When it comes to interior design, heavy industry might seem to have very little to do with residential property. But there’s something about the Spartan, functional approach taken in many industrial settings that has provided inspiration for many designers and homeowners.
Let’s take a closer look at this influence, and you might generate the required industrial chic in your home.
Understanding Modern Industrial Design
One of the defining characteristics of industrial design is that aesthetics always take a back seat to functionality. Pipework and wiring are often left exposed, as is brickwork. Practical, hard-wearing materials, like sheet metal, tend to be preferred to soft ones like carpets.
In many cases, designers have embraced industrial elements out of necessity. As old factories and warehouses have been repurposed as flats and houses, many of the existing elements have had to be re-used. This has helped to establish a distinct ex-industrial aesthetic, which many homeowners have sought to draw into buildings that have never had anything to do with industry.
Key Elements to Incorporate
If you’re trying to create an industrial vibe, then there are a few elements that might reliably help you do it.
Open floor plans tend to evoke the industrial look, since former industrial spaces tend to be larger. In bygone days, wider spaces were reserved for factory floors; enclosed ones tended to be strictly domestic.
As we’ve mentioned, the elements you incorporate might also make a big difference. Exposed brick walls are reliably industrial-looking, as are metal fixtures. If you can work reclaimed wood into the building, then it, too, can look the part. Generally speaking, if all of the items and materials in the home can evoke a sense of purpose and efficiency, you’re on the right track.
Balancing Comfort and Utility
Of course, while you might appreciate some of the industrial aesthetic, you might be craving a little bit of warmth and cosiness in your interior. Thankfully, this is often a simple matter of layering the right textiles, and choosing the right lighting.
Fluffy rugs and throws can make an excellent contrast against harsh metalwork and exposed bricks. Choosing warm lighting can also help to bring in a sense that this is a home, rather than a workplace.
The way that the space is heated matters, too. Older industrial buildings might not retain or produce heat effectively without a little help from modern appliances. Make sure that you’ve installed a good heating system, comprising of modern combi boilers and industrial-looking radiators.
Adapting to UK Homes
In the UK, you might be faced with a unique series of challenges, especially if you aren’t working within a former industrial building. You might not have the required space for certain appliances – and you might find your ambitions thwarted by regulations. Try to source your materials from local suppliers, and make sure that the building is suitably insulated, too.