The Bold Beauty of Brutalist Interior Design
What is Brutalist Design?
In the ever-evolving landscape of interior design, one style stands out for its unapologetic, raw beauty—Brutalism. Brutalist design is primarily a style that emerged post-World War II, particularly started in the 1950s and prevalent till the 1970s, as a response to the need for reconstruction.
Image Credit: Jose Ignacio Correa & Jean-Claude Constant L
While often associated with architectural exteriors, the Brutalist aesthetic has found its way into interior spaces, creating a bold and distinctive ambiance that captivates enthusiasts of unique and daring design.
Brutalist interior design is often characterised by its simple, minimalist and functional elements. Brutalist interiors are exploration of materials and textures in design. These spaces are often defined by exposed bricks, steel beams and concrete. Focused on structural elements and building materials rather than decorative features.
Key Features of Brutalist Design
1. Raw Concrete Structures
At the core of Brutalist interior design lies the most defining feature—the use of raw concrete structures. The term "brutalism" itself, derived from the French phrase "béton brut," which literally translates to: raw concrete. This is a common material used in this style.
Image Credit: Eignamiðlun
Far from concealing imperfections, brutalist interiors celebrate the authenticity of concrete, showcasing its rugged texture and unrefined beauty. Walls and pillars proudly wear their industrial origins, creating a visually arresting environment that speaks to the strength and character inherent in Brutalist design.
However, by being realistic, not every home comes with exposed brick walls or unpainted concrete. While incorporating raw concrete throughout your home might be sometimes impractical, you can still capture the essence of the Brutalist interior design aesthetic through smaller touches.
Concrete furniture: Polished concrete coffee tables, side tables, or benches add a Brutalist touch to any space.
Concrete accents: Exposed concrete beams, columns, or wall panels can create a focal point and add textural interest.
Concrete accessories: Brutalist-inspired vases, sculptures, or lamps can add a subtle nod to the style.
2. Use of Raw Materials Like Glass and Metal
Brutalist design promotes the authentic expression of construction materials. Instead of incorporating trims, wall beadings, or wallpapers, Brutalism directs attention to the inherent qualities of the materials themselves.
This style achieves its aesthetic through a carefully coordinated mix of materials, including the previously mentioned raw concrete and also brick, stone, metal and glass. These elements serve as counterpoints to the robustness of concrete, introducing a subtle balance of textures and tones.
Image Credit: Tom Ferguson
3. Raw Textured Surfaces
Brutalist design appreciates the textural quality of materials, often leaving them in their rough, unrefined state to add character and authenticity to the space. However, the ruggedness of surfaces extends beyond concrete and weathered metal, it is more of a fundamental theme in brutalist interior design. For example, you can opt for unrefined wooden furniture or scorched finishes. Basically items with textures that you can feel by just looking at them.
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4. Bold Geometric Forms
Brutalist architecture and interior design often feature geometric, repetitive forms and a strong sense of symmetry or asymmetry, contributing to the style's dramatic impact. Brutalist furniture and fittings often champion geometric simplicity, evoking a powerful visual impact through substantial, block-like forms.
Image Credit: César Béjar
5. Massive Shapes and Big Statement Pieces With a Few Small Decorative Items
Brutalist interior design makes a statement by embracing massive shapes and bold statement pieces, strategically demonstrating a visual harmony that commands attention. This style leans towards a majestic design, opting for substantial structures and furniture pieces that dominate the space. These elements serve as intentional focal points within a room, capturing the gaze and anchoring the overall design scheme.
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In the realm of Brutalism, the idea is 'less is more'—not in terms of impact, but in the careful curation of decor. While monumental shapes take center stage, the design philosophy minimizes clutter and avoids an abundance of smaller decorative items. This intentional sparsity creates an atmosphere of bold simplicity, allowing each significant piece to resonate and breathe within the space. By judiciously balancing these massive forms with strategic negative space, Brutalist interiors achieve a harmonious equilibrium that elevates the impact of every chosen element.
