Guide to the Industrial Interior Trend

The industrial design trend has been a popular option for homeowners and can work well in both contemporary and vintage spaces. 

If you’re interested in adding an industrial feel to your living space, then take a look at our guide to discover how you can bring elements of this trend to your home with a new colour palette and industrial style furniture. 

What is the Industrial Interior Trend?

The industrial interior design style centres around features found in industrial spaces, like old factories and warehouses. This includes structural elements and materials like exposed bricks, raw wood and metal. Industrial interiors are unrefined, with a focus on the bones of a space to craft a modern, contemporary feel. 

Key Characteristics of the Industrial Interior Trend

Some key elements of an industrial interior include:

• Open plan interior space
• Exposed brickwork
• Neutral, earthy and metallic colour themes
• Raw plaster walls
• Distressed furniture
• Wooden floorboards or decorative tiles
• Exposed pipes
• Leather chairs and sofas
• Wood and metal furniture and decor

The History of the Industrial Interior Trend

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, factories were built for industrial purposes made with brick, steel, iron and concrete. After manufacturing processes developed, these buildings became redundant over the years, and many have now been converted into apartment buildings and living spaces, with the industrial elements, like exposed brick and painted metal, still visible. 

Industrial spaces provided an interesting opportunity to design a historical, practical and unique space with furniture that suits the aesthetic and time period associated with the space. 

While the industrial interior design trend originates from industrial spaces, elements from these spaces can be brought into any interior - including modern homes - to bring a vintage feel while remaining contemporary. 

What Colours Are Used in Industrial Interior Design? 

One of the best ways to start planning an interior is to choose a colour palette to work with. When it comes to an industrial interior, it is best to choose neutral tones to work with, such as natural wood, white, grey and black. 

By keeping the base of your room neutral, it allows you to choose bolder statement pieces for your furniture and decor. 

Furniture in this style, like industrial sideboards, tables or cabinets, is often darker in colour, with black painted metal and heavy wooden items commonly used for this trend. Lighter metals like brass and copper are often then used to brighten the space through smaller elements such as lamp shades, picture frames and ornaments. 

What Materials Are Used in Industrial Interior Design?

Materials used in the industrial trend tend to be strong and heavy, as metals like steel and iron are commonly used, as well as thick, dark wood. 

Rugged and reclaimed furniture pieces instantly bring an industrial flair to your space, especially when they make use of painted metal and wood. 

For a lighter industrial look, glass can be used to create a contemporary feel with a vintage twist. Vintage-style glass pendant lights instantly transform a space with an industrial feel, while furniture that combines glass and metal frames - like cabinets and tables - brings a sleeker, stylish feel to the industrial trend. 

Adding Finishing Touches to Your Industrial Interior

Once you have created your industrial-inspired space and added in larger pieces of furniture, you’ll want to add some finishing touches to the space to bring the rooms together and firmly establish them within the industrial trend.

Textiles for an Industrial Interior

Soft furnishings and textiles can help to complete an industrial room while softening a living space. While industrial spaces are known for their sturdy, hard materials, you do need a bit of softness to make them comfortable and cosy for you to live in.

Velvet is a fantastic material for sofas, armchairs and curtains, especially when you use jewel tones like emerald green to work with the industrial furniture. If you’d rather keep things neutral, then a leather couch is a fantastic choice for living spaces. Soft rugs and throw blankets will also work to soften an industrial space.

Industrial Style Lighting

One of the best finishing touches to complete an industrial living space is the use of industrial lighting. Lighting that suits the industrial style includes exposed Edison bulbs, brass pendant shades, and vintage glass lamps. 

Add Natural Elements to Your Industrial Interior

Adding greenery with houseplants immediately brings a more organic feel to your space, brightening the room and adding a bit more life to your industrial interior. It can help to soften your space and add a pop of colour to your interior, as you don’t want the space to feel too cold with so much metal. 

Alternatively, you can add other forms of natural material like raffia, rattan, leather and faux hides to infuse the space with a more natural feel. 

Are you ready to add the industrial interior trend to your home? Check out our range of industrial style furniture at Accessories for the Home, or get in touch to discover the perfect unique pieces for your home!