Industrial style – how to arrange a minimalist interior?
Industrial style is a raw and characteristic style, carrying a certain heaviness, it is a fascinating direction in interior design, which in recent years has unfortunately been somewhat forgotten in favor of modern classic and Scandinavian style. However, this does not mean that it has lost its attractiveness. On the contrary, the industrial style remains an exceptionally graceful and architecturally interesting choice for those who are brave and want to give their spaces a unique character.
Nowadays, when more people are looking for authenticity and raw elegance in their homes, we decided to dust off the topic a bit and inspire them to create their own, unique lofts. In this article, we will look at how to arrange a modern interior in the spirit of the loft style, while maintaining its key elements, such as open space, raw materials and functionality, which together create a unique aesthetic.
Introduction to industrial style
Loft, originally associated with spacious, post-industrial rooms, has gained its place in the hearts of lovers of unconventional interior design, who value originality and space above all. The origins of the loft style date back to the 1950s, when abandoned factories and warehouses in the United States began to be transformed into living spaces. They were most often inhabited by artists due to the low rent and large creative space. That is why lofts in their original form are perfect for large, open rooms, where unlimited arrangement possibilities allow you to create unique, characterful arrangements. The values appreciated by the industrial style are primarily authenticity, austerity of finishes and exposing original architectural elements, such as brick walls, concrete floors and metal structures.
Over time, the original, raw loft began to evolve, adapting to changing trends and the needs of residents, which resulted in the creation of a version known as the soft loft. This modern interpretation of the loft style combines classic, rough elements (protruding pipes, visible electrical installations, raw brick) characteristic of the original lofts with modern, often more refined details and comforts. Thanks to this, the loft interior style can now be easily introduced into any house or apartment, regardless of its location or size. Soft loft opens the door to arrangements that, although rooted in the loft tradition, are fully adapted to contemporary living standards, combining functionality with a unique style.
What is the difference between industrial style and loft style?
To begin with, it is worth distinguishing between two terms that are often used interchangeably, although they do not mean exactly the same thing: loft and industrial style.
A loft, in its original form, is a living space arranged in old post-industrial buildings, attics or historic public spaces that dictated a certain style. The industrial style worked well in the arrangement of any type of interior and could be used almost anywhere, regardless of its historical or architectural background. It is characterized by a style close to brutalism – raw, minimalist elements, often tarnished by time, such as concrete, glass, or imperfect structures and materials, are its hallmark. Nowadays, the boundaries between these two concepts have become much blurred, but the key difference lies in their definition; loft means a specific type of space, while industrial style is a direction in interior design. However, as we mentioned, nowadays these two terms have somewhat blurred their boundaries, and the combination of both allows you to create a unique atmosphere in the interior.
Key elements of the loft style
The loft style is, above all, a unique combination of many characteristic interior elements that together create that elusive, slightly heavier atmosphere desired by many. It is a combination of materials, finishes, patterns and colors that together create a unique and coherent whole. The loft style celebrates the austerity and openness of space, dominated by high ceilings, open plans and exposed structures and structural elements of the building.
Interior colors
The industrial style is synonymous with austerity, where the dominant colors are primarily grey, black, white and shades of red. Walls in minimalist industrial interiors are usually kept in uniform colors – most often white or gray, which are the perfect background for more expressive elements, such as stylish brick. Red, often found in the form of tiles imitating real bricks, brings energy and dynamics to the interior. Ceilings, white or imitating raw concrete, add character to the space, especially when wooden ceilings are exposed. Decorative elements and accessories, most often in calm, black colors, also play an important role in industrial arrangements. We also cannot forget about the role played by wood, especially a wooden floor. Nowadays, natural materials are still used, but high-quality imitations of floors made of wood (most often laminated floor panels) are much more common in arrangements. The color of wood in loft spaces emphasizes warmth and naturalness, perfectly complementing raw, industrial motifs. Tables, furniture and decorations in natural shades add coziness to the interior, while emphasizing its loft character. A slightly more modern soft loft will also look great with wooden slats as wall decoration.
