Five tips for creating a brutalist look

They say trends are circular and what’s old becomes new again.

In the case of architecture and design, there’s no style that exemplifies this idea better than brutalism.

Known for its use of functional reinforced concrete and steel, modular elements, and utilitarian feel, today, the look has re-emerged in interior design with a more luxurious feel.

To create this look in your own home, building or renovating is the perfect time to do it, as you can introduce many of the foundational elements, and build the rest of your scheme around them.

Here are five flooring and window furnishings can be used to nail the brutalist style.

1 – Keep colours restrained

Brutalism is one of the very few styles which isn’t interested in colour.

Set the mood with layers of light and dark grey throughout your flooring and upholstery, using punches of bold black in art and accessories, with white on the walls and ceilings to keep your spaces feeling bright and open.

Grey, black and white will easily adapt to any new decorating style you may wish to try down the track.

2 – Choose furniture with strong, sculptural lines

Think minimalist sofas and armchairs, and coffee and dining tables with simple, blockish lines.

Just like its architecture focuses on stripping buildings down to their basis, brutalist furniture pieces and statement items should follow a bulky design with clean geometric lines.

This style is also rich in edges, spikes, and angles, so experiment with simpler or more dramatic geometric shapes.

3 – Make it easy

Designers and architects these days are putting a contemporary spin on the brutalist aesthetic by using raw concrete in new and inventive ways – think kitchen islands, furniture, benchtops, cabinetry and even home accessories.

You can create the look of a concrete floor with durable hybrid tiled flooring.

If you aren’t sold on the idea of using concrete as a big, primary feature, you can use it in smaller items and accessories too, such as vases, sculptures, and side tables.

4 – Add timber for warmth

It’s common for timber to be incorporated into brutalist home interiors, and rich timber tones, such as walnut on cabinetry or one or two furniture pieces will add cosiness to this otherwise minimalist scheme.

5 – Don’t forget comfort

While brutalism is a look that doesn’t typically evoke feelings of comfort and warmth, when used in today’s modern homes, it is the perfect complement to softer, rounder pieces, like deep-seated sofas, upholstered bedheads, and soft curtains.

Curtains are a great way to achieve a sense of comfort, with soft, flowing lines that add warmth and light.

– BY REALESTATEVIEW.COM.AU