There’s something absolutely magical about walking into an Anthropologie store, isn’t there? That intoxicating mix of textures, patterns, and curated treasures that somehow all work together in perfect harmony. It’s the kind of space that makes you want to touch everything, linger in every corner, and immediately rethink your entire home aesthetic.
If you’ve ever found yourself wandering through their home section, mentally redecorating your living room, you’re definitely not alone. The good news? You don’t need an unlimited budget to capture that signature Anthropologie vibe in your own space. Today, I’m sharing my favorite tips for creating a maximalist living room that channels all that bohemian, eclectic, utterly enchanting energy.
Embrace the Art of Layering
Let’s start with the foundation of any good maximalist space: layers upon layers upon layers. Anthropologie has mastered this technique, and once you understand it, you’ll never look at a room the same way again.
Think about your living room in terms of depth. Start with your largest pieces—your sofa, your area rug, your main furniture. Then begin adding layers from there. Throw a smaller vintage rug on top of your main one. Drape a textured throw over your sofa arm. Stack books on your coffee table and top them with a decorative object.
The key here is creating visual interest at every level. When someone’s eye moves around your room, there should always be something new to discover. A trailing plant here, a stack of colorful magazines there, a collection of brass candlesticks catching the light on your mantel.
Don’t be afraid to mix materials either. Velvet cushions next to linen ones, a leather pouf beside a woven basket, ceramic vases alongside glass bottles. This interplay of textures is what gives a space that rich, collected-over-time feeling that Anthropologie does so well.
Master the Mix of Old and New
One thing Anthropologie absolutely nails is combining vintage finds with contemporary pieces. This creates that “curated over decades” aesthetic that makes a space feel personal and storied, rather than like a showroom.
Hit up your local thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets for unique pieces with character. A vintage mirror with an ornate gold frame, a worn leather trunk that doubles as a coffee table, antique botanical prints in mismatched frames—these are the pieces that give your living room soul.
Then balance these finds with some contemporary elements. A modern sofa provides a clean foundation for your vintage throw pillows. A sleek floor lamp contrasts beautifully against that ornate antique side table you scored for twenty dollars.
The magic happens in the tension between old and new. It keeps things interesting and prevents your space from feeling like a museum or, alternatively, like a catalog showroom.
Don’t Fear Bold Patterns (and Lots of Them)
Here’s where many people get nervous, but stay with me. Maximalism thrives on pattern mixing, and Anthropologie is proof that it absolutely works when done with intention.
The secret is finding a common thread—usually color. Choose a color palette of three to five shades that you love, then feel free to mix florals, stripes, geometric prints, and global-inspired patterns as long as they share some of those colors.
For example, you might have a sofa in a deep emerald velvet, then layer it with throw pillows featuring a pink and green floral, a cream and emerald stripe, and a botanical print in similar tones. Add curtains with a subtle pattern and an area rug with yet another design. It sounds like chaos on paper, but when the colors work together, it creates that lush, enveloping atmosphere that makes you never want to leave your couch.
Start small if this feels intimidating. Add one patterned element at a time and live with it before introducing the next. You’ll develop an eye for what works together faster than you think.
Create Intentional Vignettes
Walk through any Anthropologie store and you’ll notice they’re masters of the vignette—those carefully arranged little moments that tell a story. Your living room should have several of these thoughtfully styled spots.
Your coffee table is prime vignette territory. Stack some beautiful art books (bonus points if the covers coordinate with your color scheme), add a small plant or fresh flowers, include something with height like a sculptural candle, and finish with a small decorative object that sparks joy.
Your mantel, bookshelves, and side tables are also perfect for these curated arrangements. The trick is varying heights and mixing functional items with purely decorative ones. A pretty box that actually holds your remote controls, a vintage dish for your keys, a gorgeous candle you actually burn.
Group objects in odd numbers—three or five items tend to look more dynamic than even groupings. And leave a little breathing room. Even in maximalist spaces, you need some negative space to let the eye rest.
Bring in Natural Elements
Anthropologie spaces always feel alive, and that’s largely thanks to abundant natural elements. Plants are non-negotiable in a maximalist living room. Big ones, small ones, trailing ones, sculptural ones—the more the merrier.
If you’re not blessed with a green thumb, start with hardy varieties like pothos, snake plants, or ZZ plants. Or honestly? High-quality faux plants have come such a long way. No shame in that game.
Beyond plants, incorporate other natural materials throughout your space. Rattan baskets for storage, wooden trays, stone bookends, woven wall hangings, dried flowers in interesting vessels. These organic elements ground all those patterns and colors and prevent the space from feeling too busy or overwhelming.
Let Your Collections Shine
Maximalism is the collector’s dream aesthetic. Those vintage cameras you’ve been gathering? Display them proudly. Your grandmother’s china? Find a way to show it off. That collection of travel souvenirs from every trip you’ve taken? They deserve a place of honor.
Anthropologie embraces this “more is more” philosophy wholeheartedly. The key is giving your collections intentional placement rather than letting them scatter randomly throughout your space. A gallery wall of your collected art, a shelf dedicated to your ceramic collection, a corner table showcasing your vintage finds.
When collections are grouped together, they read as intentional and curated. When they’re spread thin, they can look cluttered. There’s a difference, and your eye knows it even if you can’t articulate why.
Trust the Process
Creating an Anthropologie-inspired maximalist living room doesn’t happen overnight—and honestly, that’s part of the beauty. The most interesting spaces are built over time, piece by piece, as you discover items that speak to you.
Don’t rush to fill every corner immediately. Live in your space, notice what’s missing, and stay open to unexpected finds. That’s how you end up with a room that feels authentically you rather than a carbon copy of someone else’s aesthetic.
Maximalism is really about celebrating abundance, personality, and the things that bring you joy. It’s the opposite of playing it safe. So go ahead—add that bold wallpaper, pile on those cushions, and let your living room become the eclectic, layered, utterly delightful space you’ve been dreaming about.
Your home should tell your story. Make it a good one.
