How to Achieve Industrial Office Aesthetic?

Are you looking for a change from the usual office look? Want a design that’s unique and edgy? Learn how to make your office space an industrial-inspired haven. This style combines modern and vintage vibes, making your office stand out. It also improves productivity and well-being of your team¹.

We’ll show you how to use natural light and repurposed materials to create this look. Get ready for a workspace that’s full of raw beauty and sparks creativity.

Origins of Industrial Office Design

The history of industrial office design goes back to the Industrial Revolution. This era made functional design more important than fancy looks². Factories in the 19th and early 20th centuries had simple features like brick walls and big windows. They were practical, not fancy².

It wasn’t until recently that people started to see warehouses as good for offices². Architects then took on the task of making these spaces both useful and stylish². Now, this mix of old and new is popular for companies wanting a unique look². It’s also liked by those who love historic buildings and vintage items².

Key Developments in the History of Industrial Office Design
The Industrial Revolution: Factories featured practical, functional design with elements like brick walls, weathered wood, and large windows²³⁴.
1960s and 1970s: Old warehouses and factories were turned into trendy homes, starting the loft-style living trend³⁴.
Last Decade: Companies and startups started making industrial spaces into modern offices for a bold look².

Elements of Industrial Office Design

The industrial office look is all about raw, unfinished materials and showing off the building’s structure. Industrial interior design uses things like metal, beams, and reclaimed wood⁵ to make a space feel modern yet rugged. Modern industrial design now combines today’s style with farmhouse touches, mixing clean lines and old-school details⁵.

Lighting

Lighting is key in industrial design to make a space warm and inviting⁵. Using fixtures like pendant lamps, wall sconces, and track lighting adds character and matches the space’s design.

Colour

Industrial offices stick to a simple color scheme with dark tones like black, gray, and white⁵. This lets the natural materials and textures shine, making the space look good together.

Ceilings and Floors

Traditional industrial design includes things like exposed brick walls, concrete floors, steel, and leather⁵. These raw surfaces add depth and character, showing off the industrial look.

Wall Finishes

Big windows, rough textures, and clean lines are key in industrial design⁵. Walls made of exposed brick, concrete, or distressed wood make a bold statement and add to the industrial feel.

Furniture and Fittings

Industrial spaces often have furniture in dark, neutral colors⁵. Think metal and wood desks, leather sofas, and vintage-style chairs. Using unfinished materials and distressed finishes boosts the industrial look.

Special Features

Highlighting structural elements like beams, walls, and floors is important in industrial design⁵. Adding industrial decor like exposed pipes, vintage lights, and industrial art brings everything together for a unified look.

Who Is Industrial Design Office Suitable For?

If you’re a business owner looking to make your brand bold and innovative, industrial office design is great. This style moves away from traditional offices and brings in the rugged look of metals and wood⁶. It’s perfect for those who love historic buildings and vintage items, letting them keep and use these elements⁷.

Also, industrial office design is great for using old warehouses, which is often cheaper than a new office setup⁷. Companies with a strong brand image and those who love historic and vintage will really like this style.

Reasons for Industrial Office Design	Benefits
Desire for bold, innovative brand image	Embraces natural, rugged appeal of materials
Appreciation for historic buildings and vintage	Allows preservation and repurposing of elements
Utilization of unused warehouses	Cost-effective alternative to typical office fit-out

Overall, industrial office design is ideal for businesses aiming for a unique, trendsetting look⁷. It’s great for startups wanting to make a strong impression or companies looking to add character to their space⁶.

Find the Right Space for Your Vision

Finding the perfect industrial office means looking for a space that fits your vision. Don’t just think about traditional offices. Consider repurposing warehouses, lofts, and other industrial spaces. These places often have open floor plans, big windows, and exposed walls that fit the industrial look⁸.

Search for spaces with lots of room. This lets you set up different areas for work, like places for team projects and quiet spots for focus. These big spaces are great for boosting communication, creativity, and work output⁸.

Check out the space’s original features like exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and concrete floors. These elements add a real, rough look that’s key to the industrial style⁹.

Also, think about the lighting and air flow. Big windows and tall ceilings let in lots of natural light, making the space bright and open. Exposed ducts and pipes add to the industrial feel⁹.

Choosing the right industrial office space opens up many design options. It lets you make a workspace that shows off your brand and motivates your team⁸.

Industrial + Mid-Century Modern Style

Mixing¹⁰ industrial office design with mid-century modern style makes a space look great and connected. The earthy colors of mid-century modern go well with industrial looks¹⁰. Adding bright colors and big objects brings contrast to the calm tones¹¹.

To get this look, think about adding a light ceiling or rug to stand out against industrial parts¹¹. A modern sectional sofa is also a great choice¹¹. It connects the two styles well. The goal is to mix the strong industrial parts with the cozy mid-century modern feel for a space that looks good and works well.

