Guide to Industrial Design in Singapore Homes

A few design trends are flexible, easy to implement, and a lot of fun to look at. And one of those is industrial style interior design. The industrial design aesthetic manages to give a sleek looking modern space; yet also manages to incorporate an organic and old industrial charm. When you say industrial style, many people think about stainless steel and sharp edges. However, there can be much more to it.

There are no true principles that urban industrial style was built from. Instead, it slowly morphed into today's Open-plan spaces with high ceilings, huge windows, and lofted bedroom space. The key element for any urban-industrial space is flexibility. Thoughtfully arranging furniture turns your Singapore HDB or Condo into whatever you need it to be — everything from a nursery to an office, while still being a place to call home.

What Is Industrial Design & Where Did It Originate?

The industrial look has been around for centuries, but initially, it was never a “style” at all. Or at least, it didn’t set out to be. In the 1700s, the industrial revolution hit, and the world was changed forever. Factories sprung up all over major cities in Europe and America. These large buildings were simple, functional, and utilitarian. They had huge windows to let in natural light and an open plan floor space. To save money and minimise fire risk, most were kept plain – no paint, and with bricks, pipe, and ductwork left completely exposed.

Two hundred years later, advancements in the construction industry allowed us to make bigger, better, and more efficient structures. The old factories closed down, giving way to modern manufacturing plants on the outskirts of the city. But the factories wouldn’t stay abandoned for long. In the mid-20th century, many of these spaces were revived. Not as factories, but as housing.

Thus, the “industrial chic” look was born. Interior designers worked with the exposed brick and metal to create spaces that were bold, edgy and could blend with any style.

Industrial really refers to the fact that this style is very much fuss-free. It is a no-nonsense type of interior design and pulls a lot of inspiration from warehouses, industrial structures, and factories. But that does not mean that it needs to be a cold environment.
Urban Industrial design is unique in comparison to other home styles. Instead of manifesting from an architectural movement, this gritty look came from a lifestyle choice of artists and musicians. Forgoing traditional housing for makeshift live-work spaces inside of abandoned warehouses and factories, artists created this thrown-together look of street finds, thrift store purchases, and pieces made out of whatever happened to be laying around.

You can have a nod to the industrial style interior design simply by having some bare bricks and some salvaged materials; exposed brickwork, industrial pipe, and more to pull this look together.

Why industrial style interior design might be for you.

Industrial bedroom with metal light fixture

There are some styles of interior design that are hard to keep up with. For example, if you love minimalism, but you have a family, minimalism can be hard to keep control of. More people usually means more stuff. You have to be very smart with storage, and that can take its toll. However, interior design that is based on industrial styling is super flexible.

While most people try to conceal the building materials of their home, the industrial interior design distinctly displays these materials. This results in the kind of raw, unfinished look that has recently become an incredibly popular design style. The industrial design mixes the old with the new by blending wood and metal elements in a unique and upscale way.

This style of home interior design is perfect for those living in an urban environment, so if you’re moving into or thinking of redoing your Singapore HDB apartment, renovating your BTO or your Condo, the industrial interior design may be the style for you. It’s all about showcasing neutral tones, an open layout, and mixing wood and metal furniture to achieve that signature industrial look.

Styling tips to bring Industrial Design into your home.

Bring industrial style into your bathroom with unique fixtures

The Key Features Of Industrial Decor.

Industrial home design features exposed pipes, air ducts, wire, beams, and brick.
Industrial homes are usually open concept.
Industrial furniture and decor is often blocky in shape and made of metal, wood, leather, and even salvaged parts.

Here’s how you can achieve the modern industrial style throughout the entire home.

Layout.

All industrial spaces tend to follow the “converted warehouse” look even if the building is new construction and was never truly a warehouse, to begin with. This means brick walls, high ceilings (or the illusion of these), natural light, exposed piping, and small-plank wood or poured concrete floors. Carefully placed furniture and area rugs define each space as a living area, dining area, and office.

True industrial lofts that have been converted from warehouses typically don’t have walls, but if they do, the walls are not full height, allowing natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows to penetrate every corner.

If you have a loft to work with, the only clearly defined rooms are the kitchen and the bathroom. Often, lofts feature a one-wall kitchen with a cabinet, fridge, sink, and stove all along a single wall. Using a kitchen island is a great way to further define the kitchen and it can often double as a dining table. This keeps the kitchen open to the rest of the space and sticks with the flexibility rule that defines industrial design.

Industrial Style Flooring.

Flooring is similar to all other architectural elements of industrial design, in that it is usually made from natural materials such as wood and concrete. Concrete can be left a plain grey and polished or stained to give it a more old-fashioned look, which can bring in an interesting textural element. A concrete floor would feel unfinished in many other spaces, but it adds some real visual impact within industrial style homes.

Concrete floors can feel cold and impersonal to some people, so an alternative to consider is another natural flooring material like hardwood. If you’re doing a traditional take on industrial design, you would select distressed floors made from reclaimed wood. For a modern spin, you might choose polished wide planks of wood instead.

Area rugs to help delineate and define separate spaces. You can position these rugs carefully to create spaces like a living room and a dining nook. Proper rug placement is one of the easiest ways to help an open concept floor plan flow more naturally.

