Kat Stano

Home Decor Inspo: How to Be a Maximalist and a Minimalist at the Same Time

· In: Home Décor

Today’s home decor inspo is for all of us maximalists out there. Being a maximalist is fun because it feels good to surround yourself with all the things you love. Whether it’s lots of colors, cool collections, or just a massive appreciation of all-things-art, maximalism can really give your home personality.

But, maybe you’re struggling with a little too much clutter lately and starting to admire the steely resolve of minimalists, but just aren’t ready to go all-in on major simplicity. Why not do a little of both?

Read on for some ways to be a maximalist and a minimalist!

This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through my affiliate link at no extra cost to you. My recommendations are always items I buy or totally want to buy!

This is Kat's grandparents' wedding gift of a fancy silhouette painting, a sign that says, "Yes I can", and pearl necklaces on the wall to show living room decor inspiration.
The silhouette print was my grandparents’ wedding present in 1939. It came in a pair with another print I’ll display soon! I’d frequently tell my grandma that I really liked those prints and she said, “Well, I’m going to give them to you one day.” 💗

Home Decor Inspo

This is a Pinterest graphic that says, "home decor inspo how to be a maximalist and a minimalist at the same time."

First of all, I’m not an interior designer; just someone who loves interior design* and who spends way too much time pondering what else I can cram onto my walls. But since I think about this often, I’ve got lots of home decor inspo for you!

*If you want a REAL interior designer with bonafide home decor inspo who also offers the prettiest luxury wallpaper your eyes have ever seen, check out my recommendations at the end of this post!

I think a lot of sentimental people are maximalists, especially highly sensitive people who are deeply moved by art, music, and literature. We love it all!

For me, I’m inspired by the comfort and coziness of meaningful objects and creative art pieces that capture my imagination. I love surrounding myself with items that remind me of good times, favorite people and animals, and places I hold dear to my heart.

But sometimes I overdo it. Oh, heck. ALL the times.

I want that home that constantly looks super together and sometimes I even think, “Should I become a major minimalist?” But I know myself and need a middle ground.

If you feel the ubiquitous pressure to declutter, but really want to keep that oddball collection of yacht-rock cassettes, I’m with you, friend.

This post is all about home decor inpso that inspires you to be a maximalist and a minimalist at the same time.

This is a Duncan Phyfe sofa with throws pillows, a vintage-inspired lamp, photos of family, a lettered quote, a photo of a Kat's legs next to her dog and her dog wearing pearls, and a guitar to show contemporary home interiors.
Thanks to Tonya Dean Photography for the awesome photo of me and Cosette. Thanks to my husband, Jon, for providing the cool rocker guitar.

Home Decor Inspo

1. Take that clutter to the wall.

This is Kat's gallery wall with shelves, little boxes, musical maracas, photos of family members, artistic drawings, Kat's wedding purse on an elephant hook, a handmade dream catcher made by Kat's late brother, and a seashell to show home decor inspo.
This home decor inspo is from my own gallery wall. I love me a gallery wall! Everything here means something to me. Including sentimental and nostalgic pieces makes your home unique and memorable…plus fun to live in!

No room for it and need to majorly declutter? If you have pieces you love, but they’re also deterring you from having a peaceful space, why not hang them up?

A gallery wall or salon wall doesn’t have to just be picture frames. Oh, heavens, no! Dimensional and textured items create interest among the photos and paintings you have displayed.

I love quirky dimensional heirlooms so much that I’m saying it’s almost a REQUIREMENT for us to display them! We must not do a disservice to our beauteous belongings!

This is Kat's rainbow striped swimsuit from childhood framed on the wall, plus a framed artistic image of Kat and her schnoodle dog, a sign with a Bible verse that says, "Love one another", and a small basket to show inspiration decoration.
My parents framed my childhood swimsuit as a Christmas present. I love this so much! This little fashion relic was worn on the sands of South Carolina and during swim lessons in Vanderbilt’s Olympic-sized pool. (Vanderbilt University, not the family Vanderbilt, though hanging out with Anderson Cooper would be pretty cool!)
This is Kat as a kid wearing her rainbow stripe one-piece swimsuit and jumping from a diving board into an indoor Olympic pool to share ideas on home decor inspiration websites.
I hope this brave, little rainbow of a girl would be proud of me today❤️🌈

ideas for your gallery wall:

