❝Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak❞ - Rachel Zoe
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. From Rachel Zoe’s quotes, we can understand that one's style, whether it's in fashion, art, or even the way we live our lives, can often say more about a person than words ever could. In today’s “Know Your Interior Design Style Series”, we will be discussing an interior design style defined by a heavy use of metal, leather, rustic wood, and brick. It is unique and most definitely shows much personality in a house, it is steampunk interior design!
What is steampunk interior design style? Steampunk interior design is a style that takes inspiration from the aesthetics and technology of the 19th century, particularly the Victorian era, and blends it with elements of industrial machinery and futuristic imaginings. This interior design style seeks to create spaces that look like they could exist in an alternate history where steam power remained the dominant form of technology, leading to a fusion of Victorian elegance and industrial innovation, an unique blend of history, fantasy, and innovation, creating spaces that are both visually striking and evocative of a bygone era of industrial revolution and exploration. Like other interior design style, let us tell you some of steampunk’s characteristics :
1. Victorian influence
Steampunk design often incorporates the ornate, luxurious elements of Victorian interior design, including rich fabrics like velvet, brocade, and leather, as well as dark woods and intricate detailing.
2. Industrial elements
This style incorporates industrial elements such as exposed gears, pipes, valves, and machinery parts. Think brass, copper, iron, and other metals used in creative ways throughout the space.
3. Vintage technology
Old-fashioned technology is a hallmark of steampunk design. Incorporate items like vintage typewriters, gramophones, telescopes, or even old-fashioned clocks to evoke a sense of nostalgia and technological innovation.
4. Gears and cogs
Gears and cogs are iconic symbols of steampunk style. They can be used as decorative elements on walls, furniture, or lighting fixtures to give the space an industrial edge.
5. Vintage lighting
Lighting fixtures in steampunk design often mimic Victorian-era gas lamps or industrial pendant lights. Look for fixtures with exposed bulbs, brass or copper finishes, and intricate detailing.
6. Leather and wood
Furniture and accessories in steampunk design often feature leather upholstery and dark, richly stained wood. These materials add warmth and depth to the space while maintaining a vintage feel.
7. Antique accents
Incorporate antique or vintage accents such as old maps, globes, scientific instruments, or antique books to enhance the historical ambiance of the space.
8. Mixed textures
Steampunk design often incorporates a variety of textures, from smooth leather upholstery to rough-hewn wood and polished metal surfaces. Mixing textures adds visual interest and depth to the space.
9. Layered decor
Steampunk interiors often feature layers of decor, with objects arranged in a curated, eclectic manner. Display vintage books, scientific curiosities, and other interesting artifacts to create a sense of discovery and adventure.
10. Creative DIY
Steampunk design encourages creativity and resourcefulness, so don't be afraid to repurpose old items or get crafty with DIY projects. Upcycling old furniture, creating custom lighting fixtures, or adding steampunk-inspired artwork can add a personal touch to your space.
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Steampunk design ideas honor the best aspects of the 19th century, making it a captivating theme in interior design. This style offers plenty of room for creativity and allows you to revive the era of innovation and industrialization in unique ways. This can always be tricky but here we have 7 ways to incorporate steampunk interior design in your home!
1. Think sepia tones
While steampunk interiors draw heavily from Victorian and gothic influences, they're not limited to a palette of reds and purples. Instead, steampunk has its own distinct color tone: sepia. To achieve the sepia tone in your steampunk style design, consider using colors such as orange, brass tones with reddish-yellow hues, warm shades like yellow, brown, pink, and red, darker shades of lime green, cyan preferably as a backdrop, and pale shades of violet that seamlessly blend with the sepia tones in photographs.
2. Keep the exposed bricks
As steampunk design celebrates the ingenuity of the 19th century, incorporating exposed bricks can greatly enhance the aesthetic. In many science fiction narratives of that era, innovators often worked in basements or concealed rooms nestled within brick-laden alleyways, evoking a sense of nostalgia for that period's architectural character. By leaving bricks exposed, even if it's just on one wall or around the fireplace, you subtly transport the space to that era with its distinctive, unadorned structures.
3. Utilize the texture of metals
Retro elements play a significant role in steampunk design, and incorporating metallic accents like exposed rods on lampshades, corsets fashioned from ornate metal for light fixtures, and visible pipelines traversing the room can enrich your design concept. Utilizing metallic cogs to secure picture frames or cabinet doors, and employing long metallic panels reminiscent of airship components, further enhances the retro steampunk aesthetic.
4. Use leather, antique, and refurbished furniture
In crafting a steampunk-inspired interior, antique furniture pieces are always a go-to choice. Leather couches, chairs, and coverings evoke the imagery, adding to the illusion of a bygone era. Opting exclusively for antique or refurbished wood and metal furniture pieces aligns with the widespread popularity of such elements in steampunk style. Add some ladder bookshelves, old-fashioned hat stands, or Victorian-style decors.
5. Inculcate whimsical decorations
Steampunk style celebrates the industrial revolution while nodding to the past, offering a chance to incorporate whimsical home decor. Consider larger, more imaginative pieces. For example, showcase vintage leather gloves and protective eyewear or metal items like compasses and ship captain's telescopes alongside maps to evoke a seafaring adventure. Steamer trunks and even miniature time machines can add character to your living space, while keepsakes from the industrial revolution become cherished possessions.
6. Add accent lighting and magical gradations
When it comes to lighting in steampunk interiors, think about the era's development stage. Opt for open light fixtures for maximum brightness, starting with accent lighting to highlight focal points or specific areas. Then, create a warm, Victorian ambiance with subtle yellow tones and gradient lighting throughout the space. Consider adding dimmer switches for flexibility, allowing you to adjust lighting levels for different activities and times of day.
7. Focus on the wall art
For wall art, blend industrial design elements like clocks and cogs with Victorian elegance. Install antique clocks, ornate picture frames, or framed artifacts from airships or boats. DIY options abound, from painting scenes from the 19th century in warm colors to creating collages of Victorian-era imagery. With these simple yet creative ideas, you can transform your space into a captivating steampunk haven, complete with leather or antique frames and accent lighting to showcase your unique style.
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That is all our discussion about steampunk 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