Industrial style design, where old world charm meets the modern day aesthetic. As refreshing as this no nonsense style may be to the world of design, the industrial style is yet to make its way as a household staple, and the reason behind this being, a grave misconception! It all comes down to the literal meaning of the term ‘Industrial style’, which has you picturing lofts or apartments with wide open windows and lots of exposed brick, making dwellers in less urban environments uncomfortable with the idea of pulling this off. However, it is only once you understand the true essence of this scenic, atypical form of style, you learn that your preconceived notion couldn't be further from the truth.
Although not entirely representing lofts boasting oversized black metal windows, raw unfinished wood, and exposed bricks, the industrial style design is highly influenced by the lofty look of warehouses, industries and factories. Flounce and fuss free, with comfort as the king, industrial style is a blend of the perfect lighting, decor and furniture. Industrial style decor encompasses stripped back architectural specifics in conjunction with the use of salvaged and recycled materials such as bare bricks, wood and metal. Such kinds of furnishings are usually efficient and often obtained from restored patches making it completely unique to your homes.
A simple design with natural textures and neutral colors is all it takes to pull off the industrial style, a task that can even be taken up by those strongly influenced by the DIYs. Industrial style design does not come with a pre-written set of rules, thus, pleasingly flexible, giving you the complete artistic reigns to decide what best suits your surroundings and allowing you to follow your own creative trajectory. Furthermore, the use of salvaged and recycled materials makes the industrial style environment friendly, but the trick lies in understanding how far you can go without going overboard, so you don't lose out on the minimalistically simple yet bold aura given out by this style.
Everything has its origin, and this holds true even for the upcoming set up of the industrial style design. It was the early 20th century, globalization was on a rise, which was marked by the end of the second industrial revolution. Tonnes of standing factories were abandoned as operations moved to the more landed and bountiful countries, giving rise to neglected industrial buildings which became homes to birds, rodents and the homeless. However, these deserted factories were not completely useless as the harboured haves of high-quality materials to take advantage of which further backed the logical solution to transform industrial areas into residential neighbourhoods giving birth to the industrial style design.
Although the idea of the industrial style took form during the early 20th century, it is only now that the limelight is once again being drawn on this buried style of design. Being inhabitants of a world where extraordinary and artistic triumphs plain and boring, everyone is on a hunt for their homes, work spaces, studios, apartments, restaurants, etc. to be chic and aesthetic to give them an edge above the rest. And it is here that the bold yet minimalist industrial style comes into play. The industrial style design is a treat to the eyes when you get it right. Although there isn’t an operational manual that assists in setting it up, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you get the job done.
It all starts with the color, bulk spaces need to emanate neutral tones, while darker shades can be used to illuminate smaller details. Moving on to the enclosed interiors, which need to be open and spacious, to keep it simple and sleek. However, in order to prevent the space from looking astonishingly large and hard to decorate, you have the next aspect, i.e. introducing the right furniture followed by its strategic grouping to break up the vast space. As the industrial style is prominently known as a blend of old and new, the finest way to ace this contrast is by combining different types of metal and wood in the overall design, giving you the scope to throw in a few DIY projects. The raw factory reel, exhibited by the industrial style can only be captured by the perfect lighting and task lamps, sculptural LED fixtures, dark metal pendants, and Edison lights are the right way to go. While this style is very basic and functional, there’s always room for one or more items that are high on class and aesthetic value which end up being the hallmark of the Industrial style. The tolix chair, exposed pipes and ducts, artwork made from machine parts and the addition of a few personal items like photographs and memorabilia can set you on the right path, as long as you understand the placement of the items, keeping in mind the simple and chic set up you're aiming for.
Depending on the designer's outlook and understanding of what they seek, the industrial style design can take numerous forms. The fact that this style allows us the freedom to cradle old school beauty while still enjoying modern conveniences, is why many people have fallen in love with it in the current age. Modern workspace settings, pubs, malls, restaurant interiors and even studio apartments are now seen adorning the bold yet minimalist industrial style. A little understanding of the colors, materials and accessories is all it takes to bring this style into your own interiors, and before you know it you'll be creating an industrial design of your own.