Let’s talk industrial office design – that raw, edgy look that’s taken over workplaces everywhere. Considering this look for your workspace? We don’t blame you – it’s a classic for a reason.
The office design geniuses here at Slouch know a thing or two about creating beautifully functional office chairs and exceptional workspaces. They’ll take you through what makes this office look so special and how you can get it for yourself.
Features of industrial office design
Intrigued to know what makes up this striking style? Here’s a list of the most recognisable elements.
Exposed beams, columns, ductwork & piping
In conventional purpose-built offices, all of these functional features would be hidden away behind plasterboard. In industrial style offices, these ubiquitous features stay proudly in view. Their unfussy and raw look is all part of the charm.
Raw brick walls
Gone are the days when exposed brick walls would mark out a space as looking as though a Cat B fit out hadn’t taken place yet. Now it’s a preferred look that you’d be daft to plaster over. The (often red) brick gives warmth and character, wearing its past life with raw pride and character.
And think about it, Magnolia walls are always getting marked and scratched. Brick is far better equipped for high-traffic spaces like communal offices.
Raw concrete flooring
Don’t think of unfussy concrete floors as looking ugly, in industrial office interior design they’re deliberately Brutalist. The stark nature makes a statement: that they aren’t trying to be anything else just like the brickwork, beams and ductwork.
Reclaimed or original wood
If your conversion doesn’t have concrete floors, perhaps it has original wooden floorboards or even parquet? Any flaws are often part of the charm, with more obviously distressed wooden flooring or ceiling beams playing into a rustic industrial sub-genre of interior design (more on that later!)
Large windows for natural light
A lot of the buildings with this look were originally mills and warehouses that needed as much natural light as possible to allow working for as long as possible. After all, most were built before the advent of electricity! That’s why you’ll often see the distinctive mill sash windows in these buildings.
They allow plenty of natural light to flood the place and lift the darker and heavier elements, creating an appealing balance.
Brass & pendant lighting
Pendants hanging from exposed chains or wires add that factory feel, especially when fitted with Edison bulbs showing their glowing filaments. Brass fixtures bring warmth to balance all that concrete and metal and their tendency to develop a patina over time only adds to the charm.
How to style an industrial office space
1. Bring warmth back with office accessories
The juxtaposition of the raw and brutal with warm, human elements is at the very heart of industrial design. This holds true for industrial office design too. If a space only has industrial features, it could end up just looking like an old mill. It’s the warm touches like rugs, lamps and modern banks of desks that pull the whole look together. Balance is key, after all.
2. Get playful with branding and lighting
Industrial look offices provide the perfect backdrop for bold business branding to shine. Neon signage pops dramatically against exposed brick or custom metal logos work with the industrial aesthetic. Plus, consider statement pendants with Edison bulbs to highlight architectural features while providing extra warmth to the space.
3. Add in a multi-functional mezzanine spaces
Industrial style office buildings often have impressive double or even triple ceiling heights. These are perfect for adding mezzanine levels. These elevated spaces make the most of your office’s square footage while preserving the open feel that makes industrial spaces so appealing.
Niche styles under the industrial design umbrella
We’ve now covered the mainstay materials and elements that make up the broad churches of industrial interior design. However, there are some popular sub-categories to consider that put their own spin on the genre. Maybe you’ll find a particular style that speaks to you to use for your own office interiors?
Vintage industrial style
Style summary: This authentic approach leans heavily into antique pieces of the era the spaces were originally created for a nostalgic workspace that honours their working pasts.
Example: Original factory workbenches repurposed as desks, vintage industrial filing cabinets, antique metal signage and genuine period lighting fixtures from old manufacturing facilities.
Modern industrial style
Style: This particular style blends clean lines and contemporary elements with raw industrial features to give a sleeker and more polished look.
Example: A modern bubble chandelier hanging within a double-height industrial office space, with minimalist furniture and a monochrome colour scheme that contrasts beautifully against exposed brick walls.