This is a gallery wall at Kat's house with a picture of Jesus and a lamb, a drawing of Kat's schnoodle dog by a friend, a drawing of her first dog by her brother, a vintage camera, a clock with a Shakespeare quote that says, "Though she be but little she is fierce", a Game of Thrones sign that says "Moon of my life", a polka dot lamp, and other picture frames to show living room ideas on a budget.
I love vintage cameras, so I got out my heavy-duty Command strips and went to town! I always use more strips than normal just to make sure nothing falls and crashes to the ground. But, beware! It could still happen! (Always follow directions!) However, if you need an easy way to get rid of stuff, breaking your stuff is one way! 🤣
  • Vintage clock
  • Quirky mirrors
  • Books (can hang up small shelves and add your favorite tales)
  • Plates
  • Musical instruments (maybe not a piano, though🤣)
  • Baskets
  • Jewelry
  • Purses
  • Fancy hats
  • Unusual signs
  • Sculptural pieces
  • Knickknacks
  • Seashells
  • Plants
  • Dried flowers or grasses
  • Mini lanterns with flameless candles
  • Sconces (Do I want these battery-operated scones? YES!)
  • Ballet shoes
  • Bells
  • Awards trophies
  • Antique silver trays
  • Your dog’s collar or favorite toy
  • Retro telephone
  • Old World mail slot
  • Collectors’ pieces like action figures or Hot Wheels
  • Sports pennants
  • Pottery
  • Baby dress or vintage swimsuit
This is a small handmade heart basket on the wall between picture frames and art and a letter "K" with tiny lights to show home decoration items.
I visited Venezuela as a teenager on a church missions trip. That’s a whole story for another day! But to summarize, the only productive thing I think we actually did was purchasing pieces from local artisans which, in turn, helped support their livelihoods and families. I bought this sweet handmade heart box that I’ve carried around with me for over 30 years.

How To Display Chunkier Art Pieces:

This is a view of Kat's gallery wall with a Mozart bust, photos of her dogs, a mini ukulele on a shelf with a card that says, 'Kat and Jon", and other frames to show living room interior design photo gallery.
My mom gave me this Mozart piece from her childhood. I’ve moved it around a few times on “The Wall” and somehow it always ends up next to Cosette. Two legends!

Be careful when displaying heavier or oddly-shaped artwork. Accidents are never very decorative, so take your time, research the right materials you need, and adjust if you just can’t lift that 50-pound mirror.

Also, don’t be ashamed to call in a handyman. And by “handyman,” I mean one who doesn’t drop your 50-pound mirror on the floor and add a nice character gash to it.

(In case you were wondering, the mirror was fine. The handyman and I ended up going our separate ways in the end. Oh, the tragedy.)

  • Mini shelves
  • Decorative hooks for lightweight necklaces and purses
  • Vintage doorknobs
  • Command Strips: I use these for certain lighter items. Make sure you follow the directions, too! I usually overdo it on these strips because of my fear of things falling off the wall.
  • Shadow boxes
This is a stool with a zebra print design, a teacup sitting on top, a few pieces of stationery, and an art book opened up to a Vincent Van Gogh print called "Two Women in a Wood" to show interior design ideas for small house.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to display something beautiful. This is a Vincent Van Gogh print called “Two Women in a Wood” that I clipped out of an art auction book that I got free at work. AND I framed that baby! (Albeit, in a broken frame. Story later in post!) Because buying a famous print for my house that costs AS MUCH as my house really isn’t an option.

