The ‘industrial look’ is popular and practical. It avoids fussiness and too much emphasis on sleek perfection. (Although any tiles have to be perfectly installed, of course!). It’s an achievable aesthetic to aim for if you want a scheme that embraces no-nonsense looks, a sturdy, work-horse aesthetic, and a nod to Britain’s industrial heritage. Not that it needs to be all girders and work benches. A judicious amount of surfaces with a rough-tough look and fittings and furniture with a factory/workplace appeal should do the job. Bolts, brackets, hinges, beams and supports can be seen, not hidden. Taps can be bold and grippable – avoid slender, delicate designs.
Go for dark shades of grey or black for the cabinetry and natural stone effect work surfaces in the kitchen. Stools, chairs and benches can have a reclaimed and/or salvaged appearance – but veer away from the #cottagecore look by choosing pieces that are heavyweight and look as though they wouldn’t be out of place in a centuries-old warehouse. Think of every episode of Drew Pritchard’s Salvage Hunters you’ve ever seen and go for old-fashioned factory-style lighting and perhaps some reclaimed shop-style cabinets. The key is to avoid pastel shades, floral designs and fluffy cushions, as you’ll see from reading our Essential Guide to Industrial Chic…
Black to Nature
You may not necessarily find slate tiles on the factory floor but our Nature Black Slate porcelain floor tiles are tough enough for indoor and outdoor use and will stand up to anything. The design uses high-tech HD inkjet printing technology to replicate natural black slate – culminating in a very practical tile that will withstand outdoor elements and heavy everyday use.
Ultimate Industry
Get the ultimate industrial look with the Rock Solid kitchen trend from Keller Kitchens. This open plan layout looks fanciful, and we’re not entirely sure about sleeping above the cooking space, but let’s appreciate the stone-cold beauty of the cabinetry. It features a ceramic-wrapped island, graphite structured lacquered cabinet door/drawer fronts for the perimeter cabinetry, and an extractor mounted within an exposed metal framework.
Star Choices
We love the way this simple scheme has an industrial air about it – yes our Metropolis Star Wall & Floor tiles are decorative – but they also fit into this scheme beautifully. Metal seating, over-sized factory-style pendants, and a basic table complete the look.
Yacht Brass Bulkhead 7028 from Original BTC | Factory Style Light from The Grey Works | Salvaged Eastern Bloc Pendant from Skinflint Design
Let There Be Light
Three industrial ideas for no-nonsense lighting schemes. From left; Yacht Brass Bulkhead 7028 die-cast bulkhead light in unlacquered brass with a frosted glass diffuser from Original BTC. A good look for a kitchen wall light perhaps? Centre; Shed some light onto an island layout with the Factory Style Light with Three Spotlights from The Grey Works, which is fashioned from iron, with an antique black finish. Right; This unusual conical ceiling light is a Salvaged Eastern Bloc pendant, available in a limited quantity, and made from an industrial derivative of Bakelite. Very collectable, we think, and available from Skinflint Design.
Café Society
Create a café/bistro style kitchen that’s perfect for social gatherings (adhering to the latest Covid rules of course!). Our Muse porcelain tiles are an authentic replication of natural stone, available in both polished and matt finishes and in four colours Grey, Dark Grey, White and Beige, as shown here.
Bridging The Gap
The Henry Holt Bridge Mixer tap from The 1810 Company has a very authentic industrial flavour, perfect for the kitchen if you want to create a bold, statement look. The handwheels are also available in a fire-engine red too. Definitely on the wish-list now!
On The Wall
Alternatively, you could consider wall mounted bath/basin taps, with a gunmetal finish, for serious industrial style. Shown here in Gunmetal, and also available with fire-engine red handwheels.
All-Squared-Up
Our Rombos Rustic Patterned Floor Tile has that graphic/industrial aged look. A floor created with these tiles could look very contemporary, or it could equally be something that’s been down for a few decades! In ceramic, with a very stylish 1920s American-industrial feel.
Bare Necessities
An industrial-style bathroom may not necessarily look super-luxurious, but it can include all the necessities to make it perfectly serviceable and wonderful to use. Include cabinetry for storage, integral niches for shower toiletries, and consider black fittings to give the whole scene an industrial edge. Our Country Khaki Floor Tiles, also suitable for walls, provide a rugged timber-style look in porcelain. An appropriate choice for a building that may include reclaimed wood and metal features.
Perfectly Engineered
What an excellent choice for a bathroom that needs a touch of industrial style – as well as luxury! This is the Engineer Mono Basin Mixer 8920 by Swadling Brassware, with a knurled control, as well as Hot and Cold engravings. Shown here in Engineer Gold, but also available in Chrome, Polished Nickel and Living Brass finishes, amongst others.
Luxury Corner
Create a luxurious bathroom/cloakroom that includes some elements of industrial style – such as dark tiles and reclaimed materials. These are our Cliff Graphite tiles, ideal for keeping it plain and simple, but still maintaining that element of luxury.
Thinking of incorporating any of these industrial chic ideas into your next interior revamp? If so then don’t forget to send us your pictures of your finished projects – share your pics with us over on Twitter tagging @TileMountainUK or on Instagram!
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Linda has worked as a freelance interiors writer and blogger for many years; she has written for most of the major home and design magazines, including KBB Magazine, Grand Designs, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Period Homes and Good Homes. She made the break and moved from London back to her home town of Shrewsbury three years ago and has just finished renovating her house. She also works in an interior design studio, produces copy for brochures and website, tries to tame her garden, aims to finish all the home furnishing projects she has on the go … and loves walking.