Betsey Johnson is known for her whimsical, feminine, and often flamboyant style, so we expected her to have a maximalist interior design style, but the reality of her home is much more understated.
The fashion designer’s living room embodies a great balance between minimal and maximalist design, and it never gets boring. The playfully simple space features understated glossy wooden floors, white walls, and a beige sofa as a neutral base. On top of that, lime green and patterned carpets add texture. Johnson’s coffee table is covered with brightly colored accessories, the sofa is covered with a richly patterned throw, and vibrant fresh flowers overflow in the corners of the space. Looking at the space, your eye is drawn in different directions, but it never feels boring.
Interior designers are calling this new style “midimalist,” which means it’s the middle ground between minimalism and maximalism. This balance of style has made it one of the biggest trends. Today’s interior design trends. Jennifer Ebert, Digital Editor Homes and Gardens “We’re seeing the trend towards midi-malism pop up all over the design world. As trend cycles accelerate, I think people are becoming fatigued by the extremes required by social media and turning to a pre-packaged aesthetic for everything. So a design style that encourages moderation is emerging.”
Jen is Editor (Digital) at Homes & Gardens and prior to this role she completed various interior design courses at KLC Design School and worked as an interiors writer for Ideal Home, LivingEtc, 25 Beautiful Homes and Country Homes & Interiors.
She continues, “In the Betsey Johnson space, a neutral living room base is layered with vibrantly colored accessories. This unexpected combination has the dual effect of toning down the extremes of the plants and textiles while making the base of the space seem more inviting. Combining these two contrasting styles creates a flawless scheme.”
The point is, the mid-range trend is about personal style, not based on any specific rules, but more like a “middle ground” that’s perfect for each person. Johnson’s space brings this idea to the forefront. “It’s about creating a space that’s perfect for everyone,” says New York-based, celebrity interior designer Cathy Kuo. Homes and Gardens“What we love most about this living room design is the fun use of color, which is so emblematic of Betsy’s whimsical style. There’s a sense of playfulness in the pink cushions on the sofa, the array of plants and the décor on the coffee table, yet there’s also a sense of restraint in the choice of rug and the silhouette of the furniture. This commitment to a ‘midimalist’ look keeps the space from feeling overcrowded or unfocused.”
Cathy Kuo is a renowned interior designer and international leading authority on home and lifestyle design. She has over 20 years of experience in the design industry.
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Interior design in 2025 is all about taking a middle ground, not extremes: sometimes it’s about adding more, and sometimes it’s about knowing when to stop.
