Did you know that industrial decor is a style that began shortly after the 1929 depression? It was during this period that large industrial warehouses began to be used as residences, and since then this style of decorating has gained many followers around the world.
The industrial style emphasizes more rustic elements, allowing people to reuse materials and create a project that is both sustainable and original.
Even if it's not for a warehouse, you can explore the industrial style to decorate the space. After all, everything will depend on the colors, materials, and elements added. Want to better understand how this works? We've prepared this content to show you how to transform spaces with style and functionality.
Keep reading to learn about the characteristics of industrial decor and how it can be applied in the living room, kitchen, bedroom, and even bathroom. You'll also find some product suggestions for creating this decor style.
The industrial style is a branch of interior design and architecture that explores elements used in industry to create unique décor. As you saw in the introduction, this style emerged after the 1929 financial crisis.
At that time, New York City had many abandoned industries, warehouses, and factories, usually located in downtown or upscale areas. Beginning in the 1970s, these properties began to be sought after as residential alternatives and for artistic studios.
This happened due to the very high price of regular real estate. Furthermore, as population density began to increase significantly in New York during this period, people began looking for a new type of housing and occupied these abandoned factories and warehouses.
Over time, this housing option became known as a loft. When transforming these spaces, industrial elements were often preserved. Thus, there was a mix of elements such as exposed piping, aged metal finishes, exposed brick, and rustic slabs with modern elements and features of traditional residences.
This decorating style was widely accepted and gained followers around the world. It changed the old idea that interior design required expensive elements, sophisticated furniture, and subtle decorative pieces.
The main characteristic of industrial decor is maintaining or implementing elements of raw architecture. Thus, it's a style with more rustic materials, exploring neutral tones and unusual decorative objects.
Industrial decor is typically used in large spaces. After all, as we mentioned, it originated in industrial warehouses, where the plants lack many physical divisions between the spaces.
This means spaces are often integrated and can even have more than one function, especially when the space is smaller. For example, the living room can be transformed into a bedroom at night.
Industrial decor is characterized by leaving some elements exposed. Beams, pipes, and plumbing are often exposed, creating an urban, modern look. Walls are either concrete or exposed brick.
In the industrial style, special attention is paid to lighting. Good designs often use track and pendant lights.
The furniture also brings a touch of rusticity, being made of iron, wood or steel to match the rest of the decor. The colors are neutral or more sober. The doors and windows are wide and finished with frames, helping to improve lighting and air circulation.
Because the materials and furniture used have a heavy appearance, the biggest challenge is creating a harmonious environment. Therefore, it's important not to overdo it, as the space doesn't end up looking cluttered or overly basic.
There are two ways to add industrial decor to your living room. The first is to focus on the quantity and diversity of elements to achieve a rich look. The second is to opt for a mix of industrial and minimalist, keeping only what's essential to the room and emphasizing the spaciousness of the space.
It's interesting that there aren't many barriers in the living room, as open spaces are a hallmark of this decorating style. It's worth exploring exposed brick and adding rustic furniture, whether wood or modular. Iron shelves also complement the industrial living room.
Additionally, install pendant lights or spotlights to ensure good lighting. You can also use rugs, but remember to choose more neutral colors and avoid prints, which don't really complement this style.
If you want to add a pop of color, you can explore dark green, orange, or blue. For furniture, remember to opt for a minimalist or modern design. Plants are welcome, and you can add them using cement pots.
You already know that exposed brick and wood are popular in industrial decor. Since these two materials pair so well with the kitchen, it's worth using them to transform this room. The good news is that renovations aren't necessary: you can use a covering or even a sticker to create the desired texture.
So, simply choose the color and tone that best suits your needs and apply these coverings in a straightforward manner. This way, you can even create distinct spaces within the same space, such as distinguishing between different work areas in the kitchen, for example.
Since wood is a popular choice for this decor, you can choose furniture made from this material, but also with metal components. Explore brown and orange, as well as black, and add some stools to add a special touch to your kitchen.
