Living

"Midimalism" Is Minimalism's Cooler, More Eclectic Cousin You Need in Your Life

By Kaitlyn McInnis Dengarden

Updated April 20, 2026 4:45 AM

I binge-consumed every bit of minimalist media a couple of years ago-from Goodbye, Things and The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up to The Home Edit and The Minimalists documentary on Netflix. I was sold on the dream of owning less and living more.

That, combined with a bad breakup and an international move, led me to throw out or donate almost everything I owned from both my city apartment and my cottage in the countryside. In a few weeks' time, I went from two overstuffed properties to a grand total of six suitcases of belongings-I even fit my folding coffee table into a suitcase!

I felt free at first. I could pack up and move anywhere. It was almost like exposure therapy that resulted in me feeling less emotionally attached to physical items.

But shortly after, I noticed my souvenir tchotchkes piling up from international trips. I had a stack of novels in the corner of my apartment, underneath the IKEA floor I bought out of necessity.

And you know what? I liked it. I liked the aesthetic of controlled chaos. The messy (but not overflowing) stack of books looked Pinterest-worthy to me. The shelf of souvenirs reminded me of all the cool places I've traveled to over the years.

I had no idea that this aesthetic had a name or that it would be one of the biggest trends in 2026. It turns out that "midimalism" is the answer for folks like me-people who don't want to overconsume or own too many things but still like the look of eclectic, slightly messy homes.

What Is Midimalism?

Minimalism is a clever portmanteau that combines mid- and minimalism; in other words, the trend is a way of owning and consuming less without falling into a sparse or cold feeling interior decor aesthetic.

"Midimalism is a blend of neat, structured rooms and interiors that show off your personality," explains Danielle Castagna, Interior Design expert at online custom framing service, Level Frames. "Instead of going completely minimal or over-the-top, you add a few key decor pieces to make a statement but still keep the overall feel calm and consistent."

"Many homeowners are starting to move away from interiors that feel too cluttered," adds Castagna. "Midimalism is great because it lets your home be both stylish and comfy without everything feeling jammed in."

How to Achieve the Midimalism Look

If the midimalism look appeals to you and you want to emulate it in your own home, you could do what I did and throw out everything you own before starting over and building back up. But I don't recommend doing so (lots of tears were involved!).

Instead, here are four super simple (and tear-free) ways for adding a touch of midimalism to your space.

1. Choose Soft Colors as a Base

"To achieve the midimalist look, homeowners should start with a simple, calm space; think soft colors like warm whites, gentle grays or natural earth tones," says Castagna. "This makes the room feel bigger and lets your favourite pieces stand out without the walls being too distracting."

Castagna also says that depth can then be introduced through one or two richer accent colors; these should guide the eye and add warmth without overpowering the room.

2. Play With Texture

"Texture is another way to bring life to a space. Materials like wood or stone add subtle variety and a layered feel without cluttering the room," adds Castagna. "Every item in the room should have a clear purpose, whether it's practical or just for style."

3. Match Frames-But Opt for Fun Art

Framed artwork can do a lot in midimalist interiors. "We often see homeowners using matching frames throughout a room to anchor their walls and let artwork shine without cluttering the space," says Castagna. "Either a black or white gallery frame paired with white matting is a timeless framing style that is compatible with the midimalist look."

4. Consider an Eclectic Gallery Wall

"A carefully selected gallery wall gives personality and focus to a space, creating visual impact without adding chaos," adds Castagna. "In this way, framing not only displays artwork but also reinforces the balance between minimalism and expression that defines the trend."

This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 4:15 AM.