Lo habitual es que, a la hora de decorar nuestra casa, optemos por un estilo hogareño muy diferente a los entornos que asociamos con el trabajo. Sin embargo, actualmente está de moda una opción peculiar que nos propone dotar a nuestro domicilio de una imagen que nos recuerde a la de las grandes naves, fábricas y almacenes. Es el estilo industrial, una propuesta rompedora que hoy queremos presentarte en CULMIA.
What is the industrial style in home decor, and where did it come from?
To trace the roots of the industrial style and understand it much better, we have to go back to the mid-20th century in New York City (U.S.). At that time, many companies abandoned the warehouses where they had been working to move into more modern office buildings, leaving these spaces completely vacant. In many cases, these spaces were converted into livable spaces by young people—especially artists and immigrants.
High rental and land prices contributed to this trend, because large abandoned warehouses offered very competitive prices after falling into disuse. What’s more, they were particularly appealing to bohemian types who needed to give free rein to their creativity, as they offered open spaces, plenty of light thanks to their large windows, and a completely uncluttered atmosphere.
What are the defining characteristics of industrial-style decor?
After a brief introduction to the industrial style, we can now better define its distinctive characteristics:
Very high ceilings
If there’s one adjective that perfectly captures the industrial style, it’s “spacious.” Since this style originated from the conversion of large industrial buildings and warehouses into living spaces, we’ve come to expect very high ceilings in homes of this type.
That’s why this style works especially well in loft-style homes, because they’re spacious enough to resemble old warehouses or industrial buildings and to make the most of them.
Absence of walls and partitions
In an industrial-style home, the space flows freely because there are hardly any walls or partitions to restrict movement. Instead, the design features an open layout where spaces such as the kitchen, living room, and family room blend together. Thus, if we choose this layout, we can use furniture arrangement or physical elements such as screens or rugs to clearly define the different areas.
Natural Lighting Takes Center Stage
No industrial-style decor is complete without large windows. These can often span entire walls, so during the day, the sun takes center stage. And at night, large light fixtures take its place: we’re talking about generously sized pendant lights for larger spaces, arranged in groups of two or three and featuring metal finishes; as well as rows of recessed spotlights on the ceiling and wall sconces for areas where focused lighting is needed.
Beams, ducts, pipes… all in plain sight
Normally, we choose to hide those essential structural elements of any home (such as beams, ducts, pipes, wiring, etc.) behind walls or drop ceilings. After all, they aren’t exactly aesthetically pleasing! But in industrial-style decor, the goal is to achieve the most natural look possible, because we want our home to resemble a factory from the first half of the last century.
So let’s not hide or cover anything up. In fact, there are decorative options for embellishing beams or pipes; and we can even take advantage of these designs to install a kitchen range hood that blends in perfectly with its surroundings.
Brick walls, unpainted
The stylistic minimalism of industrial design is also evident in the walls and any few partitions the home may have. The walls are left as is, with exposed brick; alternatively, wallpaper, vinyl, etc., can be used to create the same visual effect.
In addition, unpainted metal surfaces, concrete or iron columns, and cement floors are also prominent. In other words, everything related to materials typically associated with industry!
Stainless steel
In old industrial buildings, iron and concrete used to be the dominant materials. But let’s not forget that what we’re looking for now are materials that can be properly maintained and that can withstand varying environmental conditions of temperature and humidity. For this reason, it’s advisable to opt for a metal like stainless steel for the most sensitive areas of the home, such as the kitchen.
Wood—as natural as possible
The industrial decor style isn’t all about metal. Wood is also a truly interesting material for adding a classic, antique touch to our home, and in this case, it’s ideal for contrasting with the coldness of metal.
That’s why we can use wooden furniture (the simpler, the better), especially if it’s unvarnished and unstained. The key here is simplicity and an open, airy feel; so, if we want to give our rooms a serious, traditional touch, we can use dark woods, while lighter tones will help enhance the brightness and create a slightly more modern atmosphere.
Worn textiles with understated patterns
Textures also play a key role in industrial decor. You can choose textiles with understated patterns and a worn look, such as geometric designs. In fact, since this is a traditionally masculine style, plaid, tweed, and tartan can be excellent choices.
Specifically, tweed is a British fabric made from wool that is soft to the touch and stretchy. Therefore, it conveys a feeling of warmth and comfort. Tartan, on the other hand, is the classic Scottish fabric , usually also made of wool, with patterns of straight lines, squares, and rectangles .
Neutral colors
When it comes to colors, we need to be clear about our expectations, because the industrial decor style doesn’t feature bold or cheerful hues. In this case, the color palette plays a secondary role in the decor and takes a back seat to the materials and structures of the rooms.
Therefore, neutral tones take precedence that we can make the most of in their most intense versions: blacks, beiges, whites, and earth tones will fit perfectly into a setting dominated by metal, wood, and concrete.
Antique or Recycled Furniture and Objects
Yes, your home with an industrial decor style will look old, but that’s precisely what makes it so appealing. So don’t be afraid to reusing secondhand furniture and objects or that look dated, because if they’re in good condition, they’ll help create the look you’re going for.
If you’re the “handy” type, you can try making your own furniture and decorative items out of old materials or even other pieces of furniture that are no longer in use. This style encourages imagination and creativity, so we can play a special role in giving it a very personal touch.
Industrial decor: a simple yet elegant choice for your home
What do you think of the characteristics of the industrial style? It’s a bold choice that breaks with convention, but when done right, it can yield surprising and very personal results. Especially in homes that can make the most of its potential, such as lofts, apartments, or penthouses. So if you consider yourself adventurous and love decor that blends the vintage with the sophisticated, don’t hesitate to give it a try. You’re sure to love it!
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