Maximalism and jewel tone textiles: go bold with FibreGuard

As textile experts, we're watching a fascinating transformation take shape in homes worldwide. "After years of minimalism dominating the design world, people are craving spaces that feel more personal and expressive," observes Olivia Westbrooks, owner of Olivia Westbrooks Interiors and an award-winning designer specialising in residential construction. "Maximalism offers a refreshing change with its bold use of colour, pattern, and texture."

This shift presents both exciting opportunities and unique challenges for our in-house team of textile designers. As we develop new collections, understanding the deeper cultural and emotional drivers behind maximalism helps us create fabrics that not only look beautiful but also fulfil the expressive needs of today's consumers.

All FibreGuard fabrics are colourfast which means they will not fade when exposed to light: even bright and vibrant jewel tone colours. We test according to the international standard to ensure the fabric colour maintains its original hue and intensity. Learn more about our colourfast fabrics and testing here.

Why Maximalism Resonates Today

The shift toward maximalist design reflects several interesting cultural and personal factors. Emily Moorman, Paint & Colour Editor at Homes & Gardens, puts it succinctly: "Maximalism is about infusing your home with energy and personality, breaking design rules, and embracing individuality." Her perspective, gained from years of covering colour trends in interior design and home décor, highlights how this movement aligns with our current desires for personal expression.

This freedom of expression takes many forms. "Maximalist spaces, with their layers of texture and colour, can create a sense of warmth and coziness that minimalist spaces often lack," explains Christina Simon, President of c|s Design Studio, a Northern Virginia-based firm known for its work on large-scale residential and commercial projects. The abundance of elements in maximalist interiors often creates an inviting atmosphere that feels lived-in and personal.

The appeal extends beyond just comfort. "Global influences and the blending of different cultural aesthetics have contributed to the rise of maximalism, as people seek to incorporate diverse elements into their homes," notes Nadia Watts, founder of Nadia Watts Interior Design in Denver. Her deep appreciation for various styles, cultures, and different periods brings an important perspective to why maximalism feels so relevant today.

At FibreGuard, we've noticed this trend manifest in increased demand for furnishing fabrics with cultural motifs, historical patterns reimagined in contemporary ways, and textiles that tell stories. This insight drives our development process as we create collections that honour design traditions while meeting modern needs.

Exploring Jewel Tones in Design: The Colour Palette Defining the Movement

The role of colour in maximalist design cannot be understated. Kati Curtis, founder of Kati Curtis Design in New York City, brings her classical design sensibility with global influences to this discussion: "Maximalism allows for the incorporation of sentimental items and eclectic collections, making spaces feel more personal and meaningful." This approach to design often finds perfect expression through jewel tones, which can help unite diverse elements while adding their own layer of visual interest.

Our colour forecasting team has identified five key jewel tones driving this maximalist renaissance:

Emerald Green: The Versatile Anchor

Emerald green might remind you of a lush forest or a vintage cocktail glass. Our clients report it creates a sense of life and vibrancy in their spaces, while designers are drawn to its historical associations with luxury and abundance.

Burgundy: The Sophisticated Accent

Burgundy often evokes thoughts of fine wine or autumn leaves. In some spaces, it can create a cozy atmosphere perfect for gathering with friends, while in others it might add a touch of drama to an otherwise quiet corner.

Navy Blue: The Chameleon Classic

Navy blue is fascinating in how differently people respond to it. Some find it calming like a night sky, while others see it as energising as ocean waves.

Amethyst Purple: The Luxurious Statement

Amethyst brings a sense of royalty and mysticism to spaces. We've observed designers increasingly pairing it with metallic accents for a look that feels both historically informed and thoroughly modern.

Our jacquard patterns featuring amethyst tones have become particularly popular for statement pieces like feature chairs and dramatic drapery.

Topaz Yellow: The Energetic Brightener

Topaz yellow introduces warmth and energy into maximalist spaces. It works beautifully as an accent among deeper jewel tones, preventing spaces from feeling too heavy or sombre.

