The return of Industrial Chic style and how to do it

Industrial Chic has always had a regular place in the list of design trends that keep returning to favour.

A dining room with industrial edginess

The mix of black and green against a more neutral backdrop gives this dining area industrial edginess, while being light and practical for a home setting.

Walls and floor painted in Resene Quarter Blanc, benchtop in Resene Element, bench base in Resene Dell and table in Resene Black with chairs in Resene Wabi Sabi. Green artwork in Resene Dell and Resene Seaweed, tall bench vase in Resene Seaweed, bowl in Resene Wabi Sabi, dish in Resene Dell, table vase in Resene Wabi Sabi and small bowl in Resene Dell. Dinner plates from Nood, tea towel from H&M Home, bar stools from Cintesi. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Wendy Fenwick.

The simplicity of style, the emphasis on repurposing spaces and materials and the robust nature of the common design elements make it a perennial favourite for many designers, and a particularly relevant one for today’s world.

As we work as well as live in our homes much more than we once did, and we’re far more aware of the importance of giving new life to used objects, it is little wonder Industrial Chic is again top-of-mind. We’re also enjoying a fondness for refreshed 90s-style with its minimalist vibes and grungy, well-worn fashions which makes Industrial Chic a perfect style to embrace now.

Resene Colour Expert Meryl Southey says though Industrial Chic style is inspired by the look of warehouses, factories and Industrial spaces with stripped down architectural details and furniture that is generally resistant to wear and tear, the look is really about exposing and celebrating imperfections, rather than trying to hide them.

Think a slightly grittier spin on the Japanese principle of wabi sabi which has also had a strong influence on interior design in recent times.

“It’s about celebrating the detail and the flaws of a space’s architecture, like the bricks, metals, wood and concrete as well as recycled materials,” Meryl says.

Where to start

A neutral colour palette with an emphasis on darker and cooler tones such as matte blacks, silvers, whites and greys are the go-to for an Industrial Chic palette, she says. Think Resene Nero, Resene Kensington Grey, Resene Alabaster and Resene Gravel in a matt finish like Resene SpaceCote Flat or Resene Ceiling Paint. For a slightly less matte option try Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen.

“The added feature of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen is that it is not only a popular option for colouring walls, but it also works as a chalkboard, which is a common feature in industrial spaces like factories or commercial kitchens. You could also use Resene FX Chalkboard Paint or Resene FX Blackboard Paint for hardwearing and washable options.”

top tip Flat finish paints in darker shades are very good at hiding any dents or flaws in your walls, but may show more marks than mid tone finishes in high wear and tear areas. One option is to use the darker colour on feature walls rather than in high traffic areas.

“Experiment with a wider palette to suit your style and the architectural elements of your space,” she adds.

Metallic finishes, using the Resene FX Metallic range, in hues like Resene Copperhead, Resene Gold and Resene Pure Pewter evoke the steel and metal finishes of industrial-type spaces. Deep, warm browns like Resene Diesel, deep taupe Resene Go Ben, moody olive green Resene Clover and dark navy Resene Madison all harmonise with this industrial style, Meryl says.

“For this style colour is mostly drawn from natural or built elements such as exposed brick, paving, stained concrete, plants and wood, so pops of bolder, richer colour are key to a successful look that feels lively and modern, instead of too dark.”

For brighter complementary shades that will add lightness, look for lighter but muted or blackened mid-shades like acid greens, brick reds and rusted or burnt oranges, such as Resene Wasabi, Resene Tall Poppy and Resene Vesuvius.

An industrial style bedroom

Layers of darker moody shades, with minimal yet functional decor is a practical way to create industrial style at home while keeping it feeling luxurious.

Back wall painted in Resene Nocturnal, side walls and lamp in Resene Cabbage Pont and floor and plant pot painted in Resene Paddock. Bedside table, ladder, tealight holder and bench seat in Resene Green Spring. Duvet cover and robe from H&M Home, pillowcases and green cushions from Adairs, grey blanket from Allium. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Wendy Fenwick.