6. Neutral Palettes
The color palette of Brutalist interior design might seem predictable at first glance, with an undeniable emphasis on the grayscale spectrum bringing to mind the natural hue of concrete. Traditional Brutalist spaces tend to adhere to a monochrome scheme, frequently employing stark blacks and whites to create striking contrasts. However, the true essence lies in the muted tones derived from the materials themselves, particularly the prevailing gray of concrete. This muted colour scheme establishes a sense of understated elegance within Brutalist interiors.
Yet, within this seemingly restrained colour palette, there's room for subtle surprises. Bold color accents occasionally punctuate the neutrality, directing attention to specific architectural features.
Image Credit: Renodots
Incorporating Brutalist Design Into Your Home
1. Material Selection - Reveling in the Raw Essence
One of the fundamental aspects of incorporating Brutalist design into your home revolves around careful material selection. Apply the raw and unfinished beauty of materials like concrete, employing them in various parts of your interiors, from floors to walls and accent pieces. Metals, especially in their less polished states, can add an industrial touch, while raw woods contribute a warm, organic element to the bareness.
Image Credit: KAA Design Group
2. Furniture and Decor - The Art of Solidity
When it comes to furniture and decor, opt for pieces that give off a heavy, block-like appearance, a signature trait of Brutalist design. However, don't sacrifice comfort for the sake of rigidity. Choose furniture that maintains an ergonomic design, ensuring a harmonious blend of form and function. In the Brutalist ideology, the focus lies on materiality and form over intricate details. Select pieces that embody the robust essence of raw materials, creating a sense of solidity and enduring elegance.
Image Credit: Architectural Design
3. Neutral Colour Palette - The Quiet Power of Monochrome
Brutalist interiors typically feature a neutral color palette, predominantly leaning towards grays, blacks, and whites. Paint remains a crucial element in the brutalist minimalistic home decor theme. The chosen colors should not be excessively bright or dark. Instead, emphasize cool neutrals such as charcoal, slate, and platinum.
Image Credit: Home Edit
Balance Brutalism with Comfort
While brutalism sets a unique tone in interior design, not everyone may resonate with its blunt aesthetics. The beauty lies in making it your own. Infuse personal touches to turn your space into a home that reflects your individuality.
1. Textiles and Soft Furnishings
To counterbalance the hard edges and cold surfaces of brutalism, introduce textiles and soft furnishings. Rugs, cushions, and throws not only soften the overall feel but also bring warmth and comfort without compromising the aesthetic coherence.
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2. Warm Lighting
Illuminate the space thoughtfully to create a cozy atmosphere. Opt for soft, diffused lighting to counteract the simplicity of the interior. Consider using accent lighting strategically to highlight architectural features or key areas, adding both functionality and ambiance.
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3. Incorporate Nature
Infuse elements of nature to offset the industrial feel of brutalist materials. Whether it's indoor plants, water features, or maximizing natural light, these additions breathe life into the space, making it more inviting.
Image Credit: Reslisdence
4. Personal Art and Items
While maintaining the brutalist essence, display personal items, art, or collections that hold sentimental value. Striking the right balance prevents the space from feeling monotonous and injects a layer of personalization and individuality into the environment.
Image Credit: Sergi Comellas
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Conclusion
In the realm of interior design, embracing the bold beauty of Brutalism goes beyond a mere stylistic choice. The essence of Brutalist design isn't confined to the starkness of concrete or the outrageousness of shapes; it is about capturing the essence of the style — the raw, the geometric, and the bold — while balancing it with elements of comfort and personalization to make it suitable for living spaces.
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M.INTERIOR, space artisans and specialists in interior design + build. With over a decade of experience, M.INTERIOR takes a holistic approach, spanning across a spectrum of residential projects. Supported by a dedicated in-house team of Interior Designers, Architects, Project Managers, Carpenters & Builders, they lead clients on a journey through space. M.INTERIOR’s design philosophy is rooted in the belief that every space is an art of living and luxury lies in the details. To transform your design vision into a reality, please visit www.m-interior.co.