After years of “sad beige” minimalism and sterile, flat surfaces, the design world is experiencing a vibrant counter-revolution. The pendulum has swung back toward the opulent, the layered, and the tactile. This movement, often summarized by the phrase More is More, celebrates the idea that a home should be a sensory feast rather than a quiet gallery. Leading this maximalist revival is the influential studio Emily Kate Design, which has become synonymous with the sophisticated use of rich textures to create spaces that feel deeply personal, lived-in, and luxurious.
The core of this design philosophy is the rejection of the “less is more” mantra that dominated the early 2020s. For Emily Kate, a room is not complete until it offers a variety of physical sensations. This involves the brave layering of contrasting materials—think velvet paired with raw silk, or hand-carved wood set against polished marble. The use of textures is not just an aesthetic choice; it is a way to create “visual weight” and warmth in a room. When a space is filled with diverse surfaces, it absorbs sound better and creates a sense of comfort that a minimalist, hard-surfaced room simply cannot provide.
In 2026, the return of maximalism is also about storytelling. Every fabric, wallpaper, and rug selected by Emily Kate Design serves as a narrative piece. People are no longer looking for “catalog homes” that look like everyone else’s. Instead, they are seeking “collected” looks that incorporate artisanal craftsmanship and historical nods. This is where the Rich elements come into play—deep jewel tones, intricate brocades, and heavy drapery that evoke a sense of grandeur. However, the modern iteration of this style is not cluttered; it is curated. It is about the intentional density of beautiful things rather than just filling a space with objects.
Ultimately, the “More is More” trend is a celebration of human touch and domestic joy. By focusing on the Design of the tactile environment, we are creating homes that nurture our senses. As we spend more of our lives in digital environments, the importance of our physical surroundings becomes paramount. The work of Emily Kate reminds us that luxury is found in the softness of a rug, the grain of a table, and the depth of a woven wall hanging. As we move further into the year, expect to see more homes embracing this bold, textured approach, proving that when it comes to comfort and personality, more truly is more.