Minimalism in recent times has emerged as a prominent interior design style in cultures across the globe. However, regardless of design preferences, humans long for diversity and uniqueness in the way we present ourselves, which gave birth to Brutalism. Brutalism first appeared in the 1950s because of the French-Swiss architect Le Corbusier. The concept of brutalism involves the use of concrete, unfinished industrial materials, firm structural elements, rigid shapes and a monochromatic colour scheme. The design style focuses on abstaining from ornate features to facilitate minimalism, it deliberately attempts to look raw, haphazard or unadorned. And it was because of these features, many communist regimes adopted the design style for institutional buildings at the time. This resulted in the style harbouring enormous controversies around it and, consequently, people tried avoiding it. Yet, it has re-emerged in the industry reimagining minimalism and adding a flair to the minimalist lifestyle.
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Characteristics of Brutalist Interior Design
Brutalism or the Brutalist interior design style stirs up the concept of minimalism by introducing several unexpected characteristics. Let’s take a deeper look into these characteristics to better understand how they enrich Brutalism.
1. Use of Raw Materials
Brutalism calls for the truest form of the materials used in the construction of a home, this is emphasised even further because of the absence of adornments in the home. Rather than integrating trims, wall beadings or wallpapers, Brutalism brings the spotlight to the material itself. The most dominant raw materials used in this design style are concrete, brick, stone, metal and wood. Designers often use glass, steel, hewn stone and a plethora of textures on various materials to accentuate their beauty.
2. Uncompromising Design
The main belief of this design style is all about authenticity through and through. It’s unapologetic and uncompromising in terms of its use of materials to create an industrial aesthetic. The design style also clots any possibility of influence from the latest trends or personal beliefs, rather it emphasises functionality, purpose and longevity. While some people think this approach is harsh, others applaud its authenticity.
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3. Bold Shapes And Forms
Following a similar principle, the design style features basic forms of the building and often swears by geometric shapes such as rectangles, squares, circles and triangles. These shapes are great for creating a sense of order and uniformity in the space and can be found in not just the architecture, but also in the lighting and furniture.
4. Utilitarianism
The theory of utilitarianism promotes actions that foster happiness and overall well-being. And this theory comes ingrained with the Brutalist design style, where the space is designed to achieve practicality, functionality and longevity. So, this design often neglects extravagance to facilitate simple yet durable furniture and a clear layout which is convenient for everyday life.
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5. Textured Surfaces
As Brutalist interior design strips away any ornamentation, the design style relies on textures to create interest in the space. So, rough concrete walls, exposed piping and reflective glass turn into artwork that can engage visual interest. And textures aren’t limited to just the walls, they can be found on the floor, furniture and every other aspect of the space.
The Advantages of Brutalist Interior Design
Deeply rooted in minimalism, the design story embraces a plethora of benefits for your daily life.
1. Durability and Longevity
Brutalist interior design is less about the materials and more about the quality of materials used, this results in highly durable and long-lasting features. Since the material palette of a Brutalist home includes wood, concrete, stone and metal – they are guaranteed to withstand the test of time.
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2. Aesthetic Appeal
The brutalist design style has a timeless appeal which overcomes changes in trends and fashion. This design style is also highly adaptable because of its utilitarian nature, hence it can be integrated into both commercial and residential settings. Due to the controversy surrounding it, the design style is not widespread, resulting in a unique aesthetic.
3. Sustainability
This design style isn’t just great for your home but also for nature as well, this is especially true because of the natural material palette that has zero impact on the environment. It’s accompanied by the inclusion of natural light, which will help you reduce your energy bill.
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4. Affordability
Due to the exclusion of any sophisticated features and simple design, this design style is significantly more affordable when compared to others. And for the same reason, these homes are much easier to maintain.
Examples of Brutalist Interior Design
To help you picture what your home might look like with a Brutalist interior design style, here are some great examples from across the globe.
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To sum up – Even though the design style isn’t widespread because of a misunderstanding that created controversy around it, we encourage integrating the same in your home as it will help you stand out among the homogenous world. Moreover, the world has steadily started accepting the design, which has resulted in its recent re-emergence. So, it isn’t far-fetched to predict, it has the qualities to become a widely accepted style across the globe.
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