Cluttercore has managed to stay under the radar for many people. Let's dive into what this trend is all about, and why it's become so popular.

There's been an interesting shift in the world of aesthetics. First, there was the "less is more" movement, then came minimalism and its offshoot maximalism, but now we're seeing cluttercore taking center stage. Some might see this as a step backward, but for many people it's a refreshing change from the high-polish perfection that has come to be expected.

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The past couple of decades saw minimalism as the top design trend, with households prioritizing quality and functionality over excessive consumerism. The Marie Kondo method has gained explosive admiration all over the world, as people strived to get rid of things that did not “spark joy.” People left and right take on decluttering as a way to make more room in their homes and organize their untidy and overcrowded living spaces.

From minimalism to cluttercore

Minimalism is the notion of reducing something to its necessary elements. As an art trend, it emerged after World War II as a reaction to abstract expressionism. For some modernists, decor is a product of capitalist excesses.

Minimalism, with its simplicity and elegance, was advocated as a way to equalize interior design. This concept eventually extended to the way household items were organized and birthed different approaches to cleaning.

As a Japanese cleaning consultant, Kondo highlights the meditative aspect of cleaning and organizing the house. In her book. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, she introduces her popular KonMari method, which encourages tidying by category and not by location.

Her technique suggests that the cleaning journey begins with clothes, books, papers, and miscellaneous items and ends with sentimental pieces. At the heart of the method is keeping those things that speak to the heart and discarding those that no longer spark joy. Kondo’s revolutionary system prides itself on having lasting results, with none of her clients relapsing into their old habits.

On the exact opposite of the design spectrum is cluttercore, tagged by The Conversation as Generation Z’s revolt against the minimalism of the millennial generation. Where minimalism focuses on a “less is more” mantra, cluttercore has a “more is more” approach.

This design trend acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining a minimalist household in the face of consumerism. Instead, it embraces everything that makes your house feel like a home.

The cluttercore movement advocates displaying what you already have and love—like artfully arranging all your family photos or showing off your vintage snow globe collection. It grounds itself in authenticity and constant curation and rejects minimalism as dull and impersonal.

Is cluttercore the next design trend?

The juxtaposition between minimalism and cluttercore is interesting, and each method is undeniably suitable for different audiences. Cluttercore can indeed be the next design trend with its “organized chaos” perspective.

This movement works with items that already exist within a household and hold some sort of meaning to their owner. As a design philosophy, it suggests that items be arranged through thematic or aesthetic relations.

There is also an emphasis on the intentional placement of things so that the room feels more balanced and personal. Joseph Ferrari, a psychology researcher at DePaul University, says that the role of a home is to function not just as a nest but as proof that we are holding it together. This is where cluttercore shows its advantage—it genuinely personalizes your home and makes you choose to keep and display items with love and attention.

Minimalism and cluttercore cater to people who value very different aspects of their household. Whether you prioritize functionality over sentimental value, or the other way around, these two design aesthetics will be worth looking into. In the end, it is your personality and vision that matter in the direction you take in making your home truly yours.

There you have it — everything you need to know about the cluttercore design trend. This style is all about embracing your personal belongings and displaying them proudly in your home. If you're tired of minimalism and ready to add some personality to your space, cluttercore just might be the perfect fit for you.