Expert advice

Top Houston designer's 5 best tips to adopt the buzzy Cluttercore trend

Cluttercore is the newest home aesthetic craze taking over social media feeds far and wide. For diehard minimalists, the act of discarding an object is euphoric. On the other hand, if thoughtfully justifying the inclusion of an item to the “keep” pile satiates the senses, Cluttercore might be for you. This design concept takes the ever popular Maximalism and turns it up a notch — but what exactly is it?

According to Better Homes & Gardens — yes, even they’re on board — "Cluttercore is a design trend that embraces a personalized, eclectic aesthetic by showcasing collections and meaningful possessions, often as a response to minimalism. It focuses on creating a cozy and individual space filled with items that bring joy, rather than simply accumulating clutter."

Less is more is passé, more is more is en vogue — so, where does one go from here?

Houston’s very own matriarch of Maximalism, Courtnay Tartt Elias, principal and creative director of acclaimed design firm Creative Tonic, happens to know a thing or two about how to create a Cluttercore aesthetic that is more of a vibe and less of a mess. Elias recently shared her five tips for creating a perfectly-curated Cluttercore aesthetic that CultureMap readers can implement in their own homes.

“Cluttercore is really maximalism in a slightly different hat, I think! Both celebrate the idea that more can definitely be more. Where traditionally maximalism leans into bold color, pattern mixing (or drenching!), and statement pieces, Cluttercore is more about adding layers of personal storytelling,” she explains.

“It is about making your home reflect who you are and what you love by displaying collections, mementos, and all the little things that make it yours. People crave spaces that reflect who they are, the same way they use their clothing or hobbies to express themselves. And beyond how the space looks, Cluttercore is comfortable. A warm, layered home full of art, books, and treasures, all collected and displayed with love, feels real and inviting, and definitely not too precious to kick off your shoes, get a little bit messy, and relax.”

Courtnay Tartt Elias’ five tips for introducing Cluttercore to a home:

1. Start small
People who are new to maximalist interiors don't need to dive in head first. Instead, begin with a few spaces (think: the mantel, an entryway console, or bookshelf) and curate a layered display. Pull together existing collections, whether that's ticket stubs from travels, china, or candlesticks, for example, and then play with the arrangement.

Swap out pieces (or add another layer) until it looks cohesive. The key is to focus on things that tell a story about collections, hobbies, or mementos that never fail to bring a smile to the owner’s face.

The holidays are the perfect time to ease into Cluttercore. Instead of clearing surfaces and shelves before pulling out seasonal decor, layer festive pieces into what's already there. Use a heavier hand than normal, but in concentrated areas, to allow an owner’s eye to get used to seeing the space a bit more "done."

2. Shop your own home first
People likely have a treasure trove on their hands and don't even know it. Before running out to buy new pieces, people should comb through their existing possessions.

I like to shop my home by going room-by-room and gathering like items; for example, all candlesticks, picture frames, or vases. Once I've laid them all out together, I can re-group them by color, texture, or even sometimes the memories they evoke. Grouping and regrouping allows people to see what they have with new eyes and makes it easier to spot what's missing when they’re (finally) shopping.

People should shop their grandparents' or parents' homes, too. Gather up things that were in your home growing up, such as magazines or comic books from a person’s youth, Playbills from shows families saw together, china or silver that doesn't get much use these days, etc.

Think outside of the box. A person could create a tray for a coffee bar with a coffeemaker, enhanced with grandma's teacups to hold sweetener packets, stirrers, etc. Perhaps a person’s parents collected coffee stirrers from their family's travels — framing a selection of them over your display is cohesive and a lovely reminder of those times.

Don't forget to ask what they've got stored away in the attic. Adding a touch of history and nostalgia with a personal story is, quite literally, at the heart of Cluttercore.

Similarly to people shopping their homes, they should think of what they love to do and then brainstorm creative ways to bring that into their home. For example, a foodie might want to start collecting matchbooks from their favorite restaurants and bars, whether to display in a decorative bowl in the living room (a great conversation starter!) or frame for the kitchen or dining room.

3. Group like with like
Collections look intentional when they're styled together. Whether it is by color, texture, material, function, or type, maintaining a consistent thread throughout a space ensures that it doesn't look or feel random and haphazard. It doesn't all have to be the same, though.

For example, a person who loves floral arrangements might display all of their vases on bookshelves rather than in the pantry, despite the mix of colors and materials. The reception telegraphs their passion for florals and gives anyone who comes into their home a hint of who they are. Variations in color, size, shape, and texture only make the collection seem more like it was curated over time.

4. Don't forget the function of the space
No matter how much someone loves a look, if it isn't functional, it will grate on them over time. Cluttercore doesn't mean clutter for clutter's sake — the space should still serve a person’s needs. A room filled with layers of personality should still be deeply functional.

For example, a needlepoint enthusiast might like a comfortable chair in the living room, upholstered in a lush fabric, of course, with a complementary throw pillow and blanket, and storage nearby to hold their tools. Think: baskets, decorative boxes, vintage cracker tins, and more. A nearby wall might hold an ever-rotating series of semi-finished and finished works, mixed with some family heirlooms, or favorites they’ve collected over time.

That way, the functional needs are met and the person has included a bit of themselves into the layers of the design.

5. Mix in the unexpected
Take unexpected items and make them into furniture. Stacks of books can make great drink tables or small side tables, especially in areas with limited space. Garden stools are the perfect size and durability for the shower.

Shoes don't have to stay in the closet. Beautiful evening shoes make a lovely, eye-catching moment on a bookshelf! Brooches don't have to stay in the jewelry box, but can add sparkle to the sofa's throw pillows. Be creative!

