Interior design experts still argue about the exact moment when the Industrial Style was born. Some claim it was already celebrated in the 1940s in Great Britain and the USA, others say it was invented in the trendy SoHo district of New York in the 1980s. What is certain is that the Industrial Style originated in old, abandoned warehouses and factory buildings that were converted into living spaces. Characteristics of the style are rough, unfinished walls, ceilings and floors, edgy, minimalist and straight-lined furniture that radiates a rather masculine look, and materials such as metal, wood, concrete and glass. Exposed brick walls and pipes are also typical for the industrial look.In the industrial style, functionality is indeed at the forefront, but the nostalgic elements combined with modern influences create a unique charm. You will learn in this post what characteristics particularly distinguish the industrial style and how best to integrate them into your own home, even if you do not live in a loft or an apartment with 4 meter high ceilings.
Industrial Style Interior Design
COFFEE TABLE VESINA X |
Typical materials in the industrial style: metal and wood elements
To create the perfect factory look, the materials used play a crucial role.Metals such as steel, brass, aluminium or iron should never be missing. They can be found, for example, in the form of lamps, iron chairs and stools, metal shelves and - characteristic for the industrial style - metal lockers. Table frames or coffee tables made of metal perfectly complement the industrial style. Similarly, matte finishes or rusty metal are part of the trendy factory chic. It is important that the materials convey a rough, cool or unfinished material language. Combined with the contrasting and rather warmer material wood, the factory look becomes harmonious. Untreated wood with the patina of past times, cracks and roughened surfaces are a must. Here, furniture such as shelves, solid wood tables, coffee tables made of wood and metal are a great addition to the industrial look.Wooden pallets and wine crates, which have been assembled into cool furniture on your own, perfect the mix of soft and hard materials.
Typical industrial-style furniture - straightforward and robust
Materials such as wood, metal, and glass are most commonly used in industrial-style furniture. Here, clear signs of wear and tear such as patina, scratches, chipped paint, and dents are not an evil to be accepted, but a must. The use of old and new furniture as well as the improvised and repurposed use of these is also welcomed in the industrial look. The industrial-style interior follows a clear design and is rather reduced, a few selected statement pieces fill the room and allow a certain spaciousness, which is also present in factories.Our inspirations for the industrial style would be:
- Sofas and armchairs: One thing that should not be missing in industrial chic: bulky and robust leather sofas and armchairs! These create coziness and warmth in the otherwise rough factory environment. The striking leather suite can become an eye-catcher and lighten the atmosphere.
- Lights: Impressive industrial lights, photo lights or pendant lights, which hang from loose cables from the ceiling and are equipped with large light bulbs, provide the right lighting. Floor lamps and large black lampshades are elegant and rustic. Warm white light creates coziness.
- Tables and chairs: A dining table made of pure solid wood or with a metal substructure fits perfectly with the factory charm and becomes a real eye-catcher.Combined with weathered metal chairs, height-adjustable swivel stools, or old school chairs, the dining room is complete. Chairs with fabric covers in bright pastel tones also perfectly complement the dining room set.
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Shelves, sideboards, and coffee tables: Robust metal shelves or filing cabinets, lockers, and containers in a vintage look should not be missing. They can also be converted into coffee tables and metal sideboards. If you prefer to buy a new coffee table, the VESINA X or DEVANA X coffee table from
Metallbude might be interesting.
CLOTHES RACK RUBI |
How to decorate in the Industrial Style
Since furniture in the industrial style often consists of hard and rough materials, you should opt for somewhat softer materials when decorating. The industrial style thrives on contrasts, such as rustic and elegant, cool and warm, and hard and soft. Match the decorative items to the existing furniture. You may find a decorative treasure not only from interior design experts like
- Home accessories such as bowls or flower pots in concrete look or made of metal, as well as vases, delicate glasses and light bulbs in warm brown tones fit perfectly into the factory ambiance.
- Homely textiles, such as decorative pillows and blankets in strong colors, light linen curtains, vintage rugs and furs are cozy and soft, thus forming the perfect contrast to the industrial atmosphere.
- Clothing racks or metal towel holders are great metal furniture for a bathroom in industrial style.
- Large mirrors and posters create a homely room climate on the walls.
- Other vintage treasures such as, illuminated signs, gears or tin signs can become the trendy eye-catcher on the wall.Wire mesh or cast iron elements also fit into the factory look.
Walls in Industrial Style: Concrete look and bare brick walls
If you don't have a solid wooden floor, huge factory windows, and high ceilings with exposed pipes, you can also bring the industrial style into your home through walls with a concrete look or through unplastered brick walls. Although these are not available in every apartment, they can be very well imitated by wallpaper or certain wiping techniques. If that's still too much effort, you should opt for wall colors like metallic gray or rust brown. An open floor plan design of kitchen, dining, living, and bedroom, which seamlessly merge into each other, also enhances the factory look.
CONSOLE TABLE RIA |
Colors matching the Industrial Style: Earth tones
No matter if you are only setting up your living room in the industrial style or if you want to see the whole apartment in industrial chic, the A and O is the color scheme. For a harmonious industrial atmosphere, rely on muted and earthy tones. Colors like dark brown, black, gray, beige or taupe are the most subtle tones here. But rust brown, rust red or muted orange tones also match the industrial style.Just be careful here not to make it too flashy by using these colors best on smaller walls.
Implementation of the industrial style even in smaller apartments
You don't need to own a large loft for the industrial look, it can be well implemented in smaller apartments with a few tips:
- Metal tables, chairs or metal shelves as well as industrial lamps immediately bring this rough factory atmosphere into your four walls and are available everywhere in various designs.
- Leather sofas and armchairs not only make your apartment cozy, they stand for a masculine and extravagant ambiance.
- Also, concrete decorations and special individual pieces enhance your apartment.Perhaps you'll find an old metal sign or a neon advertisement that you like and that enhances your apartment.
- Vintage rugs or cowhides make the industrial style cozier and more homely.
- Paint in muted colors, wallpaper a brick wallpaper on your wall, or opt for a concrete look that is constructed using a wiping technique.
Discover more suitable furniture for your apartment in the industrial style at
