What is Bauhaus Interior Design Style? Characteristics, Advantages & Top Outstanding Models

Bauhaus is an interior design style, born in 1919 in Germany, bearing the characteristic mark of the design school of the same name. Combining the two German words “Bau” (construction) and “Haus” (house), this style aims to create modern, comfortable and beautiful living spaces.

Bauhaus is characterized by minimalism, a focus on functionality, and the use of basic shapes and industrial materials. The combination of a neutral color palette and primary color accents creates an elegant and sophisticated space, while making harmonious use of natural and artificial light.

This style not only brings a modern living space with a harmonious layout but also easily combines with many other styles. With high aesthetic value, Bauhaus helps save decoration and maintenance costs thanks to the use of sustainable materials, minimalist design and multi-functional furniture.

You can apply Bauhaus in the interior of the living room, bedroom, kitchen and even the bathroom. However, it is necessary to ensure the balance between aesthetics and functionality, focusing on four core elements: balanced proportions in the layout (according to the golden ratio principle), choosing materials suitable for the climate, optimizing the lighting system (60% natural, 40% artificial) and ensuring the versatility of the space.

Follow the article below to learn more about this unique interior style.

What is the Origin of Bauhaus Interior Design Style?

Bauhaus interior design style originates from the design school of the same name, founded in 1919 in Germany. With the goal of creating modern living spaces that harmoniously combine function and aesthetics, Bauhaus quickly developed into a pinnacle design movement, strongly influencing later modern interior architectural styles.

Factors influencing the birth of the Bauhaus style:

• Industrial Revolution: Development of mass production, demand for cheap goods, application of new materials such as steel, glass, concrete.
• Arts and Crafts Movement: Respect for craftsmanship, emphasize the unity of form and function, oppose excessive decoration.
• De Stijl School: Focus on geometry, simple colors and use of basic shapes.
• Modernism: Encourage creativity, experimentation, focus on function and simplicity.

Outstanding Features of Bauhaus Interior Design Style

Bauhaus interior design is characterized by minimalism, functionality, basic geometric shapes and industrial materials. Neutral color palettes combined with primary color accents create elegant and sophisticated spaces. Bauhaus also paid special attention to the harmonious use of natural and artificial light.

1. Minimalism and functionality

Bauhaus interior style focuses on simplicity, eliminating unnecessary details and decorations. Instead, designs focus on functionality, meeting the actual needs of users.
Some characteristics of minimalism in Bauhaus:

• Use basic shapes (cube, cylinder, sphere).
• Open space, airy, easy to move.
• Multifunctional furniture, flexible in use.
• Fibonacci ratios in the layout to create balance.

2. Basic geometric shapes

Bauhaus interior design uses simple geometric shapes such as squares, circles, and triangles as the basis for design. This creates a strong, modern look and makes it easy to combine furniture together.

Some examples of the application of shapes in Bauhaus:

• Box bed with square headboard and footboard.
• Cylindrical dining chair with curved back.
• Triangular tea table with clear glass top.
• Golden ratio in space arrangement.

3. Use industrial materials

One of the prominent features of Bauhaus interior design style is the use of industrial materials such as stainless steel, glass, concrete and industrial wood. This not only creates a modern beauty, but also ensures sustainability and easy maintenance for the living space.

Some examples of the use of industrial materials in Bauhaus:

• Stainless steel frame for sofa and bed.
• Transparent tempered glass worktop.
• Kitchen cabinets and wardrobes made from MDF industrial wood.
• Polished concrete floor combined with engineered wood flooring.

4. Neutral color palette

Bauhaus interior design style often uses a neutral color palette with the main tones being white, black and gray. This creates elegance, sophistication and is easy to combine with other colors in the space.

In addition, Bauhaus also used basic colors such as red, yellow, and blue to create accents for the space. However, the use of colors always followed the principle of “less is more”.

Some principles of color use in Bauhaus:

• Color ratio: 60% main color, 30% secondary color, 10% accent color.
• Use contrasting colors to create highlights.
• Combine neutral colors with natural colors like wood brown and green.
• Apply color theory in design to create harmony.

5. Natural and artificial light

Bauhaus interior design style focuses on taking advantage of natural light and harmoniously combining it with artificial light. This not only helps save energy, but also creates a fresh, airy living space.