Concrete Or Brick Walls.

One of the easiest ways to achieve the industrial vibe is by leaving your concrete or brick walls just as they are. No paint or plaster is necessary.

Concrete is a blank slate – literally. You can match it with neutrals like grey or brown, or you can experiment with contrasting colours. What works best in an industrial styled home that has exposed brick walls and uncovered windows to let in the lightest, is a blend of deep colours, soft fabrics, and lots of patterns.

Colours.

Generally speaking, industrial design features neutral colours. Black and white both feature prominently, along with various shades of grey and brown. Using neutral tones throughout the home helps it feel more spacious and lends a sense of continuity. Using neutral tones can also help the industrial details in a room pop out even more.

You can bring in your own personality with bright pops of colour in the form of art, rugs, and some other decor that will be in direct opposition to your industrial style.

Exposed Piping.

In most homes, exposed pipes and structural beams would be plastered over, covered up, and painted before you even move in. But with industrial house design, you can skip that last step and save on money and stress. Exposed piping is a staple of the industrial style. This makes it perfect for HDB’s where piping cannot be permanently concealed. And contrary to what some people believe, it isn’t messy at all. It’s authentic, raw, and captivating.

Use Metal And Wood Furniture.

A key feature of industrial design is the use of metal and wood in the space. Selecting furniture pieces made from either metal or wood blends the old with the new and gives your home an interesting contrast. Wooden pieces should be weathered rather than new looking, so find unfinished furniture.

For metal furniture, you can choose an antique brushed or oiled finish to give your home a vintage feel. If you prefer a more modern look, you can opt for polished chrome. And metal furniture doesn’t have to be uncomfortable; you can find plenty of comfortable metal bar stools or tables that will accentuate your home's style without sacrificing comfort. After all, this style is meant to be inviting, not severe.

Leather has a prominent place in industrial-style spaces, as (you guessed it) furniture upholstery. Leather embodies the essence of industrial style, which is all about taking something old and giving it new life and purpose. It's equal parts rugged and refined. Think about furnishing your industrial living space with a cosy leather club chair or leather side chairs with metal legs. If you don't want to go too crazy with leather, think about furnishing your space with a leather ottoman or pouffe instead.

Soft Textiles.

Without any softness, an industrial space can feel a bit cold and uninviting. This is where faux fur and thick wool textiles come in. Soften the hard lines and cold metal of industrial furniture by throwing thick wool throw blankets over your sofa and side chairs. It might seem glamorously out of place in concept, but a faux sheepskin or hide rug can be one of the best additions to an industrial space, as it can add softness and texture to bare floors.

As far as patterns, once again the flexibility of industrial lofts comes into play. It can be any pattern you like and can even be a combination of boho, geometric, and stripes. This is a chance to experiment and discover your own personal look.

Industrial Shelving.

What do you get when you combine wooden planks and metal pipes? Chic industrial storage solutions for your home.

Open shelves are a great way to display your knick-knacks and show off your personality. These are also perfect for defining space within your home.

Edison Lights

Get it right, down to the details. Industrial-style lighting can come in many forms, most of which are old vintage lamps making a comeback. But the most popular style by far is the Edison light. These filament bulbs from the 20th century give off a warm yellow-orange glow.

You don’t have to swap out your energy-efficient lights for century-old bulbs, however; there are many LED versions in the same vintage style. Hang it loosely via its wires or frame it in metal to get the look you’re going for.

Exposed walls bring an industrial style together

Antique-Looking Wall Art.

When it comes to wall art, industrial style favours prints of old designs over new and modern art. Blueprints, diagrams, maps, and vintage posters all work really well in industrial spaces where abstract paintings, colour-blocked posters, and overly colourful photos might not. If you're looking for more texture, metal wall sculptures, well-travelled license plates, and old store signs can all be dynamic additions to your walls.

Accessories.

Much like minimalism, an interior design based around industrial style has a limit to the number of accessories that should be in the room. You’re looking to keep your services clutter-free and always clean, so try to go for items of furniture that have extra storage. Industrial interior design is often described as very masculine, simply because it is dark and robust. But don’t be afraid to add in some unique touches, like metal structures and sculptures, or stone ones.

Plants.

Though accessories and decor aren't necessary for perfecting the industrial look, they can really tie a space together and give it some personality that its rigid foundation might be lacking. Plants are especially important in ensuring that an industrial space doesn't look too dreary – they can literally breathe life into a room. Struggle to care for live plants? Go with artificial instead. You can get creative with planters – think about repurposing old cans or other vessels instead of buying new pots. If you do go with new pots, opt for matte cement pots and situate them on metal plant stands.

Industrial Design doesn’t have to be cold or uninviting.

In Summary.

An advantage of industrial spaces is that they can be decked out in just about any style. This means anything you want goes and often results in an eclectic blend of styles with leather seating, boho rugs, and mid-century coffee tables. Flexibility is the only true principle of urban industrial design. Fill the space with antique pieces or keep it open and minimalist — the beauty of the industrial design is that the gritty architectural elements make an intriguing backdrop for every kind of look.

Your Guide to Industrial Design Style.