The Basics of Industrial Interior Design

While the roots of industrial design were inspired by late 19th century factories, the interior style is fully situated in the present. Exposed brickwork or cement, piping and vents, and unfinished wood and raw materials like steel are the signature cornerstones and can be a beautifully fresh way to open up a space and bring in an element of casual sleekness that feels both modern yet malleable.

While a popular design choice for city homes and apartments, given the context of their location, it’s also a great style to incorporate into your existing design to add a fresh take. Here are a few of the main identifying factors when it comes to industrial design and how to incorporate them into your space.

Exposed Wood And Metal Surfaces

Don’t be shy when investing in raw or untreated wood and unpolished metal surfaces! These are base textures for the style and add that industrial vibe almost instantly. An unpainted and unpolished slab of wood worked into a bar area, for example, can create depth and dimension while neutralizing hard edges (just make sure to use two coats of varnish to buff out those splinters). Additionally, a wrought iron metal staircase in the middle of a living room will change the tone of everything around it. Adding earth and neutral tones in your interior is also a great way to make these textures stand out while warming up the cooler tones.

Vintage Furniture Items

Vintage furniture items and several antiques (yes, including broken or cracked yet one-of-a-kind decorative pieces that have a certain story behind them) are great complements to the industrial decor theme. Most come in earth tones and natural colors and are a beautiful yet supportive juxtaposition to harder materials.

Bring Out The Pipes

Making the pipes and nozzles, valves, and vents visible are a key component to building out an industrial-style interior for their home. Ask your plumber to bring in the sturdiest materials to your property so that these can be placed outside the walls for a more authentic appearance. When considering what to expose, include your exhaust fans, major and connecting pipelines across your roof, safety valves, chimney shaft, and other structures in your plans.

Industrial Kitchen With Unusual Light Fixtures 

There are several options for lighting fixtures available in the market that give off that unpolished and elevated-crude appeal. One silver lining (pun intended) is that they do not have any superiorly polished handles or chrome-finished bodies, to finish the look. Simple vintage-style light fixtures that do not cost you thousands of dollars will do the trick and give you the overall effect. Bonus - try sourcing a few such items from a garage sale in your neighborhood.