Muted earthy and botanical shades - industrial aesthetic

Muted earthy and botanical shades are a good way to stay true to an industrial aesthetic while adding interesting colour contrasts.

This timber floor and wall shelf are stained in Resene Colorwood Natural with shelf supports in Resene FX Faux Rust Effect. Lower wall shelf painted in Resene Cinder with upper wall in Resene Quarter Ash. Locker unit, storage bins and chair in Resene Half Forest Green, desk legs, file boxes, desk organiser and lightshade in Resene Mocha, lamp and square box in Resene Fuel Yellow, large plant pot in Resene Nero, books in Resene Mocha, Resene Fuel Yellow and Resene Half Forest Green and chalkboard in Resene Cinder. Clock from Nood, trestle desktop from Mocka. Project by Laura Lynn Johnston, image by Bryce Carleton.

Traps to avoid

A lot of ornamentation or softer decor and detailing, can look out of place in a true industrial-style look. Work to a minimalist ethos, decluttering where you can to keep surfaces clear, Meryl suggests.

Instead of furnishings like cushions and curtains to soften the edges of an industrial space, make it more welcoming by adding visual ‘softness’ with texture paint effects.

Try a primordial green like Resene Mangrove as your base wall colour then give it a sponged or ragged topcoat with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Ravine, for an intentionally worn and weathered looking finish. Not only will it evoke the sense of a used, repurposed space but it softens the impact of large stretches of walls in deeper shades.

Robust industrial design

One simple feature in a robust, industrial design and a steely colour can be enough to give a space a note of gritty edginess. Floor painted in Resene Sidecar, lower walls in Resene Kensington Grey, upper walls in Resene Atmosphere, barn door in Resene Half Gravel with battens and upper mechanism stained in Resene Colorwood Iroko, sideboard in Resene Quarter Concrete, vase and table bowl in Resene Pearl Bush, small dish in Resene Half Gravel, tabletop in Resene Pearl Bush with base in Resene Quarter Concrete, pepper mill in Resene Kensington Grey, bowl stained in Resene Colorwood Iroko, chair in Resene Half Masala and DIY artwork in Resene Pearl Bush and Resene Quarter Concrete. Project Kate by Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.

For a similar effect in lighter, mid-shades try grey-browns like Resene Greige as your base shade and Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with stony taupe Resene Half Nomad.

Scale and light are other important considerations in an industrial-look, Meryl says.

“Industrial Chic can easily become an overwhelming style so spaces with good light or high ceilings often create the best effect, especially if you are implementing a lot of elements of this style.”

top tip Resene FX Faux Rust Effect is a fast and effective way to add touches of industrial chic to any area. Use it to age planters or light fittings or even as a dramatic feature backdrop to a black or charcoal sofa.

To successfully execute industrial chic at home you can opt for simple, cost-effective options, with high visual reward, like wallpaper patterns that emulate industrial materials such as brick with Resene Wallpaper Collection A58101, wood panelling like Resene Wallpaper Collection 33961 or painted and weathered concrete with Resene Wallpaper Collection E394500.

“There are a range of tools and products that can help you recreate aspects of this style at home using Resene wood stains, as well as the Resene FX range.

“Try creating the lovingly weathered look of stripped back wood using Resene Colorwood Whitewash or Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash, or if natural timber is your main décor feature, pair it with other industrial elements such as metal stools, exposed lights and brick,” she says. “Scout op shops, other second-hand stores and markets for good, used or vintage finds. You can revive stool legs with Resene FX Metallic paint or ex-factory hanging pendant lights with Resene FX Faux Rust Effect to catch the eye and create a wonderful focal point or statement.”

top tip To paint metal surfaces, first prep your surface by removing any old paint or rust, then wipe away the dust. Apply a coat of Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer to protect your surfaces, before finishing with your chosen Resene paint colour. Once the primer is dry, you can recoat metal with standard Resene acrylic paint.

Colours mentioned in this blog...

The return of Industrial Chic style and how to do it

Where to start

Traps to avoid

Resene Paints Ltd – www.resene.com