Get The Ultimate Industrial Interior

The industrial interior design ethos is all about embracing a raw, exposed and unfinished look. This ever-popular design trend makes use of raw materials, showcasing unique and natural features that many would usually try to hide.

Whether you want to transform your entire space into an industrial-inspired sanctuary or incorporate subtle touches into your current designs with industrial style lights, there are plenty of ways to achieve this look.

Find out how you can get the ultimate industrial interiors for your home or business!

 

The History Of Industrial Interior Design

First, let’s look back to see how the industrial look came to be and how its origins are reflected in today’s interiors.

Blossoming in the 1970s, the industrial interior trend was born when it became popular to transform warehouses, factories and mills into living spaces.

These abandoned spaces were converted into creative havens. With a focus on clean lines and open floor plans, these old spaces opened the door for a blending of styles, allowing designers to embrace industrial-chic along with contemporary trends.

Instead of covering up the rough bricks and exposed metals, interior designers would embrace these natural elements and style homes around them, making previously hidden features into conscious design choices.

Fast forward fifty years, and the industrial trend is still in full force, with searches for industrial decor having doubled in the past five years. One of the great things about this style is that it combines wonderfully with other trends whether your interiors favour a classic, contemporary or minimalist look.

Although industrial-inspired trends have been modified over the years to incorporate new tastes, there are still some core aspects to think about when looking to transform your interiors. Below, we take a look at some sure-fire ways to create industrial spaces.

 

Use Neutral Colour Palettes

Most industrial spaces tend to stick to a minimalistic look - this extends to the colour scheme as well. A neutral colour scheme is essentially a blank canvas, allowing you to add unique statement pieces without creating a cluttered space.

Incorporating greys, browns, beiges and blacks, means your interior design can centre around dynamic architecture or unique features.

Although neutrals remain a classic go-to colour palette, recent years have also seen a wider variety of colours becoming popular in industrial spaces. To add a splash of colour to neutral interiors, many have embraced decorative statement pieces like bold wall art or colourful sofas.

 

Embrace Metals

Natural mediums are key when attempting to transform a space with the industrial look in mind, and metal is the material of choice!

There are plenty of ways to embrace various metals, whether you incorporate them into your space via handles, ornaments, taps or lights.

Original industrial buildings often have large windows which bring in a lot of natural light; however, if your space lacks light, incorporating industrial lighting is the perfect way to add a rustic feel and adhere to the trend.

Lighting plays an integral role in any interior; it affects atmosphere and ambience while also infusing a room with style and personality.

Whether you decide on copper, pewter, brass or a combination of metallic finishes, lights can become brilliant focal points that add a bit of instant industrial charm!

 

Highlight Industrial Architecture

Exposed brick walls, wooden beams, visible pipes and large windows are common, sought-after features in industrial spaces, so highlight and embrace them when possible!

Highlighting architectural elements with well-placed retro lights can be another great way to accentuate the industrial look. Incorporating any interesting or unusual decor pieces is another way to complement existing trendy features.

If you don’t have any of these bigger, more prominent features in your space, you can channel an industrial feel by displaying exposed vintage light bulbs or bulkhead lighting.

 

Incorporate Exposed Wires and Bulbs

If you prefer a subtle approach to the industrial look, incorporating caged lighting and exposed wires are a great way to achieve a minimalistic look that will never go out of trend.

Stringing up multiple lights with exposed filament bulbs or hanging statement pendants helps give an instant industrial feel with just a little attention to detail.

Cage lights create clean, simple lines, perfect for adding that raw, rustic feel. They also combine perfectly with proudly-displayed wires, whether they’re draped, twisted or simply hung.

 

Upcycle Decor Pieces

The industrial look is also all about blending the old with the new. Vintage pieces can be great additions to your modern space.

Genuine antique furniture or accessories can be expensive, but there are plenty of ways to upcycle old pieces you already own or any unique pieces you find in a charity shop. Pieces that look old or worn lend themselves well to the rustic look that is embraced in industrial interiors.

Transforming older pieces to fit with your new aesthetic also aligns with sustainability movements that are becoming increasingly popular in the interior design world!


Whether you want to transform your interiors completely or just want to add a few hints of the industrial style, these tips are sure to help you achieve a stunning industrial look! For more advice on creating industrial spaces for your home or business, take a look at our blog on ways you can achieve the industrial look.

To see what else can be achieved with the industrial aesthetic in mind, you can also check out our Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest pages, where we post inspirational interiors every day.

Header image credit: @shane_interiors_tbkc