Industrial office décor is used widely in spaces of all kinds, from homes to offices to large event facilities. The unexpected combinations of utilitarian fixtures with rich fabrics or “cold” surfaces such as concrete with warm wood finishes struck a chord with designers tasked with recycling once industrial spaces were long abandoned and poised for new use.
Industrial style decor is all the rage in today’s collaborative work space office environments especially within urban localities. There is something raw about utilizing industrial office interior design ideas not only in open office design but in homes as well.
An old factory sees new life once remodeled into loft apartments, and a former school building might transition into office space or a community center.
By working with, and not against, that building’s core materials (be it cinder block or brick walls and steel beams), interior designers can create striking and inviting spaces that are equal parts masculine and feminine, with seemingly opposite elements of style working together harmoniously. These are some essentials of industrial interior office design.
Decorating an industrial style office can be fun and challenging at the same time. At the same time you should try to adhere to industrial office color schemes which utilize neutral and natural colors and textures. Industrial office décor ideas are plentiful and, when incorporated properly, can create that ideal working space in the office or at home.
It is no surprise then that many people want an “industrial chic” office, and we have tips on how to achieve that look, along with some popular furniture and industrial office accessories for your space.
And, more specifically, incorporating industrial desk décor and industrial desk accessories will make an immediate impact on creating that industrial look in your workspace. Industrial office room design ideas are plentiful and can easily be incorporated into your workspace.
Industrial Office Décor | Industrial Office Design – How to Incorporate it into a Space
Step 1: Make Unexpected Pairings in an Industrial Style Office
Rich and luxurious materials paired with raw and industrial styles are the hallmark of industrial décor. Imagine a loft space with exposed brick walls, polished concrete floors, and a stainless steel kitchen, but then you throw on top of that a faux fur throw draped across a sofa and a plush rug under a sleek and modern dining table.
You can also achieve these pairings with rugs, throw pillows, window treatments, and more in an office setting.
Step 2: Use Textiles for Warmth in Modern Industrial Office Room Design
Nothing creates warmth in chic office décor like textiles, and your industrial office space should incorporate fabrics where possible to provide some balance against the harsher finishes like concrete, brick, steel, and wood.
For example, you might place upholstered chairs alongside a conference table made of reclaimed Barnwood. Rugs used on a polished concrete floor also provide warmth and absorb excess noise, especially if you have high ceilings.
Window treatments are also important in industrial office design; plenty of natural light can be desirable in a workspace, but at certain times during the day, you may want to reduce the full sunlight to view a slide presentation during a meeting, for example.
Step 3: Pay Attention to Scale
Size and scale are also incredibly important elements in industrial design, especially when working in extremely large and open spaces. For example, when moving into a loft apartment, you might find the furnishings from your previous home look completely underwhelming against an imposing 15-foot-tall exposed brick wall.
Industrial look office interior design often means oversized, and you need to look for furnishings and accessories that are scaled appropriately for the space. If you simply want to turn your small home office into an “industrial-inspired” space, you may not need to scale up.
But suppose your software startup is operating out of an old warehouse recently remodeled into loft-style office spaces. In that case, you might need new desks, conference tables, and other oversized accessories, so they do not disappear in the space.
Industrial Style Decor | Modern Industrial Office Interior Design Ideas
Industrial Wood Ladder Pipe Wall Shelf
One of our favorite shelving units to make a “normal” office look industrial, this ladder pipe wall shelf from HUITONG has four levels to hold everything from decorative accessories to office files and other supplies.
The use of piping against the wood shelves makes this unit stand out more than ordinary wall shelving; the only drawback is the assembly, which can be tricky for non-DIYers. This wood ladder pipe screams industrial office décor and you could even consider it chic office décor.
Galvanized Metal Desk Organizer Set
One of the easiest ways to accent modern industrial office room design and to make an industrial splash in your office space is with this no-assembly-required desk organizer set.
The galvanized metal finish lends an industrial flair to your desk, while the individual components provide ample storage space for everything from pens and pencils to paper files and mail.
You can even tuck your phone into one of the smaller compartments to keep it accessible as you work, and these storage units also take up minimal space while keeping you organized.
This galvanized metal desk organizer is certainly one of those rustic office décor ideas.
Industrial Table Lamp
Lighting is another important element of industrial office décor and industrial office design and is one of the easiest ways to define your office style.
Forget the old-fashioned desk lamps in brass or the predictable fluorescent overhead lighting.
This sturdy metal lamp with an amber LED bulb creates the right ambiance for an industrial space while also providing useful task lighting at your desk or other work table.
