Bare It All: Give Your Space A Character Through Industrial Interior Design

Photo credits: vintageindustrialstyle.com

People love to mix and match designs of today with different eras and different locations in order to produce a unique and brilliant interior design; like combining a contemporary space with classical Victorian Era accents or adding a traditional Asian flair to a modern interior. Sources of inspiration are limitless, and in most cases, the boldest and brightest ideas come from the places people often neglect - old and filthy warehouses and factories, which gave birth to industrial interior design. 

Raw, edgy, authentic – these three words best describe the key principles of industrial interior design. It's about proudly displaying the mechanical elements that are often hidden behind clean walls and ceilings: the pipes, ducts, beams, as well as exposed brick walls that are left unfinished. Industrial interior design creates a "warehouse look" that showcase neutral tones, wood and metal surfaces, vintage items, and utilitarian objects that both exudes function and style.

We highlight a few key traits of industrial interior design that you may bring in your own space.

1. The colors and textures

Photo credits: digsdigs.com

In the industrial interior design, there's an interplay of wood and metal for the idea is inspired by old warehouses and factories. With this, neutral colors with a balance of warm and cool undertones dominate the scene. A variation of gray and brown shades and tones brought by the two elements create harmony when combined as well as their contrasting textures of rough and smooth. A wooden dining table works well with metal dining chairs. For metals, stick to cold metals (not gold or brass) with a matte finish rather than the shiny ones.

You can also add character to your space by mixing rustic and modern, or old and new, to create an industrial design, like pairing your stainless steel kitchen island or bar with distressed steel stools.

2. The interior box

Photo credits: apavisa.com

Ceiling
Ceilings have a vital role in showcasing the "art of salvage" that the principle of industrial interior design conveys. Pipes, beams, ducts, and other structural details which are used to be hidden are left bare and exposed. The strategy proves that there can still be creativity in practicality. It can also create an illusion of higher ceilings. Then, make use of rustic and old-fashioned ceiling fans instead of using expensive air-conditioners. Aside from lowering your energy consumption, it will also give a timeworn appeal to your factory-inspired space. 

Walls
The walls that seem unfinished and unpolished are ideal for industrial interior design. With this, you may adapt to the idea of exposed brick walls and matte concrete for your walls, The more distressed the structure looks, the more drama it creates. You may also utilize faux finish and patina techniques in painting to recreate a timeworn appeal. As we have mentioned earlier, the ceilings display mechanical details, which can also extend to the walls. The plain, monochromatic walls give way for large, bold artworks, pop arts, vintage posters, and stunning black and white photographs to speak in your space. 

Floors

Instead of using expensive tiles, just polish the concrete and leave the floors gray and bare. Polished concrete floors manifest simplicity and minimalism and therefore allow other decors and pieces to shine. Wood, especially when they show old age, as well as simple tiles, can also be used, as long as they don't overpower the pieces. You can simply add texture and dilute industrial design's hard edge by using rugs or carpeting. 

If you're living in a two-storey loft or apartment, the idea of metal stairs that seem rustic adds appeal to your concrete walls and floors. 

3. The fixtures and pieces

Photo credits: vintageindustrialstyle.com

Lighting
A lighting material also serves as an artistic addition to an industrial space. Instead of using the conventional lighting technique to illuminate your room, you may use hanging light bulbs suspended on exposed beams and pipes. Pendant lights with matte metal finish are mostly used for industrial interior design for focused lighting and track lights for ambient lighting. Aside from hanging lights, large metal floor arc lamps, as well as scissor lift-inspired wall lamps, also create an industrial charm.

Homey Furniture
Embracing the art of industrial design does not mean you're going to sacrifice comfort and choose to sit on hard metal stools in your living room. Your industrial-inspired space will truly look like an old warehouse or a factory if not for the homey and comfortable pieces of furniture. Nothing breaks the tension of industrial approaches like a plush and overstuffed ottoman, large scattered cushions, and soft rugs in natural textures and neutral colors. Large plants can also add life to a dull space.

Items from the past
Finish off your industrial-inspired home with a few vintage items. You may do some research on some inventions and machines during the industrial revolution and display a representation of them on your space. You may have a pulley-inspired lamp, machine wheels, scissor lift center table, old metal signages, typewriters, sewing machines, cameras, and rustic wall clocks.

Mina is a writer by profession but a designer by heart who spends most of her time seeking innovative ideas about architecture and interior design. She regularly writes for PAAL Kit Homes, a construction company that specializes in manufacturing and supplying top-quality steel-framed kit homes in Australia.