Industrial Décor And How to Get The Look

The industrial style is a popular interior décor style which is inspired by old factories, workshops and industrial spaces. It refers to a pared down, minimal, no-frills, and utilitarian style of décor which emphasizes comfort and a raw appeal over ornamentation. The philosophy behind “industrial style” is a returns-to- the- basic approach to using organic materials, straight, simple lines and shapes that reveal the internal beauty of the source material. The emphasis is on using recycled, reclaimed wood, metal, glass and leather.


What is Industrial Style? Industrial style or industrial chic refers to an aesthetic trend in interior design that is inspired from old factories, workshops and industrial spaces that in recent years have been converted to lofts and other living spaces. Industrial interior design is often associated with lofts, apartments and city dwellings.

The industrial design is very popular in restaurants, new age work spaces and loft style homes, television sets, however, elements of the industrial style can be taken works into just about any type of home. There are farmhouse homes with industrial design elements and Scandinavian homes with industrial style touches. It’s possible to mix industrial style with many different decorative tastes. You don’t have to go full-on industrial to get elements of this style in your home. In fact, the starkness and clean lines of industrial type décor and furniture can blend in beautifully and enhance any style of home. Some would say that a single piece of industrial décor or furniture can elevate a home or room more than several pieces.

Industrial-inspired design is utilitarian, bare-bones and no frills, and tries to limit itself to inimal decor and sparse furnishings. However, this does not mean that your home has to look cold or sterile. Bring in one or two comfortable leather chairs, rugs or even art pieces for a more “lived-in” feel.


What are the elements of Industrial design?

Industrial design and décor is a simple, no-frills, strong aesthetic with a focus on the raw functionality of elements. At its core, industrial style is all about taking something old, commercial, vintage, or recycled and giving it a second lease on life, without stripping it of its original character. Innately, the aesthetic is streamlined and minimalist, yet it has a “lived-in” quality to it. It emphasizes repurposed pipes and uncovered ductwork are accentuated instead of concealed, finishes reminiscent of the Industrial Age.

These are a few elements to look out for to identify industrial design:

  • Open-format spaces with tall ceilings that incorporate multiple living areas into one.
  • Materials – Heavy use of metals such as iron, steel, copper, stones and brass in décor and furniture. Items made from wood, aluminum, iron, steel, tin, stone, and copper as these are go-to materials for enviable industrial style homes. Take advantage of distressed metal elements and wooden floors, stone countertops, and bare steel beams. Plush fabrics may be avoided . Instead, utilitarian and hardworking materials, reclaimed and recycled material is welcomed. Interiors may build around reclaimed wood paneling, exposed ductwork, and architectural beams.
  • Shapes – shapes used for industrial interior design consist mainly of squared lines and blocky shapes which promote a utilitarian cohesiveness in the home. Some organic curvaceous shapes may be included but normally kept pared down. An industrial feel emphasizes clean unobstructed lines and sharp angles.
  • Accessories –When decorating an industrial style bedroom, again, keep surfaces clutter-free and clean. The use of accessories IS KEPT LIMITED for a minimal industrial style home. Accessorize with large abstract wall art, metal structures, and other interesting objects salvaged from a reclamation yard for the ultimate in conversation-starters. The overall look of your industrial style bedroom should be cool and masculine with unique touches.
  • Textures- Industrial style emphasizes high-contrast pairings that typically feature polished and salvaged or raw materials like glass, metal and wood. Textured surfaces such as brick accent walls or concrete flooring. Sleek, modernized finishes coupled with antique elements.
  • Colors- The colors favored while designing an industrial style living room, range from neutral palettes that consist of gray, black, and white and earthy colors like browns, olive green. Pared-down color schemes built around darker hues (black, brown, and grays) with lighter, neutral accents are built. Moody layers with splashed of darker tones are common. The color palette has a lot of personality mostly of a masculine industrial style decor which can have unexpected contrast with vibrant art of neutral hues.


FAQs

What are the main features of industrial style furniture?