The compact design of this lamp (5.59 x 5.59 x 16.14 inches) also means that it will not take up too much of the surface space on your desk, and it also has USB charging ports and dimmable lighting levels. It is a great example of industrial office interior design.
Metal and Wood Computer Desk with Storage Shelves
We love this unit’s industrial look and its functionality, with shelves hanging above the workspace for extra storage. The desktop itself is 40 inches long by 20 inches wide, making it a great choice for smaller home offices.
The rustic pipe and reclaimed wood surfaces lend a modern and industrial style decor to any space, and all of the materials you need for assembly and mounting are included.
This accessory would fit perfectly in an industrial design office space with its metal and wood accents. It certainly fits in perfectly with industrial office room design ideas.
Diwhy also offers a larger version of this desk with a 47-inch workspace to add a more bold statement but still utilizing industrial office interior design.
Rustic Industrial Bookcase and Bookshelf
This IRONCK Bookcase and Bookshelf offers a blend of wood and metal to your industrial décor. It allows plenty of space for storage using open shelving and closed drawers.
This unit will add a rusticity to any workspace. Rustic office décor ideas are prevalent in the marketplace and this bookcase and bookshelf is certainly one of them.
The rustic wood in conjunction with the metal frame screams industrial style office décor. It would be a great addition to an office or to a home that utilizes industrial look office room design.
Industrial Design Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are one of the most popular design accessories these days, used everywhere from farmhouse kitchens to industrial loft offices.
When mounted above an executive desk, these shelves from MANTE BLONG add a great element of style while also providing a storage solution for items you may not use on a daily basis.
A shelving unit is a must in any office, and the combination of industrial piping and warm wood is perfect for industrial interiors. The product is easy to mount and sturdy, with all mounting hardware included.
Industrial Office Décor Ideas can Spice up any Workspace
If you’ve ever considered incorporating modern industrial office interior design concepts into your workspace I think the above items can certainly add that industrial feel. Industrial office décor ideas and industrial office design is certainly a popular choice these days and has been for a number of years.
If you do decide to add some industrial style décor to your working environment to create that rustic industrial design office space you just might find you like it so much you’ll expand into your home space.
Frequently Asked Questions about Industrial Office Decor
How do you decorate an industrial office?
There are a number of different components that play into the decorating of an industrial look office. Some of those components are the following: raw wood, distressed or torched wood, iron or steel piping, vintage tools and gears, concrete, brick, neutral color scheme, exposed pipes and beams, and rustic accessories.
The palette is pretty wide open but incorporating the components above you can easily establish a rustic industrial décor not only in your office but in any room of your home.
What is industrial interior design?
While most architectural design tend to hide ductwork and piping, industrial interior design uses these design elements as focal points. Industrial design also tends to use wide open spacing which is the perfect opportunity to use this industrial style in an old warehouse that has been converted to office space.
Rusticity is a big part of industrial design as the unfinished and raw aspect of the architecture is what makes it most unique. Modern office spaces are utilizing industrial décor to create a positive, wide-open, working area for their employees with accents like exposed brick and concrete to enhance the working space.
What are industrial desk accessories?
There are many ways that you can enhance an industrial office and, in particular an industrial look desk. Desk accessories for an industrial office tend to utilize wood and metal when it comes to the design. It’s not unusual to see distressed, torched, and raw wood incorporated into today’s modern industrial desk accessories.
Utilizing vintage tools and office accessories from days-gone-by lend that industrial and rustic feel to the office surroundings. Gears can oftentimes be incorporated into clocks and bookends and Edison bulbs and pipe can be found to create an old-time industrial look when it comes to office lighting.
What to Read Next:
- What are Industrial Desk Accessories?
- 10 Top Practical Industrial Office Décor Ideas for Men
- What are Industrial Office Color Schemes?
- How do you Decorate an Industrial Style Office?
- What are Industrial Office Accessories?
Bob has been blogging for over 20 years and has been an office and cubicle dweller for more than 35 years. He has been featured in numerous online publications such as US News and World Report, Bustle, and Work Awesome (you can read his articles here). He created the popular office website CubicleBliss in January 2011 and rebranded it as WorkspaceBliss in April 2020.
In the office he’s been an IT Manager, Applications Engineer, Systems Analyst, Software Project leader, and Programmer Analyst in his long career. He’s a Certified Microsoft Professional and possesses a Masters of Science degree and two Bachelor of Science degrees, one of those in Informational Technology.
During his career he has worked in the office full-time, as a hybrid remote worker, and has worked from home permanently.
