How to make your home look industrial

2. Shedding some light on lights

Let me help you by illuminating the path to perfecting your industrial-style home. Now everything I’ve mentioned will leave your home looking like an abandoned warehouse – creepy and cold. We don’t want that. Let's start with the rock stars of industrial lighting: pendant lights. These hanging beauties are often crafted from metal and gracefully hang over kitchen islands, dining tables or anywhere you want to make a statement – they're like chandeliers of the industrial world. Whether you want a single, oversize pendant or a cluster of smaller ones.

But don’t be boring by only using pendant lights when factory lamps exist! These rugged, functional and undeniably stylish lights are found in actual factories and warehouses – you'll recognise them as having metal shades and cage designs. They exude an old-school train station charm and are perfect for anywhere that needs a bright, focused light. You don’t have to stop there, factory style lamps that can be placed anywhere, or string lights for a touch of whimsy. The choice is yours. I recommend a mix of warm and cool lighting to get a good mix of warm and inviting with a crisp, clean finish. Using the right lights can make all the difference, so grab that vintage light and let’s get glowing. And don’t worry about matching everything perfectly, the industrial style thrives on eclectic charm.

3. Let’s Go Big on Loft Life

As the title suggests, we are thinking big – big on space, big on style and big on character. We’re diving into the loft style layout and open floor plans. Ever wanted to live in a space that felt like an artists' studio – a room at the end of the corridor on the 4th floor of a rustic, tattered building, but when you step inside it screams character. Think high ceilings, an open floor plan with windows that brighten up the space with natural light. An open floor plan makes your home feel larger and allows your home to breathe , it's a plus if you’re a social butterfly and love entertaining guests too or you like to change things up and change the furniture about (I know I've done it a good few times).

A huge space like that needs to be filled up with the right stuff. Stainless steel and black coloured appliances make a statement, they’re the ultimate choices for the sleek, modern look. Open shelves can also be a design feature, it keeps the room open and extends it further and the choice of shelf matters too. Metal shelves bring a modern, minimalist vibe, they’re sturdy and sleek. On the other hand, reclaimed wood shelves add warmth and character. Just remember, in the world of industrial design it’s all about combining the old with the new, the rough with the refined. You got this!

4. The Finishing Touches

If you’ve followed this guide so far, I hope you’ve been taking notes. But we’re not done yet. We gotta think about the details that make an industrial home, an industrial home. Let’s gear up and explore these final touches! With industrial decor, metal is the MVP! Whether it’s shelving, picture frames or decorative objects, it just brings that industrial edge you need! Metal is practical, sturdy and stylish, it adds a minimal touch to any room. Metal picture frames, metal decorative objects, geometric shapes and even old industrial parts, they can make a huge impact too. The finish doesn’t matter because when the light touches and it glistens, well, you’ll know what I mean soon enough.

If you’re the kind of person that loves displaying artwork, the industrial space is the perfect place to display these pieces. You can go along with the overall theme and consider artwork that features industrial scenes – cityscapes, mechanical details or old factories. Or maybe some abstract designs work well – bold colours and patterns beautifully juxtapose against the raw materials. Similarly, less is more when it comes to windows, keep them bare, use simple coverings – because your focus is the home, not the window.

5. Wrapping Up Your Urban Oasis

Well, we’ve journeyed through the heart of industrial design together, from exposed bricks to steel appliances. The industrial style is effortlessly stylish, a bit rebellious and always ready to make a statement. Exposing the raw materials and finding beauty in the natural structures – the imperfections are features and adds characters. It’s art.

The flexibility of the design is a joy to work with, the style loves to mix and match. Metal, wood, concrete, all come together in a blend of textures and tones – you have freedom to add a pop of colour knowing it won’t clash, adding a quirky art piece and knowing that it will find its home. It thrives on improvisation. But at its core, the industrial style is practical and sturdy. You can add the pieces that you want to bring into your home to make a statement, a vintage camera, a metal coffee table, a rugged leather armchair – it's all down to you. Don’t be afraid to show off your unique style, after all your home reflects you.

Happy designing! May your spaces forever be stylish and unapologetically cool!