Some lighting solutions in Bauhaus style:

• Use large windows and glass walls to let in natural light.
• Open space layout, minimize partitions to let light spread.
• Use ceiling lights and wall lights with simple, modern designs.
• Apply smart lighting system, adjust according to usage needs.

Bauhaus interior style utilizes natural and artificial light.

Advantages of Bauhaus Interior Design Style

Bauhaus interior design style brings modern, sophisticated living space with harmonious layout, optimal functionality and easy to combine with many other styles. Besides high aesthetic value, Bauhaus also helps save decoration and maintenance costs thanks to the use of sustainable materials, minimalist details and multi-functional furniture.

1. Create a modern and sophisticated living space

Bauhaus interior style brings modern, sophisticated and luxurious beauty to the living space. With the harmonious combination of shapes, colors and materials, Bauhaus creates an impressive design language and shows the homeowner's delicate aesthetic taste.

Some advantages of Bauhaus style living space:

• Reasonable, balanced and harmonious layout.
• Neat, clean and clutter-free.
• Create a sense of luxury and comfort.
• Expresses the personality and modern lifestyle of the homeowner.

2. Optimize space and functionality

One of the outstanding advantages of Bauhaus interior style is the ability to optimize space and functionality. This is especially suitable for small apartments or multifunctional spaces.

Some space optimization solutions in Bauhaus style:

• Use multifunctional furniture to save space.
• Open space layout, minimize partitions.
• Take advantage of natural light to create a more spacious feel.
• Use bright colors and simple shapes to create visual impact.

3. Easy to combine with other styles

Bauhaus interior design style is highly flexible, easily combined with other design styles to create unique and personal living spaces. The simplicity and high applicability of Bauhaus allows it to become a solid foundation for unlimited creativity.

Some suggestions for combining Bauhaus style with other styles:

• Bauhaus + Industrial: Use raw materials such as concrete and steel.
• Bauhaus + Scandinavian: Combine neutral colors with soft pastel shades.
• Bauhaus + Minimalism: Maximum minimalism, keeping only the necessary elements.
• Bauhaus + Retro: Using patterns and colors of the 60s and 70s.

4. Save on decoration and maintenance costs

Bauhaus interior design style not only brings high aesthetic value, but also has significant economic benefits. By using sustainable, easy-to-maintain materials and eliminating unnecessary decorative details, Bauhaus helps to save significantly on initial investment costs as well as long-term maintenance costs.

Some factors that help save costs in Bauhaus style:

• Use durable, low-damage industrial materials.
• Minimize decorative details, focus on functionality.
• Use multi-purpose furniture to reduce the number of items you need to buy.
• Easy to clean and maintain thanks to simple, neat design.

Outstanding Bauhaus Interior Design Models

Living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom can all apply Bauhaus interior style. Below are some typical models that clearly show the characteristics and advantages of this school:

1. Bauhaus style living room

The living room is designed with minimalism, using neutral colors such as white, black and gray, creating a spacious and comfortable feeling. Multifunctional furniture, such as a sofa that can be converted into a bed, helps save space. Details such as a simple cubic coffee table and abstract art also contribute to the harmony.

2. Bauhaus style bedroom

The bedroom features a simple bed design, often made of wood or metal, combined with light-colored bed sheets. Natural light is maximized through large windows, creating an airy and relaxing space.

3. Bauhaus style kitchen

The kitchen combines industrial materials such as plywood, stainless steel and ergonomic design. The kitchen cabinets are minimalist in shape and reasonably organized, helping to optimize the use of space. A simple dining table, which can be wooden or metal, along with multi-functional chairs, creates a cozy and modern space.

4. Bauhaus style bathroom

The bathroom is clean and modern with minimalist details. Use white or gray tiles, combined with a bathtub and shower with a simple design. Easy-to-clean materials such as glass and stainless steel are preferred, helping the space to always stay fresh. Natural light and LED lights are also used to create a comfortable and relaxing feeling.

What to Note When Designing Interiors in Bauhaus Style?

Bauhaus-style interior design requires a balance between aesthetics and functionality, choosing materials suitable for the climate, optimizing the lighting system (60% natural, 40% artificial) and ensuring the versatility of the space.

1. Ensure the balance between aesthetics and functionality

When designing an interior in the Bauhaus style, it is important to ensure a balance between aesthetics and functionality. Each element in the space needs to be carefully considered, so that it meets practical needs while also bringing high aesthetic value.

