Given that Betsey Johnson is known for her whimsical, feminine, and frequently over-the-top style, we expected she would have a maximalist interior design style. However, the reality of her home is much more reserved.
The fashion designer's living room embodies a stunning balance between minimal and maximal design that we can't get enough of. Her playfully simple space features pared-back glossy wood floors, white walls, and a beige sofa as the neutral base. On top, a yellow-green carpet and a patterned carpet add a touch of texture. Johnson's coffee table is covered in brightly colored tchotchkes, her sofa is draped in richly patterned throws and an abundance of vibrant fresh flowers fill the corner of the space. Looking at the space, the eye is drawn in several directions, but it never feels boring.
Interior designers have taken to calling this new style 'midimalism,' as in the 'mid' point between minimalism and maximalism. The balance of the look is turning it into one of the biggest interior design trends du jour. Jennifer Ebert, digital editor at Homes & Gardens says: 'I am seeing the midimalism trend pop up across the design space. With the accelerated trend cycle, I think people are growing fatigued by the extremes necessitated by social media, turning everything into a pre-packaged aesthetic. Thus appears a design style that is an exercise in moderation.'
Jen is the Editor (Digital) of Homes & Gardens. Before starting this position, she had completed various interior design courses at KLC Design School, as well as working across Ideal Home, LivingEtc, 25 Beautiful Homes and Country Homes & Interiors as an interiors writer.
She continues, 'In Betsey Johnson's space, brightly colored accessories are layered on top of the base of a neutral living room. This unexpected combination works doubly to calm down the extreme of the plants and textiles while making the base of the space appear much more interesting. Together, the two opposite styles create a perfect scheme.'
Crucially, the midimalism trend is about personal style, and what feels like that perfect 'mid' point for each person, rather than being based on any specific rules. Johnson's space brings this idea to the forefront. Acclaimed NYC-based interior designer Kathy Kuo tells Homes & Gardens: 'My favorite thing about this living room design is all the joyful color that truly feels representative of the whimsical style that Betsey is known for. There's such a sense of playfulness in the pink pillows on the sofa, the array of plants, and in the coffee table decor—but at the same time, there's also a sense of restraint in the rug choices and the furniture silhouettes. This commitment to a 'midimalist' look keeps the space from feeling over the top or unfocused.'
Kathy Kuo is a celebrated interior designer and international guru within the home and lifestyle space. She has 20+ years of experience in the design industry.
Shop the Midimalist Edit
Taking inspiration from Betsey Johnson's home, these pieces incorporate bright colors with the perfect level of calm and manageable pattern.
Rather than extremes, in 2025, interior design is all about the middle ground. Sometimes, it's about adding more, and sometimes, it's about knowing when to stop.
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