Minimalism vs. Art Deco
Design movements throughout history have played an important role in seeing the different shifts in culture. Focusing on Minimalism and Art Deco, I definitely think that those two movements are the most contrasting design movements and I’d like to just dive into some detail about what they are, how they contrast, and which one I personally like better.
The first design movement I will start with is Art Deco, considering that it came first. “Art Deco, a design movement that emerged in the 1920s, celebrates opulence, glamour, and luxury. It reflects the optimism and exuberance of the post-war era, embracing innovation while maintaining a strong connection to traditional craftsmanship” (Nathaniel, 2024). They are known for their colorful patterns, and use of luxurious materials such as brass, chrome, marble and velvet as seen in figure 1. Apart from that, it is also known for its ornamentation which reiterates its emphasis on glamour. This design movement is basically telling you, “Hello! I’m here, I want to be the center of attention!” It’s giving attention seeker.
Next comes Minimalism, which takes the idea that ‘less is more’. “It embraces simplicity, functionality, and clarity. This style focuses on removing unnecessary elements, leaving only what is essential” (Nathaniel, 2024), this design movement commands attention despite its simplicity. Think of a woman who barely puts on makeup, jewelry, and ties her hair back simply, but still gets loads of attention. Minimalism was actually the response to the overly decorative designs of the Art Deco Movement, where they decided they would like something more clean and simple, to become a design. In Minimalism, “the ornamentation comes with the materials’ own qualities. This design approach that focuses on streamlined forms and clean lines requires meticulous attention to detail to ensure that every component contributes to the overall cohesiveness of the design” (Zamora, 2024). In Architecture, minimalism focuses on functionality and simplicity, so it has loads of open spaces, large windows, which provides a sense of multifunctionality for the rooms.
When we look at the two designs, we see that Art Deco is all about glamour and ornaments, while minimalism is about a clean and decluttered look. I personally like the minimalist look better because I really don’t like ornaments and over-decorating spaces. Minimalistic designs are very classy to me and they give off an elegant and rich vibe. Over-ornamentation sometimes feels cheap if not done the right way. Going back to the metaphor of the woman who keeps it simple, let’s add the woman who overdoes her make-up and jewelry. I would be the man whose head gets turned by the simple lady, that’s just my preference but may be different from someone else.
As much as they contrast, there have been efforts to combine the two seamlessly. An example of this is a sink faucet that has the color of Brushed French Gold in Figure 3. “The soft gleam of Brushed French Gold offers a refined look, ideal for enhancing the natural serenity of a green bathroom. This luxurious touch brings out the lush hues of a green bathroom, creating a harmonious space that evokes tranquility and richness. Pair this finish with Art Deco-inspired accessories for a balanced look that celebrates both nature and opulence” (Design, 2023). It is possible to create a minimalist space paired with some Art Deco accessories, to create a good balance.
Sources:
Chayka, K. (2021, September 20). The eternal debate: Minimalism vs. Maximalism Decor. Town & Country. https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/home-decor/a37534628/minimalism-vs-maximalism-decor/
Davidson, G. (2019). What is Art Deco? by Genista Davidson. ArtDeco.org. https://www.artdeco.org/copy-of-what-is-art-deco-by-stephen
Design, K. (2023). How to blend Art Deco and minimalist styles | Kallista. Blending Art Deco Charm and Minimalist Simplicity. https://www.kallista.com/articles/minimalist-art-deco-interior-design
Nathaniel. (2024, July 23). Exploring interior design: Art deco vs. minimalism. True Blue Remodeling. https://trueblueremodel.com/art-deco-vs-minimalism/
Zamora, F. (2024, December 13). Architecture 101: What is minimalism in architecture? - architizer journal. Journal. https://architizer.com/blog/practice/details/architecture-101-what-is-minimalism-in-architecture/
