Industrial Interior Design
Industrial design is consistently ranked near the top of the most popular interior design styles. People love it because it’s bold yet minimal. It feels authentic, taking inspiration from old factories and warehouses and creating sleek, functional new spaces.
Industrial homes, lofts, and office spaces are characterized by open floor plans, large windows, and natural textures and color palettes. They often feature exposed pipes, ductwork, concrete, brick, and stone.
If you want to add character and authenticity to your space with industrial interior design, you’ve come to the right place. We’re breaking down everything you need to know about this design style, including tips and tricks for incorporating it into your living space!
What is Industrial Interior Design?
History
Industrial interior design draws inspiration from the factories and warehouses that defined the Industrial Revolution. Beginning in 19th-century Britain, the Industrial Revolution was characterized by widespread urbanization and technological advancement, particularly related to manufacturing and steam-powered transportation.
Modern Industrial Design
In the world of modern interior design, an industrial style incorporates aesthetic elements of the industrial era. Most modern industrial spaces aim to capture the spirit of old manufacturing plants, train stations, and warehouses.
An industrial interior style captures a unique character through open space, high ceilings, and raw materials. These features evoke a feeling of both grand luxury and rugged authenticity.
Features you’ll commonly find in industrial interiors include:
- Exposed brick or stone walls
- Exposed ductwork and pipes
- Concrete floors
- Metal stairs and railings
- Leather furniture
- Exposed bulbs
- Black and dark neutral color palettes
How To Create an Industrial Design
Switch Out Your Windows for Black Ones
A core element of many industrial interior spaces is black windows. Swapping out standard white or wooden windows for black multi-paned windows can completely transform your space.
Add Metallic Details
Metallic details are a staple of industrial interior design. There are many ways to incorporate this idea, depending on the look you’re trying to achieve. Steel, copper, and brass accents make your space look functional and rustic. Gold and silver accents add a touch of luxury and sophistication to an industrial space.
Here are a few places to incorporate metal details:
- Kitchen hardware
- Side tables
- Bar stools
- Shelving
- Coffee tables
- Wallpaper with metallic designs, such as the chevron black wallpaper
- Light fixtures
Keep Things Practical
Too many décor items or ornate furniture pieces can ruin the rustic, sleek, and functional appeal of an industrial space. Try to keep furnishings practical. That doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with bold statement pieces. Just pick one or two that will really stand out – such as a big leather sofa or an ornate chandelier – and keep the rest of your décor items practical.
Opt for Darker Colors
Some industrial-inspired interior designs are light and airy. But if you want to achieve that classic industrial look, it’s best to stick to a darker color palette overall. Opt for darker neutrals like black and ash gray, and use them as the foundation for your space. Then add pops of color and texture.
For example, opt for black kitchen cabinets and stainless-steel appliances. Then add a lighter, textured wallpaper like the atomic weave bleached charcoal wallpaper to act as your backsplash
Use Exposed Structural Elements – or Mimic Them!
Exposed structural elements like brick walls, ductwork, or pipes can really bring an industrial space to life. Unfortunately, it can be pricey to add these elements if they don’t already exist in your living areas. But there are effective ways to achieve the same look without a major renovation!
For example, install industrial pipe shelving or hang faux brick or wood wallpaper. Mitchell Black’s Loft Collection offers a variety of realistic wallpapers that mimic the appearance of exposed brick and wood walls.
The bucktown alleyway brick wallpaper is a great choice for industrial spaces and pairs well with both lighter and darker color palettes as well as leather, wood, and metal.
Combine Modern and Antique Features
A key component of industrial style is a mix of old-world and ultra-modern elements. This approach helps to achieve a style that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.
Here are some antique features to include in your industrial design:
- Edison light bulbs
- Reclaimed wooden furniture
- Typewriters
- Old maps and photos
Some modern features that go well with an industrial style include:
- Leather couches and chairs
- Geometric wallpaper
- Bold, dark colors
- Modern art pieces
Choose Industrial-Inspired Wallpaper
Not everyone has brick or natural wooden walls to enhance their industrial decor. But you can still achieve this effect with an industrial style wallpaper.
For example, the urban timber dark oak wallpaper offers a strong vibe that perfectly compliments industrial spaces. The fractured grid blue cream wallpaper also works with this style. By emulating the look of broken tiles, it adds a stylishly distressed look to your space.
Open Up Your Floor Plan
If you live in a spacious loft or open-concept home, then creating an industrial feel is a no-brainer. Industrial styles are best suited to open spaces with ultra-high ceilings, as this floorplan more closely resembles 19th-century industrial architecture.
If you don’t have an open floor plan, you can still take inspiration from industrial design by incorporating metal décor items and raw materials. If you’re open to a more extensive home renovation, you may be able to achieve an open floor plan by knocking down non-load-bearing walls.
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