Decorating
So Your Style Is: Industrial
Raw, spacious and tough, the classic industrial look takes the rough without the smooth. Here's how to get the look
What it is: This is a look born of our recent passion for living in property not originally designed as a dwelling. From disused factories to schools and stables, these buildings have one thing in common – they are big on industrial features. These often include metal window frames, exposed brickwork, supporting pillars and cabling that runs across the walls, rather than being hidden beneath plaster. With the industrial look, it is the fabric of the building, not its finish, that matters most.
Why it works: An industrial-style space is the antidote to a carefully manicured interior. It rejects colour and considered good taste in favour of something more raw and authentic. The scale is often big, the styling minimal and the finishes rough and ready. This is a look that urges us to pare life back and make our homes hard-wearing and handsome.
You’ll love it if: You don’t like curtains, feel more at home in a warehouse than a town house, and prefer recycled furniture over shiny new any day.
Why it works: An industrial-style space is the antidote to a carefully manicured interior. It rejects colour and considered good taste in favour of something more raw and authentic. The scale is often big, the styling minimal and the finishes rough and ready. This is a look that urges us to pare life back and make our homes hard-wearing and handsome.
You’ll love it if: You don’t like curtains, feel more at home in a warehouse than a town house, and prefer recycled furniture over shiny new any day.
Be bold with materials
Where walls or floors are not preserved in their original state, think big when choosing materials for them. In this kitchen, tiles make a strong statement. Instead of simply creating a splashback, white metro tiles are taken up to ceiling height on the wall, while the floor is covered in graphic tiles in a no-nonsense, monochrome design.
Where walls or floors are not preserved in their original state, think big when choosing materials for them. In this kitchen, tiles make a strong statement. Instead of simply creating a splashback, white metro tiles are taken up to ceiling height on the wall, while the floor is covered in graphic tiles in a no-nonsense, monochrome design.
Choose witty pieces
To prevent industrial style feeling too heavy and serious, seek out pieces that take its commitment to recycling and give it a witty spin. Here, bar stools made from huge metal springs look fun, but maintain the industrial vibe.
To prevent industrial style feeling too heavy and serious, seek out pieces that take its commitment to recycling and give it a witty spin. Here, bar stools made from huge metal springs look fun, but maintain the industrial vibe.
Make much of windows
Converted warehouses often have huge windows with striking frames that deserve to be shown off. So unless being overlooked is an issue, keep windows clear. Hanging curtains or blinds would obscure them and, when this big, is likely to be both expensive and impractical.
Converted warehouses often have huge windows with striking frames that deserve to be shown off. So unless being overlooked is an issue, keep windows clear. Hanging curtains or blinds would obscure them and, when this big, is likely to be both expensive and impractical.
Hang statement lighting
Little table lamps and dainty wall sconces don’t cut it in an industrial scheme. Instead, choose pendant lights that are big on scale and personality. Find something that has been salvaged from a factory, or choose super-sized metal shades, the more battered and dented the better.
See 10 ways to incorporate the industrial look in your kitchen
Little table lamps and dainty wall sconces don’t cut it in an industrial scheme. Instead, choose pendant lights that are big on scale and personality. Find something that has been salvaged from a factory, or choose super-sized metal shades, the more battered and dented the better.
See 10 ways to incorporate the industrial look in your kitchen
Be basic in the bathroom
The latest showering technology and sleek bathroom surfaces have no place in an industrial home. Instead, choose a reconditioned tub and simple black and white tiling. Leave some piping exposed, too, for added industrial oomph.
The latest showering technology and sleek bathroom surfaces have no place in an industrial home. Instead, choose a reconditioned tub and simple black and white tiling. Leave some piping exposed, too, for added industrial oomph.
Use original signage
Old signs, often made from sheet metal, make a great addition to an industrial room. Hunt down something large-scale to hang as art, or look out for signs that relate to the architecture of your home, as here.
Learn how to use signs as art and inspiration
Old signs, often made from sheet metal, make a great addition to an industrial room. Hunt down something large-scale to hang as art, or look out for signs that relate to the architecture of your home, as here.
Learn how to use signs as art and inspiration
Big up brickwork
Walls with exposed brick are a crucial feature of the industrial look, but if all that brown gets you down, consider painting the brickwork. A coat of white will soften the raw look – welcome in a bedroom – without obscuring the shape and texture of the bricks.
TELL US...
Are you a fan of the industrialist look? How do you incorporate it into your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Walls with exposed brick are a crucial feature of the industrial look, but if all that brown gets you down, consider painting the brickwork. A coat of white will soften the raw look – welcome in a bedroom – without obscuring the shape and texture of the bricks.
TELL US...
Are you a fan of the industrialist look? How do you incorporate it into your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Recycling is key to the industrial look, but don’t restrict yourself to vintage or salvaged pieces. This New York loft illustrates how a shot of contemporary design fits in beautifully with all the raw, industrial notes, adding a welcome change of style pace.