What is Cluttercore? Is the Cluttercore Aesthetic Right For you?

If you’ve heard the term Cluttercore being bandied about in home decorating circles and thought that it sounds like a lazy way to excuse being a messy housekeeper, you might be surprised to find out that it’s a fairly disciplined approach to interior décor.

While minimalism has ruled the day since at least the mid-90s — although its roots trace back as far back as the '60s and '70s — it’s not a design trend that everyone wants.

The Cluttercore aesthetic is the exact opposite, and we think that it has legs. 

The Cluttercore Trend Defined 

While the term Cluttercore is relatively new — as are most design trends using the -core suffix — the concepts behind it are rather old.

Cluttercore involves using knickknacks, objets d’art, souvenirs, and collectibles to individualize your space. It is a maximalist design that allows decorators to embrace the chaos to whatever degree they’re comfortable. 

Cluttercore does not mean the end of surface cleaning... Quite the opposite.

Adopting a true Cluttercore space will increase your workload. The more surface area you introduce to your space – and all of these items add surface area — the more dusting and shifting items around you have to do. This is one of the main reasons that many home designers love minimalism. It’s low maintenance. 

Tips For Achieving Cluttercore Design

If you’re undeterred by the additional cleaning and maintenance that will become part of your home life, these tips should help you achieve the Cluttercore look you’re hoping to achieve. 

Theme or No Theme: You Must Decide

Collectors love Cluttercore because it means that they can leave their hard-won prizes on display.

Their living rooms might be a little busier, but collectors tend to display items from a certain genre or that share a particular theme. This is one approach to Cluttercore. All of the clutter is Hummel figurines, sports memorabilia, Star Wars collectibles, etc.

On the other hand, you can go for a truly eclectic look where the pieces don’t follow any particular theme. This would depend on your tolerance for true chaos. Colors will clash, straight lines will mix with curves, patterns represent different eras, etc. This route may give you the most freedom, but it also may take a greater toll on your sense of tranquility. 

Utilize Storage Space

This may not seem to make sense on the surface, but it addresses the question of whether you want a Cluttercore theme or just don’t want to have to put things away. Although Cluttercore is a forgiving style choice, certain items are not decorative in any way: remote controls, dog leashes, electronic cords, and house keys are not Cluttercore — they’re just clutter.

Have a space to store non-thematic items. This Lexington Oyster Bay Shadow Valley Media Console (shown in a distinctively non-Cluttercore setting) provides you with display space to show off your items, but it also gives you hidden storage for your remotes, keys, games, etc.

Display Cabinets are a Must

Unless you intend to clutter the floor with your cherished items, which may result in breakage and injury, you’re going to need surfaces to celebrate them.

Bookshelves are a nifty way to display rows of items, or you could go with a more whimsical design, like the Ocean Club Tradewinds Bookcase that gives ten different compartments plus the top to display your favorite pieces.

If you have breakable items, a good alternative is a sturdy curio cabinet, like the Pulaski Chocolate Cherry Two Way Sliding Door Curio Cabinet.

Offset Large Items with Small Ones

You are going to want to have some level of balance in your space. It will make it more comfortable when you’re enjoying your treasures. If you have a large item, you can surround it with smaller items or create symmetry by putting a collection of smaller items opposite of it.

For example, if you have a jukebox or pinball machine on one side of a doorway, you can install a curio cabinet with smaller pieces on the other. 

Accessorize

While your space is already full of decorative accessories, you also want to make it warm and inviting. Use throw pillows, area rugs, quilts, etc., to make your space feel warm and inviting. 

Invest in Quality

If you buy cheap furniture, it will cheapen the look of your interior. If you’re serious about decorating, invest in it.

Baer’s Furniture is Florida’s number-one retailer of high-quality furniture. Stop into Baer’s today and find the pieces you need to complete your Cluttercore space.