Types of sentimental Artwork To Frame:

This is a personal letter displayed on a clipboard on the wall with other art, including Kat's childhood collie dog and in the forefront is a grey chair with a gold polka dot pillow and a faux fur throw to show apartment decorating styles.
I have a handful of letters framed and display in my home from people who’ve beautifully influenced me. This is a thank you note from my sweet piano teacher, Miss Sibyl.
  • A special letter or greeting card
  • Original art by a friend or family member
  • Painting or print that was beloved by that cool aunt, favorite grandpa, or dear sibling
  • Photography from your travels
  • Artist drawing of your beloved pet
  • A quote hand-lettered by a talented, local artist
  • Artwork you find in a magazine, art book, or on the cover of a greeting card or stationery. I’ve even found cool quotes from Anthropologie catalogs.
  • Sheet music
  • Wedding vows
  • Wedding program or invitations
  • Concert poster
  • Postcards
  • Wallpaper from your childhood bedroom
  • Album cover
  • Ticket from a special event, like a movie, play, or music festival
  • Dust flap from your favorite book
  • Painting of your home
This is a vignette of a gem tree, oyster shell with floral and gold decoupage, a white flower paperweight, a lettered quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald that says, "You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, most beautiful person I have ever known and even that is an understatement" and part of an ornate gold frame from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte that says, "Reader, I married him." to share your design personality. There is also a reflection of a rainbow from the window.
Wherever you can make sentimental vignettes, I say do it! These are quotes from our wedding. I bought the F. Scott Fitzgerald quote from a gift shop in my hometown and the “Reader, I married him” quote by Charlotte Brontë is lettered by my good friend, Sarah, with a frame I got from a vintage seller. The seashell is from an artist on Etsy who only uses washed-up shells with no animals inside. (I gave these as gifts to my wedding attendants and helpers.) The gem tree is from my sister-in-law. The paper weight is a purchase from my work gift shop because I’ve got to represent my prior shopping addiction! The rainbow? That’s just Mother Nature doing her magic.

A really easy way to declutter
is to embrace your inner klutz
which, if you’re me,
will literally let a sizeable picture frame
fly through my hands,
crash on the floor,
and completely shatter the glass
by the time this post is over.
Instant decluttering management!

Kat Stano, Actual Klutz

2. Make memory boxes or bags.

This is a kids' red suitcase from the eighties with a little girl and her dog that says, "I'm going to Grandma's" to show hacks ideas for home for storage.
This is my childhood suitcase! I store my dog’s hair bows, Converse high tops, and tutu in there. ‘Cause if you’re to save anything, it’s your dog’s tutu! You can find this little retro luggage at thrift shops or Ebay.

Perhaps you’ve been able to narrow down your most treasured belongings, but you don’t have the room to leave everything out on display.

You have different options, like boxes or bags, depending on where you plan to store your treasures.

If your only option is the garage or attic, I’d probably use secure plastic bins, just so that you know your stuff is safe and protected from the elements (or critters).

But, if you have space in your closets or even bookshelves, you could use:

  • Decorative storage boxes
  • Hat boxes
  • Shoe boxes (you could wrap in wrapping paper or peel ‘n stick contact paper)
  • Your laptop box
  • Those really nice gift boxes or fine china boxes
  • Purses
  • Amazon reusable gift bags
  • Shoe or purse bags
  • Jewelry boxes
  • Toolbox
  • Caboodle (Who remembers Caboodles?)
  • Vintage suitcase
This is Kat at summer camp as a teen, smiling by her lavender purple Caboodle.
You couldn’t go to church camp without a Caboodle. You just couldn’t!

Ways To Do Memory Boxes:

  • By era: Collect your best childhood keepsakes and store in a pretty box.
  • By theme: Retro cassettes, figurines, or baseball cards, for example.
  • By places you’ve traveled: Curate souvenirs, photos, and your travel journal.
  • By someone you love: Keep your dog’s collar, special toys, bows, lock of fur, and scarves to remember them. Or grab a container and save all of your cards your grandma gave you.
This is a bookshelf with books, lanterns, seashells, and a framed postcard with a rooster on it that says, "Greetings from Nashville" to show house decoration items.
To connect with home when you no longer live in your hometown, displaying memories from where you grew up is a fun way to add comfort to your humble abode. This is a postcard I got when I was visiting my family. Postcards can be so cute as wall or bookshelf art!

3. Use display or china cabinets.

This is Kat's grandma's owl tea set, plus an owl salt and pepper shaker, plus a bird salt shaker, and some cute teacups to show home decor ideas pinterest in a china cabinet.
When I went to my grandma’s house, I’d always gaze at these owls sitting on top of her fridge, while we ate her home-cooked meals. Now, I get to gaze at them in my home! (Eating my takeout!)

