Our home is a space for personal expression. Through decor, we can try to convey our tastes and style, so the only limit is really what we set for ourselves. And while it’s common to set some boundaries for ourselves, there are those who prefer to let their imagination run wild and opt for eye-catching, unconventional touches to surprise their guests.
Today at CULMIA, we want to talk to you about one of those styles that leaves no one indifferent: kitsch decor for your home. We won’t deny that it takes a certain amount of courage to incorporate it into your home, so we encourage you to explore its main characteristics to see if you’re ready to give it a try…
What is the origin of kitsch-style decor?
Before going into detail about its defining characteristics, let’s place it in its historical context. The Kitsch style originated in Germany, emerging in the mid-to-late 19th century among the Munich bourgeoisie. Specifically, it became popular because the nouveau riche of the time sought to imitate the traditional upper class, both in their customs and their way of life. The unique aspect was that, to achieve this, they relied on imitation objects of low quality.
Thus, kitsch soon became associated with tacky, low-quality furniture and objects. It didn’t take long for it to establish itself as a style with its own distinct character, mainly because it was so easily recognizable. In fact, in the early 20th century, it became a highly influential stylistic movement in Los Angeles (California, U.S.), as the goal was to imitate European trends.
However, by 1930 it had become the subject of debate and was even defined in aesthetic terms by philosophers and art critics such as Hermann Broch, Theodor Adorno, Walter Benjamin, and Clement Greenberg. After all, from an artistic standpoint, the Kitsch style was seen as a threat, since it represented the opposite of the avant-garde and was a symbol of imitation and pretentiousness.
Today, it has lost that reflective and controversial aura, and is simply a carefree and tremendously original style. That’s why more and more people are choosing to follow its principles when decorating their homes.
Characteristics of Kitsch-Style Decor
Use it to express yourself
The kitsch style is so personal and unique that it’s a great way to express our tastes. One of its most important principles is that there are no strict rules to follow, so it almost becomes an “anything goes” approach that lets us experiment and try things out without fear of making mistakes.
It’s an indescribable style for people with a sense of humor
Based on what we’ve just discussed, we could say that kitsch-style decor actually encompasses a multitude of styles in one. It’s broad, varied, and vague, so it’s really not meant to be taken seriously. In fact, to truly appreciate it, you need a sense of humor, because it often ends up being an irreverent and unconventional solution.
So keep in mind that if you want to decorate your home in the kitsch style, you’ll have to be prepared to laugh at the result. Simply don’t set any limits for yourself, and go ahead and put into practice that eye-catching idea that pops into your head, no matter how surprising it may seem at first glance.
Reject minimalism
Simplicity doesn’t go hand in hand with the kitsch style. Most contemporary decorating styles recommend keeping only the essentials and getting rid of items that take up too much space in your home, but in this case, there’s no need to pare down: the more things you accumulate, the more striking the result will be.
We are, therefore, talking about a maximalist style: here, more is always better, because our goal is to attract attention and create a sense of ostentation.
A tense and chaotic atmosphere
In line with this penchant for maximalism, we can also say that kitsch-style decor invites us to create a certain amount of chaos around us. It’s not about cluttering up our living spaces haphazardly or making it difficult to move around the rooms, but rather about mixing diverse objects, shapes, and colors in a single space to create a unique “pastiche.”
Therefore, when we enter a home decorated in the kitsch style, we typically see a multitude of eclectic objects and flashy, over-the-top furniture. This creates a visual impression of cluttered rooms, where there are countless things that can catch our attention.
Geometric and abstract shapes: each element functions independently
When it comes to the design of your furniture and decorative items, keep in mind that in kitsch-style decor, each element can work aesthetically on its own. So it’s not necessary for all of them to follow the same stylistic theme: you can mix diverse elements to create surprising compositions. It’s no surprise that geometric and abstract shapes are quite common in these types of spaces—the more they stand out, the better.
Art, art, and more art
Although, as we mentioned earlier, there was a time when kitsch was considered the enemy of art, today it is simply another manifestation of art. In fact, it remains very much present in modern art because of its ability to amaze and provoke, although it is naturally linked to Pop Art and to creations that are corny, decadent, and even tacky.
Consequently, this gives us free rein to use drawings, paintings, sculptures, photographs, or any other form of art we can think of—as long as it effectively captures these very distinctive characteristics and appears outlandish at first glance.
Electric Colors
As you might expect, color plays a major role in kitsch-style decor. These rooms are, by definition, colorful and radiate energy at first glance, so they often feature bold, vibrant colors such as bubblegum pink, apple green, red, and turquoise.
And when it comes to mixing them, don’t worry about doing it “the right way,” because there aren’t any set rules. Ideally, you want to create a contrast between matte and glossy colors so the result is even more “flashy”—if that’s possible—but it’s really up to the user’s preference. What really matters is that there’s color everywhere!
Retro is in style
This style reflects a certain nostalgia for bygone eras. It does so by reviving antique objects and furniture that are no longer in fashion. So it’s the perfect way to bring back all the retro items we have at home, no matter how old they are. The past always comes back!
Warm, soft lighting
As for lighting, natural light doesn’t usually go well with the kitsch style. This style favors lamps and wall sconces that cast a warm, soft glow, as they can also help create a unique atmosphere. That’s why LED bulbs and strips can work very well in these spaces—they even let us change the colors and shades to our liking and experiment with different combinations.
Original and Whimsical Accessories
To add even more character to the rooms, accessories are essential. Virtually any object you can think of can fit perfectly into a home decorated in the kitsch style, since the result shouldn’t be too different from what you’d find at a bazaar. Strangely shaped figurines in bold colors, eye-catching rugs, vintage toys and dolls, animal sculptures…all of thatand more will help create the space you want.
Any type of texture is acceptable
When it comes to textures, we also have free rein. You can mix and match them without worrying, although the most common ones in kitsch-style homes tend to be glass, plastic, colored paper, faux fur, or metal.
Neo-Kitsch: A Sophisticated Step Forward
And if this decorating style isn’t enough for you and you want to take it a step further, go for Neo-Kitsch. It differs from the more classic style in that it adds a touch more sophistication to the overall look, because it blends vintage and retro elements with Baroque style. The goal is to create spaces that aren’t quite as over-the-top or tacky, while still retaining the key hallmarks of the original style.
Create Your Own Kitsch Space with CULMIA
As you can see, the kitsch decorating style isn’t very demanding, but in return, you’ll have to let your creativity and imagination run wild to achieve eye-catching and striking results.
What do you think… are you up for it?
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