Bauhaus design: Radical function. No compromises in style.
Bauhaus isn't decorative. It doesn't seek to please—it seeks to function. No frills, no gimmicks, no detours.
Anyone who understands Bauhaus recognizes that design was not done to be beautiful, but to be useful. And that is precisely what makes this style so provocative and relevant to this day.
What others perceive as cold is, in truth, consistent. Bauhaus is not "less is more," but rather: only what counts.
Contents
- What is Bauhaus design?
- Why did the Bauhaus come into being?
- Iconic Bauhaus designers – and why they still have an impact today
- Bauhaus today: Who this style is made for
- Why Bauhaus originals are more sustainable today than ever before
- Conclusion: Bauhaus – Design without excuses
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Bauhaus design?
Bauhaus design stands for radical reduction, functional clarity, and industrial materials. Instead of artisanal romanticism, there's a machine aesthetic. Instead of ornamentation, there's structure. Instead of luxury, there's democratic design.
A few facts about Bauhaus design:
- Period: 1919–1933
- Founder: Walter Gropius, Weimar
- Philosophy: Form follows function
- Materials: steel pipe, glass, concrete, leather, industrial products
- Goal: Design for all – through simplification, series production and clear rules
The Bauhaus was not a style – it was a rebellion against the superfluous.

Why did the Bauhaus come into being?
After the First World War, Europe was burned out. Resources were scarce, and society was in upheaval. Bourgeois living culture—with its heavy curtains, carved armchairs, and ornamental wallpaper—seemed like a relic.
The Bauhaus posed a radical question:
Why do we design furniture the way we always have when the world has changed?
The answer:
Function instead of decoration.
Industry instead of individual pieces.
Access for all instead of luxury for a few.
Bauhaus didn't want furniture for museums—it wanted chairs that could be mass-produced and affordable. Architecture that brings light. Spaces that work.
Iconic Bauhaus designers – and why they still have an impact today
Marcel Breuer
He designed the cantilever chair —a chair without back legs. He demonstrated that tubular steel could be resilient and lightweight, rather than cold.
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
With the Barcelona Chair, he created a piece of seating furniture that, thanks to its clarity, is still considered a status symbol today – yet remains functional.
Wilhelm Wagenfeld
His Wagenfeld lamp embodies Bauhaus in its purest form: no superfluous part, no hidden detail. Everything is visible, everything is logical.
These designs are not nostalgic – they are still the benchmark .



Bauhaus today: Who this style is made for
Bauhaus isn't a cozy style. Those who embrace it seek clarity, not coziness. It fits perfectly into modern architecture as well as into historic buildings with character. Those who design consciously will find furniture with backbone here:
Create contrasts. A Bauhaus chair next to warm wood creates tension.
Use light. Lamps like the Wagenfeld lamp organize rooms rather than decorate them.
Choose consciously. Few pieces – but each one with a statement.
You don't want an apartment that looks like everyone else's? Then Bauhaus is more than design for you. It's a commitment.

Discover original Bauhaus pieces and Bauhaus-style furniture in our Bauhaus collection →
Why Bauhaus originals are more sustainable today than ever before
Sustainability doesn't begin with production—it begins with the decision to keep something. And Bauhaus furniture can do this like few others.
- Materials such as tubular steel or solid wood last for generations.
- Repairability is part of the concept – nothing is glued or hidden.
- Clear design doesn’t get old – it becomes classic.
- Second-hand Bauhaus pieces save resources, avoid waste and last longer than any fashion.
This is not intended to be sustainable – it was built this way from the beginning.
Conclusion: Bauhaus – Design without excuses
Bauhaus demands decisions. For function over excess. For clarity over comfort. For attitude over decoration.
Those who buy Bauhaus are not buying for the moment – but for decades.
It's not comfortable. But it remains.
Discover more:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What distinguishes Bauhaus design from other styles such as Mid-Century?
Mid-century is often more organic, more homely. Bauhaus is more functional, more industrial, more uncompromising.
2. How do I recognize original Bauhaus furniture?
Pay attention to authenticity: Manufacturers like Thonet, Knoll, or Tecnolumen. Check the material, workmanship, and serial numbers.
3. Does Bauhaus fit into modern homes?
Yes – especially in minimalist, bright rooms. The style also works perfectly as a contrast to wood or vintage furniture.
4. Which Bauhaus pieces are particularly durable?
Tubular steel chairs such as the cantilever chair or lamps such as the Wagenfeld lamp are almost indestructible.
5. Where can I find suitable categories at 2nd home?