11 Nov 14

How to get the industrial look

If you haven’t got wind of the trend for all things Industrial in Interiors- then, seriously, where have you been! Well established in the high street, and at trendy coffee shops and gastro pubs around the land, our love for a bit of rough just keeps on going strong. I particularly love this trend as its very easy to put together, gives an instant cool vibe to your pad and better still, it’s a sturdy design means it can really take the knocks of family living.

Designed by Sophie Robinson for Ideal Home. Photograph by Simon Whitmore

Earlier this year I was invited to design 5 room schemes for Ideal Home magazines stand at The Ideal Home Show, Earls Court. The theme of the stand was creating the Industrial look in your own home, so here is my personal tips and ideas on how to get the look.

Industrial kitchen interior. Designed for Ideal Home. Photograph by Simon Whitmore

Begin by choosing mineral hues for walls; shades of greys, inky blues, plaster pinks and greens work well with this look. Then layer up the look with plenty of rough and raw texture, think scaffold planks, concrete, exposed conduit piping, bare brick, scrubbed wooden floors, the types of surfaces you’d expect to see in an industrial space like an old warehouse. You then lift the look with metallic highlights and the metal du-jour is still most definitely copper.

Industrial dining room. Designed for Ideal Home

You can go further than just decoration and expose the bare bones of the buildings bones, scrubbed floorboards, exposed brick work and joists all add to the look. If you can’t get the real thing there is a create selection of wallpapers that enable you to fake it. Some of my favourites can be found at Rocket St George.

Industrial style living room. Designed for Ideal Home

The easiest way to accessorise this look is with the iconic bare Edison style light bulb, hanging from cloth covered electrical wire- which now comes in an amazing array of colours to complement your scheme. Try Urban Cottage Industries to design your own. You can also get the look with Industrial style pendant lighting, typically large galvanized factory style pendant lights. Either hunt out an original piece from reclamation stores or pick up a bargain on the high street. I always find Bhs have a great selection.

Industrial style bathroom. Designed for Ideal Home. Photograph by Simon Whitmore

Personally I like to contrast all the rough with some smooth. For example a luxe velvet sofa, a polished marble surface or some cut glass chandeliers all work for me.

Bathroom designed for Ideal Home. Photograph by Simon Whitmore

You don’t need to live in an industrial building to make this look work in your home, and don’t feel you have to go all out on the theme. Even a few well-chosen pieces can add a bit of edge to your interior. Vintage looks good with this look as many of the finishes you’ll be decorating with have an aged appearance it makes sense that your furnishings do too. Shiny contemporary furniture can be too clean lined for this look, so I think vintage styles and shapes often work best. Otherwise go for contemporary designs with an industrial edge, galvanized chairs, scaffold pipe tables and circus style lights. Check out Alexander and Pearl for a wide selection of Industrial styles.

Bedroom designed for Ideal Home by Sophie Robinson. Photograph by Simon Whitmore

Finally I’d recommend keeping the styling quite minimal- this look doesn’t work with too much domestic style knick-knackery. Consider restricting your colour palette to neutrals plus one accent colour so the emphasis is very much on all those raw textures.

Key elements to getting the Industrial look

Bare bulb lighting

Metro ties with dark grout

Raw wooden floorboards

Scaffold planks and pipes

Bare brick

Copper accessories

Factory style lighting

Inky hues

Galvanized metal

Concrete

Crittal Windows

I was recently asked by housetohome to talk about this subject which is now available to view here.

Credits// Rooms commissioned by Ideal Home magazine for The Ideal Home Show 2014. Styled and Designed by Sophie Robinson. Assisted by Kate McPhee. Photograpahs by Simon Whitmore.