With a simple, timeless style, Bauhaus design never dates. It celebrates pure form, clean lines and functionality design. Style director Louise Hilsz shares this classic decor trend that after 100 years it’s never dated.

The very essence of great interior style will likely be a refection of Bauhaus design. From classic looks like leather and chrome chairs inspired by Marcel Breuer, to avant-garde pieces in bright colourful wood. Or sleek brass and glass tables, to boho Cesca-style cane chairs all these furniture trends emerged when Bauhaus first took shape. Below is some decor inspiration on how to get the look, Bauhaus style.

Key Characteristics of Bauhaus Style Decor

Bauhaus-style design is rational, simple, and functional

Key tenets of Bauhaus design include form follows function and less is more
The style is characterised by a lack of ornament and a focus on clean lines that reduce forms to their essential elements
Bauhaus design, art, and architecture often features simple geometric forms such as circles, squares, and triangles
Use of bold but sparing pops of primary colours (red, yellow, and blue)
One of the bedrock principles of Bauhaus design is the notion of “Truth to materials,” where materials are used in their most natural and unvarnished state
Bauhaus designs used what were in the early 20th-century modern materials such as glass, steel, cellophane, and plywood
Simple designs and materials allowed Bauhaus designs to be easily mass produced and accessible to large numbers of people

It all starts with colour

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Red is the Bauhaus Colour

Bold and sophisticated, red can be terrifying when it comes to interior style, but this strong colour is back on trend. Full-on cherry red alongside other clean primary colours (red, yellow and blue) with natural wood instead of a stark white backdrop is a nod to classic Bauhaus style. Keep in mind that it works well to use two of the primary colours together, instead of all three. Adding a red cushion for a ‘pop of colour’ isn’t going to cut it if you want the Bauhaus vibe. This needs to be a feature for instance, a graphic red artwork, red side table and a red in a floor rug, be brave, go bold.