They Make Even the Boldest Wallpaper Look Subtle.
We’ve always thought outdoor living should be like an extension of the house. By that, we mean bringing as much personality and comfort to the outdoors as you would indoors. That translates to maximizing every square inch (particularly in small yards), creating specialized areas for your favorite activities—gardening, dining, entertaining—and equipping your backyard with the same comfort and character as your living room. So it is no surprise that some of our most beloved interior looks are now flourishing alfresco. One such interior-beautiful garden aesthetic that’s currently having a big moment—fingers crossed for a long one—is maximalism. With its bold color play, sumptuous texture layering, and unapologetic attitude to pattern, maximalism may very well be the most laid-back design aesthetic to bring from your couch to your dirt. Not yet convinced? We’ve rounded up incredible examples of maximalist gardens that span from tropically bold to tonally refined. Take a cue from these eye-catching spaces to bring a touch of lush abundance to your own yard.
1. Varying Heights
Tourists toured landscapes in design from formal to whimsical at Virginia’s 90th Historic Garden Week last month. Richmond’s Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s Grace Arents Garden was at the head of the list of favorites, where flowers placed at dramatically different heights surround an intricate and layered visual tapestry.
2. Rainbow Brights
At Bunny Mellon’s fabled Oak Spring, Upperville, Virginia estate, a sea of tulips in vibrant hues bursts into a joyful color riot. The color riot is a resplendent contrast to the pale white stone of the iconic basket house.
3. Mini Maximalism
Don’t let a small footprint discourage you—maximalism loves to thrive in miniature. Another nook of Oak Spring is filled with antique pots chock-full of flowers in all sizes, shapes, and hues. Bonus: a potted vignette like this can be relocated around your patio or even indoors based on the event or season.
4. Overgrown on Purpose
In the garden of storybook beauty at Hidcote Manor, Gloucestershire, England, untidy hedges and straying vines give a feeling of untamed loveliness. The appearance is romantic and magical—without the exacting maintenance of flowerbeds.
5. Advanced Geometry
For a pattern repeat that has a graphic and personalized look, consider formal plantings. At Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland, a classical box parterre is a living mosaic of repeating motifs that’s as graphic as any printed textile.
6. Timeless Trellis
Trellises are trendy again—and we couldn’t be more pleased. Indoors or out, they provide visual shape and structural support for climbing flowers. Consider, for instance, the grandiflora roses spilling over this trellis by landscape designer Ed Hollander, adding depth and motion to the garden.
7. Visual Feast
A real maximalist garden engages more than the eye. Look at a kitchen garden full of leafy lettuces, fragrant tomatoes, rainbow chard, hued berries, and sprawling squash. Raised beds allow for lavish patterns and graphic composition, and arbors for vining vegetables—like Maryline Damour’s arbor garden—add sculptural height.
8. Tented Terrace
Even tiny outdoor spaces can feel grandly dramatic. In Palm Beach, designer Amanda Reynal converted a second-story balcony into a leafy retreat with a striped awning and cozy seating. The result? A bright and warm haven as inviting as any indoor space.
9. Poolside Stripes
Don’t hold planting permits? No problem. For renters or those who avoid the garden, go for graphic outdoor textiles instead. Striped lounge chairs, umbrellas, and throw pillows can deliver a maximalist punch without disturbing one root.
10. Circle Games
For an enjoyable geometric impact, clip single boxwoods into tiny, compact balls and plant them in clusters like polka dots on a bed or lawn. The repeated spheres create rhythm and shape—no color needed.