You can also use utensils as decorative elements. This is the case, for example, with a set of copper pots or pans. stainless steel hanging on the wall.
It's also a good idea to install shelves to keep certain items visible and within easy reach. If you want to add a unique touch to your kitchen, try geometric patterns—they look great, for example, around the sink and stove.
As we've explained, industrial decor also features integrated spaces. Therefore, it's a good idea to combine kitchen and dining room spaces.
Where the table will be placed, it's a good idea to install pendant lights, which can be metallic to complement the rest of the decor. On the wall next to the dining room table, consider installing a different finish to create a subtle distinction.
Another way to define a space is to place a rug under the dining table; just remember to match the color with the rest of the decor.
To create an industrial-style bedroom, start by choosing the right colors. Because it's a room, it's important not to overdo the look, as this can interfere with your restful sleep.
White and gray are commonly used on walls, floors, and linens. These two tones complement each other well and create a pleasant atmosphere.
For the floor, you can opt for natural wood or a wood-textured finish. It's a good idea to add details to one of the walls, such as exposed brick, which can be natural or white. However, some prefer a burnt cement finish.
Another option is to include some black elements, such as cushions, an armchair, or a nightstand. You can also install tubular-style shelves and even leave the pipes exposed with pendant lights or small spotlights.
Don't forget to choose a large window. To block out the light, install blinds instead of traditional curtains. It's also worth opting for a tubular bed, either wooden or even fixed, made of masonry. This will ensure the rustic look that industrial decor demands.
Even if the bathroom is smaller, it can feature industrial decor elements. In the dry area, it's worth covering one of the walls with an exposed brick texture. This option also exists in the shower, but it's important to select a water-resistant covering.
An important consideration for the bathroom is to choose lighter colors to avoid compromising the lighting in the room. After all, too many dark colors, like black, can make the look too busy. Exposed brick in white, wood, or gray tones is a great choice.
It's a good idea to leave your pipes and plumbing exposed. For a different look, one option is to choose a copper hue for these items, although black can also create an interesting contrast with a lighter wall.
As in other environments, give preference to furniture with straighter lines, minimalist design and made of metal or wood.
Node Ceará Steel Group catalog, you will find several product options for use in industrial decoration. This applies to both structural part of the construction as for decorative details. Check out some alternatives!
You've seen that the structure of spaces that receive industrial decor tends to be different. Therefore, metal tiles They're an excellent option for covering spaces that will receive industrial decor. Because they're made of metal and preserve that texture, they fit in perfectly with the style's characteristics.
As there are different design options, you can still choose the one that best matches the rest of the environment, such as corrugated tiles or trapezoidal. For those who want a little more comfort, there are thermoacoustic tiles.
The handrail is a prominent element of stairs. You can incorporate industrial decor into your spaces by installing a piece that perfectly complements this style.
In the Grupo Aço Cearense catalog, you will find different options of metal pipes, which can be used to manufacture custom handrails. You can choose, for example, square metal, rectangular metal, or industrial tube. There are several sizes to adapt to the type of staircase and the desired result for your decoration.
Speaking of pipes, we explained that they're often used for wiring and left exposed. In the Grupo Aço Cearense catalog, you'll find round-section steel pipes in various diameters and thicknesses.
This way, you can run wires through them to create industrial decor patterns. Even if the wires don't run through them, the pipes can be used simply as decorative elements, creating a look reminiscent of industrial warehouses.
You Cearense Steel products can also be used as material for making rustic furniture. After all, you have at your disposal the tubes, the square and rectangular metalon, the oblong tube, corners, plates, flat bar, U-shaped profile, among others.
Each piece can be crafted to create unique furniture, including combining steel and wood. If you don't have technical experience in this area, it's best to seek the help of a specialized professional.
Industrial decor can be present in any space in your project. Simply explore the right elements to ensure the ideal look and maintain the characteristics of this decorative style. Don't forget that you can count on Grupo Aço Cearense products to further enhance the look of your spaces.
Enjoy and access our product catalog to check out all the options available to you.