Industrial design is a bold and edgy style that brings a raw, unfinished charm to any space. Originating from converted factories and warehouses, this design style celebrates utilitarian elements like exposed brick walls, metal pipes, and reclaimed wood. But here’s the good news—you don’t need to live in a loft or an urban space to embrace industrial design. With the right tips, you can infuse this trendy aesthetic into any room of your home. Whether it’s a living room, kitchen, bedroom, or even a bathroom, industrial design is versatile, timeless, and incredibly stylish.
Let’s dive into how you can incorporate industrial design into your home, room by room.
1. Understand the Core Principles of Industrial Design
Before you start redecorating, it’s important to grasp the key elements that define industrial design. This style is all about blending rugged, functional materials with modern aesthetics.
Exposed Materials
Industrial design thrives on showing the bones of a space. Exposed brick walls, visible pipes, concrete floors, or raw wood are staples.
Neutral Color Palette
Stick to earthy tones like greys, browns, blacks, and whites. These create a clean, understated backdrop for industrial décor.
Reclaimed and Raw Materials
Think steel, leather, distressed wood, and concrete. The goal is to celebrate natural materials in their most authentic form.
Functional Furniture
Industrial furniture leans towards simplicity and practicality. Pieces often incorporate metal, wood, or leather and have a utilitarian vibe.
Open Spaces
Inspired by large, open warehouse layouts, industrial design emphasizes minimal clutter and a sense of spaciousness.
2. Industrial Design in the Living Room
The living room is the heart of any home, making it a great place to start incorporating industrial design.
Use Statement Furniture
Choose a leather or fabric sofa in neutral tones, and pair it with a coffee table made of reclaimed wood and metal legs. A vintage armchair or a minimalist shelving unit can complete the look.
Exposed Brick Walls
If you’re lucky enough to have exposed brick walls, highlight them with warm lighting. If not, use a brick-patterned wallpaper to mimic the look without major renovations.
Add Metal Accents
Incorporate metal through light fixtures, shelving brackets, or decorative pieces like mirrors with black iron frames.
Layer with Textures
Balance the ruggedness with soft textures like a wool throw blanket, patterned rugs, or oversized cushions in muted colors.
3. Industrial Style in the Kitchen
The kitchen is an ideal space for industrial design because of its natural connection to functionality and materials like steel and wood.
Metal and Wood Combo
Mix wooden cabinets or shelves with metal handles, and use stainless steel for appliances and backsplashes to enhance the industrial vibe.
Open Shelving
Ditch closed cabinets in favor of open shelving made of reclaimed wood. Display kitchen essentials like pots, pans, and glass jars for a utilitarian aesthetic.
Industrial Lighting
Hang pendant lights with black or bronze finishes over the kitchen island or dining area. Edison bulb fixtures are particularly popular in industrial kitchens.
Concrete or Butcher Block Counters
For countertops, choose durable materials like concrete or butcher block. These surfaces align perfectly with the rugged nature of industrial design.
4. Transforming the Bedroom with Industrial Style
Your bedroom can also embrace the industrial trend while remaining a cozy and inviting retreat.
Minimalist Bed Frame
Opt for a simple metal or wooden bed frame. A platform bed with clean lines is a perfect fit for this aesthetic.
Exposed Lighting
Skip traditional lamps and use wall-mounted sconces or pendant lights with exposed bulbs for bedside lighting.
Neutral Bedding
Choose bedding in shades of white, grey, or beige. Add texture with a chunky knit blanket or linen duvet cover.
Raw and Reclaimed Furniture
Use a reclaimed wood headboard or a vintage metal side table as bedside furniture. Pair these with a distressed leather chair for an extra industrial touch.
5. Industrial Bathroom Design
Yes, even your bathroom can channel the industrial style! This room is an excellent place to experiment with bold materials and utilitarian features.
Concrete or Brick Walls
If possible, keep walls bare with exposed concrete or brick. If not, use tiles that mimic these textures.
Metal Fixtures
Choose black, matte, or brushed metal finishes for faucets, showerheads, and towel bars.
