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The industrial design style is a highly sought-after aesthetic characterised by raw, practical elements, exposed construction, and a functional, minimalist approach to design. Inspired by the industrial revolution of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which saw a shift towards mass production and assembly line processes, the industrial design employs steel, concrete, and other industrial materials in buildings and machinery construction.
The industrial design style is all about showcasing the beauty of raw materials and construction methods rather than concealing them behind layers of decoration. This style is often associated with loft apartments, converted warehouses, and other urban living spaces repurposed from former industrial buildings.
What Are the Characteristics of Industrial Style?
Industrial furniture is a versatile and visually striking aesthetic used to create various looks and moods in a home. Whether you’re looking to create a cosy, rustic atmosphere or a sleek, modern space, industrial-style furniture can help you achieve your design goals with its raw, natural materials, minimalist design, and focus on functionality and usability.
Some of the most common types of industrial furniture include metal chairs and stools, wooden tables and benches, and concrete countertops and shelving. When looking for ways to incorporate this design style into your home, opt for sleek industrial-style furniture with a rustic, worn-in feel that adds to the overall industrial aesthetic.
Raw, Natural Materials
One of the essential traits of industrial-style furniture is using raw, natural materials such as metal, wood, and concrete. These materials are often left untreated or minimally finished, allowing their natural textures and imperfections to shine through. It creates a sense of authenticity and warmth often lacking in more polished, artificial styles.
Functional and Minimalistic Design
Another significant feature of industrial-look furniture is its functional, minimalist design. It’s often sleek, streamlined, and unadorned, with clean lines, minimal embellishments and a focus on usability and practicality rather than ornate decoration.
Versatile Pieces
Its emphasis is on function and practicality, meaning it’s often designed with versatility so you can use it in different settings and contexts. For example, you can use a set of industrial-style metal shelves to store books and decorative objects in a living room or to hold dishes and kitchenware in a dining room.
Muted, Earthy Tones
Regarding colour, industrial furniture often comes in muted, earthy tones such as grey, brown, and black. These colours help accentuate the raw, natural qualities of the materials used in industrial furniture and create a sense of warmth and cosiness in a space.
Tips on Creating the Industrial Look in Your Home
If you want to incorporate industrial style into your home, you can use several strategies to achieve the look. One approach is to mix and match different industrial elements to create a cohesive, eclectic look. For example, pair a sleek metal chair with a rough-hewn wooden table or combine a concrete countertop with a set of vintage metal shelves.
Another approach is to use industrial furniture as a statement piece in an otherwise minimalist or neutral Scandinavian room. For example, you might place a bold, industrial-style metal sofa in a room with white walls and simple decor, allowing it to take centre stage and create a focal point for the space. Here are a few other methods to nail the industrial style in your home.
Implement a Neutral Colour Scheme
Bold colours in industrial-style homes are typically limited to little features, with neutral tones dominating most interior spaces. The style mainly focuses on combinations of neutral colours to produce a clean, minimalist, and harmonious appearance. For a bathroom with an industrial design, exposed brick and white tiles are a must-have combo, and accents of black metal framed glass finish the aesthetic.
Select an Open Floor Plan
As homes of this type are typically spacious and work well with this layout, choose an open floor plan. Combine different industrial pieces to strategically divide the space and keep it from appearing too immense and challenging to decorate.
Combine Metal and Wood
Both new and ancient materials in combination to create an industrial effect are evident. Choose a variety of metal and wood kinds in your overall design, as this will best provide the contrast you desire. For example, you might have a vintage wooden vanity with a steel-framed mirror in an industrial-style bathroom.
Ensure the Lighting Matches the Theme
Most industrial lighting is constructed of metal and commonly combines pendants and lights. When in use, pendant lights should have broad shades and hang low. Reclaimed lighting and multi-directional floor lamps also look great in an industrial-styled living area.
Showcase Exposed Pipes
One of the distinguishing features of a living room decorated in an industrial design is the presence of features like pipes and ducts, usually disguised. Apartments that were once warehouses often have decor in this style.
Incorporate Accessories
The key to perfecting the industrial style is to give the impression that you are in a state-of-the-art factory. The use of accents and accessories is the most effective approach to do this. Decorate with salvaged factory hardware, including leather items and vintage photographs.
