Interior Design Styles: Industrial Interiors

A key look for lofts and warehouse conversions, industrial interiors are underpinned by a nonchalant design attitude. Its context? Open-plan urban living spaces which are versatile in function and typically underdressed, showcasing raw textures and materials such as bare wood floors, exposed brick or concrete walls and ceiling beams. Antiqued brass, iron, aged copper or blackened steel are the style’s most commonly used metals as well as verdigris, pitted, hammered and scorched finishes.

For more inspiration

Interior Design Styles: Contemporary

Interior Design Styles: Mid-Century Modern

In keeping with the style’s casual attitude, woods are left as natural as possible. Matte and limed finishes are popular or ultra-dramatic blackened wood. Upholstery fabrics are robust with distressed leather being the style’s archetype (although an updated, luxury take on the style can be achieved through more refined but textured fabrics in cooler colours). Industrial furniture lies somewhere on the continuum between barely-there wireframe silhouettes and oversized monolithic designs; both channeling a simplistic approach to design. Casegoods, which tend to be open and skeletal, are often used to zone areas in the overall space.

Track lighting, hanging factory pendants or studio floor lamps with exposed bulbs are the style’s most recognisable lighting choices however these are often replaced by artistic modular or installation lighting in high-end renditions. Edgy objets – cage-like sculptures, artisan metal art and unhung monochrome prints – luxe up the look alongside plush rugs, perfectly crafted lighting and key tailored upholstery. Designers Tom Dixon, Tom Faulkner and Flack Studio are proponents of the style.