How to decorate a Berlin Altbau apartment
In today’s article, I wanted to chat about our beautiful Altbau flats in Berlin and how to design and style them to bring them to their full potential! But this works for most old buildings, and if you live in something more modern, don’t worry, I’ll share tips for newer builds in a future post!
If you are not based in Germany, you might be wondering what an Altbau is. Literally translating to ‘old building’, it refers to all pre-WWII buildings that define Berlin’s architectural charm. You can divide them into three main timeframes: the Gründerzeit (1870-1918), the Weimarer Republik (1918-1933), and the pre-WWII era (up until 1939). But let’s simplify this and focus on their key features: the (very) high ceilings (well above 3m), the stucco, the double doors (Flügeltüren), and the Berliner Zimmer (a weird transition room that brings you from the front of the building to the back). Now that you have the context, let’s dive into my tips to enhance your Berlin Altbau!
#1 Paint
I know, classic me, always waiting around the corner with a bucket of paint! But honestly, with stucco, there is nothing better than painting the walls underneath it. It really makes it stand out! You don’t have to go all-in (but you could…) with moody colours. Just a bit of Shadow White, like in this picture, is already enough. I worked on a Berlin Altbau that didn’t have stucco but had rounded ceiling edges, and we did the exact same thing: we added colour everywhere but stopped nicely right before the curve. Now you can actually notice that curve (see the pic below)! Isn’t that nice?! Another trend I see a lot at the moment is painting both the ceiling and the stucco in a darker shade, which is also stunning!
#2 Oversize lamps
Because the ceilings are so incredibly high, you really need to bring something spectacular to the stage! This tip plays a big role with the double doors as well. Integrating an oversized lamp is the perfect way to create a focal point in your room, so that when you open those double doors, your eyes are straight away drawn to it. I see big central lamps more as sculptures and art pieces rather than light sources (as I hate overhead lighting!). Play around with different materials: big paper lamps, glass, smoked glass, brass, fabric... and have fun!
#3 Make the Berliner Zimmer great again
Instead of keeping the Berliner Zimmer as a simple corridor, it’s time to give it a real function and turn it into a room where you actually want to spend time! A personal library is actually one of my favourite options here, because you can push the concept further and use dark paint in this already dark space to create a truly cozy atmosphere and embrace the moodiness! Layer some rugs and add lots of ambient lighting. A bespoke banquette right by the window can also elevate this room into your favourite reading corner of the whole house!
Need help with your space?
Decorating an Altbau is a dream, but it can also be a massive challenge. If you are struggling with echoing rooms, finding the right paint colour, furniture that looks lost in the space, or simply how to lay out your Berliner Zimmer, I can help. I work with clients to create coherent concepts that respect the historical architecture while making it perfectly tailored to your modern lifestyle. Book a free discovery call with me!
