Urban industrial style is minimal, raw, and uncluttered with a preference for rustic and exposed architectural features and interiors.
This style is ideal if you love wide open spaces that boast distressed details, textural warmth, and polished accents.
Urban industrial design is prevalent in loft apartments that have been converted to residential use from commercial, manufacturing, or warehouse space.
Combining industrial finishes with contemporary chic furnishings, this style is celebrated for its ability to harmonize contrasting elements and pays homage to the pre-existing architectural features.
Urban industrial style prioritizes visual flow, through careful zoning, abundant natural light, a soothing colour palette, and the inclusion of a few eye-catching accessories, to achieve a utilitarian and sophisticated elegance.
For a step-by-step guide to creating the Urban Industrial look, explore our styling tips and curated collection below.
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URBAN INDUSTRIAL STYLE
COLOUR PALETTE
The urban industrial style colour palette features a base of off-whites, ecru, soft greys, forest and khaki greens, charcoal and navy blues with black and white lacquered accents.
These are complimented by stripped, unfinished woods, iron, stone and washed concrete.
Add lustre with stainless steel, brass, bronze and blackened iron, which will take on a beautiful patina over time.
URBAN INDUSTRIAL STYLE
ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
To identify the urban industrial style, look no further than the exposed architectural details, which are not hidden but proudly put on show.
Wide, open spaces, high-pitched ceilings, and lofty arched or transom windows are grounded by exposed heavy timber, iron or steel beams, pipes, rivets, cast-iron columns, and wooden joists.
URBAN INDUSTRIAL STYLE
WALL TREATMENTS
Expressive, unfinished, and patinated wall treatments aid in the unpretentious factory feel.
Popular materials include exposed brick, recycled timber, washed concrete, rough plaster, or distressed paint finishes.
Partitions and internal walls are minimal or non-existent and are reserved for bathrooms, utility rooms, and sometimes bedrooms.
Dividers include glazed glass and iron-framed window sectionals, doors, and folding screens.
URBAN INDUSTRIAL STYLE
FLOORING
Flooring options include recycled wide plank timber floorboard and polished or raw concrete.
These can be softened with oversized jute and sisal area rugs, animal hides, and beautifully textured flat weave woolen rugs.
Ceramic tiles and vinyl flooring featuring geometric patterns are popular choices for kitchen and bathroom spaces and help zone different areas.
URBAN INDUSTRIAL STYLE
LIGHTING
Lighting is a crucial element in industrial spaces and a variety of ambient, accent, and task lights are needed to illuminate the high ceilings and empty corners.
Drop ceiling pendant lights of glass, vintage enamel, and iron make a statement in kitchen and dining spaces.
Metal framed chandeliers with exposed filament bulbs, rustic rings, and chains provide ample illumination in entryways, dining, and living spaces.
For accent lighting, opt for recycled timber and iron wall lamps, wall sconces with exposed filament bulbs, railway wall lights, track lighting, and under-cabinet LED strips.
Task lighting includes adjustable and articulated metal table and floor lamps as well as washed concrete, ceramic, and timber lamp bases or decorative studio lights.
Metallic finishes include brushed copper, bronze, brass, and blackened iron.
URBAN INDUSTRIAL STYLE
WINDOW TREATMENTS
Urban industrial homes are celebrated for their floor-to-ceiling windows and as such, horizontally drawn curtains and heavy drapes are rarely seen.
Instead, window treatments include white, black, or neutral roller cotton blinds or battery-operated black-out blinds.
If you want curtains, opt for light-weight linen, or cotton sheers on ceiling-mounted curtain tracks to draw the eye up and preserve the natural light.
URBAN INDUSTRIAL STYLE
FURNITURE
Minimal, functional, and stylish, this style features fewer but larger and well-proportioned pieces of furniture
rather than many small ones.
Designs are functional, sustainable, and quality-made, as fewer pieces mean more attention can be paid to the craftsmanship and comfort level.
Define the open-plan living space with an oversized Chesterfield leather sofa or a linen, leather, or cotton upholstered or slip-covered modular sofa with castors.
Other pieces include upholstered ottomans, floor cushions, light-weight occasional, butterfly, sling, or folding chairs, low-sitting coffee tables, and slender side or couch tables.
If your bedroom is on the mezzanine level and features low ceilings, opt for a low loft-style bed with a metal, raw wood, or fabric platform frame.
Maximise storage space with under-bed storage or a built-in floor-to-ceiling wall cabinet to store clothes.
Other bedroom storage options include wall-mounted shelving, look-through shelves, low-sitting credenzas, utility room cabinets, and mobile dressers on wheels.
Zone your kitchen space with a large stainless-steel bench, recycled wooden kitchen island, or bar table with metal castors.
Metal, timber, or cross-back bar stools are perfect for casual kitchen dining and can be easily tucked away when not in use.
Galvanized metal dining chairs, Windsor-style chairs, long trestles, and reclaimed timber dining tables are another popular addition.
URBAN INDUSTRIAL STYLE
TEXTURE & MATERIALS
The juxtaposition of rustic, repurposed woods, vintage leather, brick and plush soft furnishings add visual interest.
Raw materials are softened by chunky wool knits, flax linens, velvet, cotton canvas and faux furs in decorative cushions and throws.
Metal hardware in high-sheen steel or chrome accents can be mixed with aged metals and repeated in different rooms for an edgy feel.
URBAN INDUSTRIAL STYLE
ARTWORK & MIRRORS
Large-scale modern abstract art, black and white photography, old maps, advertising posters, and metal signs are perfect for adorning the long, blank walls.
Canvases can be unframed and positioned against the wall, or wall-mounted in rustic or sleek modern frames.
Arched or rectangular grid-style mirrors in black or white metal frames will add modern drama and circulate the natural light.
URBAN INDUSTRIAL STYLE
ACCESSORIES
The urban industrial-style decor consists of just a few sentimental objects.
For a rustic edge, display vintage
picture frames, globes, leather or rattan boxes and trays, stacked books, natural found objects, and old street plates.
For lustre, incorporate bronze or brass candlesticks, blackened iron or pewter serving trays, glass vessels, and vintage trophies.
URBAN INDUSTRIAL STYLE
GREENERY & LIVING ENERGY
Add large structured plants of fiddle leaf figs, ferns, cacti, and palms in oversized concrete and ceramic pots.
To create a cohesive and energizing space, include smaller succulents, bonsai trees, or propagated plants in simple glass vessels.
Lastly, create your own urban jungle with trailing vines and hanging plants in kitchen and bathroom spaces.
