Over the past few years, two design approaches have dominated interiors: minimalism and maximalism. People have tended to fall within one of these two camps.
Now, there’s finally a new design trend emerging that doesn’t make you decide between the two polar opposites of minimalist or a maximalist. “Layered comfort” is the best of both worlds, and it makes you feel oh-so cozy, too.
What Is “Layered Comfort?
Amy Peltier, owner and creative director of Peltier Interiors, defines it as a “thoughtful mix of textures, materials, and details that make a space both beautiful and inviting.”
“Think textured wallpaper paired with velvet upholstery, a linen throw draped over a chair, woven shades softened by drapery panels, and lighting that creates warmth,” says Peltier. “None of these elements are loud on their own, but together they create a home that feels collected, comfortable, and effortlessly lived in.”
In other words? Every piece is carefully curated, similar to minimalism, but there are plenty of layers of texture and decor that fill up a space, as with maximalism. It’s not about withholding or packing it in—every layer feels cherished, snug, and personal.
Layered comfort is trending after years of homes being designed for photos instead of people, says Rayana Schmitz, founder and principal of Firefinish Interiors.
“Minimalism and all-white everything look great on Instagram, but they don't actually feel good to live in,” says Schmitz. “They're cold, they're precious—you're almost afraid to sit down. Layered comfort is the opposite of that. People spent so much time at home over the last few years that they started noticing what actually makes a space feel good, not just look good.”
Think of layered comfort as “a design practice that’s made to feel like a warm, welcoming hug,” says Ceci Tucker, owner and interior designer of Wilde Folk Studio.
How to Achieve the “Layered Comfort” Aesthetic
✔️ Make it tactile. Don’t just add a few throws and pillows—make sure all the fabrics are “soft to the touch,” says Kjerstin Boorstein, founder and principal designer of Kjerstin Boorstein Interiors.
✔️ Incorporate “new” and “old.” To make things look layered, utilize various eras. For instance, try combining worn leather accent chairs with hand-woven throw pillows; buying the new linen sofa you’ve had your eye on, but balancing it out with a vintage rug; downloading a new art print, but displaying it in a thrifted frame, suggests Tucker. “You don’t want your space to read as if everything is brand-new,” she says. “You want it to feel designed over time with intention.”
✔️ Take texture to the walls. “Textured wallpaper, or even subtle millwork,
instantly adds depth before a single piece of furniture is brought in,” says Peltier.
✔️ Wrap in rugs. To literally bring layers into a space, don’t shy away from rugs, and lots of ’em. “Rugs add warmth visually and physically,” says Peltier. “For even more dimension, layer a hand-knotted rug over a natural fiber rug, like sisal.”
✔️ Add variety. Making a space look multidimensional will avoid that appearance of “sameness.” The key is avoiding matching furniture sets, according to Tucker. “Layered comfort is all about depth and personality,” she adds.
✔️ Include multiple lighting options. Cozy lighting is a big part of layered comfort, which is why lamps are so important in this trend. “Large-scale lamps on side tables, petite lamps tucked into bookshelves, and a kitchen lamp for early mornings and evening glow,” says Boorstein.
✔️ Style with intention. Accessories are “the finishing layer,” says Peltier, who advises stacking coffee table books, incorporating greenery, mixing ceramics and natural materials, and varying heights to create displays that feel collected rather than staged.
Shelby Deering is a freelance lifestyle writer who frequently covers home design and decor for national publications. She has worked as a full-time freelance writer for over a decade, and has worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, writing home tours, interviewing top designers, and beautifying her own home. She holds a master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and when she's not writing, you can find her at thrift stores and flea markets, running, or exploring local trails in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and corgi, Dolly.
