Industrial decorating ideas for every room
Factory-approved industrial decorating ideas
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Converting former factories and disused warehouses into residential homes is a surefire way to create a jaw-dropping space with a distinctively cool style. It's chic, edgy and urban!
But if you live in a more traditional property, there are plenty of ways to inject industrial chic into your home. From exposed piping and utilitarian furniture finds to Crittall-style windows and bare brick, click or scroll through and take a look at these decorating ideas that pass our production line test...
Stick with open-plan living
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Factory floors are usually wide open spaces so the first rule of thumb is to choose open-plan living.
Add relaxed comfort with a large central sofa. Worn leather is the ideal material, but fabric will work for a more up-to-date feel. Choose a natural colour such as brown, beige or grey to set the scene.
Introduce factory-style finds
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A home office with an industrial twist makes an ideal pairing as warehouses were made for work.
Take inspiration from what a floor manager's desk would have looked like with a rustic wooden writing desk, locker-style filing storage and a swing arm wall light or spotlight. An office chair on wheels will finish the look.
Inject pops of colour
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Industrial schemes are often associated with monochrome palettes but don't rule out colour to add a homely twist.
This industrial-style bathroom includes the usual suspects such as metro tiles, black accents, exposed pipes and framed mirrors. But, a colourful vanity and soft bath rug offset the stark style with fun character.
Frame your shower screen
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The industrial-style trend for Crittall-style shower doors is huge right now, but a real one won't come cheap. Here's a budget-friendly upcycle idea to give your bathroom a hit of industrial design for less than a takeaway cup of coffee. Jasmine Gurney of Oh Abode gave her regular glass shower panel a stylish look using simple electrical tape.
Jasmine taped on the outside edges first and measured out a grid on the screen with a Sharpie pen. She then applied the electrical tape and heat-sealed it down with a hairdryer.
Pick out wood pallets
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Wood and metal are the bricks and mortar of industrial design and the more distressed the better! That's why untreated wood works so well.
Used in large format the natural textured and grainy material can create architecturally stunning results without a hefty price tag. This feature headboard created from reclaimed wood, makes a style statement. To steal the look why not create your own as a DIY cool wood pallet idea?
Upcycle with black accents
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Including touches of black is key to nailing the industrial look. For a low-budget option, upcycle existing accessories with black paint.
DIY and homes influencer Jenny Game has collaborated with Frenchic to give her hallway an industrial edge. Painting her light fittings jet black to match her new wire-framed light shades saved Jenny money and made her hallway look more considered and expensive. Take a look at other upcycle ideas at @jenshomejournal.
Choose a black kitchen
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Dark kitchen cabinets offer a timeless look. When teamed with factory-style windows, metal lighting and vintage-look canteen-style dining furniture it's an industrial match made in heaven.
Stick to a basic monochrome colour palette and add depth with exposed brick or metro-tiled walls If possible.
Lighten the look
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Muted tones and rustic materials can make a refreshing change to traditional and darker industrial looks.
Here smooth finishes and a silvery-toned splashback reflect light around the room. Above, a simplistic and practical peg rail adds warmth and texture to this utility room.
Hone in on Crittall doors
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Large factory windows and doors are a worthwhile investment and make industrial schemes look chic.
But, if this option is expensive to install why not fake the look on existing patio doors? Measure out and mark faux metal panels with black tape. If your doors are white to start with, black uPVC paint will match the frames up to the tape for a flawless fabrication.
Call on contemporary design
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Industrial decorating needn't be stuck in time. Contemporary architecture and minimalist clean lines are ideal design elements to showcase textured raw materials.
This modern galley kitchen makes the most of rich grainy wood and contrasting black cabinetry to create a striking and perfectly balanced industrial-modern kitchen.
Bring in botanics
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The secret to industrial design is to opt for raw and edgy finishes. But let's not forget the scheme must still feel comfortable and homely.
Houseplants make an excellent addition that can soften harsh materials and add welcome colour. Tall, structural plants placed on floors will draw the eye into airy open-plan spaces, while small groups of succulents will make a pleasing addition to a coffee table or sideboard.
Opt for a pretty look
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Who says industrial decorating can't be pretty too?
For a more feminine industrial twist choose smooth natural finishes and warming copper fixtures, then add rustic shelving to display a touch of texture and colour that includes vases of flowers and potted greenery.
Love locker style
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Locker-style office furniture makes a great addition to teen bedrooms that are after an edgy industrial vibe.
Stick with tradition and choose black, white and grey finishes. Or, opt for something fun – bright colours will pop against dark or brick walls and bring a scheme up-to-date.
Upcycle as much as possible
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Industrial design is about mixing old and new so look for vintage furniture to give your home heritage and personality. Or, make the most of what you have by transforming basic and boring furniture.
This quirky bicycle side table is from a store, but the idea can be easily achieved with the right tools and research.
Hang large metal lights
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Large metal pendant lights are an industrial kitchen staple.
