How to Decorate Your House, Bauhaus-Style

Add a bit of Bauhaus to your pad

By Google Arts & Culture

Sonneveld House, library (2019)Original Source: Het Nieuwe Instituut

From 'floating' chairs to sound-proof curtains, you can find Bauhaus-inspired designs all over the world. Here’s how to add a bit of 'Bau' to your house...

Sonneveld House, youngest daughter's bedroom (2019)Original Source: Het Nieuwe Instituut

Keep it minimal

Bauhaus architects were interested in creating functional, inexpensive designs. They were cheap and cheerful – perfect for student digs or decorating your flat on a budget.

Malville apples (wallpaper design) (1930/31) by Elsa Thiemann (née Franke)Bauhaus Dessau Foundation

Add some patterns to the walls

Wallpaper was a hit product from the Bauhaus, with iconic patterns created by students such as Elsa Thiemann. This will definitely add a bit of Bauhaus-style to any room.

Sonneveld House, dining room (2019)Original Source: Het Nieuwe Instituut

Color scheme?

Yellow, red, and blue were Bauhaus favorites. Get some inspiration from this famous Wassily Kandinsky painting, titled ‘Yellow-Red-Blue’. 

Canteen stool (1926) by Marcel BreuerBauhaus Dessau Foundation

Get yourself a statement chair

Bauhaus student Marcel Breurer was inspired by his bicycle frame to combine steel tubing with fabric and create a new type of chair: one that was sturdy, comfortable, and innovative in its design.

Standard Lamp (1926) by Wilhelm Wagenfeld, designer; Metallwerkstatt des Staatlichen Bauhauses, manufacturerThe Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

…and add a matching lamp

This lamp was designed by Wilhem Wagenfed, the leading designer for the Bauhaus. It used functional and inexpensive materials such as metal tubing and glass, which are easily found in any local hardware store.

Sound-absorbing reversible curtain (1927) by Frida Margaret LeischnerBauhaus Dessau Foundation

Keep the noisy neighbors out with these curtains

Sound-absorbing fabric were made by combining many different materials – great for when you want a quiet night in.

...or use your curtains as a rug

The weaving of the materials into a strong fabric meant that it could be used as curtains, a rug, a chair cover, or whatever you want!

Sonneveld House, living room and dining room (2019)Original Source: Het Nieuwe Instituut

All this furniture won’t cost you a fortune

In the 1920s and 30s, Bauhaus designers were focused on the needs of people living in post-war poverty. Today, these inexpensive and practical designs have been mass-produced all over the world so you can add some Bauhaus-style to your own place.

Breuer and Connie (1950)Original Source: Ezra Stoller

Discover more about the influence of Bauhaus Everywhere

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Interested in Design?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites