After a decade of bare walls, sleek lines, and empty surfaces, a new wave is washing over the world of interiors: intentional clutter. But this isn’t about mess or chaos—it’s about choosing to surround yourself with meaningful layers that tell your story, reflect your identity, and nourish your senses.
1. What is intentional clutter?
Intentional clutter means curated collections, layered textures, visible books, family heirlooms, ceramics gathered over time. It’s a shift from homes that look ‘styled’ to homes that feel lived in—and loved.
2. Why are we craving more?
Minimalism may be calming, but it can also feel clinical. After years of global uncertainty, we want warmth, memory, and humanity. We want interiors that ground us emotionally, that show who we are—not just what we bought.
3. The art of layering without overwhelming
Layering doesn’t mean cluttering every surface. Group objects with similar tones or themes. Stack books beside a candle and a ceramic bowl. Drape textiles over sofas. The key is to edit, not erase.
4. Celebrate the sentimental
That cracked bowl from your first apartment, the painting your child made, the postcard from your best friend—these are your treasures. Design is not just about what’s beautiful, but what’s meaningful.
5. Styling with soul
Combine textures: velvet, rattan, clay, linen. Mix eras. Let colour guide you. A home that reflects life’s richness will always feel elegant, even if it’s delightfully full.
Belle & Cosy Interior Design: Bringing heritage to life
One of my favourite recent projects was a London living room where we created a large bespoke bookcase with niches of varying sizes. It now hosts everything from classic novels and champagne bottles to family photos, a plaster bust, travel mementos, and handmade ceramics—each object layered intentionally, telling its own part of the story. The rich green backdrop and subtle wood panelling add warmth and depth, creating a space that feels alive, storied, and unapologetically human.
If you’re ready to embrace a home that holds space for your memories, stories, and beautiful clutter, I’d love to help you layer it with intention.
