Essentially a combination, the popular industrial design style is about creating a beautiful mix of raw and polished elements in order to achieve a ‘factory’ look. It is about proudly showcasing the unfinished elements that most people try to hide. It is about leaving some of the building structure exposed in the most intentionally designed space. Originally a necessity, this style has increased in popularity and can now be found in the most well-designed homes and commercial spaces alike. The best thing about the industrial design is that it does not have to be all-or-nothing. In fact, it pairs beautifully with many other design styles, and it is very easy to recreate whether you have an unfinished space or not.
In this article, we are going to highlight a few important features of the industrial interior design. These 6 tips below will help you incorporate industrial design elements into your home.
Add Exposed Metal and Rustic Wood
Industrial homes contain an abundance of exposed metal and rustic wood to achieve that ‘warehouse’ look. Leaving raw elements such as metal beams exposed will instantaneously give the place an industrial feel. In fact, painting your metal beams against a bright white ceiling will further highlight the industrial finish of your space.
Now let us talk furniture. Industrial furniture is furniture that harmoniously combines metal and wood together. Finding furniture that mixes these two elements together will help you achieve the desired industrial feel. Alternatively, you could even match both wooden pieces and metal yourself. For starters, a rustic wooden dining table will pair very well with metal chairs. Shelving with exposed metal legs can help you complete your industrial look or add a touch of industrial depending on the look you are going for. And remember, the wood you choose for your space need not be the same tone or texture. In fact, different shades and textures of brown will add more industrial character to your place.
Chairs -what about them? Industrial chairs can be used to add a massive industrial statement without being overpowering. Pieces such as the vintage Draftsman’s chair or metallic stools can add a lot of industrial vibe to your space. If these vintage pieces are out of your budget, then consider modern recreations of these pieces. Most modern furniture retailers have beautiful options.
Even better than buying furniture with distressed wood is making it yourself. Reclaimed wood or pallet wood can be made into a coffee table or side tables easily. A little bit of DIY means that you can achieve the industrial look at a fraction of the cost of buying it new.
Keep Your Colour Palette Neutral
The Industrial design colour palette is rich with earthy tones. To create a colour palette for your industrial space, start with various shades of brown and tan to create a warm feel, then add some white to give your space a clean look. Black can be added as an accent to create some contrast.
If you did want to add a pop of colour, try adding either brick red, dark green, or burnt orange, but do use your pop of colour sparingly. One colour is more than enough to add the emphasis that you desire whilst staying committed to the industrial style.
Expose Your Brick Walls!
Whilst brick walls are covered with drywall in many new buildings, exposed brick walls are essential to give any space that rustic warehouse feel. If you are in the middle of renovating, consider leaving one of your brick walls exposed. You can even leave a portion of your wall exposed instead of the whole wall to create a focal point. In addition to adding an industrial design element to your house, you are also saving some money! So, it really is a win-win all around.
A Bit of Vintage
Nothing says industrial more than vintage factory and warehouse pieces. Adding a few distressed furniture pieces or vintage accessories such as lighting can finish off your industrial space nicely. A good place to start looking for vintage finds are charity shops and flea markets. Whilst shopping, remember to keep an open mind. If a vintage piece does look a bit rundown, don’t strike it off immediately. A little bit of restoration DIY such a coat of paint or new handles can do wonders.
A favourite industrial vintage feature nowadays seems to be lighting. A worn antique light hanging from an industrial-looking ceiling adds the right bit of weathered to the space.
Distressed Leather
The industrial design style is about balancing the perfect mix of modern and antique. If your walls are crisp white or if your space has modern elements, consider adding a brown distressed leather piece to add an industrial flair. Alternatively, distressed leather sofas can also add a lot of warmth to an otherwise cold industrial space.
Which Lighting is Good?
Whilst antique lighting options are becoming popular, other industrial lighting options are brilliant additions to an industrial room. Since the industrial style is all about exposing raw elements, a simple lightbulb can be the statement piece you are looking for. Wrapping the lightbulb cable round a metal ceiling beam can add a lot of character to your space.
So there you have it! 6 tips to help you include the industrial style into your home. What more, many of these tips are cost-effective, functional, and easy to recreate. As you can see, the industrial style is about creating the perfect marriage of old and new. Originally used in lofts and factories, it has become a popular style that can work very well in a variety of spaces. It is also perfect for renters. So, what do you think about the industrial design? Do you love it? Do you hate it? Are you ready to bring it into your home? Remember that the industrial style can take many different forms and it is an interior style that is accessible to all. By following the tips, we have mentioned in this article, you too will be able to create that beautiful raw, unfinished, industrial space.
