Move over Marie Kondo: #cluttercore trend favours maximalism over minimalism
It’s a decorating trend that’s probably got organising consultant Marie Kondo clutching her pearls. So how does this organised chaos work?
A radical alternative to Marie Kondo’s KonMari minimalist-inspired tidying approach to home styling, cluttercore embraces intentional clutter and maximalism, and Generation Z is living for it.
With more than 83 million views on TikTok and 30,000 tags on Instagram, #cluttercore is sweeping the internet, but what is it and what’s with the more is more chaotic approach to home decorating?
What is cluttercore?
Described as organised chaos, with sentimental trinkets, photos, posters, toys, travel souvenirs and the like all being displayed to create cosy but cluttered living spaces – drag out all of your favourite things and display them all at the same time, regardless of whether they match or not, and you’re on the right track.
“It’s all about layers, bold deeper colours and leaning more towards Bohemian style, mixing antiques and vintage,” Eclectic Creative interior designer Jessica Viscarde says.
“(It’s) a direct rejection of ultra-minimalist style; the run-of-the-mill mass-produced furniture and the clinical look and feel.”
Cluttercore or hoarding?
If your favourite things are two-metre high piles of magazines, 19 jars of old buttons and an antique collection of dishevelled stuffed toys from the ’70s, couldn’t cluttercore be seen as hoarding?
If it goes too far, then yes, Jessica warns.
“I just advise you to pull back a little when the clutter is bordering on hoarding, as quite easily we can have too much of a good thing, right?” she says.
Globally recognised interior styling expert Kerrie-Ann Jones agrees that cluttercore is best with a gentle decorating hand.
“If it brings people happiness to decorate their home with an abundance of fun things, I think that’s wonderful,” she says.
“If it’s organised, decorated in a way that looks intentional and tells a visual story then, I don’t think it’s mess.”
Why does Gen Z love cluttercore?
To stand out in the crowd, obvs.
And as cluttercore celebrates individuality and rejects the pressure to have a perfectly curated space, Gen Z is right on board.
“Every generation rebels or wants something different than the generation before, it’s nothing new with Generation Z,” Jessica says.
“They’ve likely grown up in minimalist, all-white interiors and want something cheerful, colourful and personality-filled.”
Is Cluttercore just a lockdown-inspired fad?
Just like eating too much and tech-neck, spending much more time at home during lockdowns may have contributed to the emergence of the cluttercore trend.
“I feel this trend has emerged from being locked down in our homes over the last few years, and that the very essence of our homes or spaces became more than just four walls, it ultimately became a cocoon or safe space that we spent a lot of time in and wanted to feel nurtured, protected and ultimately at ease,” Jessica says.
How to create less cluttered but cosy spaces
Interior stylist and designer Lauren Keenan says there are many ways to create nostalgia in your home without clutter.
“Choose a few things that hold sentimental value to you and display them in an area of the home where you know you’ll notice them,” Lauren says.
“After a few months you can change them out for other special pieces you have stored.”
Jessica’s design tips to create cosy spaces:
- Use your wall space to embrace the aesthetic without it taking up any floor space
- Mix vintage and thrift pieces with works from emerging artists
- Add plants
- Choose pattern clash fabrics and textiles
- Experiment with scale and proportion, and colour combinations
More on home styling:
- 5 things people get wrong when styling their home
- How to feng shui your home for health and happiness
- 10 best indoor plants for a happier, healthier home
Written by Andrea Beattie.