Industrial Vanity
Use a wooden vanity with metal legs or a concrete sink to make a statement. Open shelving underneath can hold towels or toiletries.
Caged Light Fixtures
Install caged or pendant lights with Edison bulbs for that industrial warehouse vibe.
6. Industrial Design in the Home Office
A home office can benefit greatly from the focus and simplicity that industrial design offers.
Raw Wood Desk
A large desk made of reclaimed wood with metal legs is both functional and stylish. Pair it with a vintage-style office chair in leather or wood.
Exposed Shelving
Mount metal and wood shelves above the desk to store books, décor, or office supplies.
Wire Organizers
Use wire baskets and trays to organize paperwork, pens, and notebooks. They’re practical and fit seamlessly into the industrial aesthetic.
Muted Décor
Keep decorations minimal. A vintage clock, metal desk lamp, or a single black-and-white framed photograph can add character.
7. Accessorizing with Industrial Elements
Accessories tie the design together, creating cohesion across different rooms in your home.
Industrial Art
Hang artwork that complements the theme, such as abstract black-and-white prints or vintage advertisements.
Metallic Finishes
Incorporate metallic finishes through candlesticks, picture frames, or trays. Copper, brass, and black iron are all great options.
Rugs and Soft Furnishings
While industrial design leans on hard materials, a well-placed rug or throw pillow softens the space and makes it more inviting.
Greenery
Industrial spaces benefit from plants that add a touch of life and color. Use metal or concrete planters to stay consistent with the theme.
8. Bringing It All Together
Industrial design isn’t about perfection—it’s about embracing the beauty in raw, unfinished details while maintaining balance and practicality. Whether you go all-in with exposed brick walls and steel fixtures or just sprinkle in a few industrial accents, the key is to blend the rugged elements with warmth and comfort.
Mix and Match
Don’t feel confined to strict industrial rules. Pair industrial furniture with other styles, like mid-century modern or bohemian, for a more personalized look.
Stick to a Cohesive Palette
Maintain a consistent color palette throughout your home. Neutral tones, along with the occasional pop of color, work best in industrial spaces.
DIY Possibilities
Industrial design encourages creativity. DIY projects, like building your own shelving unit from pipes or refurbishing old furniture, are perfect for adding a personal touch to your space.
Create a Balanced Atmosphere
While industrial design celebrates raw materials, balance them with soft elements like rugs, cushions, and curtains to ensure your home feels cozy and livable.
10 FAQs About Industrial Design
1. What is industrial design style?
Industrial design is a style that embraces raw, unfinished elements like exposed brick, concrete, metal, and wood. It combines functionality with rugged charm for a unique aesthetic.
2. How can I make my space industrial without renovating?
Focus on small changes like adding industrial lighting, metal shelving, or accessories like caged light fixtures and wire baskets. Faux brick wallpaper is a great option too.
3. What colors work best for industrial design?
Neutral colors like grey, black, white, and brown work best. You can also incorporate metallic accents and occasional pops of muted colors like navy or olive green.
4. Can I mix industrial design with other styles?
Yes, industrial design pairs well with styles like modern, Scandinavian, or bohemian. Mixing styles can create a more personalized and balanced look.
5. Is industrial design expensive?
Not necessarily. Many industrial elements, like reclaimed wood, DIY pipe furniture, and metal accents, are budget-friendly.
6. What type of lighting is used in industrial design?
Industrial lighting often includes pendant lights, caged fixtures, or Edison bulbs. Black or matte metal finishes are common.
7. Can I use industrial design in small spaces?
Absolutely! Use a minimal approach with key elements like exposed materials, neutral colors, and functional furniture to make a small space feel industrial.
8. What materials define industrial design?
Industrial design is defined by materials like exposed brick, concrete, steel, iron, distressed wood, and leather.
9. How do I soften the harshness of industrial design?
Add soft textures through rugs, cushions, or curtains. Plants and warm lighting can also help balance the rawness of industrial elements.
10. Can I DIY industrial furniture?
Yes! Industrial design lends itself to DIY projects. You can build shelves with metal pipes and wood or refurbish vintage furniture for an authentic look.