Industrial chic: A balance of form and function

With its unique blend of rugged and refined elements, the industrial chic design has gained popularity in recent years. With its roots in the factories and warehouses of the 19th and 20th centuries, industrial chic is a nod to the industrial revolution, and a celebration of beauty in functionality. If this style has caught your eye, we have the tips to help you create the look in your home with a mix of Resene paints and wallpapers.

Whether you're a lover of vintage industrial design or simply looking to add a touch of industrial edge to your décor, Resene can help you with the inspiration and guidance you need to create a space that is both stylish and functional.

The raw beauty of this room is simple yet stunning. The concrete-look finish of Resene Wallpaper Collection EAR401 looks so real you will have to touch it to see the difference.

Inspired by the raw, utilitarian aesthetic of industrial spaces, this style combines exposed brick and concrete, metal, wood and sleek, modern finishes. For a look that is both edgy and sophisticated, try a feature wall in Resene Wallpaper Collection EAR401 paired with furniture and trims painted in bold colours like Resene Nero, a deep black with inky undertones, or Resene Diesel, a mysterious and dark black red like Resene Spitfire.

Industrial interiors are best illustrated by the exposed brick or stone wall look, paired with raw materials like stainless steel in kitchens, and exposed beams and even plumbing. The unfinished look is all part of it, and very current. Keep in mind, that unless the design is very subtle, faux effects are often best reserved for feature walls.

 

 

The blues and greens in Resene Wallpaper Collection DGEAR1011 and 1012 are the perfect touch in an otherwise neutral industrial room.

To break up the utilitarian look and add some softness, try adding a wall mural or a wallpaper like Resene Wallpaper Collection DGEAR1011. The natural elements and colours in this wallpaper pair well with rust browns, like Resene Yogi and industrial greys and blacks, like Resene Invincible and Resene Boris, while lending a gentler feel to the room.

If you’re after the look of a concrete floor, without the concrete, try Resene Paint Effects medium - a tintable acrylic medium that allows you to easily create unique paint effects, while still enjoying the benefits of lower odour and easy clean up in water. It dries more slowly than standard paint, so you have longer to work on the effect. Try colours like Resene Concrete or Resene Gunsmoke washing one colour over another to get a sense of layering or ageing.

 

 

The subtle textures in Resene Wallpaper Collection 939521 pair add visual interest to the with a simple white staircase (try Resene Alabaster) and concrete flooring.

Use wallpaper with a stone-effect finish to lend any room a raw, yet chic vibe. By pairing this style of wallpaper design with whites like Resene Merino or blacks like Resene All Black, you let the industrial features speak for themselves amongst the neutrals. This wallpaper is so subtle you can use it as a feature wall or on all surrounding walls. Add pops of colour through furnishings and greenery.

 

Raw finishes and chrome décor pieces, give this coastal-style kitchen some industrial edge, painted in concrete-toned neutral Resene Sea Fog. The kitchen is filled with natural wood cabinetry with a ceiling finished in Resene Aquaclear.

If you’d like wood as your predominant décor feature, opt for a wood stain like Resene Colorwood in Resene Natural or Resene Teak. Wood pairs well with hanging exposed lights, metal stools, stainless steel and brick. You can also choose a Resene paint that gives the appearance of concrete, such as Resene Sea Fog or Resene Quarter Silver Chalice. Industrial design works especially well in baches where the walls may be rough and ready, and wallpaper can cover that easily, or exposed wood, brick and concrete can be left to showcase its own imperfect beauty.

 

This intriguing candleholder is painted in Resene Rose Gold. Project by Leigh Stockton, image by Bryce Carleton.

If it’s small touches you’re after, try DIY projects like this industrial-style candleholder. Bring sparkle to your dinner table by finishing it in glittering Resene Rose Gold or Resene Infinity. Try making this DIY candlestick holder.

For more advice on paint colours or to order your favourite wallpaper visit your local Resene ColorShop.

Published: 21 Feb 2023

Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].

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Resene Quarter Silver Chalice

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