Looking for an interior design trend that encapsulates everything you love about modern life in the Sunshine Coast? The industrial design may be the perfect look for you! The industrial home style began coming to life in the 70s, and is now known for its focus on showing the history of the building it’s in, as well as its focus on being an environmentally-friendly interior design choice due to the use of recycled and recyclable materials.
The steel windows, doors and bespoke furniture offered by Empire Steel are perfect accompaniments to an industrial-style home, and our design team is excited to help you create a stunning space you’ll be proud to live and entertain in. Need more info on what an industrial-style home will feature? Let us illuminate you on several of the hallmark features of this intriguing interior design trend:
Open spaces
One of the main characteristics of the industrial style is its focus on functionality. This means open-floor living is often chosen, allowing members of the family to interact with each other from places like the kitchen, dining and living room all at once. It also creates the illusion of a larger space thanks to the lack of walls and other dividing elements.
Source: Industrial Interior Design: 10 Best Tips for Mastering Your Rustic (decorilla.com)
Exposed elements
Things that would normally be concealed, like copper pipes, original brickwork and ducting, are exposed in this interior trend. This allows you to show off the character of the original home, as well as add interesting colours and textures that will create visual interest in your space. If your home has an original wooden floor, exposing it is a great way to show off the strong bones of your property!
Neutral, bold tones
Unlike many other interior trends that use white as their colour base, the industrial trend embraces a variety of neutral colours and shades that you can choose from for your walls and ceiling. Think the cool grey of concrete, the rough brown of unfinished wood, the bold black of a steel window frame and the dusty red of exposed brickwork. Metallics also have their place here, particularly copper in exposed pipes and wiring, and matte silver for any of your steel furniture.
Bare light bulbs
Exposed Edison bulbs are one of the foremost design choices for industrial design, and can be hung alone or in a cluster in areas that need artificial light. Their warm, bright glow strikes a wonderful contrast against the cool colours we discussed above! If exposed bulbs aren’t your thing, look for metal pendant lighting and modern chandeliers instead that can hang down and ‘float’ above your kitchen island or dining room table.
Clean, strong lines
Despite its focus on function, industrial interior design loves a bit of graphic decor! You won’t often see something as obvious as an abstract, steel statue in the middle of the room. Rather, the industrial decor includes things like black steel window frames, a pallet bed frame, a cast iron stool or even some modern steel architecture like handrails, staircases or even a balcony.
Natural light
The large, open floor plans of industrial space are the perfect opportunity to really let in some of that gorgeous Sunshine Coast light. While Edison bulbs are great for highlighting areas of the home, natural light is the best (and healthiest) way to brighten up your living spaces. Let that light in through grand steel windows and airy skylights to ensure every inch of your industrial home is on display during the daytime.
Celebrate the bustling industry growth of the Sunshine Coast found in places such as Caloundra, Yandina and Coolum with the beautiful industrial interior design trend. Whether you want a modern office space or a refresh on your lived-in home, the experts at Empire Steel want to help! Feel free to contact us online, where we can discuss your design vision and offer you a great quote on your project.
For more great home design inspiration, check out our ‘what’s trending’ blog for stylish ideas and advice from experts.