Some suggestions to ensure this balance:

• Choose multifunctional, space-saving furniture.
• Use shapes and colors wisely to avoid confusion.
• Take advantage of natural and artificial light to create a comfortable living space.
• Harmonious combination of industrial and natural materials.

2. Choose materials suitable for climate conditions

Bauhaus interior style uses many industrial materials such as stainless steel, glass and concrete. However, when applying in practice, it is necessary to pay attention to climate conditions and living environment to choose suitable materials.

Some suggestions for choosing the right material:

• Prioritize the use of local, environmentally friendly materials.
• Choose heat-resistant and moisture-resistant materials for areas with hot and humid climates.
• Use soundproofing and insulation materials for cold climate areas.
• Combine industrial materials with natural materials to balance the space.

3. Carefully calculate the lighting system

Lighting plays an important role in creating a living space in the Bauhaus interior style. Careful calculation is needed to maximize natural light, while supplementing artificial light appropriately.

Some suggestions for Bauhaus lighting systems:

• Use large windows and glass walls to let in natural light.
• Arrange artificial lighting according to each functional area.
• Use lights with simple, modern design.
• Take advantage of indirect lighting to create a cozy space.

4. Ensure proportion and balance in the layout

One of the important characteristics of Bauhaus interior design style is balance and harmony in space layout. It is necessary to ensure the proportion between the elements, creating connection and unity in design.

Some principles to ensure proportion and balance:

• Use the golden ratio in space layout.
• Create a balance between shape, color and size.
• Use modular grid to create logical layout.
• Avoid too much repetition or too strong contrast.

Related Questions

How to distinguish Bauhaus interior style from Minimalism?

Bauhaus focused on geometry and primary colors (red, yellow, blue), while Minimalism interior style tended toward neutral and monochromatic colors. Bauhaus also used more industrial materials.
Is Bauhaus interior style suitable for Vietnamese townhouses?

Perfectly suitable, especially for spaces of 60-120m2. However, materials need to be adjusted to suit tropical climates and living habits.

For more options please refer to 5+ beautiful townhouse interior designs.

What is different about the modern Bauhaus (Neo-Bauhaus) trend?

Neo-Bauhaus combines smart technology and sustainable materials, focusing on environmental sustainability with 70% recyclable materials.

See more articles The hottest interior design trends today.

What are some cheap alternatives to the Bauhaus style?

Melamine-coated MDF can be used instead of natural wood, tempered glass instead of special glass, 304 stainless steel instead of high-grade stainless steel, saving 30-40% of costs.

Also can refer to 9+ most popular interior materials today.

How to properly maintain Bauhaus furniture?

Need to clean periodically every 3-6 months, check and maintain metal parts, replace accessories every 2-3 years.

What colors best suit the Bauhaus style?

Ideal color ratio: 60% neutral colors (white, gray, black), 30% primary colors (red, yellow, blue), 10% accent colors.

If you are confused about color coordination, please refer to this immediately. Standard color matching principles in interior design.

Is it possible to combine traditional furniture with Bauhaus?

Can be combined with a ratio of 70% Bauhaus and 30% traditional, paying attention to the harmony of colors and materials.

Is Bauhaus suitable for office space?

Very suitable, increasing work efficiency by 15-20% thanks to optimal space and reasonable lighting. 85% of modern offices apply some Bauhaus principles.

Suggest more beautiful and impressive office interior design.

Which unit designs and constructs Bauhaus interiors with prestige and professionalism in HCM?

SmartDecor is one of the prestigious interior design and construction units in Ho Chi Minh City, specializing in Bauhaus style. Below are some outstanding advantages of SmartDecor:

• Creative design: Talented team of architects and designers, providing unique design solutions.
• Construction quality: Committed to using high quality materials and professional construction processes, ensuring every product meets the best standards.
• Dedicated customer service: Always listen and respond to customer needs, from design consultation to construction and maintenance.
• Comprehensive solution: Provide full service from design to construction, helping customers save time and effort in managing many different contractors.
• Diverse projects: has completed many interior projects for homes, offices, and commercial spaces, demonstrating flexibility and creativity in each design style.

In addition to Bauhaus style, SmartDecor also has strength in modern style, industrial style, Bohemian style, Japandi style, Wabi Sabi style, Color Block style, Farmhouse style, Romanticism style, Metallic style, Tropical style,…

Hopefully this article has given you an overview of the Bauhaus style. For any questions about design and construction services, contact SmartDecor immediately for service!