Industrial style – how to arrange a minimalist interior?
The industrial style is a perfect fit for people who value minimalism and all imperfections of form – cracks, intentionally unevenly applied architectural concrete or old materials that show the passage of time. It is characterized by simplicity and a slightly raw form, which gives it a unique character. Industrial interiors feature exposed structural elements such as brick walls, metal pipes and concrete surfaces. This style means high attention to aesthetic impressions – each element has its place and purpose, which makes the space orderly and coherent.
To create such a unique effect in your interior, you must follow several rules that govern the industrial style. The key is to keep it simple and avoid unnecessary decorations. An excellent choice will be the use of raw materials and natural colors, which will help create a harmonious and coherent interior. But more on that later in the article. If you want to see how to create such an arrangement yourself and how to adapt it to the requirements of a modern interior, please read on. We will present practical tips and inspirations that will help you arrange your interior in an industrial spirit.
What is industrial style?
The industrial style draws from post-industrial spaces – it is characterized by protruding metal pipes, visible structural elements, and industrial spotlights. Buildings of this type are often created in old industrial halls, warehouses, stations, but the industrial style can actually be arranged anywhere. Unlike the classic loft, which in its original form was famous for its space in attics, on the floors of old warehouses and galleries. Nowadays, these two concepts, due to similar aesthetics and materials used, are used interchangeably – however, for the purposes of today’s entry, we will fully focus on industrial style.
The industrial style is primarily minimalism, in which the number of visible objects without functions is reduced to a minimum. You definitely need to exercise moderation here. All items are hidden, have their place in the wardrobes, and decorative elements brought from numerous trips do not decorate the shelves or form displays in the cupboards. All decorations are well thought out and match the whole. It’s definitely a difficult style and intended for a very narrow audience. It will not work in every interior and definitely not in every home. If you don’t want to tear your hair out, we definitely don’t recommend it to families with small children 😉
If you plan to decorate your home in a wide range of colors, the industrial style will not be for you either. A monochromatic color palette dominates here – whites, grays, steel colors, and natural materials in shades of wood (usually dark) or stone. Concrete, brick, leather (even worn-out leather), epoxy resin and glass also fit perfectly in this style. Slightly cracked walls, any material imperfections, or “crooked” painted walls with asymmetrical appearance will look great.
Industrial interiors are dominated by austerity of form and simplicity, but there are certainly textures and patterns, but all of them are kept in a post-industrial atmosphere. Grooves that are associated with steel sheets, visible rivets, screws, fasteners, mesh or chains as part of the decoration, perfectly complement the aesthetics of the interior.
Key elements of industrial style interiors
Industrial style is primarily a harmony of raw materials and minimalist solutions that give the interior a unique atmosphere. The key element that must be included in such an arrangement is an old Chesterfield sofa. Its classic design and leather upholstery fit perfectly into the industrial aesthetic, adding elegance and a historical character to the interior. Another must-have is a boom lamp or an old reflector. These elements not only have a lighting function, but also constitute an expressive decorative element, emphasizing the severity and functionality of the space.
In the industrial style, fabrics are kept to a minimum. Textiles appear mainly in the bedroom, where they play a practical role, and in other rooms, instead of curtains, you can see suspended chains. The loft aesthetic is an open space – not necessarily large, but free from partition walls and other artificial divisions of the interior into zones, which ensures smooth and free movement around the interior. This arrangement makes even smaller spaces seem freer and more spacious.
It is also worth paying attention to the details that complement the whole. Metal shelves, industrial racks, as well as structural elements left on view, such as ceiling beams or metal pipes, give the interior austerity and authenticity. It is also worth experimenting with materials such as concrete, brick or damaged wood, which will add natural textures and depth to the interior. By using these key elements, you can create a space that is not only functional, but also extremely stylish and unique.
Industrial style in everyday life: contemporary elements of interior design
Industrial style in its original form is not for everyone. It is difficult to arrange and maintain, which is why in the design of modern interiors it is often mixed with other styles and a much milder and cozier version is used. Even though it is still full of gray, concrete and bricks (thanks to which the original idea and style of the interior is preserved), it is warmed up with shades of beige and brown and accessories that give it a more friendly character. Soft carpets, pillows made of natural materials and potted plants soften the severity of concrete and metal, creating a harmonious whole.
Contemporary interpretations of industrial style often include elements that give the interior a modern character, such as minimalist furniture with clean lines and modern lighting. Practicality and convenience are key, which is why intelligent home management systems and energy-saving devices are becoming more and more popular. This combination of austerity with coziness and practical solutions gives the interiors a unique character, while being comfortable and adapted to modern needs.
Apartment curtain rods (single curtain rod)
In modern interiors, we cannot imagine the lack of window decorations – curtains, blinds, blinds, and sometimes even several of these options at once, which not only perform a practical function, such as protection from the sun and hiding from prying eyes from the outside, but also constitute a subtle and at the same time an effective interior decoration. However, you need a curtain rod to hang the material. Both a rod and a rail curtain rod will work perfectly in the industrial style. The rod curtain rod is visible, so it is worth choosing a simple model. Pay special attention to the type of tip. Minimalist, geometric shapes or simple ends will best suit this style. The material of the curtain rod should be consistent with the characteristics of the interior, so stainless steel or black brushed aluminum will be an ideal choice, and ends made of the same material will ensure full consistency. Rail curtain rods are the second option, which is much less visible thanks to its light and small construction. Attached to the ceiling, it ensures full discretion.
