Having people over, especially during the holidays, usually brings about feelings of pressure—pressure to serve the perfect meal, clean your home until it sparkles, make sure all your decor ties together. But these days, interior designers, homeowners, and design enthusiasts alike are straying from that perfect, put-together look with maximalism. The maximalist mindset has paved the way for a number of sub-aesthetics, from cottagecore to cluttercore, and the newest “more is more” aesthetic is all about removing that pressure you probably feel this time of year: Meet weirdcore.
According to secondhand furniture company Kaiyo’s 2023 Trend Report, the maximalist weirdcore style was big with customers this year—it even outranked a favorite minimalist aesthetic, the cleangirl look.
“Boring monochromatic beiges and grays are out, and exciting prints and bold colors are in,” Kaiyo’s report reads. “Weirdcore breaks all the rules and celebrates individuality and playfulness by drawing from the '80s, '90s, and 2000s nostalgia and surrealism.”
According to Kaiyo, searches for “postmodern,” “art deco,” “checkered,” “chrome,” and “cheetah” all went up by more than double over the last year—a testament to the love people have for the daring elements that make up weirdcore.
If you have yet to discover the fun and playful world of quirky maximalism, there’s no better time than the holidays.
“The pressure to create the ‘perfect’ tablescape, decor, meal, and ambiance can be anxiety-provoking for many,” says Grace Baena, Kaiyo’s interior design expert and director of branded content. “This year, let weirdcore be your inspiration and goal for your holiday party by letting your personality come through and embracing imperfection.”
The weirdcore aesthetic is equal parts “more is more” and—well—weird. It allows you to embrace the unexpected in your home decor, with added elements of fantasy and surrealism.
Picture a holiday dinner table adorned with quirky mushroom decor instead of dried oranges and holly, or a tree decked out in an unexpected theme—vintage toys, food-shaped ornaments, or a bold and colorful look might just take your holiday setup to the next level.
Baena shared all the details of embracing this blossoming maximalist trend in your interior decor—here’s what you need to know about hosting weirdcore in your home this holiday season.
What Is Weirdcore?
A sense of quirky surrealism sets weirdcore apart from the traditional maximalism look, but there‘s much more to the interior design trend, Baena explains. Turns out, there‘s a vintage spin that elevates weirdcore even further.
“Adopters of the weirdcore aesthetic seek out unique furniture and objects with a story over mass-produced ones,“ Baena says. “[They] fill their homes with items that carry sentimental value—including pieces passed down from generations prior, items that have been fully or partially crafted or re-imagined, and pieces with interesting stories.”
The result: A playful and intentionally collected look with a vintage '80s and '90s flair. Weirdcore is nostalgic and curated, a testament to family memories from years past.
How to Embrace Weirdcore for the Holiday Season
If you're feeling overwhelmed about your holiday party theme or haven't finished putting out decorations yet, don't worry: weirdcore is relatively easy to lean into. All you need are your personal taste and a bit of decorating whimsy. But if you‘re not sure where to start, here are a few expert-approved tips to get you on your holiday hosting way.
An Unexpected Theme
One of the main ways to incorporate weirdcore into your holiday hosting is opting for a non-traditional decorating theme. You can go all out by switching out most of your decor, or start with small details, like the accessories on your mantel, tablescape, or Christmas tree.
Stick with a theme that sparks joy for you. If you love all things glittery and sparkly, try disco decor. Or maybe you’d prefer to throw a holiday party with forest fairy-inspired decor. When it comes to weirdcore, rules are meant to be broken, so your options are truly endless. Baena’s main recommendation? Use this as an opportunity to let your personality and individualism shine.
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Get Crafty
There’s no denying that trying out a new holiday decor theme can weigh on your December budget. But Baena encourages anyone who’s interested in going for weirdcore this holiday season to seek alternative options when it comes to sourcing decor.
“Instead of succumbing to the consumerism of single-use holiday decorations, get crafty with DIYs and thrift shopping,” she says.
Once you’ve picked your weirdcore-inspired theme, brainstorm ways you can incorporate it into your decor without filling your cart with all new items. Take an afternoon to drink cocoa and make a bright selection of paper ornaments, or create a garland fashioned out of pom-poms. No matter what you choose, DIY Christmas projects add that personalized, collected touch to your space—a quintessential part of the weirdcore aesthetic.
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Go Thrifting
Thrift stores are an underrated gold mine for affordable holiday decorations. You’re likely to find some unusual vintage pieces that you won’t be able to find anywhere else—they might even be out of production.
“Visit your local thrift store for secondhand holiday decorations to infuse some gimmicky fun sustainably,” Baena says.
Your local secondhand shop is also the perfect place to look for items you can repurpose in a fun, quirky way: Upcycle vintage colorful light bulbs for a variety of fun projects, use old Christmas teacups to create DIY candles for your holiday tablescape, and so much more.
The best part about weirdcore? There are no rules! So have fun, let go, and let your space get a little weird this holiday season—your guests definitely won't mind.