Brutalism is a strong and visually striking way for a new generation of homeowners to get away from traditional style and find simplicity and uniqueness. This guide will teach you the history, ideas, and practical methods you need to know to master Brutalist interior design. It will turn your space into a sanctuary of strength, texture, and modern style.
The Start of a Beautifully Stark Movement
Brutalism was born in the years after World War II, mostly in the UK. It was a response to the over-the-top decorations of earlier styles. Le Corbusier, Alison, and Peter Smithson were architects who liked shapes that were useful, cheap, and honest. The movement’s ideas were based on social idealism, and they used cheap and easy-to-find resources like concrete to speedily rebuild towns.
The architectural style typically made buildings that seemed like fortresses, yet it had a big effect on the inside. Designers started to integrate these ideas indoors, changing the way people live by giving them the same rough, sculptural look. This change led to a look that is both raw and refined, strong and reflective.
Organic brutalist interior decor by DECORILLA
The Main Ideas Behind Brutalist Interior Design
Brutalism has a few essential features that give it its unique look and feel:
Exposed, Raw Materials: This is the most important thing that makes this place unique. Brutalist interiors show off materials in their raw, unpolished state. The bare brick, unpolished steel beams, and exposed concrete walls are not only structural; they are also the main design aspects. This honesty in materials makes the space feel real and touchable.
Authentic brutalist bedroom decor by DECORILLA
Geometric and Sculptural Forms: This style likes big, bold shapes and forms that look like sculptures. Furniture and decorations are frequently blocky, angular, and sculptural. These pieces are more than just useful; they are works of beauty that draw the eye and give the room a feeling of rhythm and repetition.
Simple Brutalist Interiors by DECORILLA
A Focus on Functionality: Brutalism is a style that focusses on function and is fundamentally minimalist. It takes out everything that isn’t necessary and focusses on what is really essential for comfort and usefulness. There are no needless decorations because each part is picked for a reason.
Image source: livingetc.com | Christopher Stark. Design: Lane McNab Interiors
Monochromatic Colour Palettes: The colours are usually soft and muted, with the natural colours of the materials being the main focus. Greys, blacks, and off-whites make up the base, and the way light, shadow, and texture interact with each other is what makes the picture interesting to look at.
Brutalism interior monochromatic space designer, Joyce R.
How to Add Brutalism to Your Modern Home
It’s not easy to mix Brutalism into a modern home without making it look out of place. The idea is to show off its bold, raw nature without making the room feel chilly or unwelcoming. This is how you can have a modern, livable Brutalist look.
Start with the Foundation: The best approach to get into the style is through the architecture. If you can, think about a polished concrete floor or an exposed concrete wall. You can use microcement or textured wallpaper that looks like concrete if you don’t want to commit to something more permanent.
Use the Right Materials: Concrete is the main material, but it’s not the only one. Use softer, natural materials to balance out the hardness of concrete and steel.
- Wood: Unfinished or rough-hewn wood goes well with it. Use it for shelves, a big dining table, or to add warmth and texture to walls.
- Metal: Use black steel, wrought iron, or brushed metal in your furniture legs, lamp fixtures, or shelving units.
- Glass: Big windows or glass walls can be utilised to contrast the strength of other materials and change the way natural light hits the room, making a dramatic dance of light and shadow.
Industrial brutalist home decor by DECORILLA
Choose Sculptural Furniture: Pick furniture that is both useful and beautiful. Look for things with simple, strong, geometric shapes. A sturdy block-shaped coffee table, a sleek sofa with clear lines, or an armchair with a steel frame are all good examples. Don’t use complicated carvings or fussy detailing.
Image source: dezeen.com | Photo by: Lorenzo Zandri
Balance with Soft Textures: This is very important for making a “soft Brutalism” that is cosy and welcoming. Putting soft fabrics on top of each other will keep the room from feeling antiseptic.
- Rugs: A soft, neutral-colored area rug over a concrete floor makes the floor feel warmer right away.
- Fabrics: Use warm materials like linen, wool, and heavy cotton for throw pillows, blankets, and curtains. Leather furniture is also a good choice because it looks better as it gets older and provides character.
Use Strategic Lighting: In Brutalism, lighting is more than just a way to see; it’s a design tool. Use a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to bring out textures and give the room more dimension. You can utilise industrial-style lights, track lighting, and floor lamps to provide dramatic shadows and set a moody, intimate mood.
Modern brutalist interior design by DECORILLA designer, Mena H.
Add plants and other natural elements: To balance out the coldness of concrete and metal, add things from nature.
- Plants: Big, structural plants like a Snake Plant, Fiddle Leaf Fig, or Cactus can offer vitality, colour, and organic shapes that look great against the room’s rigid lines.
- Art: Choose pieces that go well with the raw look. Adding a focal point to the area with abstract art, black-and-white photography, or geometric sculptures is a great idea.
Brutalist bedroom interior Image source: starryhomestead.com
Conclusion
Brutalist interior design isn’t just a style; it’s a way of thinking. It pushes us to see beauty in simple things, strength in honesty, and warmth in things that aren’t perfect. You can make a home that is not only beautiful but also deeply personal and ageless by following its basic rules and adding soft, natural materials. This design is for people who are brave, different, and believe that the essential beauty of a home is in its simple truth.
Reference
A guide to incorporating brutalist design in your home
21 Brutalist Interior Design Ideas for a Modern Home
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