Decorating Styles
Your Guide to Industrial Style
See how workhorse furniture, open spaces and raw materials create this utilitarian look
Whether you’re shopping for furnishings or sharing your ideas with a designer, having a clear understanding of your favorite style can be a big help. If you love gritty, utilitarian spaces, raw materials and decor that evokes factories and warehouses, industrial style might be your best decorating match. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular style, including key elements, color palettes, furniture and accessories.
Also in this series: Your Guide to Traditional Style
Also in this series: Your Guide to Traditional Style
What Is Industrial Style?
Industrial style draws inspiration from factories and warehouses, where furnishings are utilitarian and tough and materials are raw. Often seen in urban lofts and converted industrial spaces, this style can also be created through the use of industrial finishes and decor. While there’s no doubt that industrial style is gritty, the ultimate goal is to find beauty and creativity in raw materials and open spaces.
Industrial style draws inspiration from factories and warehouses, where furnishings are utilitarian and tough and materials are raw. Often seen in urban lofts and converted industrial spaces, this style can also be created through the use of industrial finishes and decor. While there’s no doubt that industrial style is gritty, the ultimate goal is to find beauty and creativity in raw materials and open spaces.
Industrial style is:
- Utilitarian. Furniture is workhorse-sturdy and made of heavy-duty materials like steel, iron and solid wood.
- Salvaged. Industrial style is all about making something new out of forgotten or leftover materials, whether that means converting an entire warehouse or getting creative with furnishings like pallet tables and stock tank planters.
- Raw. Materials and surfaces tend to be weathered or unfinished. Look for exposed brick and cinder block, wooden beams, concrete floors, steel windows and visible ductwork.
Industrial style is not:
- Delicate. Durability and simplicity are industrial style’s strong suits. Forgo delicate pieces and fussy details in favor of pieces that can stand up to heavy use.
- Perfect. Look for reclaimed wood, aged leather and imperfect finishes with a bit of patina.
- Traditional. Unlike traditional style with its formal, luxurious comforts, industrial style emphasizes humble materials and functional furnishings.
Key Element: Workhorse Furniture
Industrial furniture is simple and stripped down, highlighting the structure and raw materials. Look for steel, iron, aluminum, reclaimed wood and chipped or imperfect finishes. Furniture that would look at home in a lab, a warehouse or an old school building is just right — think of rolling chairs, metal stools, lockers, library ladders and large worktables. Upholstered pieces in modern shapes with solid fabrics or leather work best.
Shop for industrial-style furniture on Houzz
Industrial furniture is simple and stripped down, highlighting the structure and raw materials. Look for steel, iron, aluminum, reclaimed wood and chipped or imperfect finishes. Furniture that would look at home in a lab, a warehouse or an old school building is just right — think of rolling chairs, metal stools, lockers, library ladders and large worktables. Upholstered pieces in modern shapes with solid fabrics or leather work best.
Shop for industrial-style furniture on Houzz
Key Element: Open Space
Since industrial style takes its inspiration from spacious warehouses and converted lofts, it makes sense that open space is a key component of this look. Think of clean-lined furnishings atop bare concrete floors or a neutral rug; a single abstract painting or large-format photograph on otherwise bare walls; or large, cleared work surfaces punctuated by just a few carefully chosen objects. The open space between objects (also called negative space) increases visual impact and draws attention to architecture, space, texture and light.
The Power of Negative Space in Interior Design
Since industrial style takes its inspiration from spacious warehouses and converted lofts, it makes sense that open space is a key component of this look. Think of clean-lined furnishings atop bare concrete floors or a neutral rug; a single abstract painting or large-format photograph on otherwise bare walls; or large, cleared work surfaces punctuated by just a few carefully chosen objects. The open space between objects (also called negative space) increases visual impact and draws attention to architecture, space, texture and light.
The Power of Negative Space in Interior Design
Key Element: Simple Palette
The emphasis in industrial-style spaces is on the architecture of the space and the structure of the furnishings — which means that the color palette tends toward crisp and clean white, subtle neutrals and black. Color, when it does appear, is often in the form of artwork and accessories, or used as a single bold statement hue.
Great shades for industrial spaces:
The emphasis in industrial-style spaces is on the architecture of the space and the structure of the furnishings — which means that the color palette tends toward crisp and clean white, subtle neutrals and black. Color, when it does appear, is often in the form of artwork and accessories, or used as a single bold statement hue.
