Maximalism is not a single look but a language of abundance — a layering of colour, pattern, and texture that favours bold expression. In New Zealand interiors, it has begun to emerge in new and intriguing ways, with spaces that feel deeply personal, richly atmospheric, and alluringly vibrant.
At the heart of these interiors, flooring plays a vital role: grounding the composition, heightening mood, and in some cases, acting almost as a canvas for the layers above. Here, we consider three styles of maximalism, ranging from dark and dramatic to vibrant and eclectic, and soft and pastel-infused. What unites these various expressions is a sense of immersion: the feeling that every surface, object, and texture contributes to a larger narrative. In each of these spaces, Feltex wool carpet provides the grounding element: luxurious underfoot and integral to the design’s success.
Pastel maximalism
There is also a softer side to abundance, one expressed in the bedroom above through gentle colour and whimsical form. In this space, Feltex’s Stonefields wool carpet in 912 Gypsum underpins a palette of gentle pink, lavender, and soft green. Blush-pink lounge chairs with quilted upholstery form a cosy corner. A twisted green side table and a peach pleated lamp add sculptural punctuation. In this version of maximalism, the carpet is a subtle, textural counterpoint that stabilises a composition otherwise saturated with playful whimsy.
Moody maximalism
In the living space pictured above, maximalism is rendered with a dark, contemporary edge. Here, Feltex’s luxurious wool carpet, Grandiose 990 in Kawakawa, is the foundation, its deep green hue setting a rich, enveloping tone that anchors the room. Its tonal depth gives permission for the surrounding pieces to clash, converse, and harmonise. The result is a room that feels like a dramatic tableau: moody yet welcoming, eclectic yet coherent.
Eclectic maximalism
Maximalism can be used for any space, and the bedroom pictured above is a great example. Here, it takes a more playful and exuberant turn. Feltex wool carpet Chelsea Row in the colour 720 Westbourne provides a soft, neutral base for an explosion of colour and pattern layered above. The floor tempers the cacophony of colour and texture, its subtle texture and warmth allowing the room to remain inviting rather than overwhelming. It is maximalism at its most eclectic — embracing playful abandon while remaining immersive and comforting.
Find out more at feltex.com/nz
