Extravagance, in harmony with frank tastelessness, a combination of exoticism and nihilism, the brightness of colors and the loudness of external forms. So you can characterize the style of kitsch - one of the youngest and brightest. How to create an interior in this style? What decorative elements can I use? What is necessary to create a fashionable image in the style of kitsch?
Origin of style
The etymology of the word “kitsch” is quite controversial. There are at least three versions of its origin. According to the first, this word came from German musical jargon: kitsch - "hack." The second option is the appearance of the noun “kitsch” from the German verb verkitschen, meaning “reduce the cost”. Another version is the derivation from the English forthekitchen - “for the kitchen”, which implies tasteless objects that have no place in a “decent room”.
In any case, the word “kitsch” has a negative connotation. Therefore, it is customary to use it as the opposite of a good design.
Kitsch style story
Opinions were also divided about when kitsch style was introduced into the interior of houses. Some designers claim that this happened at the end of the 19th century, while others believe that this style entered the houses only in the first half of the 20th century. By the way, there is an opinion that kitsch has always existed, and therefore it is wrong to limit it to a time frame.
Kitsch directions
Specialists divide this eccentric style into three main areas:
1. Kitsch lumpens. This trend appeared due to poverty! The joylessness of such rooms is diluted with bright colors, saturation of shades and unusual accessories. Features: acid colors, graffiti, lampposts, traffic signs and even telephone booths!
2. Pseudo-luxury kitsch: a combination of viability and lack of taste. The incredible ideas of the nouveau riche find their embodiment in this particular design. One kitsch-style room can combine Greek columns painted in neon colors, gold stucco moldings and plastic chairs.
3. Design kitsch: a competent parody of the style. Only professional designers can create kitsch in the house, one glance at which will make it clear that this is a mockery of specific features of the style. The main thing in this case is not to bring to absurdity.
Main characteristics
The main features of this style that distinguish it from other areas are vulgarity, cheap materials, inexpensive furniture, retrospectives. We can say that kitsch is a mixture of classics, futurism and country. Decor elements need to be chosen in such a way that they shock, express the position of the homeowner and his attitude to life.
Style allows you to combine completely heterogeneous finishing materials: velvet and plastic, fur and chrome details coexist in this space. At the same time, all the elements of the style are tasteless parodies of the classics, capable of producing a momentary effect.
Who is it for?
Kitsch style is extravagant, and therefore suitable for people who are brave, think outside the box. Others simply cannot live in such a bright and unusual interior. Choosing kitsch, a person denies the classics, preferring postmodernism to it. Capable of this is the originals who love to shock the audience.
Ceiling
When designing a kitsch-style house, it is important to remember one basic rule: there is total freedom and the rejection of all the rules! An ideal option for such an interior is a stretch ceiling. Such a decision will make the room larger. The choice of color depends only on the flight of the designer’s imagination. Violet or green, blue or red - the atmosphere of this style allows vivid experiments. You can dilute bright colors with photo printing. A variety of amulets, dream catchers and pendants that need to be fixed to the ceiling will help bring even more color to the interior.
Walls
Kitsch style in interior design provides for very extravagant options for the walls. They can be sheathed with laminate, glued with bright tiles with abstract patterns, and graffiti. Another bold decision is a combination of incongruous: classic-style wallpapers and wall panels, fancy mosaics and 3D wallpapers, sparkles and plastic.
Floor
Wood and ceramics, marble and linoleum - there are no restrictions for coverage! The floor can be made of one material, or it can harmoniously combine islands of different coatings. For the kitsch style, imitation of non-planed boards that are replete with extravagant ornaments is suitable. A carpet plays a special role in such a room - it simply must be as bright and large as possible. The presence of a long pile is also important: pillows can be laid out on such a carpet.
Color spectrum
The basic colors in which you can create kitsch are quite aggressive: light green, pink, red, purple. In addition, you can use the most ridiculous combinations. For example, lemon combined with brilliant green, matte blue with glossy purple. The stronger the contrast, the better! There are no restrictions. And to create kitsch you will need gilding: it can be used in any quantities.
Windows and doors
Gothic windows are perfect for kitsch style. It is best to use a combination of luxurious velvet curtains with bright blinds. On the windowsills, it is recommended to arrange artificial plants. Doors fit the simplest: to enhance the style, just decorate them with reproductions of paintings or paint graffiti.
Furniture
Design in the style of kitsch is a parody not only of a beautiful life, but also of flashy poverty. Furniture from a landfill, curtains made of polyethylene, and hand-made partitions (for example, from scraps of plastic pipes) are appropriate in the interior.
Kitsch also has bright furniture. The dark surface of the walls will be diluted with armchairs of pink, orange and green, cabinets of all shades of the rainbow. For a bright room, furniture in saturated dark shades: swamp, brown or dark blue, is ideal.
If we talk about materials, it is better not to use furniture made of wood in the interior of an apartment or house - it is more suitable for a cafe. In the living room or children's room, it is worth using transparent plastic tables. You can decorate them with colored vases with artificial flowers. The furniture with imitation of gilding will perfectly fit into this style. By the way, it should be not only unusual, but also as functional as possible. Another feature: objects must be of different shapes, styles, sizes. In one room, a glass table and an old grandmother’s sideboard can adjoin.
Lighting
A single lighting system in kitsch is not traced. It is best to combine several sources - classic chandeliers, sconces or even candles in candelabra can be placed next to paper lanterns. It is important that the light is bright enough - every detail should be clearly visible.
Accessories
Kitsch style provides for an excess of romantic elements: soft toys, bows, guipure ruffles, artificial flowers are acceptable. In general, there should be as many scenery as possible! Among the elements characteristic of kitsch are colorful paintings, catchy tasteless vases, multi-colored floor lamps. The color scheme is not the main thing here: the goal of kitsch is disharmony. The kitsch style apartment is designed to create the effect of a luxury home. To do this, colorful carpets on the walls, crystal chandeliers, gilded foam pseudocolumns, home fountains, massive floor vases are used.
Special attention should be paid to the carpet: it must be large, soft and as bright as possible. It is best to purchase a product in which there are several colors, since it will fit into absolutely any room, while giving furniture and accessories a completely different look. It is also important to note that the carpet should have a long pile, because often children play on it or adults sit (for this, by the way, small pillows are placed on the floor).