Creative Freedom in Maximalist Design

Liberating Design Possibilities

"Maximalism offers a lot of creative freedom, allowing people to experiment with different styles, colours, and patterns without the constraints of traditional design rules," shares Betsy Wentz, owner of Betsy Wentz Interior Design and Studio B. Her unique background in both interior design and mental health counselling brings an interesting perspective to how people interact with their spaces.

Starting Points for Maximalist Expression

This freedom manifests differently for everyone:

• Some clients start small, perhaps with a few velvet pillows in deep emerald or a burgundy throw blanket
• Others might feel drawn to bigger changes, like reupholstering a favourite chair or hanging richly coloured curtains
• Many find joy in mixing different cultural influences and design periods

As textile designers, we've responded to this trend by developing modular collections that work together regardless of which pieces clients choose. Our pattern scales now range from intimate to grand within the same colour families, allowing for the layering that maximalism celebrates.

The Personal Nature of Space

Emotional Responses to Rich Design

Returning to Olivia Westbrooks' insights, "Maximalism is all about embracing excess and drama, creating spaces that are rich in personality and visual interest." This approach to design can be particularly meaningful in today's world, where our homes often need to serve multiple purposes and reflect multiple aspects of our lives.

Different people report various experiences with rich colours and layered designs:

• Some find them comforting and grounding
• Others feel energized and inspired
• Many enjoy how they change throughout the day as natural light shifts
• Some appreciate how they showcase their favourite objects and artworks

Our design team regularly conducts focus groups to understand these emotional responses, ensuring our textile collections support the psychological benefits consumers seek from their maximalist spaces.

A Perfect Partnership: Maximalist Design and FibreGuard upholstery

The vibrant, textural nature of maximalist design presents unique challenges for textiles. Bolder colours traditionally showed wear more obviously, textural fabrics trapped dirt more easily, and the investment in statement pieces meant clients needed them to last. This is precisely why performance fabrics have become such a crucial element in bringing maximalist visions to life.

As textile designers, we recognized this challenge early in the maximalist renaissance. FibreGuard fabrics, developed through years of research and collaboration between our interior designers and textile engineers, offer the perfect solution for those wanting to embrace bold design without compromising on practicality.

The challenges specific to maximalist interiors that our performance fabrics address include:

• Colour retention in jewel tones: Our stain-resistant technology prevents fading in even the richest hues
• Texture preservation: Complex weaves and pile fabrics maintain their dimensional quality despite regular use
• Practical luxury: Enabling the use of luxurious-looking textiles in high-traffic areas and family homes
• Design longevity: Ensuring statement pieces remain beautiful for years, justifying the investment in quality textiles

The extensive range of FibreGuard fabrics means you can confidently choose those deep jewel tones and rich textures that maximalist design calls for, knowing they're engineered to handle whatever life throws at them - from energetic pets to creative children, from busy office spaces to high-traffic healthcare environments.

Looking Forward

As we continue to embrace more personal, expressive approaches to interior design, the marriage of bold aesthetics and practical durability becomes increasingly important. Our textile design team is already developing the next evolution of maximalist fabrics – incorporating subtle metallic elements, exploring innovative texture combinations, and pushing the boundaries of pattern scale.

Whether you're diving into full maximalist design with layers of rich colour and pattern, or simply adding a few jewel-toned accents to your space, choosing fabrics that can maintain their beauty while standing up to daily life ensures your design choices remain as enduring as they are striking.

After all, as Nadia Watts reminds us through her work, design is about creating spaces that reflect who we are and what we love. With the right materials, these spaces can be both beautiful and liveable, both bold and practical, both maximalist and maintainable.

Looking to inject more colour into your life?

Contact our sales team directly for the latest stockist information, and dive into a world of colour on our Cozy Maximalism board on Pinterest.

Further Resources for Maximalist Design

• Books: "More is More: Memphis, Maximalism, and New Wave Design" by Claire Bingham
• Instagram Accounts: @houseofhackney, @justinablakeney, @firmdale_hotels and designer @kitkempdesignthread
• Design Publications: Architectural Digest's "Maximalist Homes" features like this one, Elle Decor's colour studies
• Fabric Resources: Visit Twinbru to explore our complete collection of maximalist-ready performance fabrics in all the jewel tones discussed