Kultur im Heim was started in 1956.[1][2] It was first appeared as a supplement to an interior design magazine Möbel und Wohnraum, but then became an independent publication.[3] Its foundation was an indicator of the change in the East Germany's cultural policy.[4] Because in the early days of the state housing architecture and city planning were emphasized as the preferred sites of socialist cultural identity.[4] However, from the mid-1950s its cultural policy became focused on commodities and domestic spaces.[4]
Kultur im Heim was published by Verlag die Wirtschaft in East Berlin.[5][6] Target audience of the magazine was women.[7] The magazine functioned as a mediator between the professional design community and East German consumers.[8]
Kultur im Heim provided its readers with several suggestions about home design and leisure activities.[2][7] It advised them to prefer a simple and functional design at their home.[9] The magazine also featured articles on the new designs of the East German furniture industry and on the modern and functional prefabricated furniture.[10] All articles published in the magazine were based on the findings of the studies by social scientists, philosophers and designers about the relationship between socialism, aesthetics and taste.[8]
