Prevailing trends often shape the process of architectural and interior design of spaces, especially in the residential sector. Minimalist, raw styles have become popular in the industry today, of which Industrial style interior design is one of the most trending styles. Although its origin was many decades ago, it has made a comeback today in the design of residential, commercial and industrial spaces. Continue reading to understand exactly what Industrial style interiors mean, their evolution and prominent features, and explore how you can incorporate the Industrial interior style in your residential spaces.
What is Industrial Style Interior Design?
An industrial style interior is a design approach inspired by the design of 18th and 19th century industrial spaces, such as factories and warehouses. Featuring exposed and raw materials, neutral colour palettes, minimal decor and open floor plans, this style is known for its rugged finish and clutter-free environment. In contemporary homes, industrial interiors often blend concepts of Modernist and Minimalist design styles to produce a unique aesthetic that is practical, functional and simple.
How Did Industrial Style Interiors Evolve?
The Industrial Revolution took place during the 18th and 19th centuries, leading to the large-scale construction of factories and warehouses across the world, especially in the USA and Europe. In these buildings, functionality and quick construction were the main priorities, which resulted in the design of spaces with exposed structural elements and raw materials. Steel and concrete were widely used to build these large-scale structures, following their recent development. Large windows, open floor plans and exposed bricks were other defining features of the buildings.
In the 2000s, many of these factories and warehouses in New York were converted into apartments to reduce the housing shortage. Due to the increasing popularity of Minimalist styles during this time, the aesthetic features of these buildings were retained in their original form, giving birth to a new style that came to be known as the ‘Industrial style’. With globalisation, the Industrial interior design style quickly gained popularity and is now frequently incorporated in the design of residential, commercial and industrial spaces across the world.
Features of the Industrial Interior Style
Some of the most common features of Industrial interior decor are:
Open Floor Plans
Similar to factories with large, open workspaces, buildings in the Industrial interior style also feature open floor layouts. With large windows to maximise natural light and ceilings that are higher than usual, these buildings have a spacious and airy atmosphere. Fewer interior partitions and flexible layouts mean that most spaces are multifunctional.
Exposed Structural Materials
Structural components of buildings—such as beams, columns and slabs—are often left exposed (without any finishes) in Industrial architecture. Unlike conventional interior styles which seek to hide such elements and create smooth finishes, the Industrial style seeks to embrace their rawness and create a functional look. Exposed structural elements also mean that any damages can be easily spotted and fixed.
Raw Finishes
Non-structural components, such as walls and decor items, are made using unfinished, raw materials in Industrial style interior design. This includes materials like exposed brick, weathered metal and unpolished wood. Components of MEP systems, such as pipes, ducts and electrical cables are also often left exposed to enhance the raw look of spaces.
Monochromatic or Neutral Colour Palette
To blend well with unfinished materials (like concrete and brick), modern industrial interior design uses neutral and/ or monochromatic colour palettes. This generally includes shades of greys, browns, black and white. A few pops of metallic or warm colours (like yellow and orange) may sometimes be included to add vibrance and visual interest in spaces.
Minimalism
The Industrial style in interior design places heavy emphasis on minimalism. It aims to create spaces that feel open, functional, and clean without excessive ornamentation or decor. Only functional furniture and interior decor pieces that suit specific requirements are utilised, avoiding clutter and promoting simple lifestyles while maintaining practicality.
Tips to Incorporate Industrial Interior Design in Homes
Industrial house design has some specific features as explained above. However, you can explore the tips below to enhance its aesthetic and functional properties:
Maximise Natural Lighting
Since the style majorly uses neutral and monochromatic colours that can make spaces look dull, ensure that your Industrial building plans include lots of large windows that can allow extensive sunlight to enter. Apart from softening the harsh industrial colours, these windows and openings will also ensure sufficient cross ventilation and better indoor air quality.
Use Layered Artificial Lighting
Industrial interior designers often incorporate multiple types of artificial lighting in indoor spaces to suit changing needs or uses. Bulbs with exposed filaments, rope-suspended lights and wall sconces with pipe fittings are particularly popular right now. By including multiple types of such lights for every space in your house, you can adjust the ambience of the space to suit your current activity. Using warm-coloured lights can also emphasise the textures of the raw finishes in the space (such as exposed brick or concrete).
Incorporate Greenery
Small interior courtyards or indoor plants can help soften the harsh Industrial interiors by acting like bright pops of colours. They may be particularly beneficial in Industrial office interior design, where they can help boost mental health and productivity. Use hanging pots or containers with metallic accents (like gold or steel grey) instead of terracotta pots to grow these plants, so that the Industrial aesthetic is maintained.
Explore Different Textures
Industrial decor bedrooms and living spaces can feel monotonous due to their neutral colour palettes. However, exploring combinations of different textures and contrasts can help avoid this. For example, you can pair exposed brick with distressed wood, concrete floors with woollen rugs/ carpets and dark steel beams with gold-coloured accents. Such textural contrasts add visual interest without compromising the essence of the Industrial style.
Use Recycled/ Repurposed Elements
Use materials and products that are recycled or repurposed, such as distressed leather furniture, antique decor or reclaimed wood storage cabinets. Such elements can add a vintage feel to spaces and enhance their authenticity, showcasing the passage of time. They can also reduce the overall cost and promote sustainable building practices in your Industrial theme interior design project.
Opting for Well-Designed Homes
Industrial style interior design is an approach that combines functionality with the aesthetics of material honesty. However, such a design must be carefully done to avoid creating monotonous or cold-looking spaces. Brick & Bolt, a leading construction company in India, employs a team of experienced architects who analyse individual project requirements to create thoughtfully designed spaces. With a guarantee of top-notch quality, the company has successfully completed 10,000+ homes. To get Industrial interior spaces designed with creativity and functionality in mind, reach out to Brick & Bolt today!
Apoorva H P Achar