Create a gallery wall with a bit of a twist and add in things that speak to the homeowner — board games, tennis rackets, golf clubs, or grandma's plates, all mixed in with family photos and/or art they love. One tip for gallery wall frames — keep them similarly sized or of the same hue to ensure a cohesive overall look.

Photo by Julie Soefer

Mix in the unexpected, like a favorite pair of shoes, with boxes, books, and trays.

cluttercore home-design

they're durable, too

3D-printed Houston housing project cements a more affordable future

Courtesy of Cole Klein Builders

Homes in Zuri Gardens are a hybrid of 3D concrete and traditional wood construction.

Houston is putting itself front-and-center to help make sustainable, affordable housing a reality for 80 lucky homeowners in a scalable housing community that will hopefully catch on nationwide. Recently, developer Cole Klein Builders partnered with HiveASMBLD to pioneer what’s touted as the world’s first large-scale, one-of-a-kind, affordable housing development using 3-D printing technology, merging robotics, design, and sustainability.

Located across from Sterling Aviation High School, near Hobby Airport, Zuri Gardens will offer 80 two-bedroom, two-bathroom homes of approximately 1,360 square feet situated in a park-like setting, including walking trails and a community green space.

Homes in Zuri Gardens will hit the market in early summer of 2026. Final pricing has yet to be determined, but Cole Klein Builders expects it to be in the mid-to-high 200s.

Interestingly, none of the homes will offer garages or driveways, which the developer tells CultureMap will provide a savings of roughly $25,000 - $40,000 per home.

Instead of parking for individual units, 140 parking spaces will be provided. Ideally, this small-town-inspired design will provide opportunities for neighbors to meet, connect, and build community.

Each two-story home is comprised of a ground floor printed by HiveASMBLD, using a proprietary low-carbon cement alternative by Eco Material Technologies that promises to enhance strength and reduce CO2 emissions. The hybrid homes will have a second floor built using engineered wood building products by LP Building Solutions. Overall, the homes are designed to be flood, fire, and possibly even tornado-proof.

The Zuri in Zuri Gardens is the Swahili word for “beautiful,” a choice that is fitting considering that the parks department will be introducing a five acre park to the project — with 3-D printed pavilions and benches — plus, a three acre farm is located right across the street. The Garver Heights area, where Zuri Gardens is located, is in what’s classified as a food desert, which means that access to fresh food is limited. Residents will have access to the farm’s fresh produce, plus opportunities to participate in gardening and nutrition workshops—that’s a win for everyone.

With the novelty of Zuri Gardens, it’s no surprise that the neighborhood already has an 800 person waitlist, but with stringent buyer requirements, it’s unclear how many of those 800 will qualify. Developer Cole Klein Builders created Zuri Gardens in partnership with the Houston Housing Community Development Department, who provided infrastructure reimbursements for the roads, sewer lines, and water lines. In return, CKB agreed to push the purchase prices for the homes as low as possible.

Zuri Gardens also received $1.8 million dollars from the Uptown Tourism Bond, 34 percent of which must be used with minority owned small businesses. Qualified buyers must fit a certain area of median income according to HUD guidelines, and must be owner occupied at all times — so no property investors or short term vacation rentals will be allowed.

“They’re trying to bridge that gap to make sure there is a community for the homebuyers who need it — educators, law enforcement, civil workers, etc.,” Cole Klein Builders’ co-principal Vanessa Cole tells CultureMap. “You have to go through a certification process with the housing department to make sure that your income is in alignment for this community. It has been great, and everyone has been really receptive.”

Cole has also brought insurance underwriters to visit the site and to help drive premiums below regular rates for Houston homeowners since homes in Zuri Gardens are not built to traditional standards — claim risks for one of the 3-D homes are extremely low. Tim Lankau, principal at HiveASMBLD, notes that the 3-D hybrid design allows for a more traditional appearance, while having the benefits of a concrete structure: “That’s where the floodwaters would go, that’s where you can hide when there’s a tornado, and that’s where termites would eat. So you get the advantages of it while having a traditionally-framed second floor.”

It’s important to note that Zuri Gardens is not located in a flood prone area, nor did it flood during Hurricane Harvey — being flood proof is merely a perk of a cement house. The concrete that Eco Material Technologies developed is impervious. The walls are printed into hollow forms, which house rebar, plumbing, and accessible conduits for things like electrical lines and smart house features. Those walls are then filled with a foamcrete product that expands to form a “monolithic concrete wall.”

David McNitt, of Eco Material Technologies, explains that his proprietary concrete is made of PCV, and contains zero Portland cement. Instead, McNitt’s cement is made from coal ash and is 99 percent green (there are a few chemicals added to the ash). Regardless, it’s made from 100 percent waste products.

“This is a product that has really been landfilled before,” says McNitt. “It’s coal ash, and it’ll set within 8-10 minutes. It’s all monolithic, and one continuous pour — it’s literally all one piece.”

Eco Material Technologies’ concrete product is impressively durable. A traditional cinderblock wall will crush at around 800 psi, while this material crushes at about 8,000 psi.

“It’s ten times stronger than a cinderblock wall that can withstand hurricanes,” claims McNitt. “I don’t think you’d even notice a hurricane. It’ll be really quiet inside, too — so you won’t get interrupted during your hurricane party. It’s way over-engineered, it really is.”

The second story is built using weatherproof and eco-friendly products by LP Building Solutions. Their treated, engineered wood products come with a 50 year warranty, and their radiant barrier roof decking product blocks 97% of UV rays, and keeps attic temperatures 30° cooler than traditional building materials. These materials, combined with the concrete first floor, will keep heating and cooling costs low — something the folks at HiveASMBLD refer to as “thermal mass performance.”