Be A Captain Of Industry With The Industrial Style of Interior Design

If you stop every time you see stripped-down spaces, utilitarian metal and wooden furniture, you probably really like the industrial style of design.

And if you didn’t know it already, you can decorate your home in this style in a very fashionable way.

These interiors, as you may have noticed, are quite popular in restaurants, pubs and even some offices. So if you want to figure out how to do your home in this style, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get going.

This style is, unsurprisingly, heavily influenced by the look and feel of warehouses and factories.

The design aesthetic, however, evolved during the 1970s in England and the USA when old buildings were being converted into residential spaces.

As a result, these interiors were made of large open spaces, exposed structures, reclaimed objects and textures of metal, brick and wood.

This rugged and edgy look was once the style of those who couldn’t afford to paint over the little imperfections. But once it caught the eye of designers, it was everywhere.

They made a few changes and introduced them to contemporary homes. How does one identify them? Let’s take a look.

Main Traits of The Industrial Design Style

There are a lot of things that make industrial very pleasing. Your home does not have to look like an abandoned space deprived of useful stuff.

The things that make industrial style popular are very admirable if you take a moment to understand it. Here are some tips:

• This is a very flexible design. It has neutral hues and materials with unique textures. In terms of lighting, decor and furniture too, this is very easy to pull off.

• It is functional and very basic. But you can also give it a boost by adding one or more items with high aesthetic value. We call it industrial chic and can be done by adding designer pieces.

• It is simple and minimal while making a rather bold statement. As a marriage of modern and timeworn that means there are a lot of layers in it and is the design style for the intelligent.

• It is simplistic in every which way, whether you consider form or function or materials used. The furniture is clean and sleek and avoids carvings and ornaments.

• Unfinished elements like exposed brick walls and concrete surfaces are all classic industrial style design elements. Exposed pipes and ducts are also in the same category.

• This design is also eco-friendly because it uses a lot of recycled materials. The emphasis is on natural materials with a bare finish. This style avoids the sterile look and makes space for comfortable chairs and rugs. You can also add photographs to soften the look and customize your space.

What About the Industrial Color Palettes?

You might think this is about gaudy colors but it’s the opposite actually. Neutral colors are a big part of industrial interiors. Beige, white and gray are the top choices. Primary colors can be used to brighten the room.

Black is also used to add mood to the space. Darker tones are quite popular when you want to add personality and vibrance. Art pieces are also a big hit because they bring a pop of color in an otherwise dull room (if you are sticking to the lighter colors).

Sustainability Of Industrial Type Materials

As mentioned above, this is an eco-friendly style that introduces a lot of repurposed wood and metal into the decor.

Whether it is metal pipes of bookshelves or artwork from machine parts, you can get as creative as you want without the guilt of destroying nature.

Even when considering fabrics, stay away from plush pieces. Local antique shops are your best bet because they have a lot of furniture made of wood, aluminum, iron and steel, etc.

Distressed metal items and wooden floors with stone countertops are all highly preferred. These must be your go-to materials.

The Unfussy Shapes and Industrial Decor Lighting

In this style, you will see a lot of squared lines and block shapes. These promote cohesiveness while being utilitarian.

Then again, you don’t have to avoid organic shapes. Just keep them to a minimum and preserve the original character of the design.

Lighting is a very important part of this design. Find items that capture the raw feel, like Edison lights, dark metal pendants and task lamps.

Focus on turning the simplest designs into a statement.

The shape of the bulb is the first thing to notice. The filament is also a decorative piece nowadays. So you will find plenty of options.

Minimal Accessories

These must be kept to a minimum. Keep the space free of clutter. Try large and abstract art pieces. Anything you can get from a reclamation yard is a prize.

Five Ways to Master Industrial Decor

Now, there are many ways to make this your own. And it doesn’t have to look like a factory itself. Just get those touches and inject your own spirit. Here are a few tips to do that.

• Start with a neutral color scheme and proceed to introduce bold hues for the small spaces. Try to get a clean and minimalist look using exposed bricks and white tiles. Finish it off with black metal framed glass features. Neutral browns, white and black are preferred. Tan is also a good color that relaxes the space. Remember that black accents add character.

• This style usually is about leaving spaces open. But if you don’t want it to look empty, arrange the furniture into groupings. And a rustic room is incomplete without a kitchen island. So try to accommodate that. Place the bed on a raised floor. Use features other than a wall to close up spaces and divide them into different rooms.

• Use wood and metal to get the job done. Mix old and new materials to get the look you want. For instance, combine a vintage wooden vanity piece with a steel-framed mirror. This will look spectacular in the bathroom. Don’t be afraid to modernize some rustic elements. It’s trendy and you don’t have to run away from that.

Pick wood that has texture. Distressed wood with visible knots is one of the best ways to do that. If it has a little rough touch, you have a winner.

The color of all your wooden pieces need not match either. In fact, it is better if they don’t match. That brings in a lot of color and adds a relaxed feel. It also makes it easier for you to find pieces that you like.

Should you find furniture on sale, don’t pass it by. If you are good at making things, get a piece of reclaimed wood and try to make a shelf or a side table.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try building a shiplap wall.

• Lighting is another aspect that will keep your home in theme. This style of lighting is all about metal. You can make that happen with lamps and pendants. If you use pendants, make sure they hang low and have wide shades. If you are picking floor lamps, they must be multi-directional. And we don’t have to remind you of reclaimed lighting. If you have concrete floors, consider polishing them. This is ultra-modern and affordable too. But the staple for this style is wooden floors.

• If you have exposed ducts, pipes or bricks, you have hit the jackpot. These are the signature elements of this style of interior design. Remember that the features that others would try to cover up are the ones you need to play with. Repurposed warehouse apartments typically have a lot of these.

Of course, don’t be disheartened if you don’t have them organically because features can always be added.

There are a lot of wallpapers precisely for this purpose. Everything can be faked (or should we say re-manufactured) in the 21st century. And some of them have a great level of detailing.

You can also get 3D sticky tiles if wallpapers don’t work for you. They not only look real but will also feel that way.

If you want concrete floors, you can get porcelain or ceramic floor tiles or vinyl floors. Those look like concrete.

You can even get decorative pipes and ducts and recreate the warehouse look. The pipes won’t be structural elements, but you will get the vibe that you so badly want.

To Round Up Industrial Interior Interior Design

There is a lot you can do with the industrial style of interior design without spending a lot. And isn’t that the dream!

This isn’t a style which favors a lot of color or accessories, but you can find a way to introduce it to your space.

If you must, remember that they must add personality to the rustic look. Otherwise, it ends up looking confused and half constructed.

You can incorporate pillows, art pieces and lamps to add depth to any room. And you can find many excuses to get this done.

The industrial color palette is neutral so that is one way to sneak in the accessories you want. You can also tame the look by introducing certain modern elements to the rustic touch.

And you will find plenty of items in home decor shops to help your imagination. And then you can get them made too. This is totally a win-win style of design.

If the Industrial Interior Design style is too much for you to achieve with your home have a look at all the other styles there are.