Lamelli wall panels in the form of lamellas by Mardom Decor are a perfect complement to an industrial-style interior. They are characterized by an ultra-natural wood appearance, which allows you to introduce warmth and coziness into the interior, while maintaining the raw atmosphere of the space. Made of high-quality, waterproof PolyForce material, they are not only aesthetic, but also durable and long-lasting. ScratchShield® technology provides additional protection against scratches and damage, making them an ideal choice for heavily used spaces. Lamelli wall panels can be used both as a decorative element and as a practical solution to protect the wall from damage. Thanks to this, the floor panels and the wooden floor combined with the slats create a coherent and functional whole, perfectly matching the aesthetics of the industrial style.
Furniture and accessories in a minimalist style
Simple form and functionality are the key features of furniture and accessories in a minimalist style, perfectly fitting the concept of loft interiors. In a loft, traditional doors are often abandoned and replaced with glazing in black frames, which introduces additional lightness and spaciousness. Large windows are not only a source of light, but also a decorative element, emphasizing the raw character of the interior. The furniture is in simple, geometric shapes, and the accessories are minimalist and well-thought-out.
Floor strips in minimalist soft loft interiors are a subtle but important design element, adding a bit of lightness to a heavy style, but above all, they are a practical element, masking expansion joints and protecting the wall against mechanical damage (protecting walls against splashes, furniture legs hitting them and accidental kicks). ). In loft rooms, where austerity and simplicity dominate, white skirting boards with a minimalist, geometric shape are ideal. Simple lines of stucco fit perfectly with industrial interior architecture, creating a coherent whole and emphasizing the character of the room without attracting excessive attention. Additionally, Mardom Decor products are covered with a high-quality matte primer, which allows you to easily cover the surface with a layer of paint in any color. Therefore, they can be painted in the shade of the wall, visually extending the space.
Which skirting boards are the best?
The skirting board plays an important role in a loft room. Firstly, due to the small number of additional decorative elements in the room, it can act as a kind of decoration, so it should look impeccable, and secondly, it is crucial for the functionality of the interior and the durability of the floor. That is why the floor profiles we choose should be exceptionally durable and resistant. For this reason, we do not recommend soft Styrofoam strips and strips made of MDF or wood, as they may swell and delaminate under the influence of moisture (even frequent mopping of the floor).
Mardom Decor floor strips, made of dense PolyForce material, are an ideal solution, ensuring excellent durability and resistance to changing weather conditions. ScratchShield® technology, developed especially for floor stucco, guarantees exceptional resistance to mechanical damage, which is extremely important in commercial spaces.
Lighting
The most characteristic lighting in such interiors are strong, spotlights, often hidden in metal, raw lamps or spotlights resembling those in factory halls. Large, industrial hanging lamps with Edison-style bulbs are best for lofts, as they add not only light to the interior, but also a characteristic post-industrial atmosphere. It is important that the lighting is functional, but at the same time it is a key decorative element of the interior.
The modern approach to loft interior design involves combining aesthetics with functionality, which is perfectly reflected in the lighting curtain rods. In soft lofts, where aesthetics are combined with greater comfort, the use of curtains becomes a necessity, which leads to the need to install curtain rods. These, in turn, can be masked with a dedicated curtain rod or ceiling lighting strip. This is a two-in-one solution that not only masks the mounting elements, but also serves as an eye-catching ceiling finish. By choosing ceiling strips dedicated to use with LED lighting, we achieve not only an aesthetic but also a practical effect, avoiding the problems associated with traditional installation.
Which polyurethane ceiling strips will work well in the loft style?
Various variants are available on the market, ceiling strips come in richly decorated variations, futuristic shapes and sophisticated cutters, providing an eye-catching ceiling finish. However, for the loft style, minimalist, geometric and unobtrusive wall strips will be best. Simple, smooth ceiling strips are ideal as they do not overwhelm the space and at the same time allow additional lighting to be hidden. When choosing ceiling strips dedicated to use with Mardom Decor LED lighting, we choose high quality (styrofoam ceiling strips are much softer) and use the innovation offered by LightGuard® technology, thanks to which the diodes on the strip do not show through the material, guaranteeing an attractive finish and perfect light effect.
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