Organic style is a relatively young direction in interior design – it emerged at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries as an antagonist to the then popular functionalism.
The main task of “organic” is to create an unbreakable connection between wildlife and the space of human life.
Technological advances in the 20th century gave rise to a working culture of cities. Plants and factories were in dire need of specialists. All these workers had to be resettled somewhere. There was no question of any creative approach to construction, the task was different – to provide a roof over the head of a huge number of people, and to do it as quickly and cheaply as possible. It was the period of world industrialization, when “concrete boxes” for living appeared in the cities. Model housing became the main urban development trend of the 20th century.
The modern city is overcrowded with single-type high-rise buildings. It is this fact and gave rise to a wave of interest in the organic style. This is one of the design trends that goes along with the global trend for sustainability. In our article, we will talk about the 5 main signs of organic style in interior design.
5 signs of modern organic architecture
Blurring the lines between the interior and the surrounding nature
Being in an organic interior, it is difficult for a person to make a clear distinction between the “outside world” and the actual living space. The boundary exists only within the boundaries of the functionality of the room.
Indoor pool in a private home, made in the organic style. The forms and textures of the interior and the landscape surrounding the house “mirror” each other. This creates a clear sense that the “man-made pool” is literally built into the natural environment. There is no contradiction between the “wild” nature and its imitation.
Maximum recreation of natural forms in the interior
The space of the house is not an artificial environment for human leisure and work, but a natural continuation of nature. To create an organic interior, designers follow the path of biomorphism, i.e. imitating natural forms in the spaces of the rooms. Organic interiors are almost completely devoid of strict geometry. For example, the design of furniture pieces recreates the natural curves of wood, and when selecting textiles, the designer prefers floral and animalistic prints.
The organic style blurs the boundaries between the external space of wildlife and residential interiors. Lines and shapes of “wild” texture are preserved rather than reduced to a certain standard. Solid wood dining table. The shape of the trunk has been preserved unchanged.
Use of natural materials
At the stage of formation of the organic style, it was assumed that in the design of the space should be used one type of material – stone or wood. Now designers have refused to follow a “clean line” in the use of textures, so in the interiors you can meet different variations of materials. The main criterion for selection is naturalness. But this does not mean that “organic” only involves natural stone (preferably rare species) or 100% cotton and linen as a textile addition. When an interior is created in an organic style, the space only imitates “living nature”. Therefore, the quality and authenticity of this creative reproduction of naturalness is more important. That is why “organic” does not reject artificial stone or architectural concrete as a material for finishing or the basis of furniture items. It is with art concrete that artists and sculptors literally “sculpt” the natural textures of stone and wood.
An accent wall made of artificial stone. Art concrete was able to convey the texture of various rocks. The organic interior is made in calm tones. All pieces of furniture are made mostly of natural materials.
Natural sunlight.
An organic interior is a space that is completely filled with natural light. This is due to the rejection of the typical formats of window openings. But “organic” is not only panoramic light portals, but also small windows in potentially “blind zones” of the interior.
Organic interior. Natural light, thanks to the panoramic windows, is enough for the entire space of the dining room. And at night the proper level of illumination is maintained by electric lamps. They are located directly above the dining table.
Elements of wildlife in the interior
We are all aware that just take it and move under the roof of the house rock (or at least part of it) is not possible. Yes, and live in a greenhouse with an evergreen with a microclimate that is more convenient to plants, but not you, and not entirely comfortable. But how to “let” nature into the interior? Recreate from scratch.
The easiest way to do this is with plants. One of the most popular design techniques is the creation of “green accent walls” with plants or moss as a base.
Accent plant wall. “Panorama of greenery” – the center of the composition of the interior of the living room.
Greens, water and rocks are a picturesque and as natural a combination of textures as possible.