Scandinavian industrial style
Style: This bright interpretation marries the warmth and simplicity of Nordic design with industrial elements for a light, airy workspace that feels inviting.
Example: White-washed brick walls, light wooden flooring, streamlined furniture in pale tones, with strategic pops of colour against metal fixtures and exposed ceiling ducts.
Eco-industrial style
Style: This sustainable style prioritises using environmentally friendly materials and repurposed elements within an industrial style office.
Example: Upcycled shipping containers converted into meeting pods, salvaged timber flooring, living walls against raw concrete and furniture made from reclaimed materials
Tip: This is a great style to consider if you like the idea of this aesthetic but you’re also trying to make your office more eco-friendly.
Rustic industrial style
Style: This cosy variation combines weathered wood and vintage elements with industrial materials for a warmer, more lived-in feel that avoids the coldness of purely industrial design.
Example: Reclaimed wooden desks paired with iron-framed chairs, set against a backdrop of exposed brick, with vintage factory signage as wall art and Edison bulb lighting.
Why is this office aesthetic so popular?
Here’s what makes it so special and enduring…
It’s common in bustling UK cities
Think about Manchester’s cotton mills, London’s wharves and Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. These ex-industrial buildings sit in the heart of our cities, where new construction would cost a fortune. For growing businesses, these abundant spaces offer the perfect opportunity – character-filled offices in sought-after locations with great transport links and amenities.
It’s a timeless look that never goes out of style
While some interior trends come and go, industrial design never gets old. The fact that it focuses on raw materials and not fashionable fads means it’s a safe bet for an aesthetic that will look fantastic for years to come.
There’s something about the usually hidden aspects of the design (like beams and brick) being spotlighted that gives it an authentic look that modern ‘cookie cutter’ offices don’t tap into.
Industrial buildings make ideal office spaces
The open layouts and high ceilings of old factories and warehouses mean that they’re hardworking and robust spaces that you can adapt to meet your needs. You can carve up these spaces flexibly to your needs, keeping them as an open plan office layout or building private breakout spaces, booths and private meeting rooms.
It gives your business a cool and creative impression
Sometimes certain aesthetics gain an association or reputation. It’s clear that offices with an industrial look have become intertwined with creative and innovative businesses like digital agencies, creative studios and other forward-thinking companies.
So if you want your workspace to speak for your company, this style sends a confident visual message to any visitors or clients.
Creating industrial style in modern buildings
Not everyone has the luxury of working in a converted warehouse or factory, but that doesn’t mean you can’t embrace industrial office interior design. Here are some practical ways to bring industrial style to more conventional office spaces:
- Exposed brick wallpaper or brick slips for an authentic look without structural changes
- Industrial-style pendant lighting with Edison bulbs
- Metal furniture with raw finishes – think steel-framed desks and shelving
- Concrete-effect paint or micro cement on floors or feature walls
- Expose some ductwork or piping (where safe and possible) rather than hiding it away
- Include vintage industrial accessories such as old factory clocks or salvaged signage
- Opt for open shelving in metal or reclaimed wood instead of traditional closed storage
- Metal-framed internal windows or room dividers instead of solid partitions
- A darker office colour scheme with occasional rust or copper accents
- Leave some ceiling areas unfinished if possible or use faux beams
- Choose flooring with an industrial feel, such as polished concrete-effect tiles
With thoughtful touches like these, even the most corporate spaces can capture some of the essence of industrial office design without requiring a period building as your starting point.
Office furniture that ties in perfectly
Our collection of ergonomic chairs, desks and office accessories come in a range of neutral colours that complement industrial office interiors perfectly. From matt black frames that echo industrial metalwork to warm wooden finishes that soften concrete and brick, our pieces work wonderfully in industrial workspaces.
Ready to complete your office with furniture that looks as good as it feels? Browse our range today or contact our friendly team at [email protected] to discuss your workplace needs.
