5 feminine touches for your industrial interior
I absolutely adore industrial home decor. The high ceiling, the large windows, the original features, the rough floors…The list goes on.
I could look at photo of industrial lofts all day but most of the time I find it hard to imagine myself living there because of the coldness you can sometime feel coming of these fabulous interiors. The grey concrete floor, the black metal beams, the dark wood and leather. It’s just missing that homey feeling for me.
I have been thinking of what I would change in these angular and almost “too open” space to make them feel more cosy and feminine.
I came up with 5 simple touches that will transform your rough concrete shell into a stylish and warm space without loosing its industrial edge.
1- Whitewash those bricks
Don’t get me wrong, I love a bright wall and it can be such a beautiful feature but 100% red brick can feel a little severe, like an old fashion British boarding school.
An easy fix is to whitewash your wall. This allows you to keep that gorgeous brick texture but with brighter walls and no school vibe in sight.
White will not only make your space homier, it will also make your furniture, plant and art pop.
If you don’t have an existing brick wall, fear not, it’s now very easy to add one to your home through wallpaper or brick slips.
Left: white brick slip by mybrickwall.co.uk
Middle: white paint for brick walls by polarcoatings.co.uk
Right: whitewash brick wallpaper by wallsauce.com
2- Add some greenery
The best way to make the most of all those large windows and high ceiling typical of industrial spaces is to literally bring life into them.
With a variety of house plants available in shops and online, the sky is the limit. Whether you are a plant novice or an expert, you can easily find the perfect ones for you.
Here are some of my favourite house plants for large open places. These beauties are sure to make an impact and can be used to fill some of the space with life and a bright green colour.
3- Use copper throughout
I often see industrial interiors full of black metal features, from lighting fixtures to furniture. While I absolutely adore a structural black beam, I find the total black metal look a little cold.
By using copper instead of black, you can bring some warmth and softness into your space without loosing that industrial edge. For example, you can make a feature of the plumbing copper pipes.
Copper is also ideal to use in kitchens and bathrooms because of its antibacterial properties.
From copper tap, to copper back splash or furniture, there is endless ways to use this glorious metal in an industrial interior.
Left and right: furniture in copper and jesmonite by asofteredge.com
Middle: Lighting fixture by industville.co.uk
4- Inject touches of colours
You can now easily find industrial style furniture with a colourful finish. Adding a few touches of colours amongst concrete floor, black metal structure and dark leather can make a massive difference to the overall feel of your space. A bright touch of yellow or orange can actually enhance the clean lines and brightness of your industrial home but remember, less is more. To stay true to the aesthetic, pick one or two colourful elements and place them strategically in your home.
Here are a few example of colourful industrial furniture that would stand proud in any industrial loft.
Left: light pink side table by asofteredge.com
Middle: yellow metal cabinet by mustardmade.co.uk
Right: Made to measure shelving cabinet by tylko.com
5- Layer with natural textiles
Break harder materials such as leather and wood with layers of cosy blankets and cushions.
Soften a concrete floor by using textured rugs and poufs in neutral colours: linens, wool, cottons will be great additions to your industrial living room.
Here are some of my favourite ways to add some softness to your industrial interior.
Bottom left: macramé wall hanging by kalicrame.com
Top: wool pouf by urbanara.co.uk
Bottom right: rug by westelm.co.uk