Midimalism is a relatively new term coined for interiors that fall somewhere between minimalism and maximalism. And I think it's the perfect answer to the design decision fatigue I have been feeling when redecorating my living room because I don't have to choose between two competing styles, but can settle comfortably somewhere the middle.
The core of a midimalism living room is balance. Interiors that nail the aesthetic fuse the charm of maximalism with the curated, considered feel of minimalism. The result is a homely yet elevated space that showcases an owner's tastes without going overboard.
Not to be confused with minimalist living room ideas, a midimalist living room embraces the ever-popular eclectic look with a more pared-back, curated mindset, maintaining that crucial sense of warmth without featuring shelves of clutter. The aim is to make each piece, no matter how big or small, feel equally important and integral to the scheme. You'll find all the classic rustic decor in a living room of this style, but without the fuss and frills of a maximalist living room.
Described by Jessica Helgerson, 'A midimalist living room is comfortable, beautiful, and feels right for the house, but also allows for flexibility and the cozy messiness of real life. Special objects can find their place whether they’re ‘perfect’ or not, and there’s room to move things around, expand, contract, add, and change.'
1. Blend vintage pieces with contemporary shapes
It's helpful to think of a midimalist living room as a more pared-back version of a maximalist one. Take the living room idea pictured above as the perfect example; there's still plenty of rustic and vintage decor, but the designer has ensured each piece feels relevant and harmonious with the rest of the scheme.
Designed by Georgina Cave of Cave Interiors, she explains, 'We often adopt a midimalist approach when clients want their home to feel warm and lived-in, but without the clutter. The living room is an ideal space for this style to shine. A thoughtful mix of fabrics, such as velvet seat cushions paired with linen-upholstered frames, creates depth and interest. Layering in scatter cushions made from a combination of vintage and contemporary textiles adds personality without overwhelming the space.'
Georgina continues, 'Antique rugs are a wonderful way to ground a midimalist scheme. While carefully chosen accessories, lamps, pottery, glassware, and greenery, help build a sense of character and texture. Art books stacked on a glass coffee table or an ottoman, paired with a vintage tray for candles and fresh flowers, offer the perfect finishing touch to this balanced, inviting look.'
A vintage style rug will bring a dose of pattern to a plain floor and make a scheme feel cozy and eclectic. Paired with some wood accents and a neutral wall shade, you've got a considered yet homely arrangement.
Metallic accents bring a sense of luxury to a scheme and can balance out the old and new, acting as a transitional accessory. This hammered tray will tick both the practicality and style boxes, perfect for holding stray trinkets and ornaments.
A richly patterned cushion will elevate a plain sofa or armchair and balance out the eclectic with the minimal. This vintage-inspired cover is the perfect piece to give life to a neutral arrangement without going overboard with pattern.
2. Make personal items the focal point and pare back elsewhere
The bookshelf idea stands out in this midimalist living room. Acknowledging the impact of the built-in shelves that have turned the back wall into a central feature, Jessica Helgerson has designed the rest of the scheme in a complementary way, opting for more neutral and classic decor.
Embracing the midimalist principles, the living room feels inviting and cozy but maintains that refreshing, elevated feel that so many minimalist spaces are filled with. Note the antique furniture that works so well combined with the built-in seating, despite being opposing styles, the pieces come together and feel equally integral to the scheme, each having purpose stylistically and practically.
The rustic bowl gives the room a bohemian edge, along with the decorating with plants, balancing the more traditional architectural features like the beams, large window, and dark panelling.
3. Create a balance of cohesion and eccentricity
Although this midimalist living room features elements of the whimsy decor trend, the balance of colors and textures makes the space feel considered, well-crafted, and serene, while still nodding to the designer's tastes.
Ali Childs designer of this living room and founder of Studio Alexandra says, 'A ‘midimalist’ style works particularly well in shared spaces and living rooms are the perfect example, it is important to bring a sense of personality and style to the scheme without it being so ‘out there’ it becomes unwelcoming. A happy balance is to mix a range of style influences with texture and interesting pieces to finish off a room.'
Proving the importance of texture in interior design, Ali adds, 'The considered layering of furniture pieces is key, we would opt for contemporary furniture shapes, brought to life against a backdrop of patterned wall finishes, textures, and fabrics. It helps a room to feel cohesive yet eclectic.'
There's nothing like a vintage-style picture to bring warmth and character to your walls. If hanging a tapestry isn't your vibe but you're looking for a similar aged feel, this framed textile will bring a patina and eclecticism to your scheme.
Ali mixes contemporary shapes with vintage textures for the perfect balance of the old and new. This boucle ottoman is a good place to start when channeling midimalism as it will bring contrast without making too much of a statement.
While sourcing the perfect vintage tapestry can take time, you can give just as much character to your scheme with a modern style inspired by antique designs, like this scenic landscape from Magnolia.
4. Stick to a coherent color scheme
While this space may look like a modern organic living room at first glance, the cozy yet curated feel proves that the designer has nailed the core principle of midimalism.
Suzanne Kasler has balanced two typically very different styles by decorating with neutrals. Although Suzanne has mixed vintage and contemporary furniture, she has ensured the scheme is unified through the elegant use of color. She says, 'A sophisticated palette with white walls and subdued upholstery achieves this idea of midimalism, like here in this living room.'
She adds that the mix of eras and styles gives the room a midimalist feel. 'Unexpected layers create the look. Antique Fortuny pillows from Katharine Pole in London, chic modern art by Katharina Chapuis, and a custom polished nickel Jamb lantern are the pièces de resistance for a minimalist yet maximalist style.'
5. Carefully layer pattern onto a neutral base
What sets this space apart from a traditional living room idea is the designer's use of color, pattern, and shape, proving that antique furniture and decor don't just belong in grand settings.
Rosanna Bossom has perfectly balanced the vintage art and furniture by decorating with patterns that complement the scheme and sticking to a paler pastel color palette. The result is a refreshing living space that balances the collected feel of maximalist homes with the attentiveness of minimalism.
Rosanna says, 'Start with neutral foundations, such as calming colors or natural materials like wood, and then introduce brighter, more patterned yet functional furniture. Play with proportions to add visual interest – pairing larger, sleeker pieces with smaller, more intricate ones. Curate your items thoughtfully, avoiding clutter while still allowing meaningful, bolder pieces to shine.'
Proving the importance of the right base, Rosanna adds, 'For example, a living room with soft, neutral tones for walls and furniture can be enhanced with a statement rug and a carefully curated selection of art, creating a space that feels both peaceful and full of life.'
Decorate with art with this set of botanical prints. Inspired by vintage styles, they're a surefire way of bringing character and life to your scheme, but also look great with contemporary furniture and decor.
A statement patterned rug will bring contrast to a scheme that feels one-dimensional. If you've gone heavy with the vintage pieces, a bold, unexpected accessory might be what your living room needs to balance both styles.
Rosanna has decorated with plenty of vintage pictures of all shapes and sizes. This mini sketch print is whimsical and charming and will happily sit with modern paintings or more traditional landscapes in a midimalist living room.
Midimalism finds a middle ground between two styles at either end of the design scale. A style that pairs perfectly in a room designed for relaxing, a midimalist living room radiates charm and sophistication. If you're looking to channel the style elsewhere, our midimalist kitchen ideas prove the style works in any room in the home.
