A lot of home interiors end up looking very much the same. The same uninspired furniture and colours, and even the same art hanging on the walls.
Most modern homes use light colours and simple shapes. These are great for maximising space but look very typical and boring. If you prefer something more unique, incorporating industrial elements is a great idea.
Industrial elements are design features that we typically associate more with warehouses and factories. These features give your home a more rugged and interesting look, but it doesn’t mean you have to give up comfort or style. You can blend all three together well if you know what you’re doing. Below are some tips for getting the most out of an industrial look in your home.
Exposed Features
Exposed features are the main thing that people think of when talking about industrial design. Factories and industrial spaces usually feature a lot of exposed pipework, beams, and even cabling. You don’t have to make your home look completely like a factory, but using a few exposed features can really catch the eye.
These can be functional or purely decorative, depending on your own personal preference. While it might be difficult to install stainless steel beams and pipes if you don’t already have any, you can use screws, bolts and threaded rods to provide a more industrial look. A thread rod can be left exposed along a wall or piece of furniture to add some unique style to your room.
Another great option is exposed brickwork. Although not always associated with industrial settings, these offer a raw and unfinished look to your home while also being incredibly stylish. It’s important to note that if you do leave these features exposed, they still need to be safe. Make sure there are no hazards from leaving cables and beams uncovered.
Minimalist Furnishings
The ideal industrial setting uses fairly modern furnishings to offer a lot of wide, open space throughout the property. This doesn’t mean you need to throw out your bed and sofa, but you should be careful not to overdo it with lots of furnishings.
Make sure that every piece you have serves an important purpose, and find ways to store things out of sight when not in use for that authentic industrial look. You can also look for furniture using reclaimed or repurposed materials for a unique style.
When choosing your furnishings, be sure to consider things like plug sockets, light switches, lights and door handles. These can all be changed to fit in with the overall aesthetic of your home and provide a more industrial feel. Keep things minimalist and use materials such as steel, burned copper and exposed glass.
Adding Warmth
Industrial settings can look quite cold and clinical if you’re not careful. For some people, this may be the intended effect. However, if you want your home to look inviting, you may need to add some warmth. When choosing your furnishings, there should be some contrast between the cold, industrial style and the warmth of your sofa or bed.
Earthy colours can help to provide a warmer, neutral tone to rooms. Wooden furniture is ideal for this, as are richly coloured throw blankets. Don’t be afraid to use bright colours, either. Hanging brightly coloured modern art helps to create an eye-popping contrast that will give your room a lot of energy and vibrance.
Of course, you can also use art pieces that further the industrial look. Industrial signs are a great touch, adding some colour and visual elements while still following the theme.
