Bow Down to Bauhaus: Where Function Drives Form

Explore the A to B of Bauhaus design, where bold colour, geometric shapes and abstract patterns ensure the FUN remains in functional.

The Birth of Bauhaus
Picture this: It's Post WWI 1919, Germany. Enter the Bauhaus School, a powerhouse of design brilliance led by visionary Berlin-born architect Walter Gropius whose ethos was to see the unification of fine and applied arts. Over the course of the next 14 years, this design revolution changed hands and locations twice, relocating from Weimar to Dessau in 1925 under the guise of Swiss architect Hannes Meyer before moving to Berlin in 1932 under the leadership of German born architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Though political pressures of the time saw the school close in 1933, this design movement has continued to colour and shape architectural and interior trends of the 20th century and beyond (looking at you, Memphis!)

Why Bauhaus for Your House?
Let's break it down. Bauhaus is all about function over form. No frills, no fuss - just practical, purposeful design. It's like the Marie Kondo of interior aesthetics - every element serves a purpose, and clutter is a big no-no. And while we might dream of sizable square footage, there’s something comforting about embracing design that tailors to tiny apartment (nay, shoebox) living while still delivering style. As for de-cluttered design sans embellishment; if you’re still holding onto the merits of #cleangirlaesthetic then Bauhaus might be for you.

Bold Hues, Bold Moves
Primary colours take centre stage in the Bauhaus playbook, punctuating pops of Mondrian-esque red, yellow and blue with industrialist shades of grey, black and white. Think colour blocking on steroids - clean, crisp, and utterly modern. And while you may not be ready to commit to a cobalt-coloured ceiling, punctuating your interior homewares with accents of red, blue or yellow will do wonders for your mood and personality of your room.

Patterns & Shapes: It’s Hip to Be Square
Geometric squares, circles and triangles formed the holy trinity of Bauhaus shapes and pattern. Smooth, linear lines that maximised space and served a function are synonymous with the movement. Think stackable shapes, nesting tables, and furniture that delivers on purpose. Curves crept their way into Bauhaus design purely in cleverly crafted pieces that, once again, put function first!

Materials Matter
Concrete, steel, chrome and glass are iconic Industrialist materials of Bauhaus. Think hard, modern materials that deliver a clean, streamlined, no-nonsense approach to design. The beauty of incorporating these materials? Not only are they aesthetically pleasing but they tend to offer sturdiness and durability so you won’t be replacing your furnishings on the reg.

Feeling inspired by this crash course on Bauhaus design? Take a browse through our capsule collection of Bauhaus-inspired homewares and furniture; she may be over 100 years old now but this grand madame of modern minimalist style isn’t going anywhere – except maybe Your Haus.

Happy Styling x GIGI&TOM