Did you know, the phrase “less is more” was first coined by a leader of the Bauhaus movement in the 1920s? Echoing recent trends in industrial minimalist and mid-century styles, the latest interpretation of Bauhaus style offers us an optimistic look that’s practical and efficient but also colourful and playful.
Keeping lines simple and using a minimum of different materials, Bauhaus is a trend that creates maximum impact whilst being easy to live with. In our view, this is the perfect look for 2022 if you prefer a streamlined minimalist home where there is a place for everything and everything is in its place but you also crave the stimulation of bold colours and geometric pattern.
A modernist art school first launched in 1919, the Bauhaus movement originally developed out of the ‘beautifully useful’ aesthetics of the Arts and Crafts movement to unite art with industrial design. Its designers believed that the functional can also be beautiful and aimed to bring the artistic soul back into architecture and manufactured furnishings.
A hugely influential trend throughout the 1920s and 30s, the Bauhaus movement has inspired and captivated interior designers ever since. From the iconic designs of Corbusier’s lounge chairs and Saarinen’s tulip tables to Terence Conran’s Habitat designs, its clean modern lines and bold colour blocking has come to define modern living.
If you’d love to introduce some Bauhaus chic into your home, here are our top tips to get the look:
Maximise the feeling of space with clean lines and large glazed panels such as Crittall-style room dividers and keep window dressing to a minimum to maximise natural light and open views.
Use a small number of hard-wearing natural materials that reflect the nature of the building rather than hide the structure. For example, leave steel frames and brickwork exposed and enhance this industrial look with wood, leather and concrete.
Single Smoked Acacia RP104
Choose multi-functional furniture with sleek lines and curved edges. Typical Bauhaus styles include chairs with tubular steel frames and stacking side tables.
Fabrica WP419
Add bold colours and an abstract geometric pattern, particularly curves and circles. Try combining clean white walls with accessories in bright pure shades or paint a bespoke wall with rectangular or arched blocks of colour.
Frosted Stone RKT2401
Keep flooring simple and practical with a cool stone design or classic oak parquet. For an interesting geometric pattern that adds plenty of character and texture, look to our Kaleidoscope collection.
Apex KAL07
Complete your look with task lighting in metal and glass, an architectural vase and a few geometric prints by Bauhaus artists such as Klee or Kandinsky.
Are you planning a Bauhaus inspired look in your home? Share your project with us on Instagram tagging @karndean_uk.
