Bauhaus Design Concepts in Your Modern Home

By Teresa Opdycke

Putting Bauhaus theories and concepts into interior design is not only prudent, but logical to the point of ridiculous if you don't in this day and age. Does using the theories that Johannes Itten outlined mean that everything must be steel tubes and modernist? Absolutely not! Ponder the realities of today's world with new vision and utilize Bauhaus concepts to create a comfortable, functional home.

Bauhaus, a school for art and architecture in the 1920s, promoted the idea that artful objects should be partnered with technology to create livable solutions to living spaces. Simply put, Bauhaus design offers practical, durable, inexpensive, yet aesthetically pleasing designs. To most, Bauhaus may mean a modernistic approach to architecture, but you can use the concepts of Bauhaus to provide easy solutions for making your home fully functional while retaining the unique aspects of you.

Louis Sullivan, an American architect, coined the phrase, "form follows function," which in essence means take into consideration the use of an object before worrying about how it looks. Sullivan's concept is put to use in Bauhaus design, and you should ponder both of these ideas for your home.

Clean lines, geometric shapes, sleek, and functional are words that might describe any design motif. Bauhaus took it one step further by making it affordable. These concepts should be part of every homeowner's repertoire of desires when decorating the home. The kitchen, one of the busiest rooms in the house, should be functional first and foremost. The most beautiful, ornate cabinets lose significance if they don't perform to your expectations and needs. Think functionality first and then decide what they should look like. A modernistic approach to cabinets will be simple, smooth lines with a minimalist appeal. It's what's inside that counts.

Styles command shapes. Softly rounded forms and serpentine outlines bring to mind old-world or Asian influences. Is there a purpose to this form? There may be in your home. A round ottoman may serve as both a coffee table and a foot rest while fitting into the current décor seamlessly. You've put a basic Bauhaus concept into your living space. A geometric shape doesn’t necessarily mean contemporary. An 1830 step-back cupboard is rectangular and not contemporary by any means. Could you use an antique piece, such as a step-back cupboard, in a thoroughly modern home? Absolutely! Does it fit the idea of form following function? Indeed it does.

The word sustainable is being seen more and more. What does it mean when it comes to decorating or building homes? A sustainable home will use nature's resources conservatively without moving into levels of excess. Take a look at kitchen cabinets, again. Cabinets without movable shelves or assigned tasks waste space and in essence waste valuable resources. Once again, form follows function and Bauhaus design concepts come into play.

The theories of Bauhaus involve guidelines of melding art, craft, and technology to create comfortable, affordable spaces. Although, geometric shapes, metal tubes, and modernistic designs may be true Bauhaus, there's no reason why a casual country home can't use the core ideas to create a sustainable home. Using the concepts of well-made, beautiful, but always functional seems to be an overall theme that every home should implement. Decorating need not be a mystery. It's simply about what works best for you, in your situation, and in your space by wisely using resources and getting everything out of the design that you can. If you don't Bauhaus, perhaps it's time you did.

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