Industrial style furniture

  • Rustic wood and exposed metal are a key combination of industrial furniture design. Recycled, reclaimed wood is a firm favorite.
  • Vintage or antique pieces can be used to add character.
  • Distressed leather is favored for chairs and sofas. Leather adds a very masculine feel to the overall appeal. Leather sofas or armchairs in browns give a very warm lived in appeal to the room.
  • Soft texture furnishings are a strict no as are plastics.
  • Furniture is mostly composed of linear silhouettes. You will not find too much carved wood or ornate engraving. Most furniture will be blocky, austere looking, non fuss functional design.
  • Functionality- More emphasis on functionality over decoration, on comfort over ornateness.
  • Colors- Favored colors are earthen hues like brown, olive green and neutral hues like beige, white and grey. The metallic sheen of metal is also found very frequently.
What are the main features for industrial style lighting?

The main feature for industrial type lighting is bright no-fuss light . Just like in the factories and workshops, lighting was meant to be illuminate spaces, especially workspaces, very clearly. Hanging lights over work tables which floods the work area(kitchen island. Office table, dining table) can be used. Understandably there is no place for diffused or indirect romantic type of lighting.

  • While picking out your light fixtures, select those that capture the raw, factory feel. Hanging Edison lights, dark metal pendants, sculptural LED fixtures and task lamps are the way go.
  • Metal dome pendant lamps- Metal is the preferred material for lighting. Some plain polished glass sconce lamps are also seen.
  • Cage type lighting- This type of lighting wraps metal bars around the lightbulb to form a “cage” around it.
  • Edison light bulb is a firm favorite for the industrial type décor.
  • Colors like gleaming copper lamps, polished gunmetal are great additions to the raw industrial feel.
What is urban industrial design style?

Urban industrial style is minimal and uncluttered designs which relies more on functionalism than ornamentation.

What is the origin of industrial design style?

Industrial Design style is a design aesthetic that gradually evolved in the 70s in England and the USA, at a time when old industrial buildings had to be converted to residential spaces. Industrial style interiors are characterized by large open spaces, exposed structural elements, reclaimed objects as well as metal, brick, wood and concrete textures.

How can we create industrial style lighting ?

While picking out your light fixtures, select those that capture the raw, factory feel. Hanging Edison lights, dark metal pendants, sculptural LED fixtures and task lamps are the way go.

In which kind of places can you find industrial style interiors?

Industrial style interiors are quite common in restaurants, pubs, malls and offices.

What kind of art and wall décor are possible in industrial type of rooms?

Walls can be adorned with contemporary abstract art, maps, photographs and vintage posters. Butterfly or insect preserved on boards, roll up notice boards, leaves preserved under glass boards, metal cut outs of shapes are also popular.

What kind of décor objects can be used in industrial style of design?

The industrial style is basically a no fuss style with clean lines, less ornamentation, high on utilitarianism, therefore it does not advocate a lot of accessories or ornaments. But a few well chosen objects of décor can be used to highlight the lived in and comfortable feel of the industrial design. A few sentimental objects, organized books, boxes, trophies, globes, raw materials and sculptures can be added.

Can plants be used in industrial style of interiors?

Plants can be selected to add character to industrial style décor. Structured plants such as fiddle leaf figs and succulents can be planted in metal or galvanized pots, wall planters or hanging planters from the ceiling. Succulents go very well with metal pots.

What kind of fabrics can be used for upholstery in an industrial style room?

Use leather, heavy linen, wool, jute and faux fur for comfort and a lived-in style. Soft printed fabrics, curtains are not common.

What are the architectural features that are common to industrial style interioris?

High pitched ceilings and exposed architectural elements including; beams, pipes, rivets and iron framed glazed window sectionals to divide spaces.

What are minimalistic colors?

Simple color palettes like blacks, whites, neutral colors like beige, brown earthy tones, dark greens and navy blues. For leather tan colored furniture is highly popular. Liberal use of metals like copper, iron, tin and aluminium is advocated.