Great shades for industrial spaces:
- Neutrals. Dove gray, putty, slate, espresso
- Black and white. Architectural white, matte black
- Pops of color. Fire engine red, navy blue, royal blue, chartreuse, teal
Design Detail: Salvaged Elements
Found objects and repurposed items — like the antique sewing machine-turned-vanity in the space by Hsu McCullough shown here — add authentic vintage appeal to industrial interiors. Architectural salvage yards (accessed on your own or in collaboration with your designer) can yield all sorts of treasures, including salvaged brick, stone, boards, doors, sinks, tubs and light fixtures.
Salvaged Materials Triumph as All-Stars of Sustainability
Found objects and repurposed items — like the antique sewing machine-turned-vanity in the space by Hsu McCullough shown here — add authentic vintage appeal to industrial interiors. Architectural salvage yards (accessed on your own or in collaboration with your designer) can yield all sorts of treasures, including salvaged brick, stone, boards, doors, sinks, tubs and light fixtures.
Salvaged Materials Triumph as All-Stars of Sustainability
Key Element: Metal
Stainless steel, copper, bronze, brass and powder-coated finishes can all work well, so choose what suits your personal taste. Raw and patinated finishes create a more rustic vibe, while powder-coated steel and stainless steel are sleeker and more modern.
Stainless steel, copper, bronze, brass and powder-coated finishes can all work well, so choose what suits your personal taste. Raw and patinated finishes create a more rustic vibe, while powder-coated steel and stainless steel are sleeker and more modern.
Design Detail: Piping
Inspired by the exposed metal ductwork and piping in old factories and warehouses, industrial-style homes often repurpose piping to create new design elements. Look for shelving units, furnishings and light fixtures made from pipes, and fixtures of copper, galvanized steel or cast iron.
Browse industrial furnishings made from piping
Inspired by the exposed metal ductwork and piping in old factories and warehouses, industrial-style homes often repurpose piping to create new design elements. Look for shelving units, furnishings and light fixtures made from pipes, and fixtures of copper, galvanized steel or cast iron.
Browse industrial furnishings made from piping
Finishing Touches: Texture and Glow
With so much metal and open space, industrial-style homes can run the risk of feeling cold. Ensure that your industrial space feels welcoming with carefully curated accent pieces that add textural interest and warmth.
Accessories for industrial spaces:
With so much metal and open space, industrial-style homes can run the risk of feeling cold. Ensure that your industrial space feels welcoming with carefully curated accent pieces that add textural interest and warmth.
Accessories for industrial spaces:
- Filament-bulb light fixtures
- Reclaimed-wood tables
- Metal and wood stools
- Potted plants
- Decor, such as found objects, inspired by machine parts
Industrial Kitchen Design
With durable surfaces and restaurant-caliber appliances, industrial-style kitchens are ready to work hard. Opt for all sleek metal surfaces, or warm things up with wood — there’s more than one way to translate this look.
Follow This Recipe for an Industrial-Style Kitchen
With durable surfaces and restaurant-caliber appliances, industrial-style kitchens are ready to work hard. Opt for all sleek metal surfaces, or warm things up with wood — there’s more than one way to translate this look.
Follow This Recipe for an Industrial-Style Kitchen
Features of industrial kitchens:
- Simple hardware. Look for simple bar pulls made from sturdy metal in a dark finish, or C-channel hardware that’s integrated into the cabinet.
- Raw materials. Reclaimed wood, plywood, concrete and steel can be used for counters, backsplashes and floors. Exposed pipes, electrical conduits, bolts and brackets can also become design features.
- Steel. Stainless steel appliances, steel-clad cabinets, and stainless steel islands and carts on wheels are just a few items to look for.
- Chef-grade appliances. Opt for big and sturdy appliances that are built to last, in a durable finish.
- Open shelving. Think like a professional chef and place go-to tools and dishes within reach of the work surface.
Industrial Bathroom Design
Many of the features that give industrial kitchens their tough, hardworking appeal work well in the bathroom too. Consider a glass-and-steel shower enclosure, a reclaimed-wood-and-iron vanity, classic white subway tile updated with dark grout, gear-like hardware and minimal accessories.
See more of this industrial-style bathroom
Your turn: Are you a fan of industrial style? Describe or show us your favorite industrial-style space in the Comments!
More on Houzz
Read more stories about industrial style
Browse photos of industrial-style spaces for inspiration
Find a designer to get your project started
Shop for products
Many of the features that give industrial kitchens their tough, hardworking appeal work well in the bathroom too. Consider a glass-and-steel shower enclosure, a reclaimed-wood-and-iron vanity, classic white subway tile updated with dark grout, gear-like hardware and minimal accessories.
See more of this industrial-style bathroom
Your turn: Are you a fan of industrial style? Describe or show us your favorite industrial-style space in the Comments!
More on Houzz
Read more stories about industrial style
Browse photos of industrial-style spaces for inspiration
Find a designer to get your project started
Shop for products
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