The concept of beauty has been deeply ingrained in our society, often associated with perfection and flawlessness. However, there is a growing appreciation for imperfections and rawness, particularly in interior design. This is where basic industrial design comes in - an aesthetic that embraces imperfection's beauty and celebrates materials' rawness.
What is Raw Industrial Design?
Raw industrial design draws inspiration from the raw, unfinished look of factories, warehouses, and other industrial spaces. It celebrates the beauty of functional materials such as metal, concrete, and exposed brick and often features a monochromatic colour palette with shades of grey, black, and white.
One of the key characteristics of raw industrial design is the use of functional and useful materials that reflect the industrial nature of the style. These materials include steel, iron, concrete, and unfinished wood. They are often left in their raw, untreated state, which gives the space a rough, unfinished look.
Raw Industrial Design vs Rustic Industrial Design: What's the Difference?
Raw industrial design and rustic industrial design are two popular interior design styles with some similarities but distinct differences.
Raw Industrial Design
As the name suggests, industrial design uses raw, unfinished materials such as metal, concrete, and exposed brick. The focus is on functionality and utility, with a minimalistic aesthetic emphasising clean lines and simple shapes.
Raw industrial design often features monochromatic colour palettes, predominately of greys, blacks, and whites. The style is often associated with loft living and is popular in urban areas.
Rustic Industrial Design
Rustic industrial design, on the other hand, combines elements of raw industrial design with rustic or farmhouse-inspired touches. This style incorporates natural materials such as wood and leather and distressed finishes that add a sense of warmth and character to a space. Rustic industrial decor often features earthy colour palettes, mixing browns, greens, and blues. The style is often associated with country living and is popular in rural areas.
Elements of Raw Industrial Design: Metal, Concrete, and Exposed Brick
The raw industrial design uses materials that reflect industrial spaces' functional and practical nature. This style's most commonly used materials are metal, concrete, and exposed brick.
Metal
Metal is one of the key materials used in raw industrial design, and it can be seen in everything from furniture to lighting fixtures. The most common types of metal used in this style are steel and iron, often left raw to showcase their natural texture and finish. Metal is valued for its durability, strength, and ability to add a sense of weight and solidity to a space.
Concrete
Concrete is another essential material in raw industrial design, and it is often used for flooring, walls, and countertops. Like metal, concrete is valued for its durability, strength, and raw and unfinished look, as it can be left untreated to create a rough and textured finish, or it can be polished and sealed to create a more refined look.
Exposed Brick
Exposed brick is a hallmark of raw industrial design and is often used to infuse texture and warmth to a space. Exposed brick walls can be left in their natural state or painted to create a cohesive look, and they are also valued for their ability to add a sense of history and character to a space, as they often have a rich patina and texture that can't be replicated with newer materials.
Colour Palette and Materials for Raw Industrial Design
The colour palette and materials used in the raw industrial design should emphasise function and durability while creating a visually striking and cohesive look. By focusing on natural and unfinished materials, you can create a stylish and functional space with a distinctive and unique aesthetic.
Colours
When choosing colours, consider shades of grey, black, and white for your walls, flooring, and larger furniture. These neutral colours provide a versatile backdrop for other design elements and help to create a cohesive look. For pops of colour, consider incorporating bold accents such as bright reds or yellows in your accessories or artwork.
Materials
For materials, focus on incorporating metal, concrete, and exposed brick as much as possible. You could also add reclaimed wood or repurposed metal accessories, such as lighting fixtures, to add a unique and personal touch to your space. You can also include wood, leather, and glass; these materials add warmth and contrast to a space, creating a balanced and harmonious look.
Furniture and Accessories for Raw Industrial Design
Home furniture and accessories are vital in creating a cohesive and functional look when designing a raw industrial space. That is, choosing visually striking and practical items is essential.
Here are some key furniture and accessory elements to consider for this style:
Metal Furniture
Metal is a crucial material in raw industrial design and can be used in various ways. You can add an industrial touch to your space by incorporating metal chairs, tables, and bookshelves.
Concrete Furniture
Concrete is another essential material in raw industrial design and can be used to create modern and sleek furniture pieces like benches and coffee tables.
Repurposed Furniture
Opt for furniture pieces that have a vintage or repurposed look to add character and warmth to your space. Industrial carts and factory tables can make great coffee tables, and wooden crates can be used for storage.
Industrial Lighting
Industrial-style lighting fixtures, such as pendant lights and task lamps, can add functionality and style to your space.
Metal Accents
Metal accessories like candle holders, vases, and picture frames can add an industrial touch to your space.
Textured Textiles
Raw industrial design often features clean lines and minimalistic shapes, so adding textured textiles like faux fur or knitted throws can add a cosy and inviting feel to your space.
How to Incorporate Raw Industrial Design into Different Rooms of Your Home
Raw industrial design can be incorporated into different rooms of your home to create a cohesive and visually striking aesthetic. Here are some tips for incorporating this style into different rooms:
Living Room
In the living room, you can incorporate raw industrial design by adding a metal frame sofa with leather or fabric upholstery, a reclaimed wood coffee table with metal legs, and industrial-style bookshelves with metal frames and wooden shelves. You can also add metal pendant lights with exposed bulbs to create a focal point.
Bedroom
If you're considering industrial style bedroom accessories, you can incorporate raw industrial design by adding a metal frame bed with a wooden headboard, an accent table or side table, and a metal floor lamp with an adjustable arm. To warm the space, you can also add textured textiles like faux fur or knitted throws.
Kitchen
You can incorporate raw industrial design in the kitchen by adding metal bar stools with wooden or metal seats, industrial-style pendant lights above the kitchen island, and a metal pot rack for storage. Add reclaimed wood shelves or a wooden butcher block countertop for a warm touch.
Is Raw Industrial Design Perfect for Your Home?
Raw industrial design is absolutely a perfect style choice for your home is you love to combine function and unique aesthetics to your space. This interior theme combines the raw, unfinished look of industrial spaces with the warmth and comfort of home decor, creating an edgy, cosy, one-of-a-kind look.
Raw industrial design is also versatile, durable, and eco-friendly, making it easy to incorporate into any room of your home, withstand heavy use and wear and tear, and positively impact the environment.
If you're looking to create a stylish and functional home that is truly unique, raw industrial design is the way to go.