9 Tips To An Industrial-Style Home Makeover!

Industrial-themed interior spaces have become hugely popular in recent years.  With the intention of creating an “unfinished” look, this decorating style weaves industrial elements with modern/contemporary styles to create a new aesthetic that nods to eras passed.

With an essence of minimalism, achieving an industrial style is relatively easy once you’ve learnt a few simple rules…

1) Baby steps

Wanting an industrial-style does not mean you need to completely re-do every single aspect of your interior; all we’re looking to do is mix together contemporary and modern elements with industrial ones. This style is all about “less is more”, so make sure you take the process of industrialising slowly. Rome wasn’t built in a day – for a successful and genuine home transformation, let this amazing process take time.

Be sure to read AUDREY INTERIORS: HOW TO INCREASE ENERGY IN YOUR HOME

 

2) Be clutter-free

Clutter-free is the way to go with any industrial-themed makeover! via welke.nl

 

As you work through this transformation, make sure to follow this one important rule: do not over-clutter your space. While the industrial look does not look neat at first, this style requires that your furnishings and storage are sleek and well-planned. (And don’t be tempted to over-accessorize!)

 

3) The four walls

Exposed brick and open space. Via freshhome.com

 

For those who may be beginners in interior transformations, consider starting with the shell of your home. Make use of your walls to achieve the industrial look. Having a balance of worn walls, exposed brick, and washed out paint is exactly what we’re looking for. It will create a beautiful finish that you can continue building on to.

 

4) Colour is key

Neutral tones and natural elements are a must for any industrial style home. via Pinterest

 

The industrial style is humble, in as much as it does not try to make a bold statement. This style effortlessly creates a new atmosphere without the need of drastic change. Using warm and neutral tones for all furniture, accessories and decor will work best. Using white, for example, gives a crisp clean look, particularly when mixed with shades of grey. Even warmer tones, such as copper-like shades, are also ideal. Avoid bright, strong colours.

5) Tackle your texture

Texture, texture, texture, industrial light fittings and natural elements! via myscandinavianhome.com

 

The industrial style is one where the texture of flaking-paint is accepted, and even encouraged! This goes for walls and furnishings.Texture-wise, we want a rough and worn-down feel. Aged pieces of furniture, with some wear and tear, will add character and interest. Unfinished paint jobs on furniture, as well as metal-standing tables or stools would be perfect. It gives the feeling of an original warehouse or loft. Make use of materials such as clean glass and wood as well, to ensure a simplistic feel.

 

6) Raw vs soft

Texture, and comfort plus a whole lot of warmth… Via BWA’s Pinterest

 

While having a raw, spacious and unfinished industrial look will have your guests in awe, all positive feelings will be lost if your home is nothing more than a “nice idea”. Remember that your home is actually a home, and you therefore need to balance what the interior style needs, with the comfort and love of a home. Bring softness into your space using comfortable couches, woollen throw rugs and cushions to provide warmth alongside the industrial touches.

 

7) Lively lights

Industrial lights, subway tiles, natural elements, this kitchen has it all! via BWA’s Pinterest

 

There are no strict guidelines to the location of your light, whether it be a wall, floor or ceiling light. For a genuine industrial feel, try using lights in conjunction with natural light for a bright and spacious atmosphere. Free-standing feature lighting works well in industrial spaces for both practicality and design interest. For an ultimately industrial feel, metal lighting is a must, and using a warm-toned bulb is ideal to compliment other warm tones in your interior.

 

8) Furniture with feeling

Quality not quantity with the industrial look via rilane.com

 

The main key to furniture for the industrial-style is ensuring that you stay true to using neutral shades and rougher textures. Remembering the “less is more” mantra, select fewer pieces to ensure a spacious and intentionally unfinished look. A lengthy couch with a couple of small tables will be enough for most living spaces. If DIY is your thing, consider creating your own furniture out of general everyday pieces to create a truly industrial atmosphere. You can use ladders for shelving, wooden crates for seating, pallets for low tables – there are so many ways to reuse and recycle existing objects. Mason jars are a great option for storage and make great vases. 

 

9) Finally, we decorate

Vintage artefacts help to set the scene for an industrial-style interior makeover. via Pinterest

 

Decor for the industrial style is very straight-forward, and vintage-inspired pieces keeps the style true to it’s origins. You can use vintage magazine covers, old advertisements, posters or books to help “set the scene”. Indoor plants are a fantastic way to inject colour and life to your interior. The key is to avoid over-filling your walls, and ensure you continue the spacious industrial look from the floor-up.

You’ll also like AUDREY INTERIORS: A SNEAK PEEK INTO SJP’S MANHATTAN HOME

                                                                                                     Next in lifestyle

 

This story brought to you by Risenn – click here to shop their fabulous range.

 

 

 

23 Comments

  • Reply blueruby Thursday 20th November, 2014 at 9:15 pm

    can’t believe how easy it is to replicate the industrial look!

  • Reply Tinkerbell79 Saturday 15th November, 2014 at 5:04 pm

    Ohhh, I love industrial. Some great photo’s…

  • kk77
    Reply kk77 Friday 31st October, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    So many good ideas here..=)

  • Reply jmorris Friday 31st October, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    Love the industrial look and some great advice here how to work it back into my home!

  • Reply ronnie88 Friday 31st October, 2014 at 10:11 am

    I would love an industrial apartment with heaps of storage and space

  • bubsarella
    Reply bubsarella Friday 24th October, 2014 at 2:18 am

    Absolutely luvin the industrial vibe, however to really pull it off, you need to have the right kind of place & space…hmm…massive open-plan warehouse conversion…my dream!

  • ivysaurus
    Reply ivysaurus Thursday 23rd October, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    I can’t wait to move out to makeover my own place

  • Reply yslyenom Monday 13th October, 2014 at 12:21 am

    I like the open space and must have painted walls.

  • Reply lara.heaton Wednesday 8th October, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    this trend is going wild!

  • Reply coyleshana Tuesday 7th October, 2014 at 10:19 pm

    i wish my place looked like this!

  • Reply Whatthe Tuesday 7th October, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    Looks nice and cool for summer – no air con needed!

  • Reply candicelee22 Tuesday 7th October, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    Love!

  • Reply Courtney Monday 6th October, 2014 at 9:13 pm

    I love the glass light cluster in the corner of the brick wall! So romantic.

  • Reply stels Monday 6th October, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    SO NEED to declutter!

  • judi1
    Reply judi1 Friday 3rd October, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    Like No. 8 look but not overall keen on these looks.

  • Reply Whatthe Friday 3rd October, 2014 at 9:56 am

    Minimalism is great but I’m not sure about those dirty looking brick walls!

  • Reply amanda6393 Friday 3rd October, 2014 at 8:55 am

    Love this look!

  • Reply Xiaxiao Thursday 2nd October, 2014 at 4:53 pm

    pretty

  • Reply Whatthe Thursday 2nd October, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    Some of the lights are fabo!

  • Reply sammyrose Thursday 2nd October, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    Industrial is so hard to achieve!!!

  • Reply xlilda Wednesday 1st October, 2014 at 7:40 pm

    Lovely pics.

  • Reply Hrisanthi Wednesday 1st October, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    Great read! Great tips!

  • Reply lovelyloves Wednesday 1st October, 2014 at 7:51 am

    Looks interesting. I’m sure I want to bring up kids in a home like that.

  • Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published.