We can probably agree that life gets a little messy sometimes. Yet a new decorating trend does more than agree—it embraces chaos and imperfection as an intentional style. In fact: The “Messy Girl” aesthetic, which also champions authenticity and freedom of expression, represents an interesting shift in consumer values and what shoppers may be looking for in home décor and housewares.—

A Beautiful Mess
To be clear: “Messy Girl” is not about letting dirty dishes or clothes pile up. Interior designers are quick to clarify that it’s all about appearing carefree, not careless.

“I feel the messy girl aesthetic is often misunderstood because of the word ‘messy,’” designer Francesca Grace tells House Beautiful. “There’s a stigma around it—like it means careless or chaotic—but I see it in a completely different light. There’s intention in the messiness. It’s about warmth, comfort and expressing yourself without worrying about perfection.”

Messy girl is all about “colorful, lived-in interiors that prioritize personal expression, imperfections and curated clutter,” says Good Housekeeping’s Associate Lifestyle Editor Alyssa Gautieri. She links the décor trend to a resurgence of ‘90s fashion and home trends, adding that many have compared the chaotic home style to iconic characters like Friends‘ Phoebe Buffay and Sex and the City‘s Carrie Bradshaw.

Design Style
So, what does the messy girl aesthetic look like? That depends on the person, since individual expression is a key.

Some consumers may choose home and housewares with bold colors or patterns— like Totally Bamboo’s Baltique Waikiki utensils or Qualia’s Carnival Colored Glass Collection, which is perfect for display. Others may mix unconventional textures or materials, and others may go heavy on trinkets, wall décor or decorative throw pillows.

In many ways, the messy girl aesthetic draws from post-Modern style, which—according to the HomePage News InSight Trend Index 2024/2025—“is characterized by its eclectic, colorful, playful and sometimes ironic approach to design.” The post-modern movement often includes a blending of different styles and materials.

Products to Support
When embracing so many styles and, well, stuff, consumers will likely need décor items to help them display and contain it all.

Wall-mounted shelves are sure to be appreciated, especially ones with unique designs, such as Umbra’s Solis Adjustable Standing Shelves. There’s also a need for statement-worthy tabletop items to help keep both decorative and functional items visible (purse bowl, anyone?). Think bowls with a color statement like the Jeanne Fitz Resin Scalloped Bowl from Widgeteer or unique trays like the many whimsical ones from Dishique.

Finally, don’t forget that personal expression is a big part of the messy girl aesthetic. Make sure to include products that let customers personalize the items they already have. Perfect example: Con-Tact Brand Creative Covering from Kittrich, which is available in a variety of colors, sizes and styles.

Find more trending home and housewares products in Connect365—IHA’s Digital Marketplace.

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