Gone are those days when people preferred ornamental home decor with visually appealing furniture. In the modern era of the 21st century, people mostly prefer simple and minimalistic home decors that offer a high functional value. One such style of interior design is brutalist interior design. Are you fond of raw, natural beauty? Then brutalist decor is the perfect choice for you. A brutalist design interior features natural materials in their most raw form. In this article, we will talk about brutalist interior designs and their features. Join us in this journey as we uncover facts about brutalist interior design.
Brutalist Interior Design and its History
To understand brutalist interior design, we must know its history and the story behind its emergence. The word ‘brutalist’ originated from the French word ‘beton-brut’, which meant ‘raw concrete.’ The brutalist interior design emerged in the post world-war 2 period during 1940s. In the 1950s, the style became popular, and slowly, people began to adopt the style in various areas such as public buildings, educational institutions, government offices, etc. The primary focus of brutalist décor is on raw materials. It aims to replace ornamental interior decorations with simple and functional decors. It sharply contrasted with the preceding era, where ornamental designs had ruled.
However, the trend of brutalist interior design declined in the 1980s and was further revived in the 21st century. In the 21st century, people mostly prefer practical and functional decors; hence, brutalist interior designs have again entered the picture.
Key characteristics of Brutalist Interior Design
Now that you know the history of brutalist interior design, you must have guessed its key characteristics. If not yet, then read the following:
- Materials: Brutalist interior design focuses on raw, industrial materials. Thus, in this décor, we can witness exposed concrete, steel, glass, etc, arranged in an aesthetic manner. These elements are left alone in an unfinished matter to appreciate their natural beauty.
- Textures: Raw and rugged textures are a USP of brutalist interior design as they focus on unfinished finishes.
- Color Palette: Brutalist interior design mostly features neutral color tones such as gray and black and some earthy tones such as beige and brown to bring out an industrial vibe.
- Furniture: Practical and functional furniture are used in brutalist interior design. These pieces of furniture are often left unfinished to follow the principles of brutalist home design.
Color Palettes of Brutalist Interior Design
The following are the color palettes commonly used in brutalist interior design:
- Monochrome Color Palette: Brutalist interior style often features a monochrome color palette with shades of gray. Various shades of gray ranging from dark charcoal gray to light whitish-gray are used.
- Neutral Color Palette: Neutral colors like beige and browns are often used in brutalist interior design to bring the feel of an industry.
- Muted Color Palette: Muted color tones like brush pink, powder blue, and muted purple evoke a sense of calmness in the space. As a result, this color tone can also be found in brutalist decors.
Furniture Used in Brutalist Interior Design
If you are planning to build a house with brutalist decor and are confused about what furniture to include, we have a solution. Here are the following types of furniture that can be used in brutalist decors:
- Minimalistic Design: Minimalism is an important aspect of brutalist interior décor. Hence, while choosing furniture for your brutalist-designed home, make sure your furniture has simple designs. Avoid too much ornamental furniture. Rather, focus on simplicity and practicality.
- Raw Materials: Furniture in a brutalist interior décor is made from raw materials such as steel, wood, concrete, and leather. They are often left in an unfinished and unadorned state. While choosing furniture for your home, keep this factor in mind.
- Functionality: Every piece of furniture in a brutalist interior décor has high functional value. They might not have a great visual appeal, but they mostly emphasize functionality. To further enhance your home, explore Italian Furniture Ideas to Take Inspiration From for a touch of European elegance.
How to Incorporate Brutalist Interior Design in Your House:
Here’s how you can incorporate brutalist interior design in your bedroom and living room:
Bedroom:
For your bedroom, you may include raw concrete walls or textured plaster. The bed and bedside tables can be crafted from steel or unfinished wood. Choose a neutral color palette to promote a serene atmosphere in your bedroom.
Living Room:
For your living room, keep the textures of the wall exposed. Add robust seating arrangements in your living room to go with the theme. Keep a natural color theme in your living room, such as grays or browns, to complement the theme.
Brutalist interior design is a testament to the power of simplicity and honesty. By focusing on essential elements and emphasizing the natural beauty of materials, you can create a visually striking and deeply meaningful space.
