Industrial style has been on-trend for a number of years, with no signs of stopping, but it can be difficult to achieve the right balance of old reclaimed furniture and modern, stylised décor that allows you to achieve the ultimate industrial interior. This rustic yet polished look doesn’t have to be contained to old buildings; any home can be just as eye-catching when adopting this chic aesthetic.
The balance between industrial vibes and modern living through large pieces of furniture and subtle accessories can reinvent a room and transform it to on-trend, ticking the industrial aesthetic boxes. Think steel, dark tones, rustic wood and utilitarian design to achieve this popular style.
Here, we worked with Diane Cootes, furniture and design consultant at Taskers.com, who offers her advice on how to achieve an industrial look in your home without compromise.
Keep it simple
When trying to achieve industrial chic, don’t over-do it. Keeping the room minimal, with key pieces of large furniture, will add to the theme – think dark reclaimed woods and exposed structural steel furniture. Too much and you risk losing the sense of industrialism; it needs to feel as pared back as possible.
Experiment with juxtaposition
Industrial décor can often result in a masculine look – this can be offset by adding a series of softer pieces to create a contrast in the room and emphasise the space. Industrialism doesn’t mean compromise on comfort either – add soft furnishings, such as a sheepskin rug and large cushions, to make the space more welcoming. Taskers.com has a great range of industrial-inspired accessories, to help you soften the industrial vibe on its website.
Choose the right tones
Dark woods, exposed brickwork and steel are pivotal to this look if you truly want to commit to it. However, these can often be quite dimming for your home. Consider placing an angle pose or tripod lamp in the corner of the room, made using the same materials as the rest of the occasional furniture, to set the scene whilst adding a touch of vibrancy.
Adding touches of deep browns, dark greys and lighter nudes in the form of sofa fabrics, rugs and throws will also add neutral tones to the overall palette of your room. All furniture, big or small, should compliment the original features of the room and tie in together to create the right ambience.
Old versus new
Add some drama to a room with a touch of vintage. This doesn’t necessarily mean an old item from a bygone era – there are many items on the market that have been created to give a look of yesteryear but are in fact new. Incorporate a retro angle poise or retro skeleton wall clock (that can be found easily at the Best Wall Clock store) in the corner of your room or select a trolley-style reclaimed wood coffee table as the centrepiece and focal point of your room. Many new items have brushed metal and treated wood to give the antique impression and perform just as well as their centuries-old counterparts.
Add some artistic flair
Another way to bring industrial architectural details into your home is to use artwork to express your own personal style. Bold graphics work well, but just remember to keep in line with your colour palette. Abstract paintings can turn an empty wall into a piece of art, lifting the room and showing off your style. Black and white photos also add to the industrial effect without introducing too many colours into the room.
