Industrial Interior Design: Understanding the Key Elements

In the early 2000s, I moved into a true one-room loft with my now-husband. The building had been a factory in a previous life, and we fell in love with the show-stopping interior — the well-worn wood floors; the brick wall with paint marks and dings from its factory days; and the exposed ductwork. It all felt revelatory.

This is what we now know as industrial interior design, inspired by the features of these old buildings. Lindsay Boudreaux, proprietor and creative director at Shotgun Double Interior Design, says an early and instructive example was architect Frank Gehry’s iconic renovation of his California home.

“The work he did on his Dutch Colonial-style home [built in the 1920s] stripped away decorative architectural elements and utilized materials in their raw form,” she says. “These were materials otherwise thought to be ugly or unfinished, like raw plywood, corrugated steel panels, chain-link fencing and exposed interior pipes.”

While that was the original style, Boudreaux says it began to morph “into more creative territory.” This included hand-crafted light fixtures made with steel pipe, filament light bulbs, welded machine parts and rolling “barn doors” on exposed metal tracks. The latter mimicking the old fire doors of industrial warehouses.

She also notes Gehry’s renovation had a decidedly California aesthetic — light, bright, clean lines and simple forms. The newer industrial style, on the other hand, took a darker turn with heavier metal (oil-rubbed bronze, black, dark steel) accents and chunky wood, like raw-edge tables.

What Are the Key Elements of Industrial Interior Design?

Ariana Lovato, owner and principal designer at Honeycomb Home Design, says industrial interior design draws inspiration from the look of factories and warehouses. It’s characterized by raw, unfinished elements combined with functional and utilitarian features. Things like:

Raw materials

“Exposed brick walls, concrete or bare cement floors, and visible ductwork or pipes give an unfinished and rugged feel,” she says. Artem Kropovinsky, founder and interior designer at Arsight, says, “Instead of hiding them away, these elements showcase the raw architecture of the building.”

Metal accents

Lovato says to expect lots of metal in furniture, fixtures and decor — pieces like metal chairs with steel frames and pendant lights with industrial-style metal shades.

Adds Kropovinsky: “These are often made from stainless steel, iron or aluminum for their long-lasting nature as well as their tough looks.

Open spaces

“Industrial design often embraces open floor plans, creating a sense of spaciousness and allowing for an airy feel,” Lovato says. Make sure to consider whether your furnishings look good on all sides if they float in the space.

Neutral color palette

Colors tend to be neutral and earthy, even monochromatic. Think grays, browns, blacks and whites.

Vintage and reclaimed items

Lovato says you can add character while incorporating vintage or repurposed pieces, like machinery parts, reclaimed wood or vintage industrial signage.

Minimalist furnishings

Furniture tends to have clean lines and a simple, functional design. Pieces often prioritize practicality and durability. “Imagine metal chairs, wooden tables and leather couches,” Kropovinsky says.

Utilitarian fixtures

Fixtures like Edison bulb lighting, factory-style pendant lights and open-shelving units mimic the practicality and functionality of industrial spaces.

Statement pieces

Lovato says you can make focal points out of large, bold elements. These can be an oversized wall clock, industrial-sized fans or a salvaged factory window used as a room divider.

Combined textures

Mixing textures like rough wood, smooth metals and soft fabrics can add depth and interest to the space, Lovato says.

Simple Ways To Bring Industrial Interior Design Into Your Home

To get industrial inside, consider a few of these easy options from our experts:

Find the furniture

Boudreaux says while this style might be currently on the wane, there are still some good pieces to bring this style to life in your home. “On the investment level, Gehry’s classic Wiggle chair, which is carved from corrugated cardboard, is at once industrial and elegant,” she says.

Not ready to splurge? For a more entry-level approach, consider shelving made from steel pipe and wood or glass. Boudreaux finds amazing craftspeople on Etsy selling affordable, customizable options. Or make your own!

Think like Edison

Kropovinsky suggests changing your regular LEDs to Edison bulbs, which showcase the filament, for a quick industrial addition to your space. “Their open wires and bright light give an old factory-like appeal,” he says.

Expose what’s hidden

“If you can, show a brick wall that is already there or keep air [ducts] showing to enjoy the industrial style of liking things unfinished and rough,” Kropovinsky says.

Don’t have the brick? Fake it with a great brick-pattern wallpaper, says Lovato.

Make it concrete

Kropovinsky says even if you don’t have concrete counters or floors, you can find concrete containers, pots and candleholders to add an industrial look on a smaller scale.

Keep it simple

“Use a neutral, earthy color scheme,” says Kropovinsky. “Use light colors for your walls or add natural materials like jute rugs and linen cushions. This will keep the feeling simple, like industrial spaces do.”

About the Experts

Lindsay Boudreaux, a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette School of Architecture and Design, first designed for Allan Greenberg Architect and the award-winning studio Adamstein & Demetriou. She designs high-end homes in Northern Virginia and the Washington D.C. area through her firm, Shotgun Double Interior Design.

Artem Kropovinsky founded New York-based Arsight. An experienced interior designer, he earned finalist acknowledgements in the international SBID Awards and NYCxDesign Awards.

Ariana Lovato is the owner and principal designer of California-based Honeycomb Home Design. An associate designer with the National Kitchen and Bath Association, she founded Honeycomb Gives Back, a nonprofit that does room makeovers for children with special needs.