One way to make everything look tidy, but additionally keep all your pretties is to use a glassed-in china cabinet. This is a lovely way to enjoy your collections without a large amount of clutter.

If you don’t want to see lots of little items, a solid armoire or storage cabinet works, too!

Brand new furniture can be expensive, so don’t be afraid to check out thrift stores and yard sales.

You might be able to repurpose an older chest of drawers or dresser if you’re feeling DIY-ish!

4. Keep your darlings in the family.

This is a wall vignette or wall gallery by a TV and over a dresser with a lighted wreath, framed mountain sunset art, leaf art, quirky, skinny gold mirror, antique lamp with damask shade, a few jewelry boxes and trays with a cologne bottle on the dresser and a frame, plus antique calendar prints of goddess-like women in beautiful dream worlds to show home decorating ideas on a budget.
Jon’s watercolor artwork is on the left and the large goddess-like prints were my great-grandmother’s. She got them from old calendars and I think they’re just gorgeous. I love calendars for framing prints! Especially when the prints were handed down from family members or friends. I found the mirror at a thrift store. The top, left frame is from a vintage seller on Etsy. The lamp base was also my grandmother’s.

Do you have family members who share your love for antiques, passed-down heirlooms, or vintage jewelry?

Think about the relatives who might appreciate one of your special items.

Maybe you have a niece or nephew who’d love your old vinyl records. Or perhaps there’s a cousin who’d be ecstatic to have your grandma’s teacups.

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This is a calendar print of a retro woman lounging in bed with a quote that says, "I love not camping" to show home decor ideas images.
This is another calendar print I framed. I’m a big believer in incorporating things in your home that make your smile or even chuckle.

5. Bequeath something special to a fellow fan or friend.

Maybe no one in your family has your specific and, I might add, excellent taste. That’s okay! There are collectors who’d be thrilled to give your pre-loved gem a new home.

To make extra money, you could try selling on Ebay, Etsy, or Chairish. There are also private local groups on Facebook you can join if Facebook Marketplace is too overwhelming for you.

Additionally, there’s nothing wrong with an old-school yard sale!

If you’re done with the whole hassle of selling stuff and just want to give away a few things, I love The Buy Nothing Project on Facebook. It’s a local neighborhood resource where you can post things you’re in search of or post things you’re gifting. People can share their interest in your item(s), you pick the winner, and they pick up on your porch, if that’s comfortable for you.

Home Decor Inspo on a Budget:
  • Frame postcards, greeting cards, calendar images, and prints from art books.
  • Don’t be afraid to use the same frames and switch out photos for different ones.
  • Check out shopgoodwill.com for affordable paintings and artwork.
  • Frame your own awesome photography.
  • Display meaningful, personal letters and notes.
  • Use alternative displays: clipboard, easel, cassette tape case, shelves, decorative bowls or trays, vintage typewriter
  • Hang musical instruments on the wall for aesthetics and storage

6. Create a photo album of cherished heirlooms, souvenirs, and keepsakes.

If you’re having a terrible time parting with things you’re thinking of giving away, take photos of them, then add them to an album.

To make it even more meaningful, write a story or poem about each keepsake. Include where you got it, who it reminds you of, and why it means so much to you.

You can do a scrapbook like this even if you’re keeping your stuff to pass down to your children, nieces, or nephews. That way, they’ll know what was important to you and learn some stories they might have never known.

7. Don’t forget bookshelves.

This is a fireplace with a city market painting in a gold frame over it and a built-in bookcase with books, vases, and storage boxes by a sunny French door to show home decor ideas.
This is the first home I bought. Because it had bookshelves😫

A house could be literally falling into the ground, but if it has bookshelves, I’m like, “I’d buy that!”

When I walked into my current home, the built-in bookshelves practically sold me. Who cares if the fridge is leaking water onto the floor and the tub looks like it was donated from the Bates Motel! BOOKSHELVES!

These are bookshelves with a window and framed by a teardrop doorway to share home inspiration and home decor inspo.
I’m not sure what sold me: the bookshelves or the teardrop doorway. I have a sneaking suspicion it was both🤣

While I mostly store books in my bookshelves, I also have the odd assortment of knickknacks, doohickeys, and whatchamacallits. Even some boxes with more knickknacks, doohickeys, and whatchamacallits inside!