In larger kitchens bigger is better; a set of three structural metal pendant lights will make a fabulous focal point set above a high-shine chrome-topped kitchen island.
Go for industrial glamour
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Glamour and industrial style are two schemes that don't usually mix. However, by blending new trends with industrial roots designers are coming up with elegant yet edgy spaces that work.
This home office looks pretty with an edge. The functional design of the desk and filing locker has a distinctly industrial feel yet the on-trend blue colours paired with gold metal lighting are opulent and soft. Think fashion house rather than disused warehouse for this look.
Drop in workshop details
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Furniture with distinctive factory features will make prime industrial additions to any room.
Rustic coffee tables with commercial stamps and sideboards with sliding door mechanisms add quirky interest and attention to detail in this industrial-style living room.
Highlight architectural features
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Steel or wood beams are often required structurally for house extensions. Used to your advantage they can make a striking feature as part of an industrial-style scheme. The exposed elements in this project are not only necessary but add character to an open-plan space.
However, to transform a large room from draughty to dreamy, you’ll want to zone and divide areas. Here, a kitchen island with central extractor fan further enhances the industrial feel in this kitchen area.
Frame the bath
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Looking for the ultimate industrial-style bath? We've seen plenty of metal-framed furniture but how about enhancing the tub?
This statement bath is a super stylish mix of contemporary and vintage with its slim black steel frame supporting the white curved bathtub. A copper or bronze metal-effect towel rail as created by interior designer and owner of Huxley Home, Zara Cowen, makes a fitting addition.
Tile concrete-style walls
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Just like exposed brickwork, concrete walls make a convincing industrial backdrop. But the porous material won't last long in a moist environment.
Give bathrooms the concrete look by choosing cool grey tiles with natural tones and coarse texture. This will introduce a minimalist, industrial style with waterproof protection. For a seamless finish with fewer grout lines choose large format tiles.
Fake exposed walls
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An exposed wall is the canvas upon which every good industrial-style decorating scheme is built. Brick, cement and raw plaster all look the part. But if the thought of hours spent chipping off a perfectly smooth surface fills you with dread, the look can be easily faked too.
Wallpaper, brick slips and paint effects can achieve the look without the mess and in less time!
Turn to textiles
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Keep in mind that exposed walls and original flooring are usually made from harsh materials, so, break up rustic finishes with soft textiles.
Warm concrete floors with textured rugs, cosy up leather sofas with simple linen cushions in similar earthy tones and dress windows with smart fabrics like tartan or tailored stripes.
Divide with open shelving
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Typical industrial-style storage is usually made with black metal frames and wooden open shelves. The narrow open design makes them perfect room dividers.
Modular shelving systems give flexibility when designing a space – they are particularly ideal for defining entranceways or living spaces.
Go back to basics in the bathroom
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Creature comforts are not a priority in commercial properties so fixtures that seem elemental are crucial for an authentic impression.
Die-hard renovators source genuine taps from salvage yards. Or, it's easy to get the look (and have a leak-free guarantee) with new replica versions available in steel, copper or brass.
Warm up with natural materials
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Industrial design relies heavily on natural raw materials so warming neutrals give the look a cosy twist that works.
To get this look layer more earthy tones than usual; a leather sofa set on rustic striped wood flooring keeps white walls and Crittall-style windows from feeling cold. Finish with silver-toned greenery.
Expose your lighting
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The right lighting is another essential element of industrial style. It brings a factory touch to the look and when lit can soften the raw edges of the room.
Choose lights with exposed Edison bulbs and matt black caged designs. Twist cables around suspended wood or look for wall-mounted options that would usually be more at home in the garden.
Go for dark wood in the bedroom
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In the bedroom, it's important to make the bed fit the industrial scheme so a bronze metal bed with rusty elements will anchor the look.
Fitted wardrobes in walnut with black handles will bring a contemporary look to old pieces. Don't be afraid to mix modern with natural elements.
Choose wall art wisely
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Accessories and wall art will complete an industrial-style scheme.
Choose thin metal or black frames and create strong right-angles. For a more eclectic look, a large office-style clock makes a good starting point which can then be enhanced with other decorative hangings such as disused printing press letters, vintage frames and black and white typography.
Spray on metal effects
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Metal is probably the epitome of industrial style so spraying existing furniture with a metal finish is a budget-friendly way of getting the factory feel in your home.
Team tones such as black steel, gunmetal grey and burnished bronze to up the vintage factor. DIY experts at Rust-Oleum say: "We styled our Gun Metal stationery trolley, chair and wire board with dark wood accents to give a rich, earthy feel." You can check out the full DIY here.
Embrace mini loft living
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You don't need a huge open space to work the converted warehouse look.
A small apartment can look just as industrial with bare black framed windows, dark metal lighting and a comfortable but eclectic mix of furniture. Don't be afraid to add a pop of muted colour into the mix for added interest.
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