The industrial interior style first emerged in the early 1970s when old factories, warehouses, and mills were being shut down and converted into residences. People who moved into these transformed apartments wanted to keep the industrial mechanisms and exposed brickwork visible, rather than hiding them away. Living on a construction site may appear to be like something out of a science fiction movie, but it isn’t. Like the unornamented but useful Scandinavian interiors, industrial designs place importance on a room’s practicality as much as its appearance – with minimalism playing an integral role. In this article, we explore how to incorporate industrial-style furniture into your home.
Stripping away drywall might reveal beautiful brick walls, adding timeless texture and character to a room. There is nothing that recalls a home’s history more than original clay-and-mortar blocks—bricks that have been around for thousands of years. The look of the raw or painted walls creates an industrial style that gives your room a sense of being unfinished. What many guests don’t realize is that every element in the room has been carefully selected and positioned for visual impact.
A single exposed brick wall might be used as an accent in a space while also allowing you to modify the color scheme of the room at any time. A room with brick walls can be far more visually attractive when accompanied by the right lighting, décor, and accessories. When the furnishings are in neutral hues, they come to life thanks to this element.
Industrial design became popular when there were limited building materials available. The uncluttered, functional style allows for little to no extra decorations or flourishes, making wood and metal surfaces the ideal base. Smooth, lustrous metal mixed with grainy earth tones creates a perfect industrial interior design. To make the look bolder, try adding concrete to the mix.
Many industrial-style furnishings are made from vintage materials, while others are inspired by the old factory and laboratory pieces.
One of the key aspects of industrial interior design is having wide open spaces, which stems from the origins of this style in warehouse conversions. Too much open space in a room can make it feel cavernous, so be mindful of where you place furnishings. Arranging them deliberately will help the room feel larger without leaving too much unused space. Warm, neutral hues are most frequently used in industrial design houses, which tend to be big and open. Hues like these help to make an area feel warmer, which is especially important when there are a lot of metal pipes and ducts.
Reclaimed furniture gives character and a unique style to industrial décor. With a little creativity, objects that look utilitarian can become fashionable pieces of furniture. For example, old tea chests can be turned into coffee tables, or cinder block piles can be transformed into shelving units. It’s all about finding the right object for the space and giving it your personal touch.
Unlike mass-produced furniture, each piece of bespoke solid wood furniture is charming and unique. At Industrial Woodwork, we create furniture that looks good in any modern living space. A contemporary home will look a little less new with our pieces, and any other type of home can use them to add depth and character. Wooden floors, high ceilings, or large rooms are particularly well-suited for our handmade solid wood furniture.
You can add uniqueness to an industrial interior design by mixing metal finishes with rustic or vintage cabinets, countertops, and furniture.