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One of the most prevalent interior design styles out there, industrial style has taken the world by storm. Whether it’s at home or in a trendy bar, we’ve all no doubt experienced an industrial style interior at one point or another. Many people want to bring this popular style into their home but aren’t sure where to start, so we’re going to take you through the origins of the style, how you can get the look in your home, and give you a few ideas for transforming your living room and dining room into industrial interiors.

What is industrial style?

When referring to interior design, the term industrial has been around for decades. Much like retro and vintage, it has been used to describe many variations of a theme, but what is an industrial interior exactly? What are the common threads that tie these interiors together? At its core, industrial interior design is about showcasing the structural materials used in the construction of the building itself. Modern industrial design is characterised by exposed brick walls, steel beams, and poured concrete floors. Features of the building that would normally be hidden become the star of the show, and as such the function of the space becomes its form. However, it’s not about having a scrappy, incomplete look. Industrial style should give your home a raw, unfinished look without crossing over into full abandoned warehouse territory. Keep it practical and functional, but make sure it’s cohesive and somewhat lived-in, too.

How to get the industrial look

Picture a large warehouse – what do you see? Tall exposed brick walls, sturdy steel beams, and plenty of natural light from large skylights overhead? Unfortunately, we don’t all live in old factories and warehouses, but this doesn’t mean it’s impossible to get the industrial look in your home. Just like with any other interior style, there are key principles you can apply. First things first, focus on stripping back your interior to the bare structure as far as you can. Whatever structural elements you can expose, do it. Concrete floors, wooden floorboards, brick walls, the more the better. You should also try to let in as much natural light as possible, and keep window frames stripped back with no soft treatment. Industrial furniture is low profile and unfussy, focussing on showcasing the materials used. Wood and metal are most commonly used, as well as distressed leather upholstery. Your colour palette will be determined by the elements of the building, like bricks and wood, so follow the lead and create a palette that complements these colours. Use plenty of statement lighting, like exposed or caged bulbs, or even reclaimed lighting from factories, to really sell the industrial look. Place it strategically in the room to highlight certain features or furniture, like a row of pendants lighting over a dining table. Industrial décor is usually teamed with a minimal approach to decorating, which, coupled with the spaciousness provided with low profile furniture, creates an open, relaxed atmosphere. Industrial style is similar to modernism in that it focuses on clean lines and keeping the home free of clutter, as well as muted, natural tones like matt blacks, soft greys and off whites.

Industrial living room ideas

If you’re lucky enough to have brick walls in your living room, you’re off to a good start. If you’re looking at painting your walls, then choose a natural tone like off white. Keep your floor industrial by leaving floorboards or concrete exposed. You can always add in a rug or two for added comfort and warmth where you need it. Choose an industrial style sofa with a low profile and minimalist design. Both leather and tactile fabric upholstery will work, just ensure that you choose another muted natural tone. Tan, earthy mushroom, or even a sage green tone will look fabulous in an industrial interior. Throw in a complementary armchair and footstool to really tie it all together. For storage, matt black bookshelves and a low profile industrial sideboard will keep your space clear and uncluttered. Bring in some industrial lighting like a tripod floor lamp and track lighting to illuminate and highlight your favourite features. Include industrial accessories, but don’t overfill the space. Decorate with salvaged machinery, tools, or blueprints to really nail the industrial vibe.

Industrial dining room ideas

To get the industrial look in your dining room, start with a neutral colour palette. While small flourishes of bolder colours are used in industrial style homes, the vast majority of space uses neutral tones. A well-crafted palette of harmonious colours gives the space a clean look, and often this will originate from whatever structural elements are displayed. If you have a brick wall visible, build your palette around it. If you paint it, keep it neutral. When choosing industrial style dining furniture, combine quality wood and metal pieces. An industrial style dining table may already be constructed from both materials, but another great option is to go for a solid wood dining table with metal and leather dining chairs. Combining materials like this is key to pulling off the industrial look effectively. Make sure that any lighting echoes the industrial theme of the room. Metal pendants and lamps, especially tripod floor lamps, are extremely on-trend. Keep pendant ceiling lights low hanging with wide brimmed shades, and use lamps to accentuate features like exposed pipes. Keep accessories on-theme and to a minimum. Mechanical clocks, especially brass ones, look fabulous in an industrial style dining room. You can always soften the look a little with plants, both artificial and real. A little bit of nature juxtaposes with the constructed industrial vibes beautifully, but don’t go overboard. Remember you’re trying to achieve an industrial look, so use plants wisely and sparingly. Finish up with some wall art, like vintage photographs of engineering marvels or old maps.