The line between messy clutter and intentional clutter is not one you want to cross. The messy kind is what you usually think of when hear the word clutterit is, in essence, the accumulation and overflow of stuff. Picture what happens to your kitchen counter after a busy day that ends with cooking dinner while doing homework, unpacking deliveries, and sorting mail.Intentional clutter, in contrast, is the curation of beloved objects and collectionsit's a lived-in aesthetic that shows off who you are and what you love. And this year, designers and homeowners alike are embracing this new take on maximalism. A recent Pinterest report picked "mix and maximalist" as one of 2025's biggest trends, noting that searches for eclectic maximalism increased 215% year over year, and vintage maximalism was bolstered by 260% during the same time period. Related StoriesIf you're worried the look will feel overwhelming, don't. A layered, complex densely textured room can actually be quite peaceful, relaxing, says New York City interior designer Darren Henault. Being surrounded by dozens of your favorite things is wonderful. Thea Bloch-Neal, the Durham, North Carolina-based founder and lead designer of Curated by Thea, agrees. Rooms [that] are filled with meaningful items are so inviting because they give us permission to exhale. Spaces are meant to be lived in, and its unrealistic to expect them to look pristine all the time.A note of caution: This particular look may seem easy to pull offjust let the stuff pile up, dusting occasionallybut it requires real confidence and a keen. So we asked designers for their best advice on how to achieve the look without veering into hoarder territory. The test? If it looks like clutter, its all wrong, Henault says. Start by ExperimentingNo need to dive into this type of maximalism by pulling out all the attic boxes. Ease into it by starting with discrete sections of your home, such as a mantlepiece. Start with a leaning mirror as the centerpiece and then layer vintage picture frames across the mantle, suggests Los Angeles designer Francesca Grace. Throw in a couple candlesticks, a vase with flowers, and any other tchotchkes. Since its a small spot, you can try out different combinations of objects to find a display that chimes with your character.Carefully curating items that you truly love and displaying them simply and effortlessly is what this is all about, adds Christine Carney, director of design at Blackberry Brands. Once you think you have added enough, one more layer never hurts.Rachael SmithFormer British Vogue Editor Lucinda Chamberss London home is a masterclass in intentional layering. Feast Your Eyes on Every RoomCreate Layers A room without layers often feels rigid and unwelcoming, says Catherine Olasky, whose eponymous design firm is based in Houston and New York. A room with too many layers can feel claustrophobic or prompt a diagnosis of hoarderism. The sweet spot? Add proper lighting at varying levels, fabrics with prints of varying scales, a stack of books, a well-considered collection of objects. The space should be cozy enough to have room for breaking out a jigsaw puzzle.Claudia Casbarian"I think of layering as a continuum," says designer Catherine Olasky, who created this personality-driven workspace.Focus on Variety Successful curation comes from balancing forms, sizes, and textures. Henault recommends placing something elegantly curvilinear sitting next to a silver box to create contrast. Patterns work well when you change the scale piece to pieceotherwise you risk design ennui. Employ this with texture, too. If its all slick its cold, he explains. And, if its all chunky, its too brutal. Kerry Kirk Photography"We love a layered look because it not only gives your eyes plenty to feast on but also makes a space feel dynamic, inviting, and full of personality," says Emily June Spanos, who designed this room. Emily June Spanos of Emily June Designs in Houston, Texas, favors a look that not only gives your eyes plenty to feast on but also makes a space feel dynamic. Visual contrast is what drives this design, especially if you can blend antiques with newer pieces. Curate Collections A cluster of tchotchkes is one thing, but rounding up similar objects, like Murano boxes or single-colored pottery, gives a vignette coherence. Layer the collection by playing with various textures and heights, advises Tate Casper, co-founder of Oxford Design in Tampa, Florida. Try alternate groupings to find the right depth and authenticity in your design, says Austin, Texas-based Avery Cox, who has played around with China plates, glassware and a collection of jugs to keep them from looking less retail shelf and more of an expression of self. Just dont get too carried awaynot every single piece needs to be included. Don't Crowd Every SurfaceOverflowing bookshelves are a hallmark of intentional clutter, but when done well, not every shelf is equally busy. The key is balance, notes Bloch-Neal. If your lower shelves are packed with items, keep the upper ones more open and aligned. If one shelf is full of books and smaller objects, balance it out with a bold vase or a piece of art to add visual breathing room.Even smaller touches like vintage family photos tucked into mirror frames can look intentional, adds Jessica Davis, founder of interior design studio Atelier Davis with offices in Atlanta and New York. This Should Be Highly Personal Surround yourself with objects that remind of your travels, hobbies, or other great memories. You also want to think about how you're going to use all the things on display: Stack books near comfy chairs so you can page through them on a whim, or leave out a chess set on a coffee table for an impromptu game. A collection of matchbooks from favorite restaurants could be artfully displayed in a beautiful bowl, suggests Courtnay Tartt Elias of Houston, Texas-based Creative Tonic Design. A gallery wall might feature postcards and artwork from favorite places; and, framed ticket stubs from memorable concerts or even your honeymoon will always bring a smile.Lawrence Elizabeth KnoxA layered bookshelf by Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic Design.Play It Up with Bold ColorsDont shy away from a quirky vignette or bright colors that serve as conversation starters. Alexis Warren, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based interior designer recently executed this look in a nook that spiced up a gallery wall with sculptural fly art over an eclectic table setup with a cerulean bust, a mushroom lamp and other accoutrements, all against retro-style wallpaper. "I rarely shy away from a quirky vignette filled with personal objects think art, pictures, items collected from travels," says Warren.Anna Routh Barzin"In every picture of this room, you pick up on another element and discover something new," says Warren.Books Are the Secret SauceOne of the easiest ways to give your space that lived-in look is with books. Even if you don't have floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, books in artful stacks and piles around the room, under the furniture, on top of the mantle, add an air of sophistication, warmth, and joie-de-vivre that other stacks of clutter (think newspapers) simply cannot muster, says Louisville, Kentucky-based interior designer Bethany Adams. Once your bibliophile tendencies are fulfilled, sprinkle in favorite bits-and-pieces and smaller artworks to infuse the space with antique-dealer or English-professor vibes.Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.