What is industrial-style furniture?

From converted warehouses in London’s stylish East End to the Brooklyn penthouses of New York , industrial-style furniture can be found in cities all over the world. But what is it and what does it look like?

Industrial-style furniture is unique in its fusion of repurposed industrial materials and urban architecture. Many industrial spaces pair solid woods with the raw and functional beauty of factory-inspired materials like steel, iron and leather. It’s a favourite trend of up-and-coming stylists and home decor enthusiasts alike, and while lots of us seek to recreate this look at home, its roots are found in the vast ex-industrial spaces of our dockyards, cities and mills.

If you’re looking for industrial-style living room furniture think distressed leather sofas, handcrafted coffee tables and plenty of stainless steel accessories. Similarly, if you’re looking to style a dining room in an industrial style, look to wood and metal dining tables and chairs. We recommend Habufa’s Detroit range which combines solid oak and metal to stunning effect. When it comes to industrial dining tables, you want to channel a ‘back to basics’ aesthetic that prioritises functionality over decoration.

Is Habufa furniture right for me?

Habufa knows a thing or two about crafting high-end industrial-style furniture. Originally a steel tube manufacturer, it realised the potential of harnessing the strength of heavy metals into statement designs for the home market and has never looked back. Its talented in-house team design and create every piece from scratch and are champions of an unmatched quality-checking process that ensures your furniture is flawless from top to bottom.

Habufa’s range reimagines nature’s raw materials in new and innovative ways that feel fresh and unique. Habufa dining chairs boast black and dark grey metal accents and rustic oak veneers , as do all of Habufa’s bar stools. The result is a signature industrial style that instantly elevates any space. Perhaps you want to stand out? If so, Habufa’s industrial dining sets are a great choice. They’re carefully finished with oak veneers and while their stylish silhouettes offer a bold yet elegant interpretation of classic industrial design. Finally, because Habufa source all their materials to create as little waste as possible, when you shop with Habufa it’s good for the environment too.

What is the difference between rustic and industrial?

Rustic and industrial interiors might seem similar, but once you know what to look for, it’s easy to see that they’re really siblings rather than twins. They both showcase the beauty of natural materials, but where industrial design juxtaposes this with the materials of heavy industry, rustic seeks to embrace the lifecycle of nature by embracing a lived-in, organic look. This is most clearly seen in the difference between an industrial oak dining table and a rustic one: the industrial table will normally have a statement black metal base, whereas the rustic table will have handcrafted oak legs, perhaps with a distressed finish.

You’ll often find rustic interiors in countryside homes with crafted solid wood and understated displays of ceramics and decorative textures in neutral tonal shades. It’s also the starting point for many popular interior design styles like farmhouse, coastal and French country. Industrial design, on the other hand, tends to be more popular in cities; its historic heartland. Expect to see wood and metal dining tables, exposed brickwork and a reverence for the architectural features of the city and buildings.

How do I make my room look more industrial?

If you’re looking to make your home look and feel more like a Brooklyn loft apartment, there are a few simple steps you can take. First, if you’re able to, consider stripping one wall to expose the bricks underneath. Not only does it create a stunning focal point, but it will give your furniture an authentic industrial backdrop. Next, think about your lighting. Whether you prefer a gentle ambient glow or LED strips, there are plenty of industrial pendants and floor lamps to give your space an cool, industrial edge.

In the dining room we’d suggest a centrepiece industrial oak dining table. Habufa’s Detroit range is bold yet elegant and can be paired with a wide range of Habufa dining chairs. If you’re a fan a more casual look, Habufa’s bar stools offer you a relaxed and cocktail night-ready setting that can also double up as a weekend brunch spot too.