At Berlin’s Kulturforum, the Museum of Decorative Arts brings together European arts and crafts from the Middle Ages to the present. Its collection spans furniture, ceramics, glass, textiles, jewelry and fashion, with details to seek out including Renaissance chests, precious gemstones and the chinoiserie Lacquer Room. You can also see furniture by Mies van der Rohe and explore digital displays on fashion. The museum occupies a modernist building, and its exhibitions are spread across different levels, so allow time to find your way through the collection.
A collection spanning centuries
The Kunstgewerbemuseum, or Museum of Decorative Arts, was established in 1867 and is Germany’s oldest museum of its kind. Its collection traces decorative arts and home furnishings from the Middle Ages to the present, with European and non-European works.
The objects range from ceramics, glass and silverware to furniture, textiles and jewelry. The variety gives the visit a broad focus: you can move between finely made personal objects and pieces designed for interiors.
Details to look for
Among the collection’s notable works are precious gemstones, glassware by Emile Gallé and Renaissance chests. The chinoiserie Lacquer Room came from the Palazzo Granieri in Turin, while the furniture by German-American architect Mies van der Rohe offers a different point of reference within the displays. Jewelry by René Lalique is another named highlight.
Fashion is part of the museum’s scope, too. Digital fashion displays bring modern media into the presentation of clothing, alongside historic pieces and other design objects.
The Kulturforum location
The main collection is at the Kulturforum, near Potsdamer Platz. The museum is one of two locations: Schloss Köpenick, on an island on the River Dahme, presents historic interiors from the 16th to 18th centuries. Check which location you plan to visit, since the collections are not all in one building.
At the Kulturforum, exhibitions are arranged across several levels, and visitors may find the layout unconventional. Lockers are available, including lockers that require a €1 coin. There is no food or drink on-site; the nearby Kunstforum hall is about a five-minute walk away.
Häufige Fragen
Where is the Museum of Decorative Arts in Berlin?
The main collection is at Matthäikirchplatz in the Kulturforum, near Potsdamer Platz. The museum also has a branch at Schloss Köpenick.
What can you see at the Museum of Decorative Arts?
The collection covers decorative arts from the Middle Ages to the present, including furniture, ceramics, glass, textiles, jewelry and fashion. Named highlights include the chinoiserie Lacquer Room and furniture by Mies van der Rohe.
Does the museum have lockers?
Yes. Lockers are available, and some require a €1 coin.
Is there food at the Museum of Decorative Arts?
Food and drinks are not available on-site. The nearby Kunstforum hall is about a five-minute walk away.
