An industrial design house probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when picturing a homely ambiance. However, this trend is revolutionising houses across the nation, introducing a unique blend of modern aesthetics and raw elements.

Industrial house designs weave in elements like exposed pipes, brick accents, and metallic finishes on appliances and furniture, transforming traditional home interiors into edgy, contemporary spaces. Concrete plays a significant role in these designs, often featured prominently in flooring or wall structures, contributing to the bright and airy atmosphere.

Interestingly, defunct industrial buildings, such as old factories, often provide an affordable housing solution. With appropriate rezoning, these seemingly rundown structures can be repurposed into stunning modern homes. These revamped spaces retain their industrial character while offering a distinctive and appealing living environment.

What is an Industrial Home?

An industrial home is built with an overall theme of industry in mind. They are typically built from brick or feature brick prominently in the interior. Industrial style houses also feature plenty of windows and a metallic ‘cold’ finish. 

However, this lack of warmer tones in the furnishings, appliances, or other design elements is intentional in an industrial style home.

Another phrase commonly used to describe an industrial style house is “modern.” Yet, the elements often incorporated in an industrial home could often be found in Industrial Revolution housing. Strangely, industrial houses are at once in the past and present.

Industrial House Design Considerations 

When designing an industrial style house in Australia, a few things to consider if your dream home includes exposed piping, brickwork, metal, concrete and lots of natural light. 

Heating and Cooling 

One of the challenges of an industrial style home is the heating and cooling of the space. Because industrial design materials do not have insular properties, you’ll need to ensure that the space is well-insulated to prevent excess heat loss in the winter. For example, metallic objects tend to suck heat out of space, whereas brickwork is susceptible to drafts unless properly caulked. Additionally, brick is also susceptible to rising dampness. Consider how best to insulate your home to prevent heat loss while allowing good airflow in the summer months.

Maximum Use of Natural Light

As natural light is a huge design element of industrial design in homes, to maximise the use of natural light, designers suggest wide open spaces and open-concept designs for living rooms and kitchens, allowing large windows to be installed and flooding the area with natural light.

Additionally, using light and heat from the sun allows for passive solar principles to be brought into any interior design features of a modern industrial house.

Minimalism 

One of the many design principles of the industrial design trend sweeping the housing industry in Australia is minimalism. The idea of an industrial home is that it’s supposed to be a clean, open space with lots of light and a minimalist approach to furnishings and appliances. While it is possible to have lavishness be a facet of your modern industrial house, the less ‘stuff’ you have in a space, the closer you’ll be to a true industrial design.

Interior Design Features of a Modern Industrial Home 

There are a few key design features of a modern industrial house. These can include but are not limited to, the following features.

Textured Materials 

In a modern industrial home, materials for furnishings are often made from leather, with either a metal or bare wooden structure. Bed frames are often raw wood, with exposed wooden structural beams. Countertops are sometimes stone like granite or marble, tables are often raw wood tables with a lacquer or natural finish applied. 

Textured materials that provide depth to the space are chosen over synthetic materials like fibrous chairs, or faux-wood flooring. 

Defined Shapes in Bathrooms 

The bathrooms of industrial houses also tend to include defined shapes. These include ovular, smooth bathtubs that could be clawfoot with brass or gold fixtures. High ceilings in industrial style homes allow for large, sprawling light fixtures and bright white tiling is often found as flooring, complimented by raw wood tongue and groove on the walls or brickwork painted white.

As windows in bathrooms tend to be smaller, white is the preferred colour of paint to provide depth and maximise the natural light that enters the space.

Save the Colour For Your Fabrics 

When it comes to interior decor, the introduction of colour should be made cautiously not to compromise the overall look of the space. Colour for fabrics or leather chairs should be muted, like burgundy or a darker yellow. As industrial homes try to accentuate the natural look of finishes and furnishings and rely on natural light to brighten the space, flashy colours clash poorly with the rest of the aesthetic.

Muted Decor 

While decor that accentuates the space is encouraged in an industrial home design, any decor should fit the space’s aesthetic. Metal or dark wooden picture frames, whether painted black or using a dark wood stain, are preferred. Textiles reminiscent of 19th century Industrial Revolution England are encouraged for pillows, blankets and other textiles in the space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a few frequently asked questions we receive from those curious about industrial house design and how to transform their space into something out of Industrial Revolution England.

What Differentiates a Modern Home From an Industrial Home?

While it can be easy to mistake modern homes and industrial homes, the latter is a new take on modern design principles like open-concept spaces, elevation, mixed-use materials like wood and metal and unique architectural shapes. industrial style houses typically incorporate exposed wood or brick, concrete flooring and marble or granite kitchens with high ceilings and shapely baths with textile accents. Industrial homes are a continuation and innovation of modern housing principles.

What Are The Characteristics of Industrial Building?

Several characteristics make an industrial style home. These include high ceilings with big windows in the living room-kitchen, to allow maximum natural light. Also, simply decorated walls without lavishness or large ornately-framed mirrors or artwork; textiles reminiscent of 19th-century England for couch cushions and other fabrics; and leather, old wood and steel make up the bulk of the home’s furnishings in spaces like the living room and kitchen.

Why is it Called “Industrial Design”?

“Industrial design” is named so because it borrows design elements from industrial buildings, often found in exposed pipes, brickwork, metallic finishes on appliances and square or boxy furnishings. Additionally, interior designers specialising in industrial design often suggest lots of natural light and multiple windows in the home’s main rooms.

Final Thoughts 

The growing trend of industrial house design emphasises the innovative spirit of modern home decor. This unique approach combines the raw, gritty aesthetic of industrial elements with the comfort and functionality of residential spaces, resulting in homes that are as eye-catching as they are liveable.

 

In essence, industrial house design is much more than a trend – it’s a testament to the adaptability and creativity of contemporary interior design. As we continue to reimagine our living spaces, we can expect to see more of these fascinating blends of industry and comfort, further pushing the boundaries of what we consider ‘home’.