the eye through a room.
Mix scale deliberately. Place one commanding piece—like Lotus Vessel 120 (USD $5,290.00)—and support it with quieter forms such as Dogu Lady 91 (USD $1,105.00) or Crane Wife 7 (USD $1,347.00). Big, medium, small: think in threes.
Repeat with variation. A sequence of Haniwa figures—Haniwa Warrior 93, Haniwa Warrior 85, and Haniwa Warrior 107 (each USD $1,700.00)—reads as a cohesive motif without feeling uniform. The hand of the maker ensures each work maintains its own presence.
Collect what you’ll live with. Each Morrison vessel—Floral Vessel 115 and Gestural Earth Vessel 126 included—was created to stand alone or join a larger dialogue. Start with one, then build your story as your eye matures.
Caring for handcrafted ceramics is simple. Dust with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid harsh cleaners. Place pieces on stable surfaces away from edges and strong vibration. For shelves or consoles, consider thin felt pads to protect both surface and base. As with all artisanal work, mindful placement ensures long enjoyment.
Ready to build your own maximalist chorus? Explore the full maker collections to discover the pieces that resonate with you: the sculptural world of Beverly Morrison and the quietly powerful figures of Noe Kuremoto. When you collect from artists you love, every room becomes a living gallery—one that tells your story with grace and intention.
Bring home your next statement today: anchor a console with Gestural Earth Vessel 126, compose a mantle guardianship with Haniwa Warrior 126, or create a bedside ritual with Dogu Lady 95. Your maximalist home begins with a single, meaningful piece—and grows into a life beautifully collected.
