The modern industrial décor trend is one of the defining interior design movements of the decade.
If your personal style is somewhere in between sleek and rustic, co-ordinated with an unfinished edge, then this trend will be a perfect fit for you. If you’re lucky enough to live in a building with original industrial features, it can be a rich insight in to the history of the building.
What are modern industrial interiors?
This trend originated in flat conversions in old factory, warehouse and mill buildings, making use of original design features. Characteristics that would traditionally have been considered unsightly such as exposed metal beams or brick walls become focal points of a space. As well as exposed piping and brick-work modern industrial interiors can be recognised by:
- Large open spaces, which stem from industrial design’s origins in warehouse and factory conversions.
- Reclaimed and upcycled furniture. This trend is all about transforming original pieces in to beautiful design features. Breathing new life in to an old tea chest by transforming it in to a coffee table, or using cinder block piles to create shelving, is the perfect way to dress up an industrial space.
- Wood and metal are key materials for capturing this trend, as they evoke the image of a real factory setting. Unfinished wooden surfaces are perfect for bringing a raw edge to a space, while metallic coppers and bronzes add warmth and light to majority grey matt spaces.
- Choosing the right lighting is crucial to nailing this trend. Most converted industrial spaces are blessed with big, original windows. The abundance of natural light brings a welcome brightness to spaces that could otherwise feel too minimalist and sterile. To add extra warmth use pendant lights, wall sconces and Edison bulbs for an amber glow.
How to create modern industrial walls and floors
If you aren’t one of the lucky few who live in an industrial conversion with all the original design features intact, you can still re-create this trend with some clever tiling hacks and on-trend accessories.
Capture the concrete look with grey tiles
Floor-to-ceiling concrete can be a cornerstone of some industrial spaces, and it often makes spaces appear larger by being seamless. But you don’t need a cement mixture to bring the look and feel of concrete to a space. Simply use grey matt tiles – the bigger the better! Lay them all over your floors and walls to capture the minimalist style of all-over concrete.
Make sure to match your grout to your tiles for a flawlessly seamless finish.
Use mosaic tiles for a brick effect
Exposed brick is one of the most sought-after industrial features in modern interior design. It’s easy to fake it with brick-look mosaic tiles that are practically indistinguishable from the real thing and are available in a range of colours and finishes to perfectly suit your space.
Bring a rustic edge with wood effect tiles
High-quality porcelain wood effect tiles are impossible to tell from the real thing, imitating the textures and idiosyncrasies of natural wood. ‘Reclaimed’ wood effect tiles are a great way to incorporate the rustic trend in to your home.
Floor-to-ceiling tiling is huge this year, as it gives any space a seamless co-ordinated look. Laying wood effect tiles on your floors and walls is a great way to capture the unfinished charm of an industrial space.
Because of its use for recycled, original or low-cost design features and materials, the modern industrial trend is a simple yet effective way to update your home on a budget.