By mixing industrial and mid-century modern styles, you can make an office that looks timeless and¹⁰ dynamic. Using big items and¹¹ bright colors can make the space stand out and look unique.

Coordinating Industrial and Mid-Century Modern Elements

When combining industrial and mid-century modern styles, think about how everything will work together¹⁰. Most industrial and mid-century modern designs use neutral colors for a unified look¹⁰. Mixing wood and metal in 68% of designs makes a space look good and balanced¹⁰.

Adding things like brick, ductwork, and beams to 62% of designs adds character¹⁰. Geometric patterns in 53% of designs add to the retro-modern look and make the space more interesting¹⁰.

By carefully adding these elements, you can make an office that’s both useful and looks amazing.

Recycling + Upcycling of Key Feature Elements

Factories and warehouses are full of old wood and metal that can be recycled and upcycled. Turning an old warehouse into an office is a great way to recycle. For example, the UPCycle Office in Austin, Texas, used 100% of the old building. They even turned industrial parts like exhaust fans into decorations¹².

Upcycling is key to reducing waste and making offices more sustainable¹³. Many items, like aluminum cheese graters and old suitcases, can be given new life through upcycling¹³. This method helps reduce the need for new materials, making offices more eco-friendly¹³.

Upcycling newspapers and magazines adds a sustainable touch to office furniture¹³.
It encourages creativity, turning everyday items into unique office features¹³.
Online guides offer easy steps to upcycle items into beautiful office decor¹³.

Upcycled industrial offices look great and show off sustainable design¹³. By recycling and upcycling, you can make an office that’s both unique and eco-friendly. It celebrates the history and charm of industrial spaces¹².

Open Plan Works Well for Industrial Interior Design

The open-plan layout is perfect for industrial offices. It keeps the big, airy feel of old factories and warehouses¹⁴. This layout helps teams work together better, making it great for collaborative workspaces¹⁵.

Designers use no traditional walls in industrial offices. Instead, they use zones and decor for privacy and flow¹⁴. Materials that absorb sound are key in these spaces. They help keep the noise down and make it easier to focus¹⁵.

Exposed walls, industrial lights, concrete, and rough wood give the industrial look¹⁶.
Flexible furniture lets the space change with the needs of the work¹⁵.
Warm colors and natural materials boost creativity. Zones and pods keep everyone focused¹⁵.

Industrial design brings together openness and efficiency. It makes open floor plans for industrial offices that encourage teamwork, creativity, and noise reduction in open plans¹⁴¹⁵.

The industrial look is still popular with designers and homeowners. It’s functional, sustainable, and has artistic appeal¹⁶. With the right design, you can make a collaborative workspace. It captures the Industrial Revolution’s spirit and suits today’s work needs¹⁵¹⁴¹⁶.

Industrial office aesthetic tips

Creating an industrial office look means mixing structural elements, a simple color scheme, and salvaged materials. Industrial design takes cues from old warehouses and factories. It uses exposed walls and beams to make a modern, unique workspace¹⁷.

Begin by showing off your office’s raw beauty. Use exposed brick walls, wood beams, and concrete floors to add a real, rough look¹⁷. Then, stick to a simple color palette with black, white, gray, and brown. This keeps the look industrial-chic¹⁷.

Add furniture and fittings that fit the industrial theme. Think metal stools, standing desks, and items with a worn look. Galvanized metal, reclaimed wood, and vintage lights can bring more depth and contrast¹⁷¹⁸.

To soften the industrial feel, add natural elements like plants, rugs, and art. These touches make your office feel warm and welcoming¹⁸.

By carefully adding these industrial touches, you can make your office stand out. It will show off your brand’s style and boost creativity¹⁹.

Structural Elements and Neutral Palette

The allure of industrial interior design comes from its raw, unfinished look. Industrial structural elements and a neutral color scheme define this style²⁰. These elements are perfect for renovating a loft or transforming a commercial space into the desired industrial look.

Exposed Brick Walls

Exposed brick walls are key to industrial design. They bring warmth and character, showing the charm of past times²¹. With a neutral color palette, these walls become a striking focal point, mixing old and new beautifully.

Wood Beams

Adding natural wood beams brings a touch of history to your space. These elements add interest and authenticity²¹. Whether they’re left natural or stained, wood beams enhance the industrial feel.

Concrete Floors

Polished concrete floors are a signature of industrial design, offering a sleek yet practical look²¹. They reflect light, making the space feel open and large. Adding area rugs or vintage pieces can soften the industrial look, making it more welcoming.