It’s not lost on me that I have problems.

Bookshelves are your secret saving grace to being a maximalist and a minimalist at the same time.

Along with your favorite literary stories, add YOUR stories in the form of photos, tiny art pieces, souvenirs, and cute little boxes that store…you guessed it…more souvenirs!

And when I say souvenirs, it can be anything. My brother has a sentimental rock. Like, an actual rock from the land. He gave me one, too! So, now I have a sentimental rock. (To be fair, it has a deeper story that’s linked to our late older brother. But story or not, items from nature are a GO😁)

ALSO: If you don’t have built-in bookcases, you can search for some in the market, even through thrift stores and events. Or, try the china cabinet idea from above!

Home Decor Inspo Conclusion

This is home decor inspo with a photo of Kat's great-grandma, handmade pottery, a card that says, "Take chances", and a white ceramic bird to show interior design inspiration.
The young woman on the top left is my great-grandmother. The tiny floral planter was a gift from a sweet, little girl who was a part of our host church on my missions trip when I was 13.

Hope you enjoyed this home decor inspo that not only helps you declutter, but keep your favorite sentimental clutter! Remember, you should decorate and design your living spaces with things YOU love and make YOU happy.

Trends are fun and there are some beautiful homes out there, so use what speaks to you, but feel inspired by what you already have.

What are some ways you keep things tidy and surround yourself with everything you love? Please let me know your home decor inspo in the comments!

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Home Decor Inspo Recommendations

  • Willem Hendrik Bespoke Interior Design: Hein is a fabulous interior designer and an even lovelier human being! I can imagine that opening a door into one of his rooms feels like stepping into an enchanted world. Kind of like Narnia but you don’t have to go through the cute wardrobe…just be dazzled by it! I love Hein’s sumptuously eclectic style, plus his opulent wallpaper offerings packed with picturesque personality AND an option of peel-and-stick (this is my skill level…sort of🤣). It makes me literally wish for more walls! Also: I just realized Hein rhymes with design. It that ain’t serendipity!

  • Art festivals and original art from friends: You don’t need to spend thousands on artwork just to be fancy! Regional art fairs host amazing creators and artisans. Also, small boutiques carry pieces from local artists, so keep a lookout! If you have an artist friend, even better! Commission one of their pieces or display a work they’ve already gifted you.

  • Thrift stores, antique stores, yard sales, flea markets, and pop-up vintage shopping fairs: I’ve loved antiques my whole life. I love that they have stories and that I can add a chapter to those stories. I love the idea of using what’s already been produced. And I just love a treasure that you can’t find a million replicas of.

Other Recommendations ‘Cause That’s Just How We Do Things in These Parts

  • If you like luxury design, my guess is that you don’t stop when it comes to luxurious massage! Whether you call Kansas City home or are planning a trip, I highly recommend My Massage Studios. Celeste Duron, owner and founder, is a heavenly massage therapist, brilliant businesswoman, and a wonderful, light-filled soul. Her studio has two additional therapists who specialize in various types of massage, customized for your needs. I admire how Celeste has created this healing, supportive environment for both clients and her team. I’ve been to MANY massage therapists and I can say that Celeste is at the top of her game!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dad says

    I like that take chances photo.
    Great balance, beautiful picture!
    And this article shows that you CAN take chances and come out with great results!

    Reply

    • kstano says

      Thanks, Dad! Yes, you have to take chances sometimes or you never know what you might miss out on! Love you!❤️

      Reply

    • kstano says

      Aw, thank you so much, Julie!! And another maximalist friend! Yay! Thanks for being my kindred spirit in clutter! 🤣❤️

      Reply

  3. Adelaida says

    Everything looks so beautifully put together and with a beautiful meaning. Love it! It is like a piece of art made out of some many different pieces that all were meant to go together.

    Reply

    • kstano says

      Thank you so much, Adelaida!! That is such a sweet thing to say! I really like your perspective…each little piece represents a part of our lives and creates a whole picture❤️🌈

      Reply

    • kstano says

      Thank you, Leir! Yes, there’s something nice about being surrounded by good memories and meaningful things from your life💗

      Reply

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