So Your Style Is: Industrial
Urban sophistication is yours for the taking with this cutting-edge style
Once the domain of factories and warehouses that sprang to life during the industrial revolution, this dramatic style has worked its way into expansive inner-city dwellings converted from buildings once used purely for manufacturing. The raw appeal of industrial style is now making its way into all kinds of homes in all manner of ways. Utilitarian and brilliantly brash, industrial style draws from the past to create modern spaces full of attitude. Metal, timber, glass and brick are used in abundance, and the higher the ceilings, the better.
Why it works: This is one design style few saw coming. Its appeal lies in its historic roots and exposed mechanics that speak of working-class values and rustic charm. Lighting, furniture, work surfaces, floors and walls all incorporate detail from warehouses, factories and even railways to dramatic effect.
You’ll love it if… The inner city feels like home and you’re a creative type with an eye for design. Wearing black is not mandatory, but it’s sure to be one of your favourite shades.
Introduce the following elements into your home to pull off an industrial style space.
Why it works: This is one design style few saw coming. Its appeal lies in its historic roots and exposed mechanics that speak of working-class values and rustic charm. Lighting, furniture, work surfaces, floors and walls all incorporate detail from warehouses, factories and even railways to dramatic effect.
You’ll love it if… The inner city feels like home and you’re a creative type with an eye for design. Wearing black is not mandatory, but it’s sure to be one of your favourite shades.
Introduce the following elements into your home to pull off an industrial style space.
Comfort is key
There’s no reason why an industrial-style home has to feel cold and unwelcoming. Soften all those hard edges with a healthy plant, colourful rug or wall hanging – just don’t let any one element take over. Sticking to muted colours will ensure nothing becomes overbearing. The room’s architectural features and raw materials are what should take centre stage.
SMART STRATEGY: Getting the lighting right is a must if you want to pull off this style successfully. Oversize pendants often work well because they help balance out vast expanses of space.
There’s no reason why an industrial-style home has to feel cold and unwelcoming. Soften all those hard edges with a healthy plant, colourful rug or wall hanging – just don’t let any one element take over. Sticking to muted colours will ensure nothing becomes overbearing. The room’s architectural features and raw materials are what should take centre stage.
SMART STRATEGY: Getting the lighting right is a must if you want to pull off this style successfully. Oversize pendants often work well because they help balance out vast expanses of space.
Mix old and new
Shiny stainless steel can work wonderfully with the more rustic materials often found in industrial-style spaces. Think benchtops, ovens, shelving and side tables.
SMART STRATEGY: Form and function may be overriding themes in this style, but softening the blow with some light and breezy curtains or other touch of whimsy can add unexpected delight.
Shiny stainless steel can work wonderfully with the more rustic materials often found in industrial-style spaces. Think benchtops, ovens, shelving and side tables.
SMART STRATEGY: Form and function may be overriding themes in this style, but softening the blow with some light and breezy curtains or other touch of whimsy can add unexpected delight.
Salvaged details
Leave no stone unturned if you’re looking for maximum impact. Even the humble home office can become a stylish space that uses relics from the past to create patina in the present. Work in old chairs, reclaimed timber and repurposed cabinets alongside black metal features and reclaimed relics.
SMART STRATEGY: Unadorned expanses of tiles or concrete are the perfect flooring choice for this style, but practicalities do come into play. Incorporating underfloor heating could be the way to go if comfort is going to be an issue. Having cold feet is just no fun.
Leave no stone unturned if you’re looking for maximum impact. Even the humble home office can become a stylish space that uses relics from the past to create patina in the present. Work in old chairs, reclaimed timber and repurposed cabinets alongside black metal features and reclaimed relics.
SMART STRATEGY: Unadorned expanses of tiles or concrete are the perfect flooring choice for this style, but practicalities do come into play. Incorporating underfloor heating could be the way to go if comfort is going to be an issue. Having cold feet is just no fun.
Recycle and reuse
One-of-a-kind items are the key to creating an industrial look that works. Whether pulley-style lighting, furniture that incorporates old machinery, or seating that could look at home on a factory floor, take the time to look in antiques stores and online auctions near and far – and don’t be afraid to look beyond our shores to make that perfect statement.
SMART STRATEGY: Industrial style has gone mainstream, so look-alike items have inevitably cropped up in homewares stores on and offline. There’s nothing wrong with reproductions – just try to stay true to the style by choosing items that have been made from recycled materials. Your home will have far more soul as a result.
One-of-a-kind items are the key to creating an industrial look that works. Whether pulley-style lighting, furniture that incorporates old machinery, or seating that could look at home on a factory floor, take the time to look in antiques stores and online auctions near and far – and don’t be afraid to look beyond our shores to make that perfect statement.
SMART STRATEGY: Industrial style has gone mainstream, so look-alike items have inevitably cropped up in homewares stores on and offline. There’s nothing wrong with reproductions – just try to stay true to the style by choosing items that have been made from recycled materials. Your home will have far more soul as a result.
Modern flair
The bathroom is one place where new is often nicer to use than old. Fortunately, consumer demand is such that designers are coming up with fabulous takes on old-fashioned style in vanities, baths and tap ware.
SMART STRATEGY: This glamorous bath is a good example of adding an element that makes no apology for being shiny and new. Yet it’s still in keeping with the industrial edge the rest of the bathroom is all about.
The bathroom is one place where new is often nicer to use than old. Fortunately, consumer demand is such that designers are coming up with fabulous takes on old-fashioned style in vanities, baths and tap ware.
SMART STRATEGY: This glamorous bath is a good example of adding an element that makes no apology for being shiny and new. Yet it’s still in keeping with the industrial edge the rest of the bathroom is all about.
Bones exposed
The bare bones of a building are what gives many industrial-style abodes their beauty, and if there are high ceilings and exposed-brick walls with which to work, you’re in luck. Leave them be wherever possible.
SMART STRATEGY: There’s balance to be achieved with industrial-style homes lest they lean towards becoming too dark and broody. An all-white kitchen like this one can lighten the mood, and the playful lighting over the island bench adds punch.
The bare bones of a building are what gives many industrial-style abodes their beauty, and if there are high ceilings and exposed-brick walls with which to work, you’re in luck. Leave them be wherever possible.
SMART STRATEGY: There’s balance to be achieved with industrial-style homes lest they lean towards becoming too dark and broody. An all-white kitchen like this one can lighten the mood, and the playful lighting over the island bench adds punch.
Bare bulbs
Probably the easiest way to inject a dose of industrial-style into your home is with some barefaced lighting like this. Mix it up with oversize pendant lighting that incorporates metal and glass.
SMART STRATEGY: Stick to black or white walls alongside natural timber and exposed brick to draw attention to the coolest industrial elements at your house. Keep large expanses of colour well away.
MORE
Industrial homes for your inspiration
Probably the easiest way to inject a dose of industrial-style into your home is with some barefaced lighting like this. Mix it up with oversize pendant lighting that incorporates metal and glass.
SMART STRATEGY: Stick to black or white walls alongside natural timber and exposed brick to draw attention to the coolest industrial elements at your house. Keep large expanses of colour well away.
MORE
Industrial homes for your inspiration
Expanses of unpainted brick walls, chunky timber shelves and benchtops, polished concrete floors, towering windows framed in black metal – these form the essence of industrial style.
SMART STRATEGY: Open shelving is commonly used in industrial-style kitchens and white, glass and stainless steel are natural choices when it comes to the flatware and other items on display. Break the rules now and then with a splash of colour just because you can.