There’s a question we’ve been asked for years, and it still comes up in meetings, in casual chats, even over late-night coffee after a client pitch:
“Should we go minimal or maximal with our design?”
If you’ve been in the industry long enough , and we have, a little over two decades now , you know the answer isn’t a simple one. It’s not a multiple-choice test. It’s more like… choosing an outfit for a first date. You could wear something clean and understated that says I’m confident without trying too hard, or you could go all in , colour, texture, detail , because you want to be remembered long after the night’s over.
Both approaches work. Both have their magic. But in 2025, they’ve taken on new forms. And for us at Anisha Agency, especially in the world of perfume branding, those forms are fascinating.
Minimalism Today , It’s More Than “Less Is More”
Minimalism gets a bad rap sometimes. People picture cold white backgrounds, Helvetica, and a lot of empty space. That’s one type, sure, but in 2025, minimalism feels warmer, more lived-in.
We’ve worked with perfume brands that wanted their bottle to feel timeless, like it could sit on a vanity for 10 years and still look current. For them, minimalism meant:
- Soft matte finishes instead of glossy glare.
- A single metallic logo pressed into the box.
- Clean typography but with personality , maybe a serif with little quirks in the curves.
- Neutral tones that don’t scream for attention but still feel intentional.
One project I remember clearly was for a scent inspired by early mornings in Marrakech. The bottle was clear, the label cream, the lettering gold. That’s it. But it worked , because the minimalism left space for the story. When you opened the cap, the scent was the star.
Maximalism , The 2025 Edition
Maximalism used to mean “everything, everywhere, all at once.” Too many colours. Too many patterns. A headache on a box.
Now? It’s curated drama. You still get the richness, but it’s edited with purpose.
For example, when we worked with a brand inspired by the Arabian desert, we leaned into maximalism: deep burgundy interiors, gold foil patterns echoing traditional geometric designs, calligraphy that curved like drifting sand. Every inch told part of the story, but it didn’t feel chaotic. That’s the thing , 2025 maximalism has rules. It’s not messy; it’s layered.
And with perfume, maximalism can be a full sensory handshake before the fragrance even hits your skin. The packaging becomes a keepsake, not just a box you throw away.
The “Secret Third Option” , Mixing Both
Here’s where it gets fun: you don’t actually have to pick one.
Some of the most successful campaigns we’ve done in recent years mix minimalism and maximalism in surprising ways. A bottle might be completely minimal , just a name, a shape, a colour , but the advertising is lush and cinematic. Or the packaging is ornate, but the website is stripped back and modern, letting the photography carry the detail.
Think about it: someone might meet your perfume on Instagram (where bold, high-drama visuals stop the scroll) but buy it in a store (where a minimal, elegant bottle feels luxurious to hold). Both moments matter. Both styles can work together.
How We Decide for Clients
We’ve had more “minimal vs. maximal” conversations than I can count, but the decision always starts with three things:
- The audience , Are they drawn to quiet sophistication, or do they love statement pieces?
- The scent’s personality , Is it fresh and simple, or layered and complex?
- The journey , Where will people first encounter it? Online? In-store? Through influencers?
One client, for example, swore they wanted a minimalist look… until we did a test. We put two mockups side by side , the simple one they asked for, and a maximalist version inspired by their scent’s Moroccan spice notes. They picked the maximalist one without hesitation. The scent demanded it.
What’s Trending in 2025
Minimalism in 2025 often means warm minimalism , creamy tones, tactile finishes, a single bold type choice. It’s less “Apple store” and more “boutique hotel lobby.”
Maximalism now leans into heritage storytelling , cultural motifs, historical patterns, art-inspired illustrations. It’s no longer about shock value; it’s about depth.
For perfume branding, both trends tap into the same core truth: luxury feels intentional. Whether it’s quiet or loud, it should feel like it belongs exactly as it is.
Lessons from Perfume Branding
In fragrance, design isn’t just decoration. It’s a silent promise. A minimalist perfume bottle says, “I’m confident enough not to dress up too much.” A maximalist one says, “You’ll never forget me.”
Over the years, we’ve worked with both types. One of our minimalist designs sat on a magazine editor’s desk for months , not because she was reviewing it, but because she liked looking at it. One of our maximalist boxes got reposted hundreds of times on Instagram before the perfume even launched.
And that’s the point , style is a tool, not a rule.
Our Take, After 20+ Years
If you strip away the labels, the minimalism vs. maximalism question is really about honesty. Which style tells the truth about your brand?
We’ve seen trends come and go. What doesn’t change is the power of a design that matches the product’s soul. Whether we’re working on a high-end Arabian oud or a fresh, floral summer scent, the design should make sense to someone holding it for the first time and someone buying their third bottle.
In the end, the choice isn’t about following 2025’s trends , it’s about creating something that still feels right in 2030.
If you’re stuck in the “minimal or maximal” debate for your perfume brand, maybe the answer is a little of both. Or maybe it’s neither, but something in between , something that’s unmistakably you.
We’ve been helping brands figure that out for over two decades. If you want to talk about how to make your design tell the right story , whether it’s with a whisper or a roar , you know where to find us.
Let’s design something unforgettable together.
