Abundance, creativity, and individuality—three words that sum up this 2025 design trend that’s bursting with personality. 

What is the Daring Pairings interior design trend?

“Daring Pairings” is a sub-trend of maximalism. Maximalism is, as the name suggests, the complete opposite of minimalism. It’s abundance, it’s layering, it’s “more-is-more”.

While the principles of maximalism are the same, there are different trends that sit under the maximalism banner. For example, 2024’s maximalism had a ‘country chic’ influence, with gingham curtains, florals and ticking stripes. Think cottagecore and Nancy Meyers. 

But 2025’s approach to maximalism—the Daring Pairings trend—leans more into unexpected combinations that shouldn’t work (yet somehow do). It’s about embracing a fun, rule-breaking approach to decor that makes space for endless personalisation. 

Where did the Daring Pairings trend come from?

For decades, maximalism was considered ‘old fashioned’ in comparison to the sleek, modern feel of minimalism. But in the last 5+ years, it has returned with a bang. 

This return to maximalism reflects a more general shift in our society. Whether it’s with interior design, or the clothes we wear, we want to have fun and express ourselves. We want colour! We want contrast. We want to fill our homes with things we like, even if it doesn’t necessarily go. Ironically, the ‘Daring Pairings’ trend is strongly anti-trend. 

This undoubtedly goes hand-in-hand with the growing popularity of vintage interiors. People are thrifting lamps, furniture and home accessories from decades gone-by, and pairing them seamlessly with modern pieces. The Daring Pairings trend makes it easy for people to keep adding to their home decor collections over time. 

How to apply the Daring Pairings trend in your home

“This trend thrives on contrasts and unexpected combinations—pairing colours, prints, and finishes that might typically clash but, in a maximalist space, somehow work together beautifully.” says Kelly Collins, our Head of Interior Design. 

Here are some ways to apply this expressive trend in your home. 

Mix design styles

Create contrast by pairing pieces from different design eras and movements. For example: the opulence of Victorian floral wallpaper feels starkly different from the clean, geometric lines of Art Deco mirrors. 

20 design styles to combine for a maximalist home

• Midcentury modern

• Scandinavian

• Bohemian

• Neo-industrial

• Regency

• Japandi

• Farmhouse

• Surrealism

• Art deco

• Art nouveau

• Bauhaus

• Space age

• Arts and crafts

• Rustic

• Mediterranean

• French country

• English cottage

• Memphis

• Coastal

• Modernism

Choose bold colour combinations

The Daring Pairings trend is not the place for beige. It’s an opportunity to experiment with vibrant colour palettes. 

Pair an emerald green sofa with a vermillion armchair. Or add some zest to a pink bedroom with a mustard yellow headboard and a bold, patterned throw. 

Need some inspiration for maximalist colour pairings? Play around with the Coolors palette generator to get those ideas flowing.

Put curated collections on display

You know you’ve nailed the Daring Pairings trend when your home feels like it belongs to someone’s eccentric aunt who collects beautiful objects on her travels. 

An easy way to give your space that eclectic feel is to create pockets of interesting collections. Like a console table in the hallway stacked with chinoiserie ginger jars, for example. 

Make it matchy-matchy (but maximalist)

While contrast plays a large part in the Daring Pairings trend, drenching a room with matching prints or colours can be equally expressive. 

Picture a dining room with patterned wallpaper and that same pattern on long, flowing curtains and upholstered chairs. It’s an approach that’s bold, unapologetic and bound to make a statement. 

What we love most about the Daring Pairings trend is that it encourages you to follow your own style instincts—layering rooms with vibrant, eclectic details that truly make a space your own.

→ See more of our interior design trend predictions for 2025