5 tips to achieve ‘warehouse chic’

Industrial home design goes by many names. Whether you call it warehouse chic, Tribeca style or the vintage loft apartment aesthetic, the appeal is broadly the same: raw materials, honest construction and a space that feels lived in before you have moved the first piece of furniture. According to Oswald Homes Senior Designer Michal Kurtis, the industrial look suits Perth’s climate and lifestyle particularly well, and it pairs naturally with several of the distinct design approaches that define a custom Oswald home. The result can range from quietly refined to boldly dramatic, depending on how far you take the industrial elements and what you pair them with.

Playing with layers, blends and clever contrasts, this eclectic look can go from minimalist funky-cool, right through to the audacious pseudo-Victorian-meets-abandoned-factory Steampunk style.

“Industrial home designs can combine the organic and the engineered; the bold and the refined; the masculine and the feminine,” Michal says. “There really is something for everyone.”

What’s there to love about an industrial home design?

Here in Perth, the warehouse or Industrial look is a happy match for several different design styles.

“In a Contemporary-style home, for example, industrial elements add character and individuality through touches of raw, unfinished and earthy materials: wood, brick and concrete used side by side with polished stainless steel,” Michal says. The contrast between organic and engineered surfaces is what gives a contemporary custom home its depth and personality. “Think simple open spaces, perhaps an exposed structural element or two, and carefully chosen recycled objects that create a sense of space, place and history. An industrial home design is casually elegant, quietly confident and unassuming, and it wears its aesthetic with real confidence.” In Perth’s luxury custom home market, this approach rewards restraint. The most considered industrial interiors let one or two well-chosen elements carry the weight rather than overstating the look.

Here are Michal’s top five tips if you’re keen to explore the world of industrial home design:

Design basics: An open floor plan is one of the hallmarks of this look, along with high ceilings and multi-purpose spaces, such as a kitchen, living area and dining space all blended into one. Exposed surfaces or raw materials will give your interiors that ‘repurposed’ edge.

Style subtleties: Coveted warehouse conversions may feel ‘raw’ and open-plan, but they still have an inherent sense of balance and proportion, with plenty of natural light and a floor plan that works. Working with a home builder that knows the subtleties of style and has an unerring eye for detail will ensure you get the result you’re looking for.

Bare essentials: Timber, stone or polished concrete floors each bring a different character to an industrial interior. A strategically selected wall finished in brick or raw concrete can anchor an entire room and become the focal point the eye returns to. Cold metals such as tin, steel, iron and aluminium add the right degree of industrial edge without overwhelming a space. When it comes to colour, play up the raw, the recycled and the reclaimed with warm neutral tones: charcoal, deep umber, warm white and natural timber all read well together. Room dividers, whether glass partitions, open shelving or slatted screens, help to zone spaces without closing them off, preserving the open-plan character that sits at the heart of every well-executed industrial home design.

Utilitarian: In Industrial-inspired spaces, it’s about selecting pieces that are as much about function as they are about style. And mix it up by contrasting high-gloss metal finishes, for example, with rustic or vintage cabinets, countertops and furniture. A wooden table paired with metal chairs is a great choice. Don’t be afraid to expose pipes and ducts to make a strong style statement.

Perfectly imperfect: Embrace the timeworn, the original and the salvaged. Hunt around for objects that look as if they could have come straight from an old warehouse or factory, such as oversized pendant lights and advertising signs. Don’t be afraid of objects with a hint of rust, and seek out metallic finishes such as copper. Recycled timber, open storage and repurposed textiles highlight the warehouse vibe, while huge pieces of original art will help accentuate gallery-style spaces in an industrial home design.

You’ll find more insights and inspiration in our Industrial style guide.