Decorating
Decorating: 10 Tips for Bringing New York Loft Style into the Bedroom
Adapt this versatile trend to add a splash of urban appeal to your sleep space without losing out on comfort
Warehouse, loft or industrial style – however you’d describe the urban look, it shows no signs of falling out of favour, and it’s easy to see why. These stripped-back, unconventional schemes allow the fabric of a building to shine without the need for fussy embellishments. While few of us actually live in old schools or factories, there are still many elements of industrial design that transfer easily to both modern and period properties. If you’re a fan of distressed finishes and interesting textures, it’s time to introduce these urban elements into your home.
For bedrooms, it’s best to adopt a slightly softer approach, with less bare brickwork and impractical trailing cables. Luckily, it’s possible to combine industrial design and a comfy sleep space that’s conducive to catching 40 winks. Here are 10 tips to help you bring industrial style into the bedroom.
For bedrooms, it’s best to adopt a slightly softer approach, with less bare brickwork and impractical trailing cables. Luckily, it’s possible to combine industrial design and a comfy sleep space that’s conducive to catching 40 winks. Here are 10 tips to help you bring industrial style into the bedroom.
Keep it light
Try out fun features, such as neon lighting or repurposed street signs, to add a little frivolity to your loft-look setup. Choose a dark paint colour as a backdrop, like this charcoal or a midnight blue, to really set off the neon.
Try out fun features, such as neon lighting or repurposed street signs, to add a little frivolity to your loft-look setup. Choose a dark paint colour as a backdrop, like this charcoal or a midnight blue, to really set off the neon.
Dress the room
Those lucky enough to have real industrial features, like this brick arch and Crittall-style window, may wish to warm them up a touch to increase bedroom comfort. The quick solution is to add more fabric. Upholstered chairs, rugs, sumptuous bedding and plush curtains will all work to reduce echoes and make the space feel more cosy.
Those lucky enough to have real industrial features, like this brick arch and Crittall-style window, may wish to warm them up a touch to increase bedroom comfort. The quick solution is to add more fabric. Upholstered chairs, rugs, sumptuous bedding and plush curtains will all work to reduce echoes and make the space feel more cosy.
Dare to bare
It may be a cliché to claim that exposed brick equals warehouse style, but it does make a statement that speaks to this rough and ready aesthetic. Few of us are about to start ripping off plaster, but there’s actually no need, as it’s easy to create a brick-effect wall using pre-made panels, which are screwed into place. This clever textured cladding is a quick way of adding bucketfuls of character.
It may be a cliché to claim that exposed brick equals warehouse style, but it does make a statement that speaks to this rough and ready aesthetic. Few of us are about to start ripping off plaster, but there’s actually no need, as it’s easy to create a brick-effect wall using pre-made panels, which are screwed into place. This clever textured cladding is a quick way of adding bucketfuls of character.
Add polish with concrete
It may not be the first material you think of for a bedroom floor, but polished concrete adds instant industrial style. No cold feet are necessary for this contemporary addition, as concrete floors can be poured over underfloor heating, keeping your tootsies toasty. In summer, concrete stays pleasantly cool.
Alternatively, look for concrete accessories, such as lamp bases and side tables, to impart similar tactile qualities.
Find out more about using polished concrete in your home
It may not be the first material you think of for a bedroom floor, but polished concrete adds instant industrial style. No cold feet are necessary for this contemporary addition, as concrete floors can be poured over underfloor heating, keeping your tootsies toasty. In summer, concrete stays pleasantly cool.
Alternatively, look for concrete accessories, such as lamp bases and side tables, to impart similar tactile qualities.
Find out more about using polished concrete in your home
Fake it to make it
If your bedroom has a lack of industrial-appropriate features, one sneaky cheat is to use photographic wallpaper. This Brooklyn Tin paper from NLXL creates the textured appearance of retro tin tiling in a sweet shade of spearmint, and it’s washable, too.
If your bedroom has a lack of industrial-appropriate features, one sneaky cheat is to use photographic wallpaper. This Brooklyn Tin paper from NLXL creates the textured appearance of retro tin tiling in a sweet shade of spearmint, and it’s washable, too.
Celebrate your slopes
As genuine industrial dwellings are carved out of non-purpose-built spaces, a room with an unusual shape is often a good fit. Loft conversions lend themselves to industrial elements, such as column radiators and bare windows. Let the space dictate the décor and try out ideas that might not work elsewhere in your home.
As genuine industrial dwellings are carved out of non-purpose-built spaces, a room with an unusual shape is often a good fit. Loft conversions lend themselves to industrial elements, such as column radiators and bare windows. Let the space dictate the décor and try out ideas that might not work elsewhere in your home.
Switch on statement lighting
Even if you’ve no other means of adding industrial-inspired features to your bedroom, certain types of statement lighting will give you an urban upgrade. Look for braided and coloured cords with decorative bulbs, angular wall-mounted bedside lights and factory-style pendants.
Even if you’ve no other means of adding industrial-inspired features to your bedroom, certain types of statement lighting will give you an urban upgrade. Look for braided and coloured cords with decorative bulbs, angular wall-mounted bedside lights and factory-style pendants.
Reframe your thinking
If you’re planning a new en-suite bathroom and wondering how to incorporate a few industrial elements into the design, think about alternative ways to use metal-framed doors. You could have one to divide your bathroom and bedroom, or even use a Crittall-style window to create a chic shower enclosure.
If you’re planning a new en-suite bathroom and wondering how to incorporate a few industrial elements into the design, think about alternative ways to use metal-framed doors. You could have one to divide your bathroom and bedroom, or even use a Crittall-style window to create a chic shower enclosure.
Embrace original features
If you have original features, such as wooden floorboards, keep them bare to feed into the pared-down aesthetic of this style. Even period homes can suit the industrial look if the rest of your scheme is neutral, save for a few standout accessories.
TELL US…
What do you think of this statement style for the bedroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
If you have original features, such as wooden floorboards, keep them bare to feed into the pared-down aesthetic of this style. Even period homes can suit the industrial look if the rest of your scheme is neutral, save for a few standout accessories.
TELL US…
What do you think of this statement style for the bedroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
For a quick industrial update, choose vintage furniture, such as leather chairs, metal bed frames and wooden chests, to impart a sense of history in your bedroom. Recycling is key to the industrial look, so don’t be afraid to repurpose pieces from elsewhere in the house or bag yourself a few car-boot sale bargains.
Learn more about mixing up eras in your home with tips from an architect