When choosing a curtain rod, it is crucial to choose a single curtain rod that will allow you to hang only one type of material. By hanging many layers near the windows, we will lose the spirit of industrialism. Therefore, it is worth choosing one solution, e.g. long floor-length curtains in white. Linen or other natural material will look great. Remember that the length of the curtain rod should be appropriately matched to the width of the window, and only curtains may not fulfill all functions, so curtains will be a more practical choice.
Single curtain rods and covers with LED lighting
Another element that will work perfectly in a modern adaptation of an industrial interior are curtain rod covers. Simple profiles, devoid of any decorations, mounted to the ceiling, allow you to cover the curtain rod, which makes the interior more tidy and visually “clean”. However, the use of curtain rod strips does not end only with the role of a cover. Mardom Decor’s offer includes dedicated models intended for use with LED lighting. Lighting curtain rod strips have a special profile that allows the installation of an LED strip, thanks to which the light is perfectly dispersed around the room.
The LightGuard® technology we have developed is an example of an innovative response to real customer needs. Standard polyurethane stucco often allows the light of LED diodes to pass through, which results in an unsightly effect of point light penetration. LightGuard® eliminates this problem by using a special mixture of polymers with refiners, which thickens the structure of the strip, excluding any gaps. Strips made with LightGuard® technology guarantee an excellent visual effect, evenly scattering the light around the strip, giving a subtle glow without the effect of point-piercing diodes.
Additionally, grilles with LED lighting give the interior a modern character and are a coherent element of the arrangement. This solution not only improves the aesthetics of the interior, but also introduces a pleasant atmosphere, creating warm and atmospheric lighting. Thanks to this, interiors decorated in an industrial style gain coziness and elegance, while maintaining their unique character.
Pillows, blankets and soft materials in industrial interior design
Introducing pillows, blankets and soft materials into an industrial-style interior is a perfect way to soften the severity and add coziness. It is important to choose natural fabrics such as linen, cotton or wool, which are not only durable but also pleasant to the touch. It is crucial to match the colors of these accessories to the rest of the interior to maintain a coherent design. Subdued colors are perfect for the industrial style – gray, beige, brown and shades of white, which harmonize harmoniously with concrete walls and metal elements.
Pillows in simple, geometric shapes and blankets with a minimalist design can be a subtle but effective decoration that will warm up the interior. It is important to avoid excess and overly decorative textiles, which could disturb the raw, industrial character of the space. Instead, it is worth choosing uniform, natural materials that will add elegance and coziness to the interior.
Skirting
Skirting appear in almost all interiors – if you have parquet or click floors, floor stucco is also for you. In industrial interiors, it is worth choosing simple models without decorations. Both geometric and oval shapes will work. It is important that they fulfill their main function – protecting the floor and walls. Exposed to intensive use, strips should be durable and resistant to water and mechanical damage.
At Mardom Decor, we offer strips made of high-quality PolyForce® duropolymer, a material resistant to water, UV and mechanical damage. Thanks to the innovative ScratchShield® technology, the surface of the strips is maximally hardened, which increases their hardness by 40% compared to profiles without this technology. ScratchShield® ensures that accidental upholstery with a vacuum cleaner or chair legs will not cause chips or defects on the surface of the strip, maintaining its perfect appearance for many years.
When choosing floor strips, it is also worth thinking about the appropriate color. Mardom Decor offers two options – the Satin version and the one dedicated to painting. Satin strips are covered with a layer of SupremeSatin® hardened varnish, which gives them a perfect, satin finish in the shade of RAL9003. In turn, strips dedicated to painting are covered with the highest quality primer paint, which is an excellent base for applying subsequent layers of paint, allowing you to adjust the color to the individual needs of the interior. Thanks to this, you can match the shade of the floor stucco to the color of the walls, maintaining full arrangement consistency.
Attention!
To apply color to stucco, we recommend using the spraying method, which guarantees even coverage of the surface with dye and a uniform structure. More information in the u003cstrongu003eu003ca href=’https://mardomdecor.com/en/filmy-instruktazowe/’ target=’_blank’ rel=’noopener’u003eInstructional videosu003c/au003eu003c/strongu003e tab.
Industrial style – summary
The industrial style is the perfect solution for people who value minimalism, neatness and order. It is characterized by simplicity and austere form, which gives the interior a unique character. Exposed structural elements such as brick walls, metal pipes and concrete surfaces are key. To achieve a unique effect, you can also choose simple, functional decorative elements, e.g. an old Chesterfield sofa, post-factory headlights and raw fabrics.
Contemporary industrial interiors often add warmth through accessories in shades of beige and brown and the use of soft materials such as carpets, pillows and blankets. Skirting boards, single curtain rods and curtain rods with LED lighting are also important elements, which help maintain a coherent design and functionality of the interior. The industrial style, although demanding, can be practical and cozy thanks to contemporary adaptations that combine austerity with modern solutions.
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