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While we love the clean Scandinavian aesthetic and the sleek minimalistic look, there's something about the industrial style that feels unapologetically edgy. Inspired by warehouses and factories from the late 1800s and early 1900s, this design trend grew in popularity when New Yorkers faced a housing shortage and started converting empty industrial buildings into loft apartments. Instead of hiding rough bricks, exposed metals, and visible pipework, industrial interiors proudly embrace these raw elements.
What began as a practical solution soon evolved into a beloved design style known for its authenticity, clean lines, and open spaces, qualities that have stood the test of time. If you love this style and want to infuse your home with industrial charm, these are the key elements to help you create the perfect industrial-inspired space.
1. Allow your ceiling to appear exposed
Industrial design is all about functionality in its most unapologetic form. So, instead of trying to hide pipes, beams and the like, make them a focal point, as seen in this terrace in Kuala Lumpur.
But if you aren’t comfortable with a look that’s too raw, all of these features can be replicated to look exactly like the real thing. Decorative raw ceilings, along with exposed pipes, ducts, and wires, can instantly give your space an industrial edge. You can also line your ceiling with exposed wood or metal beams, or other structural materials, to enhance that rugged, industrial vibe, just like the living room shown below.
The Industrial Revolution fueled iron and steel production in the United States and Europe, paving the way for metal elements to be widely used in structural solutions and furnishings. So it goes without saying that metal fixtures are a vital component of achieving an industrial-style interior.
Keep in mind that metal accents in an industrial-style interior extend far beyond faucets and door hardware. They can appear in the form of candle holders, clock frames, or even open shelves, as seen in this living room.
TIP: Non-ferrous or coloured metals such as brushed nickel, copper, brass, and bronze can also be used for a more organic industrial look.
3. Keep your layout open-plan
Large open spaces are a distinguishing feature of the industrial decor trend. Because factories or commercial buildings produced large-scale industrial pieces during the Industrial Revolution, their interiors were large, with high ceilings and few walls.
When designing an industrial interior, you should embrace the open plan layout. This feature benefits homeowners by allowing free movement and a sense of spaciousness in a room, which is especially useful if you live in a home with limited square footage.
4. Use simple lightbulbs as lighting
As mentioned earlier, Industrial design is all about functionality in its most unapologetic form. You’d leave pipes, wires, and beams exposed, so why not leave your lighting fixture exposed, too? You can either hang it straight down from the ceiling for a fuss-free look, or incorporate unconventional objects such as pipes, wood, chains, or ropes repurposed as part of a lamp as illustrated below.
5. Consider exposed brick walls
It's hard to talk about industrial style without mentioning exposed brick walls. This element speaks to the vintage and practical aspects of the Industrial Revolution, when plaster covering brick walls in factories was traditionally a fire hazard, giving rise to the idea of exposed brick walls.
So instead of plastering your walls, leave the brickwork exposed. If you find exposed brick walls to be too cold or harsh, try painting them in a neutral tone, such as white, as shown below. The paint will soften the fixtures without completely concealing them, giving you a balance of soft comfort and industrial flair.
6. Opt for cement screed or polished concrete flooring
Your walls and your ceilings aren’t the only things that deserve attention, your floors do, too. Cement screed or polished concrete was commonly used for flooring in old factories, mills, and workshops. This material worked well in 19th-century industrial factories due to its scratch resistance, low cost, and durability, making it a great option for your home if you want a floor that is durable, low maintenance and will last for years.
In fact, achieving this look is often much more affordable than materials like marble or teak flooring. If polished concrete or cement screed feels too cold underfoot, consider wood-look floors in dark, weathered, or rustic tones, or even stone-look tiles. These options add warmth and help balance the “coolness” of an industrial-style interior.
7. Repurpose furnishings
A big part of industrial interior design is mixing new pieces with reclaimed ones. Old wooden crates can be turned into coffee tables, old lockers can be converted into storage units or old ladders can be transformed into shelving units, as shown below. Honestly, it's hard to go wrong here. If a striking object or a collection of pieces speaks to you, display it with pride.
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