WHAT IS CONSIDERED INDUSTRIAL STYLE?
Let’s start with a short story of industrial style. Industrial décor was born in the 1990s in New York, US.
This is a new wave, inspired by the vision of abandoned factories and warehouses. The industrial look is quickly moving into homes, offices and restaurants and adds a new style to the list of styles in the interior design we call industrial style today.
The idea of industrial style is to preserve the old, breathing new life into it, because everything retro is modern and should be on display. The main characteristics of the style are the achievement of a raw, specific and unfinished interior, but with a comfortable and cosy atmosphere.
Structural and architectural elements such as: columns, large windows, ventilation pipes, exposed walls, etc. become exhibits and works of art. Nowadays, it is more and more often observed that the owners of urban homes and penthouses prefer industrial home décor for the interior style of their homes.
In short: In the past, huge empty industrial spaces were rented out in poor condition for shops, restaurants and housing. The brilliant idea of designers and architects to preserve the existing vision, restoring and furnishing with the appropriate furniture and accessories, marks the beginning of the new urban trend in interior design.
Nowadays, it is not uncommon to rent an old factory to turn it into a restaurant or a residence. If you like the industrial style, you need to familiarize yourself with its main characteristics and apply them correctly. Let’s see how this goes.
What are the main characteristics of industrial style?
Large spaces are one of the requirements of the industrial interior design style. To develop the full potential of the style, it is good to have at least 100 – 200 square meters. Exposed pipes, vents, exposed brick or concrete walls, large windows and high ceilings are a constant part of industrial design. You can see a good example of a coffee shop interior in industrial style here.
Materials. Old wood, leather, any metal elements with traces of rust, concrete, bricks, pavement. The metal should be matte with no burrs. Stainless steel kitchens, large metal chandeliers, metal and wood furniture, raw wood open shelving, metal chairs.
The colours in the industrial style are from the neutral and natural palettes, such as: all shades of grеy, black, wood colours, orange and red.
Furniture and accessories: New, old or aged, metal and wood furniture and accessories are the finishing touch to the industrial style.
What are elements of industrial style?
The main elements of the industrial interior are accented with voluminous furniture and accessories decorated in large spacious rooms. The use of concrete floors and walls, large negative projections, visible structural elements of the architecture, unobstructed installations and large windows are the leading elements without which this style would not exist.
Combining them with natural materials, such as leather and wood, creates the feeling of cosiness and comfort. Open spaces, large howling lamps, industrial style shelving and rough carpets play an important role in contemporary industrial modern décor.
Elements of the industrial style boldly wears scratches and signs of use, which definitely suit it. They can be seen on furniture and accessories as well as on walls, floors and ceilings.
The industrial design showcases the stark aesthetic of exposed brick and concrete walls. These elements are a desirable and sought-after effect, not something to be hidden. The main focus is to bring the “flaws” into focus. Check out a great office design with elements of modern industrial style here.
Industrial style furniture
An interesting fact about the industrial style is that we cannot talk about a strictly specific design for the furniture. The origin of the style is to blame for this. Using the old industrial premises, each designer at that time recreated the interior in his own way. The thing that creates the style is the so-called “frame” or the old warehouses.
Looking at different photos and projects, you will notice that some use leather classic furniture, others velvet armchairs. You will find traditional, Moroccan, Indian and many other elements that will shock you.
In short: Industrial style is a framework describing the room, and the furnishing is according to your style. Let’s list the main industrial look furniture:
- Distressed, old or new metal, iron, copper (not shiny) and wood furniture.
- Artificial and natural leather.
- Chairs, sofas and armchairs with elongated, thin legs.
- Raw, rough surfaces.
- Functional design with more negative (empty) space.
- Shelves, metal furniture and stands, tables on wheels.
- Large furniture or modern industrial furniture with which to divide large open spaces, such as kitchen islands, open cabinets and decorative elements. An excellent example of such an interior of an open-plan apartment can be seen here.
- And if you want your interior to acquire an authentic industrial style, use high-quality natural materials.
More about industrial style design
Colours
Big windows
Industrial floors
Industrial lights
Colours
The colour scheme is oriented towards warm, neutral colours such as brown, taupe (a mixture of grey and brown), all shades of grey, metal elements in black or with an aged and scratched surface. Brick red, burnt orange, white. If you still want to refresh the interior, you can add colour accents of your choice: light blue, grass green, red or deep orange. Warm, neutral colours are preferred for industrial style homes, with large open spaces. Brick walls and concrete floors are more often seen in the industrial room décor of offices and restaurants.
Big windows
Huge windows are a key element of the industrial style. Not to be missed if you want to recreate the chair in its true essence. The huge amount of light will give industrial chic to every element in the room. Choose a frame made of black metal or wood with a dark rustic style. An interesting fact is that the industrial style lacks curtains and blinds, but if you still want colours to be present in the interior, they should be made of natural materials, simple patterns and light colours.
Industrial floors
Extremely practical, easy to maintain and highly durable. Concrete floors are a key element in the industrial style. Since – as the motto of the style is practicality and functionality, this decision is not accidental. And since the grey colour combines well with almost any other colour, a concrete grey floor is a great solution for a heavy interior in an industrial style. For those of you for whom concrete has a “cold” feel, then an aged wooden floor is the next option. It will bring more cosiness and warmth. Whichever of the options you choose, you will create an interior in an industrial style that you will enjoy for a long time.
Industrial lights
Another important element of interior design in industrial style are lamps. Due to the high ceilings, massive floor lamps are often used. Large chandeliers in various shapes made of metal or glass are also a preferred decorative element.
Photos source by Web and Personal Archive
Get in Touch
[ our contact details ]
Let's Start a Project
Give us a call, or send an email, we endeavour to answer all inquiries within 24 hours on business days. We will be happy to answer your questions.
OUR ADDRESS:
Poole, Dorset, UK