Skip to content
15 Days of Dining Deals! 🍽️ 15% Off ALL Dining Tables, Only for the First 15 Days of October!
15 Days of Dining Deals! 🍽️ 15% Off ALL Dining Tables, Only for the First 15 Days of October!
Section
Drop element here!

Industrial chic furniture:

What's Your Style?

Do you love watching things work? Maybe you're an engineer, obsessed with gears, cranks, and levers.
Maybe you're just tired of the sleek and showy styles of contemporary homes. You value a hardworking quality in your space, and you have the DIY projects to show for it.

If any of these descriptors fits you, Industrial Chic Furniture may truly be a great fit for you!

A fresh, edgy, and unique style, Industrial Chic, also known as Industrial Modern, is a style that's not afraid to bear it all, upholding the ideals of functionality and utilitarianism.

The Origins

Industrial style began as not as a design movement, but as a part of blue collar workers' life begining all the way back to Victorian-era England. When technological advance, such as the steam engine, revolutionized the way humans manufactured, small workshops were replaced by factories.

As time went on, these now old and obsolete factories were turned over to artists and architects, who turned them into unique lofts: showcasing the steel beams and exposed brick walls of the building's shell as part of the new space. This marked the beginning of Industrial style in interior design. Rising in popularity in the early 2000's, Industrial Style's prevalence continues through the present day.

Industrial defining features: getting the look

Flagstone Elements

Looking to make your space exude the Industrial Chic aesthetic? Here's some of the main aspects that defines the style:


Form

Industrial style is all about keeping it simple and no-frills. Furniture is less ornate. Instead, opt for simpler forms. Typically, furniture in this style has a masculine look. Sharp angles and strong, clean lines are some defining features of the form. The complexity comes from the frame... or rather, lack thereof.

As stated earlier, modern Industrial pieces are not afraid to show off what makes them tick. Exposed frames showcase the gears, cranks, and springs that allow the pieces to function. Exposed ducting, beams, and partially-exposed brick walls exudes the hardworking, functional qualities that defines this style. The Welles Industrial table (pictured above) is an optimal example of this.


function

Industrial modern is a style of furniture that champions functionality within the space. What's the point of exposed internals if those internals don't work? True industrial pieces should serve a purpose (or, even better, multiple purposes!)

That's why we design our pieces with functioning cranks. This allows the piece to exude the motif of durability and functionality present in this style.

color

Muted colors are this style's soulmate.

Primarily go with neutrals: grey, black, beige, brown, taupe, and white. Bright, loud colors are hard-pressed to find a place in an industrial chic space.

If you want to be bolder with your use of color, opt for an accent piece that prominently features bright, bold colors, like the Hudson Lounge Chair.

You can also opt to go dark and moody by adding splashes of indigo, plum, or sapphire.

materials

Industrial chic is all about using old materials in new ways. Again, salvaged materials and reclaimed woods are perfect to achieve this aesthetic.

For metal pieces, look for welded or forged iron. If iron isn't your style, tin, steel, and aluminum create a clean, cool, and functional feeling. These metals also balance the perfect amount of sleekness without making the space feel too upscale.

For woods, reclaimed teak is a great pick. The rough texture combined with the raw finish exudes a hard-working and utilitarian quality that seems fresh off the production line. In addition, the light weight of teak makes it perfect for crank table tops!

Industrial Furniture in Austin

The base from our Bethlehem Industrial Table

Industrial Wood Example

texture

With age comes beauty! Materials that have a worn look are ideal for an industrial space. Nicks, cuts, and scratches are welcome with each piece - it just adds character.

No metal is complete without a touch of patina, and no wood can fit without a raw, slightly course texture to it.

Weathered wood finds its home within an industrial space.

Industrial Wood Example

Looking to Add some Industrial Chic Style to Your Space? Here's Some Tips:

Industrial Chic Furniture in Austin
  • Looking to go all-out with this style? Consider concrete flooring. This material fully captures an aesthetic reminiscent of the factory production lines of old. 
  • Keep in mind concrete floors doesn't always mean cold feet and aching legs; we recommend adding carpets and rugs to both add contrast and allow you to warm your feet and rest your legs.
  • Not into concrete? Not a problem! Consider adding dark, rustic wood flooring to the space. This allows for some added versatility for modeling the space. Wood looks beautiful in any space and thus allows you to change the style of your home by just changing the furnishings, rather than a complete remodel.
Industrial modern furniture in Austin
  • Want to add more character? Add vintage pieces as accents!
  • Vintage and retro-inspired pieces are great for adding some uniqueness to your industrial space without taking away from the overall tone of the room. These pieces can definitely feel out of place when overdone, but just a few can really transform the space for the better!

Check Out our modern industrial style products:

Artezia Industrial Teak Crank Coffee Table - World Interiors
Artezia Industrial Teak Crank Coffee Table - World Interiors
Artezia Recycled Teak Industrial Crank Desk - World Interiors
Artezia Industrial Teak Crank Coffee Table - World Interiors
Artezia Industrial Teak Crank Coffee Table - World Interiors
Artezia Industrial Teak Crank Coffee Table - World Interiors

Artezia Recycled Teak Industrial Crank Desk

Artezia Industrial Modern Drafting Desk - World Interiors
Artezia Industrial Modern Drafting Desk - World Interiors
Artezia Industrial Modern Drafting Desk - World Interiors
Artezia Industrial Modern Drafting Desk - World Interiors
Artezia Industrial Modern Drafting Desk - World Interiors
Artezia Industrial Modern Drafting Desk - World Interiors
Artezia Industrial Modern Drafting Desk - World Interiors

Artezia Industrial Modern Drafting Desk

Artezia Farmhouse Industrial Crank Table - World Interiors
Artezia Farmhouse Industrial Crank Table - World Interiors
Artezia Farmhouse Industrial Crank Table - World Interiors
Artezia Farmhouse Industrial Crank Table - World Interiors

Artezia Farmhouse Industrial Crank Side Table

other articles you might like

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Be the first to know of all the latest trends, deals, and arrivals.

By signing up for this, you agree that we may use your email address for our marketing purposes. We value your privacy and pledge to never give out your personal information. View our Privacy Policy