❝Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style❞ - Billy Baldwin

There are many types of interior design and each style consists of distinctive furniture, decors, lighting, and accessories that give it its signature look. By getting to know some of the most popular styles, you’ll better understand what styles stand out to you and meet your preferences. Billy Baldwin mentioned how one should be faithful to their own taste since it’ll never go out of style! Do you like brick walls, rough-hewn wood, and unrefined stone surfaces? Who cares about people's opinion on it, it is your own aesthetic preference! In today’s “Know Your Interior Design Style Series”, we will be discussing all about industrial interior design style! 

Starting from the very basic question, what is the definition of industrial interior design style? Although it may appear modern, industrial design, especially in architecture, traces its origins back to the industrial revolutions and the emergence of large factories, industries, and warehouses. Drawing inspiration from factories constructed during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, industrial interior design focuses on the architectural features within a space. Unlike other styles that conceal piping and ductwork, industrial design highlights these elements, making them central to the aesthetic. Raw, rustic, and seemingly unfinished, industrial interior design fosters a relaxed atmosphere that is conducive to comfortable living. By prioritizing practicality and minimalism, this style creates a welcoming, laid-back environment that also champions eco-friendliness.

Industrial interior design embraces the rugged beauty of industrial spaces while prioritizing functionality, simplicity, and authenticity. There are several key elements that characterized this interior design style, what are those elements?

1. Neutral toward dark color palette

While industrial design typically leans towards neutral colors, it tends to favor darker tones such as black, gray, and brown. An industrial interior seldom features an excessively white palette; while it may incorporate some shades of white, the predominant theme should be characterized by darker and neutral hues.

2. Embrace natural light 

Industrial interior design often showcases expansive natural windows with black frames, occasionally arranged in a grid pattern. These large windows contrast with the dark theme, infusing the interior space of industrial design with brightness and openness.

3. Highlight architecture materials 

When thinking of the industrial design style, exposed pipes and ductwork immediately come to mind, serving as the cornerstone of this aesthetic. These exposed elements typically sport a black color, offering a striking contrast against brown brick walls. Additionally, exposed brickwork is another important feature of industrial interior design, brick walls and metal railings often complemented by raw wood accents to cultivate a rough and rugged appearance.

4. Vintage and repurposed materials

Industrial interiors often incorporate vintage or repurposed furniture pieces that reflect the history and character of industrial spaces. These furnishings may feature distressed wood, metal accents, or salvaged industrial equipment such as wooden coffee table with castor wheels, bookshelf made of reclaimed materials, and repurposed dining tables. 

5. Bare light bulbs 

Lighting plays a crucial role in industrial interior design, with fixtures like exposed bulbs, pendant lights, and vintage industrial lamps adding character and ambiance to the space.

6. High ceilings 

Another notable feature of industrial design is the presence of high ceilings within the home. While this might not be a practical option for some homes, integrating high ceilings into the interior can significantly amplify the overall warehouse ambiance.

7. Spacious open floor plans

Industrial interiors typically prioritize simplicity and openness. Clutter is minimized, and the layout tends to be spacious which is why most industrial spaces typically feature open floor plans, allowing for easy movement and creating a sense of interconnectedness between different areas of the space.

8. Create coziness with natural textiles 

In this interior design style, fabrics such as weathered leather or linen are ideal choices for both furniture and accents, contributing to a lived-in and cozy atmosphere.

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When considering a specific interior design style for your home, it's advisable to familiarize yourself with its dos and don'ts. While we've outlined its fundamental characteristics in the previous section, let's now explore some common mistakes to avoid when designing in the industrial style:

• Avoid using overly bright and bold colors in industrial design. This style is defined by a dark, neutral color palette, so opt for deep shades instead.

• While industrial interiors often incorporate large, heavy elements to evoke a warehouse or factory ambiance, refrain from overcrowding the space with too many elements, which can lead to a cramped feel.

• Embrace natural and earthy elements in industrial design, steering clear of synthetic materials and plastics, as they can detract from the desired aesthetic.

• Resist the temptation to incorporate an excessive number of decorative elements. While modern industrial design allows for the inclusion of some decorative items to achieve a contemporary look, overdoing it with ornamentation can detract from the essence of industrial design.

Industrial interior design is easily blendable with other styles due to its versatile and adaptable nature, in particular modern and chic. This offers homeowners the freedom to create unique and eclectic spaces that reflect their individual tastes and preferences.

1. Modern industrial 

Both modern and industrial design styles share a common focus on manmade materials like steel and glass. However, modern styles tend to favor straight lines and brighter lighting meanwhile industrial design emphasizes the unpolished. So how do they blend well together? It may appear contradictory to the modern aesthetic, yet when paired together, they complement each other. Modern industrial interior design blends elements of contemporary design with the rugged aesthetic of industrial spaces with a minimalist approach and also incorporating the integration of technology.

2. Industrial chic

At first glance, chic decor may seem incompatible with industrial design, but when executed effectively, it introduces a touch of elegance. The refinement brought by comfortable furniture and a chandelier, combined with exposed concrete and pipes, creates an inviting yet relaxed atmosphere. Splashes of color throughout the room, such as purples, reds, blues, or greens, infuse the space with personality. There must be a balance between both industrial elements and chic details!

Source : Pinterest

The industrial design trend has surged in popularity in recent years, offering a unique blend of raw aesthetics and urban charm. From exposed brick walls to metal accents, the industrial look adds character and personality to any space. In this section, we'll explore how you can incorporate the industrial style into your home, creating a stylish and aesthetic living environment.

1. Avoid overcrowding for that essential industrial interior design 

At its core, industrial style prioritizes utility and simplicity. Each piece within the room serves a specific function, eliminating any excess or purely ornamental elements. This principle applies to accessories like throws, pillows, and decorative pieces. Instead, the emphasis lies on intentionality, shifting the focus towards bold accents such as artwork and lighting fixtures.

2. Choose furniture wisely for an effective industrial interior design

Choose essential and functional furniture for your industrial interior design. Ensure the clean, straight lines. Avoid ornate pieces with carvings or curved armrests. However, this doesn't imply that you can't experiment with mixing and matching styles. Feel free to combine industrial elements with other styles like vintage, mid-century modern, or Scandinavian. 

3. Embrace raw materials & expose structural elements

One of the key elements of industrial design is the use of raw materials such as exposed brick, concrete, and metal. Consider leaving brick walls bare or adding a faux concrete finish to create an industrial-inspired backdrop in your home. Incorporate metal accents through furniture pieces, light fixtures, and decorative accessories to add depth and visual interest to the space. Embrace the industrial charm of exposed structural elements such as pipes, beams, and ductwork.

4. Open it up

Converted industrial homes and industrial-themed interior designs are characterized by large, open spaces and high ceilings. This layout lends itself well to open-plan arrangements, especially in social areas like the living room, kitchen, and dining area.

5. Combine wood and metal for modern industrial interior design

A significant aspect of the distinct industrial style emanates from its utilization of two primary materials: wood and metal. Metal elements such as exposed pipes, ducts, and wiring are common, while wood is often found in tables, counters, and cabinets.

That is all our discussion about industrial interior design! What do you think of this interior design style? Is it your preference? Consult your dream house with Livvy Luxury Living! Contact us on Whatsapp : +62 878 6894 8000 or visit us at 18 Office Park 25th floor Suite A, Jalan Simatupang Kav 18, South Jakarta.

Content Writer : Arcelia Emmanuella Adiwinata