Using industrial structural elements and a neutral palette creates a space that’s both modern and vintage²⁰²¹²². This approach works well for designing offices or cozy lofts, helping you achieve the ideal industrial look.

Incorporating Industrial Decor

Creating an industrial office look means using unique decor like galvanized metal, reclaimed wood, and vintage lighting. These items bring a tough, practical feel that matches the open, airy look of industrial spaces. Reclaimed wood adds warmth and personality, while galvanized metal keeps the industrial feel²³.

Galvanized Metal

Galvanized metal is key to the industrial look with its silver-gray color and strong finish. It’s great for shelving, light fixtures, accent pieces, and furniture. Using it throughout makes the space look unified²³.

Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood is a top pick for industrial decor because of its unique look and flaws. It’s perfect for making desks, shelves, and feature walls. These repurposed and salvaged elements show off the beauty of imperfections²³²⁴.

Vintage Lighting

Vintage lighting, like pendant lights with exposed bulbs, is essential for industrial style. They look great and provide good light, making the space warm and welcoming. Industrial decor materials like vintage lighting mix old and new, creating a striking look²³.

Using these industrial decor materials turns your office into a stylish, useful space. It shows the beauty and modern look of the industrial style²³²⁴.

Creating an Industrial-Style Kitchen

Creating an industrial-style kitchen means mixing modern and vintage elements. Industrial decor is perfect for kitchens, adding a utilitarian touch that fits the space well²⁵.

Begin with a galvanized metal and wood island, black metal counter stools, and big pendant lights over the island. These items bring an industrial feel to a modern kitchen²⁵. The mix of shiny appliances and rough materials creates a unique blend of old and new²⁵.

To boost the industrial look, think about these design elements:

Exposed brick walls for a raw, unfinished look that adds texture and character²⁵.
Stainless steel countertops, backsplashes, and appliances for a sleek, durable, and easy-to-clean look²⁵.
Pendant lights with metal shades and exposed Edison bulbs for both function and style²⁵.
Reclaimed wood shelves to add warmth and texture that goes well with industrial materials²⁵.
Polished concrete, reclaimed wood, or tile flooring for a modern, durable, and easy-to-maintain surface²⁵.

The secret to an industrial-style kitchen is blending modern and vintage elements smoothly. With these design features, you can turn your kitchen into a stylish and useful space that shows off the industrial look²⁵.

Design Element	Cost per Square Foot
Exposed Brick	$10²⁶
Concrete Countertops	$80 – $100²⁶
Architectural Elements (Steel Beams)	Tens of thousands of dollars, depending on materials and labor costs²⁶

Industrial Decor in Living Spaces

Creating an industrial-inspired living room means using raw, unfinished elements. Industrial decor mixes rustic wood with sleek metal. This creates a balanced and eye-catching space²⁷.

Rustic Wood Furniture

Using rustic wood furniture, like a reclaimed wood coffee table, adds warmth. It makes the room feel cozy and lived-in²⁷.

Metal Accents

Adding metal accents, like a wall sconce, balances the wood’s natural feel. The mix of raw finishes and modern metal adds depth and interest²⁷.

To boost the industrial look, consider exposed beams or a pipe-frame bookshelf. These elements create a welcoming space that combines industrial and rustic styles²⁷.

Industrial Furniture Examples	Description
Mason Brown Leather 89″ Sofa	A sleek, low-profile sofa with a leather upholstery and metal frame, embodying the industrial aesthetic.
Lars 6 Drawer Dresser	A dresser featuring a mix of wood and metal, showcasing the industrial-chic style.
Niles Cement C-Table	A side table made of concrete, a signature material in industrial decor, with a minimalist design.

By mixing industrial and rustic elements, you can make a space that looks great and reflects your style²⁷²⁸.

The industrial look is all about embracing the raw and authentic. With the right mix of materials and lighting, you can turn your living space into a modern oasis²⁹²⁸²⁷.

Bathrooms with Industrial Flair

Embrace the raw, rugged charm of industrial-style bathrooms by mixing modern and vintage elements. Start with a reclaimed wood vanity for warmth and character. Add black metal hardware and lighting for an authentic industrial vibe. Repurposed glass cabinets and galvanized steel tubs add to the industrial look. A black-framed shower door and brass rain showerhead bring in sleek, modern touches³⁰.

Finish the look with subway tiles on the walls and a black-painted ceiling for a cohesive, industrial-chic feel³⁰. Matte textures, like matte black fixtures and stone tiles, add depth and sophistication³⁰. Use durable materials like concrete and metals for the industrial vibe³⁰. Industrial-style mirrors and shelves can enhance the overall design³⁰.

The key to a great industrial bathroom is balancing modern and vintage. By mixing materials and finishes, you can make a space that’s both useful and eye-catching. It shows off your unique style and personality³⁰³¹.