Minimalism vs maximalism 極簡主義和極繁主義

如何裝飾自己的傢是一件非常個人的事情。你喜歡簡單素凈還是大膽精致的裝潢？本期節目從室內裝修的角度來看 “極簡主義” 和 “極繁主義” 之間的差異。

詞匯：decor 裝飾

Some say you can tell a lot about a person by the way they decorate their home. We often find pleasure in the things we stick in our houses, be it trinkets we bought on holiday, film memorabilia or paintings to liven up walls. And when we head to others’ houses, we often see things we appreciate, but wouldn’t have in our own homes, because maybe they’re not quite to our taste. The point is, the way we decorate our homes is very personal. And while many of us have plenty of stuff, there are always people who go that little bit further. So, when it comes to minimalism and maximalism, which one appeals to you more?

Minimalism was an art movement that started in the 1950s. Its basic principles are derived from a concept of ‘less is more’ – reducing things back to their most basic. Some people took that art style and used it as a way of living. Ideas of vast open spaces with an organised and functional structure may spring to mind. They are usually decorated in simple pastel colours, with many minimalists opting for duotone, often just black and white. For some, especially maximalists, it may seem sparse and a bit bland to live without many things – even boring or depressing. However, living in this way is seen by many as more practical.

Maximalism is the opposite of minimalism and started in the 1970s. It embraces the core ideals that ‘more is more’. While minimalism centres around the principle of decluttering, it’s easy to imagine that a maximalist home is overflowing with items – but that’s not the base idea. It’s more about filling the space – making the most of the area. Structured excess and bold colours combined with mixed patterns is what you will see in a home like this. For a minimalist, used to more simplistic designs, it could be overwhelming. But for those who embrace it, those things give a space personality.

The way you have your home is up to you! But, if you opt for maximalism, you may need to prepare for a bit more dusting.

詞匯表

stick 放在（傢裡）
trinket 小裝飾品，小玩意
memorabilia 紀念品
liven up 使…有生氣，為…添彩
to one’s taste 適合某人的口味
decorate 裝飾
minimalism 極簡主義
maximalism 極繁主義
less is more 少即是多
vast 巨大的
functional 實用的
pastel （顏色）淡而柔和的
duotone 雙色調
sparse 零落的
bland 乏味的
core 核心的
declutter 清理（空間）
overflowing 滿得容不下
structured 有條理的，有結構的
excess 過剩
bold （色彩）醒目的，艷麗的

測驗與練習

1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。

1. What are some of the things we often put in our homes?

2. When did the minimalism movement start?

3. True or False? Minimalist houses often have bright, vivid patterns on the walls.

4. When did maximalism start?

5. How might a minimalist feel in a maximalist house?

2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. If you don’t know where to put it, just _______ it anywhere.

stick excess pastel bland

2. Children need a more _______ education plan to help them develop.

sparse structured duotone stick

3. We should throw away some things to try and _______ the house.

structured bland declutter sparse

4. The cup is _______ with water. You’re making a mess.

declutter sparse duotone overflowing

5. I don’t think the painting is interesting. It’s a bit _______ and boring.

bland declutter stick excess

答案

1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。

1. What are some of the things we often put in our homes?
We often put things we bought on holiday, film memorabilia and paintings in our homes.

2. When did the minimalism movement start?
The minimalism movement started in the 1950s.

3. True or False? Minimalist houses often have bright, vivid patterns on the walls.
False. Minimalist homes often have pastel colours on the walls.

4. When did maximalism start?
Maximalism began in the 1970s.

5. How might a minimalist feel in a maximalist house?
They might feel overwhelmed.

2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. If you don’t know where to put it, just stick it anywhere.

2. Children need a more structured education plan to help them develop.

3. We should throw away some things to try and declutter the house.

4. The cup is overflowing with water. You’re making a mess.

5. I don’t think the painting is interesting. It’s a bit bland and boring.