Industrial

Pipe shelving, raw wood tables, leather sofas.

Distressed leather, canvas, rough linens.

Warehouse pendants, Edison bulbs, blackened steel.

Vintage or overdyed Persian rugs, hides, muted flatweaves.

Concrete, reclaimed wood, raw brick floors.

Concrete, dark colored granites or soapstone, even butcher block. Edge profiles are eased or mitered for something standard, or a raw chiseled edge for a main space.

• Rough or reclaimed woods, metal fronts or accents, slab door profiles.
• Framed mesh inserts or wire-front doors are common.
• Hardware feels heavier in black, cast iron or ash gray finishes.
• Exposed hinges and brackets are purposeful.

Blackened steel, iron, galvanized. Mixed finishes and patinas.

Exposed brick, concrete walls, raw plaster.

Raw, edgy, urban, masculine

• Industrial spaces get their visual complexity from raw materials and texture, not applied pattern.
• Exposed brick, weathered steel, rough concrete, and aged leather create enormous visual interest without a single pattern.
• The rare exception: a faded vintage Oriental rug that looks like it's been on the floor for 50 years.
• No new patterns, no prints, no textiles with applied motifs.
• The room should feel raw, honest, and undecorated.

• Polished or sealed concrete — the quintessential industrial floor.
• Reclaimed wide-plank in rough condition with visible nail holes and patina.
• Dark-stained oak or walnut in wide plank.
• Rubber flooring in utility areas.
• Avoid: new-looking hardwood, whitewashed, carpet, ornate tile, marble.

• Concrete-look large-format porcelain 24"x24" or larger.
• Subway tile in white with dark grout for contrast.
• Penny round in matte black for bath.
• Metal-look porcelain.
• Avoid: marble, ornate patterns, glass tile, polished surfaces, small decorative mosaics.

• Generally avoided in Industrial.
• If used: flat commercial-grade carpet tile in gray or charcoal for sound control in bedrooms only.
• Avoid: plush, patterns, natural fiber, any carpet in main living areas.

• Flat-panel in reclaimed wood, dark-stained, or raw steel-front.
• Open shelving on iron pipe or steel angle brackets is preferred over closed cabinets.
• Metal mesh or chicken-wire inserts.
• Avoid: painted white, shaker, raised panel, glass-front (unless wire), anything polished.

• Iron or black steel pulls — pipe fittings, industrial bar pulls, heavy-duty latches.
• Exposed bolt heads and rivets.
• Long bar pulls 8"-12" CC in matte black or raw steel.
• Avoid: brass, nickel, chrome, knobs, anything refined or decorative.

• Exposed pipe plumbing — the signature industrial detail.
• Wall-mount faucets in matte black or raw brass.
• Deep utility sinks or trough sinks in stainless steel.
• Industrial single-bowl kitchen sink.
• Avoid: polished finishes, cross handles, pedestal sinks, clawfoot tubs (unless cast iron).

• Factory pendants — enamel warehouse shades, gooseneck barn lights.
• Exposed-bulb Edison fixtures (sparingly).
• Cage-style pendants and sconces.
• Industrial chandeliers in iron pipe.
• Track lighting on exposed conduit.
• Avoid: crystal, fabric shades, brass/polished, contemporary sculptural.

• Steel-surround fireplace — raw, blackened, or Cor-Ten steel.
• Exposed flue pipe as design element.
• Simple concrete surround.
• No mantel or steel angle-iron shelf.
• Wood-burning stove in cast iron.
• Avoid: marble, traditional mantels, tile surround, painted brick (leave it raw).

• No treatment — steel-frame factory windows are the feature.
• If needed: simple roller shade in dark neutral.
• Canvas or duck cloth panel on iron pipe rod.
• Avoid: any formal curtain, fabric softness, decorative hardware, shutters.

• Concrete countertops — poured, sealed, raw edge.
• Stainless steel for kitchen.
• Butcher block in dark walnut or reclaimed wood.
• Zinc sheet over wood substrate.
• Avoid: marble, granite, quartz, polished stone, anything refined.

• Raw or slightly eased edge on concrete.
• Square edge on butcher block.
• Raw/unfinished on zinc.
• Avoid: all traditional profiles, bullnose, ogee, polished edges.

• Metal or steel doors — riveted, with glass pane inserts.
• Sliding barn doors on heavy industrial track (steel, not decorative).
• Reclaimed wood plank doors.
• Heavy-duty lever handles in matte black.
• Avoid: paneled, painted white, ornate hardware, pocket doors.

• Open-riser on steel stringers — perforated or plate steel treads.
• Iron pipe railing with industrial fittings.
• Metal grate landings.
• Cable rail on steel posts.
• Avoid: wood balusters, carpet, painted white, ornate newels, glass rail.

• Not used in Industrial.
• Walls should be raw material — exposed brick, concrete, plaster, steel.
• If accent needed: chalkboard paint or magnetic paint for function.
• Avoid: all wallpaper, grasscloth, any applied pattern.

• Minimal — let raw materials show.
• If painted: dark neutrals — charcoal, dark gray, matte black, deep navy.
• White paint only on ceilings or to brighten a dark space.
• Flat or matte sheen.
• Avoid: warm whites, color, pastels, high-gloss, anything that covers character.

• Exposed — ductwork, pipes, conduit, sprinkler systems, structural beams and joists all visible.
• Painted out in matte black or dark gray to unify.
• Pressed tin ceiling tiles (period-authentic in loft conversions).
• Avoid: smooth drywall, crown moulding, wood planks (too warm), any attempt to hide infrastructure.

• Exposed brick — the industrial icon.
• Raw concrete walls.
• Exposed structural steel columns and beams.
• Metal shelving mounted to wall.
• Chalkboard or magnetic paint zones.
• Avoid: all moulding, paneling, shiplap, beadboard, smooth finished walls (keep the raw character).

• Utilitarian forms — metal-frame tables, factory carts as coffee tables, vintage lockers as storage.
• Leather club chairs and Chesterfield sofas in distressed leather.
• Reclaimed wood dining tables on iron bases.
• Metal stools with vintage swivel.
• Avoid: upholstered matching sets, delicate frames, ornate carved, skirted furniture.

• Distressed leather is primary.
• Canvas, duck cloth, and waxed cotton.
• Wool army blankets and vintage textiles.
• Minimal pillows — leather, canvas, or simple wool.
• Avoid: silk, velvet, linen (too refined), chintz, any delicate or formal fabric.

• Vintage or distressed Oriental for warmth against hard floors.
• Flat-weave wool in dark tones.
• Cowhide.
• No rug is also acceptable — show the floor.
• Avoid: jute/sisal (too refined), bright colors, plush, new-looking rugs.