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Is midimalism the design trend we’ve all been waiting for? Spoiler – yes!

It's the Goldilocks of interior looks.
A bright cottage-style guest bedroom with a vintage quilt.Photography: Louise Roche / Styling: Kylie Jackes

If you’re like me, or most people, you’re not really a minimalist but you’re also not a maximalist. Lucky for us, there’s a new design trend on the rise, hot on the heels of Urban Aunt and Unexpected Red. It’s somewhere in the middle and it’s called midimalism.

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Just as you might expect, midimalism decor is midway between a pared-back, all-neutral look and a layered, pattern-on-pattern style. It takes a little from column A and a little from column B.

A bright cottage-style guest bedroom with a vintage quilt.
This Sunshine Coast renovation embraces colour and pattern without feeling over-the-top. (Photography: Louise Roche / Styling: Kylie Jackes)

To achieve the midimalist look in your home, it’s about blending both extremes into one. So, we’re embracing colour in considered doses and using pattern like in a maximalist home, but on a smaller scale.

Indulge in playful elements while maintaining order. Think block colours, neutrals woven in and a sense of harmony. Here are a few ways to make it work for you…

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1. Colour-drenching counts as neutral

The midimalism aesthetic uses expanses of neutrals to introduce a sense of harmony and calm that underlines the look. In this dining nook by interior designer Sean Symington of Sean Symington Design, there’s clever use of clashing patterns in the purple leopard-print upholstered seats and floral Roman blind and sink skirt. The reason this room maintains a sense of orderliness is because it stays within a concise colour palette, with the salmon shade offering a break for the eyes, much like a white or beige would (yet possibly even more so as it’s such a warm and easy shade to behold).

Breakfast nook with pink walls and checkered floor.
(Photography: Chris Wakefield)

2. Give Hamptons a midimalist twist

The Hamptons look tends to stick to a colour palette of white, creams, linen, greys and blues. For a fresh spin on this style, look to midimalism ideas. That might mean adding another colour such as unexpected red into the mix. You could also play with touches of pattern, as seen in the curtains, cushions and bedhead in this bedroom by Melissa Balzan of Melissa Balzan Design. You can still achieve that Hamptons feel, but with midimalist sensibilities woven in, it’ll make your home feel that extra bit special.

A guest bedroom with floral curtains, a timber side table and grey lined bedhead.
(Photography: Kate Enno / Styling: Annalese Hay)
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3. Go bold but not everywhere

The idea of midimalism is that you embrace one or two big design moves, but keep the rest subdued. Like in this bathroom, where a rich blue-and-gold wallpaper commands attention. This is juxtaposed with sandy-coloured tiles and a quiet timber vanity. Gold and organic shapes bring it all together for an overall harmonious feel.

A powder room with blue and gold wallpaper and a timber vanity.
(Photography: Elise Scott / Styling: Bea + Co)

4. Curate, don’t clutter

In maximalist homes, more is more: it’s about lots of layers and large collections on display. For a midimalist approach, display beloved pieces but keep it a little more curated. The home of Olli Ella co-founder Chloe Brookman is a perfect example. It’s full of her family’s beloved items, beautifully displayed in small selections.

Olli Ella cofounder Chloe Brookman home children bedroom wallpaper
(Photography: Alana Landsberry / Styling: Lucy Gough)
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Shop the midimalist trend

01

‘Avery’ ruffle oblong cushion in Caramel

$49.95, Pillow Talk

Best for: Romantic ruffles

Super soft with a relaxed ruffle, this oblong cushion will lend a romantic air to any bedroom or living area. It’s a way to dip your toe into prints without going into maximalist territory.

Size: 30cm x 50cm

Colours: Caramel (pictured), Blue and Green

Material: Cotton

Key features:

  • Flange edging (ruffle)
  • Oblong shape
  • Three colours available

02

Salt and pepper shakers

$59.90, Pretty Homestyle

Best for: A dash of kitsch

Pretty in pastel, these salt and pepper shakers are a little bit playful. Add to a kitchen that’s embraced the sage green trend and add other pretty pink accents, with a floral runner for good measure.

Size: 9cm high

Colour: Pink, white and green (pictured)

Materials: Porcelain

Key features:

  • Highest-quality porcelain
  • Pink on white base
  • Salt shaker and pepper shaker

03

‘Bronte’ table lamp in Blue

$234.50 (usually $335), Cafe Lighting & Living

Best for: A bit of calm in the mix

With a crisp white shade and rich navy base, this emulates Hamptons style. Pair it with other more statement pieces, such as a printed rug and patterned cushions for a midimalist aesthetic.

Size: Base: 15cm Dia x 40cm H / Shade: 36cm Top Dia x 39cm Bottom Dia x 25.5cm H / Overall Height: 70cm

Colours: White and navy (pictured)

Materials: Glazed ceramic base with linen shade

Key features:

  • Ceramic and linen
  • 70cm overall height
  • Glazed
White rug with a blue block pattern.

04

Block Royal Blue Chenille Rug

From $130, Double Rugs

Best for: Hamptons blue in print

With an exaggerated lattice pattern of open squares in a soothing blue on cream, this rug will add character to any room. It’s machine-washable and stain-resistant in a low-pile chenille texture.

Sizes: 60×90cm, 90×150cm, 160x230cm

Colour: Royal Blue

Material: Chenille

Key features:

  • Stain-resistant
  • Machine-washable
  • Low pile
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05

Wallpaper in Midnight Bloom

From $69, Chasing Paper

Best for: Statement walls

This peel and stick wallpaper is from the Neely & Chloe x Inslee Fariss collection by Chasing Paper. It’s a whimsical floral print on a midnight blue background with Greenguard Gold Certified Ink, which means it’s non-toxic and safe.

Sizes: 2 x 4 ft, 2 x 8 ft, 2 x 12 ft

Colour: Midnight blue

Materials: Faux Grasscloth, a commercial grade performance vinyl.

Key features:

  • Matte finish
  • Fade and stain resistant
  • Easy to install

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