Where does industrial style come from? What are its current codes and how can we adapt them to our contemporary needs to create an aesthetically pleasing and functional interior that’s in tune with today’s tastes?

The birth and essence of industrial style

The Latin etymology of the term “industry” already provides the basis for the industrial architectural style. Industria can mean activity, strength or energy. All concepts that changed the shape of buildings during the Industrial Revolution.

An architecture of rationality

Factories and warehouses built in the 19th century had only one objective: functionality. Ceiling heights were determined by machine dimensions. Glass walls ensure sufficient light to illuminate workstations. The layout is designed to enhance productivity. The choice of furniture, practical and basic, meets the same expectations of optimizing the work force, saving resources, space and energy.

A style that attracts in spite of itself

The industrial approach to the building’s design was not intended to seduce, only to rationalize the available surface area. Unwittingly, it delivered spaces that were to delight trendsetters. In the 1970s and 1980s, booming cities like New York gave a second life to industrial premises. These properties, with their generous volume and abundant light, became highly sought-after artists’ studios. The ultra-practical furniture they contain is used as is. Industrial style takes on a new dimension and becomes a fashion trend.

Contemporary industrial style

Most of the designs we find today in business premises and private homes are versions adapted to the needs and demands of the contemporary world. New industrial furniture is a less austere, more comfortable variation on the original style. Skylights and large glass walls are installed according to current design standards. Cladding is relatively similar, left unfinished, but with a concern for eco-responsibility and durability that takes precedence over the economic aspect.

6 ways to create contemporary industrial style

The industrial style has been brought up to date to meet new needs. Some are purely practical: more space, more storage, fewer constraints… Others are ethical and aesthetic: the search for a certain authenticity, the reuse of objects and the valorization of materials… Generally speaking, contemporary industrial style is personalized, unlike the original approach, which was purely productivist and uniform.

1 – Old red facing brick walls

Raw brick walls are an ideal backdrop for creating an industrial-inspired interior. Now, thanks to Orsol wall facings, it’s possible to recreate the authentic look of brick without the constraints of installation and maintenance. Orsol, based in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France, favors short circuits and local sourcing to deliver more sustainable products with low environmental impact, integrating ethics and design.

The five ORSOL brick collections, Brick, Old School, Briquette, Chromatikand Black and Whiteoffer a wide range of shades and textures to enrich an industrial-style interior. From aged red tones to black and white bricks and modern accents, each collection adds its own unique touch.

A concrete example of this diversity is Élodie and Joan’s project, where red brick was chosen to frame a stove and bookcase. This project perfectly embodies the industrial aesthetic, creating a warm yet authentic atmosphere inspired by Anglo-Saxon lofts.

BRIKELIA terracotta bricks add authentic character to any interior, harmoniously blending industrial spirit and modernity. Each vintage brick, unique in its texture and relief, is a reused brick that constitutes a fragment of history. They enrich contemporary spaces with warmth and originality.

2 – Large volumes

Since you have a choice of brick colors, you can opt for lighter tones to maximize the feeling of space. Keeping one or more wall sections completely clear is another way of creating a sense of volume, essential for reproducing the industrial style. Decompartmentalize if technical conditions allow.

3 – Natural light

To encourage natural light, create gaps around windows and install mirrors in the right places. Locate solid partitions that could be replaced by skylights. Wherever possible, remove any obstacles to light diffusion .

4 – Artificial light

When night falls, you need to be able to rely on focused points of light to illuminate useful surfaces. This is the rationality of the industrial style. Instead of a ceiling light that illuminates the whole room, install spotlights, or better still, workshop-style light bulb suspension cables, above the kitchen worktop, dining table or desk.

5 – Industrial-style storage

To make room, you need storage solutions. Visible storage solutions can take the form of trendy lockers. They can be taken from the staff checkroom installed in factories. If this is an original piece of furniture, it will be useful to renovate it by adding shelves, so that it can be of real interest in the organization of a contemporary interior.

6 – Exposed piping

In industrial buildings, piping networks, pipes and machine gears are not concealed. If your interior includes exposed piping, highlight it with a metallic paint that contrasts with the color of your Orsol brick veneer wall.