What Is The Industrial Style?
Industrial style: understanding the codes of design factory
The industrial style is now one of the top 10 trends in interior design. Taking up the architectural codes of the post-war workshops of the late 1950s, industrial decoration likes to combine textures and materials in open and uncluttered spaces.
Far from being reserved only for artists' houses and New York lofts, on the contrary, it invites itself everywhere, adapts to all types of housing and all living rooms. Chic, accessible and contemporary, industrial decor has never ceased to please. Zoom on this trend perfectly mixing cold and warmth, aesthetics and functionality.
The Origins Industrial Style
The industrial style is directly inspired by the professional premises of the post-war industrial era . It is, in an ironic way, a style of interior decoration resulting from a universe devoid of any decoration and any aesthetic desire. The production factories and workshops of the 1950s consisted of large empty metal spaces adorned with machinery and furniture of rough and sturdy materials. The ventilation ducts, electrical cables and piping were left exposed. The industrial design takes these themesand seeks to mix sobriety and comfort, for a style that is both raw and cozy. Authentic and contemporary, it evokes the beginnings of the contemporary era as we know it today while remaining strongly anchored in modernity.
This paradoxical and sometimes complex style appeals to many but can also be off-putting. Very particular, the industrial style is an art in its own right, harmoniously combining the old and the modern, aesthetics and minimalism. Directly borrowed from the working class of the 20th century, it first appeared in the 1970s and 1980s in the spacious lofts of New York neighborhoods. Over the decades, its clean lines, raw materials, varied textures, open spaces and sober colors have conquered the whole world.
The Privileged Materials of the Industrial Style
In industrial production plants there is a need for functional, solid objects made from materials that resist time, dust and the force of machines. The industrial style therefore favors rustic objects and raw materials such as wood, metal, concrete but also glass and brick.
Read more : Minimalist DecorationMetal
Metal : it is the essential material for an industrial-inspired decor. On the floor, on the walls and on the ceiling, copper, zinc, steel and aluminum have their place everywhere. "Warehouse" style metal shelves in the living room or in the bedroom, metal beams supporting the walls, visible bolts, aluminum chairs in the kitchen, large factory lamps in the office, metal suspensions, old lockers that have become cupboards, gears like decorative objects on the walls, without forgetting the essential element of industrial style: the exposed piping which elegantly dresses the walls.
Concrete
Concrete : the first inhabitants of converted factories used concrete to easily cover floors and walls, but also to structure space. This inexpensive material makes it possible to fit out large spaces without spending a lot of money. With its raw and mineral beauty, concrete today is inseparable from the industrial style. Solid and malleable, it is one of the emblems of this avant-garde, chic and minimalist style and is used on walls, floors and can even be used to cover certain pieces of furniture in an original way.
Wood
Wood : natural and comforting, wood brings its zen and cozy touch to the industrial style. Wood is warm and ecological, it brings a feeling of comfort and softens the coldness of metal and the austerity of concrete. Indispensable to a welcoming and cozy industrial interior, it is even more appreciated in a patinated and aging style. Wooden beams on the ceiling, workbenches transformed into dining tables, factory stools, old restored wooden cabinets, old modernized cabinets, wood is everywhere without moderation.
Brick
Brick : reminiscent of the facades of factories and workers' houses, brick is also an integral part of the industrial style. Very popular material brought up to date thanks to the loft culture, bricks are harmonious but also very insulating. Exposed brick walls in a living room or kitchen add an extra dimension to the decor. They give it character and a very authentic urban feel. Associated with metal, wood and concrete, brick is the most beautiful effect. Small decoration tip: if you are not lucky enough to be able to highlight an exposed brick wall, recreating this effect with a trompe-l'oeil wallpaper (of good quality) can be a good alternative.
Glass
Glass : to bring transparency and clarity to spacious industrial architecture, nothing better than glass. The large artist's windows allow the space to be compartmentalized while allowing light to enter. Instead of a partition or even installed on the ceiling, the glass roof blends in wonderfully with other materials and enhances them even more. Glass gives cachet to an interior and fits perfectly into an industrial-inspired decoration.
The Classics of Industrial Decoration
Combining textures and materials, industrial decoration finds its identity in certain codes and redundant elements found in each decor, in different and personalized forms. These classics of industrial decoration constitute its very essence and allow the style to be identified at first glance.
Exposed pipin
Exposed piping : in copper or colored, exposed piping is a "must" for industrial decoration. It is one of the raw and deliberately little worked elements which give its identity to the "industrial" style. In the kitchen, living room or bathroom, on the ceiling and / or on the walls, the visible ventilation pipes and ducts are particularly reminiscent of the atmosphere of factories and are also very aesthetic.
Metal Pendant Light
Metal pendant lights: metal pendant lights are also a classic of the industrial style. Both raw and designer, they beautifully dress a kitchen, living room or bedroom. In shades of gray, black or aluminum, the large factory lamps and vintage lights diffuse the light while giving style to the room. Large bulbs directly suspended from bare cables are also one of the most popular decorative elements in the “industrial” style.
The Steel Canopy
The steel canopy : another classic of industrial-inspired interior design, the artist's steel canopy divides the space without dividing it up. With its large glass tiles and aluminum frames, it can replace an entire section of wall and allow two rooms to be separated while giving an impression of space. On the ceiling, it opens up new perspectives and brings light. The industrial style indeed needs large openings, air and height. The glass roof, by playing with light and transparency, preserves the space and gives it depth.
The Waxed Concrete Floor
The waxed concrete floor : with its unworked appearance, its natural colors and its clean and neat rendering, waxed concrete has its place in an industrial decoration. Classically used to cover the floor in a uniform way, waxed concrete can also dress the walls and even be integrated into furniture such as tables, benches or worktops. A smooth and sober material, both raw and neat, perfectly in line with the “industrial” spirit.
Read more : Rustic Decoration
Factory Furniture
Factory furniture : authentic furniture, old and steeped in history is the final touch of a successful industrial decoration. Found in flea markets or garage sales, old factory furniture can easily be transformed into functional and decorative objects. It can be old stools, old factory lockers, metal chairs, an architect's table, a vintage armchair, metal shelves, a big vintage clock, old cogs or an old construction ladder ... If you don't like to hunt around, you will find a whole bunch of objects and furniture inspired by the industrial trend in the big decoration brands.
If the "industrial" style is directly inspired by the industrial architecture of the beginning of the 20th century, it does not seduce only thanks to the nostalgia it arouses. Its authenticity, its practical and functional aspect, its open spaces, its structures reduced to the essentials and its raw and stripped-down aesthetic also make the industrial one of the most popular styles of interior decoration of the moment. No frills, no frills or ornaments but only raw materials and sober colors, all carefully combined in an elegant and refined universe. You can see it everywhere: in accommodation in restaurants, tea rooms, shops and offices. The industrial style is more fashionable than ever and still has a very bright future ahead of it.
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