Industrial style interiors and lamps - how to decorate them and what lamp to choose?
From abandoned factories to trendy interiors and industrial-style lamps
You dream of an apartment or loft in the trendy industrial style? You like this type of space and are not intimidated by exposed brick or a few visible cables or pipes? Are you looking for industrial style lamps? You've come to the right place. From the following guide you will learn where the industrial style in interiors originated and what are its most important features. You will get from us a list that will help you decorate your loft or apartment in industrial chic style, and most importantly, we will tell you what kind of lighting will work best in this type of interior and show you industrial style lamps that will emphasize its raw and unique character like no other.
Industrial-style interiors, which today seem to be a luxury and the embodiment of designer dreams of stylish arrangements, at first were not at all considered places where residents of big cities wanted to venture. But one step at a time..
Industrial style in interiors - a brief history
The first buildings with an industrial character were built in the early 18th century. These buildings were designed to accommodate both machinery and numerous workers, but due to the lack of electricity, they were rather narrow and characterized by a open space and huge windows, whose purpose was to illuminate the interior. Large factories were often located in the center of the city, in several separate, large, adjacent buildings.
In the ensuing years, as a result of the development of electricity, industry and technology, as well as an increased awareness of safety considerations and better work efficiency, industrial buildings have completely changed their character. The availability of the concrete and steel, which were introduced to this type of space by one of the most influential architects involved in industrial design - Albert Kahn (1869-1942).
At the beginning of the 20th century, factories and factories greatly increased in size, and their huge areas, so to speak, pushed industry to the outskirts of cities. This migration to the suburbs, as well as the Great Depression that soon followed, meant that the industrial buildings in the center of American cities were abandoned.
It was only between 1960 and 1970, at first in New England and Lower Manhattan, that the process of reclaiming, renovating and restoring these spaces to public use began. At the time, no one imagined that just a few decades later, places initially almost forcibly populated by artists or musicians seeking creative space would become such hot spots on the architectural map of cities.
Industrial lamps and fashionable loft elements? Check what you can't forget!
Old factories and warehouses, with their open spaces, numerous glass windows, rough walls and floors, and exposed pipes, became the place where a style called 'industrial chic' developed. A style that is neither afraid of recycled neon signs nor of old lamps from ships, and although it is quite informal, it is guided by several principles that, if only we keep them in mind, will allow us to revive the spirit of the New York loft, also in our private space.
Decorate your interior in an industrial style? Here's a list for you! If you want to feel like an American loft, keep in mind some important features of the 'industrial chic' style:
- large windows that do not like decorations (heavy curtains, draperies, etc.)
- no clear division between different zones in the interior, open spaces separated by glass walls and sliding doors
- dominant materials are metal, glass, steel, concrete, old wood
- dominant colors are cold white, black and shades of gray
- raw, industrial finishes - protruding cables and pipes, brick walls, "bare" concrete, beams and wooden "recycled" elements
- a small number of decorations and accessories and
- large number of lamps
As for the latter, we have at least a few suggestions for you, which will become the perfect complement to the interior in this style.
Industrial style lamps - or what kind of lamps?
Due to the fact that the interiors originally decorated in post-industrial spaces were characterized by a large area without clearly marked zones, an important and at the same time practical element of their arrangement were numerous and quite impressive lamps. It is also worth remembering that these interiors were often decorated with accessories of various origins - not only using leftovers from adapted factories, but also using "recycled" lamps.
However, it is possible to successfully distinguish several features that are typical for the lighting of this type of space and that will work well in industrial interiors. They are:
- lamps with a graphite or black metal shade
- lamps with a clear glass shade
- lamps with wire fixtures
- ceiling spotlights on rails and spotlights
- bulbs with stylized filament
- raw cables and textile suspensions
Looking for a lamp for an industrial chic interior - check out these models
A great example of loft style lamps, whose design is based on the use of transparent glass lampshades with industrial styling, is collection of pendant lamps and wall lamps Longis (also available in black and gold finish). Stylized lampshades available in 4 versions with textile braided suspension, will look great paired with bulbs with stylized filaments.
If you are looking for a lamp that will fit the industrial design of your kitchen combined with the living room, also pay attention to the large lamps with metal shades or lamps with wire fixtures. If you want the light source not to be visible, and the lamp does not have such an austere character, choose a model that combines a wire frame with an elegant glass shade.
Other lamps that perfectly meet the standards of industrial design are pendant lamps and wall lamps from the Nautilius collection - whose lampshades are not only very stylish, but also elegant and expose such design elements as screws, fixing "butterflies" or wires.
Details matter. Check out what else to keep in mind when choosing an industrial lamp
Equally important elements of industrial style interior lighting are, in addition to the lamps themselves and their shades suspensions. If you decide on a pendant lamp, choose one z textile braided cable in a tone that will harmonize with the color of the walls - or, on the contrary, will provide an interesting contrast. You need a drop of color? Opt for a colorful textile cable,which will be an attractive, fresh addition, looking great against a brick or white wall.
The element that will be the proverbial icing on the cake in the interior design and lighting in the industrial style, however, will be bulbs with stylized filament. Such decorative sources of light used in models of hanging lamps, standing lamps or wall lamps with transparent glass shades will perfectly "make the interior" and their retro look will delight both residents and visitors. Large bulb with stylized filament suspended from a long cable by itself can also act as a lamp. After all, in an industrial interior, the less and the more austere, the better!
We hope that you already know how to decorate the interior in the industrial style, and, above all, you have ideas for its effective lighting. If you've already chosen the model of your dream lamp, but still don't know how to arrange it in your living room or kitchen, or are still hesitant about how many lamps you need to light your interior, read our living room lamps article or find out, how to choose the best lamp for your kitchen. Because lamps are our passion!
Zasyou are considering what style to decorate your house or apartment and are not sure if the industrial style is what you are looking for? Check out our guide "How to choose a lamp to match the style of the interior?", in which you will find characteristics of different interior styles and in which we will suggest how to choose lamps for each of them.
