Keys To Industrial Style: How To Get This Look At Home

The industrial style has its origins in the old factories and industrial warehouses that occupied New York’s urban areas in the 70s. When many of them closed, in the years of the economic recession, they were converted into commercial premises and residential spaces. Those artists and creatives who needed a studio were the first to inhabit this new residential concept that was called loft. Brightness and open spaces, utilitarianism and open architecture are the main characteristics of this vintage style with an urban character.

Luminosity and open spaces

The lofts used to have a double purpose: to serve as a home and as a workshop or work studio. Therefore, the abundance of light is a fundamental element in this type of space. The windows without curtains let in natural light and the absence of walls allows it to circulate throughout the interior without obstacles. High ceilings and large iron windows are also characteristic of this style.

Naked architecture

The industrial aesthetic could appreciate the beauty of the building materials leaving bare brick walls, beams and pillars or iron pipes and air ducts.

The industrial style has its origins in the old factories and industrial warehouses that occupied New York’s urban areas in the 70s. When many of them closed, in the years of the economic recession, they were converted into commercial premises and residential spaces. Those artists and creatives who needed a studio were the first to inhabit this new residential concept that was called loft. Brightness and open spaces, utilitarianism and open architecture are the main characteristics of this vintage style with an urban character.

Luminosity and open spaces

The lofts used to have a double purpose: to serve as a home and as a workshop or work studio. Therefore, the abundance of light is a fundamental element in this type of space. The windows without curtains let in natural light and the absence of walls allows it to circulate throughout the interior without obstacles. High ceilings and large iron windows are also characteristic of this style.

Utilitarian sense

It is a functional style rather than beautiful. The furniture is designed to withstand the passage of time and materials of great hardness and durability, such as iron or cement, are key in this industrial style.

If you like the industrial style, here are a few tips today to incorporate it successfully into a modern urban apartment.

1. Eliminate walls and create a large open plan space .
2. An exposed brick wall provides the perfect setting for an industrial decoration. Any other constructive element that is exposed (beams, pillars, pipes, conduits …) will be an ideal architectural element to complete this style.
3. Cement (polished or unpolished) or wood floors are another common feature of the industrial look.
4. The windows should be bare, without curtains or accessories, so that natural light enters in abundance inside.
5. Incorporate vintage-style furniture with iron and natural wood finishes. The parts office , such as desks, bookcases or chests of drawers are key pieces in this decoration.
6. Use a palette of muted, neutral tones , such as grays and browns, and metallic finishes, such as copper or bronze, with a worn effect.
7. Choose metal lamps or lampshades and movie lights.
8. Decorate with recycled objects and reinvent their function. Weathered leather, iron chairs that are commonly found in coffee shops, or any other industrial fixture will work great in an industrial-style décor.
9. Introduce large plants with large, stiff leaves, never delicate flowers or plants.
10. Cover the floors with rugs made of resistant materials and very strong textures.

One last tip to achieve this style at home is to play with scale and proportions, but always keeping a minimalist and simple look .

It is a functional style rather than beautiful. The furniture is designed to withstand the passage of time and materials of great hardness and durability, such as iron or cement, are key in this industrial style.

If you like the industrial style, here are a few tips today to incorporate it successfully into a modern urban apartment.

1. Eliminate walls and create a large open plan space .
2. An exposed brick wall provides the perfect setting for an industrial decoration. Any other constructive element that is exposed (beams, pillars, pipes, conduits …) will be an ideal architectural element to complete this style.
3. Cement (polished or unpolished) or wood floors are another common feature of the industrial look.
4. The windows should be bare, without curtains or accessories, so that natural light enters in abundance inside.
5. Incorporate vintage-style furniture with iron and natural wood finishes. The parts office , such as desks, bookcases or chests of drawers are key pieces in this decoration.
6. Use a palette of muted, neutral tones , such as grays and browns, and metallic finishes, such as copper or bronze, with a worn effect.
7. Choose metal lamps or lampshades and movie lights.
8. Decorate with recycled objects and reinvent their function. Weathered leather, iron chairs that are commonly found in coffee shops, or any other industrial fixture will work great in an industrial-style décor.
9. Introduce large plants with large, stiff leaves, never delicate flowers or plants.
10. Cover the floors with rugs made of resistant materials and very strong textures.

One last tip to achieve this style at home is to play with scale and proportions, but always keeping a minimalist and simple look .