Industrial style bathrooms have skyrocketed in popularity lately. But this look can be difficult to replicate, especially if you don’t live in a converted loft or warehouse. One of the biggest challenges is working with the slightly weather-worn features that are so iconic of the style; reclaimed wood, exposed brick, and old concrete or steel are key elements, but can make a space feel grungy. On their own, or used in excess, these features can make a bathroom feel run-down or outright inhospitable. We’ve got six simple ways to combine industrial elements to get the aesthetic you’re looking for.
Using Brick Accents
Brick is probably the most iconic material used in industrial style designs. That’s because it was commonly used in building construction at the turn of the century. Renovated factories and warehouse buildings almost always have brick walls. Much of the unique character of the brick comes from age; natural weathering, wear and tear, or even signs of the industry that formerly occupied the building. But old brick by itself just looks like urban decay. For it to look like an intentional stylistic or architectural choice, it needs to be balanced out by other elements. In the bathroom above, carrara marble, polished wood, white porcelain, and chrome fixtures give the original brick walls a touch of class and sophistication. The clawfoot tub and console sinks are also intentional choices, echoing that turn-of-the-century vibe, contrasted against the rugged, urban backdrop of exposed brick.
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Concrete (But Not Too Much)
If brick is the go-to material get an industrial feel, concrete is a close runner up. This look is less old-fashioned – not a big-city cannery building by the wharf, but a newer, more minimalist loft space. Think exposed pipes and ductwork and high ceilings. It’s not unheard of to build a bathroom entirely of concrete – walls, floors, and ceilings. But too much plain, poured concrete can feel bleak and uninviting, or at worst outright sinister. Instead, stick to smaller amounts – like a poured concrete floor and concrete sink – and accentuate with something a little lighter. Wood, white tile, and dark metal accents add contrast while maintaining that hefty industrial look and feel.
Pulling Off Siding
Another material with a strong industrial feel – and one you wouldn’t expect to find in a home – is metal siding. This is definitely also one of the harder ones to pull off; galvanized steel doesn’t have the modern sleek shininess of stainless steel, or the hefty solid weight of concrete. It’s meant to stand up to the elements, but not to weather the span of time the way brick is. That said, it can be incredibly effective as an accent; an alternative to shower tile or detail for a wall or ceiling. Paired with concrete and light wood and glass elements, this look can feel surprisingly fresh. For me, this look is reminiscent of sunny, summery taquerias in southern Califorina.
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Industrial Windows
Perhaps my personal favorite feature of renovated warehouse buildings are the windows. Think big wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling grids of small window panes in hefty metal frames. Half the charm is the glass itself; it’s often antique, heavily worn and weathered from age, or even discolored or subtly warped if it’s old enough. But that simple layout – of glass windows in a dark metal grid – is strongly evocative of an industrial style. That makes it a great way to get the vibe, particularly if you don’t live in an industrial style home. This bathroom by Robert Nebolon Architects uses faux windows in place of a shower stall and accentuates the industrial feel of the space with hand scraped wood floors, exposed plumbing, and lighting fixtures with bare, antique bulbs.
Subway Tile With A Twist
Most turn-of-the-century bathroom styles (cottage, cape cod, farmhouse, and so on) rely on the simple and time-tested combination of white subway tile on the walls and matching white hexagonal tile on the floors. But this particular look – as the name implies – originated in the subway systems of New York City; it’s actually a surprisingly good pair for an industrial style. The catch? Instead of the classic pedestal sink and clawfoot tub you’d ordinarily see paired with this style, you want to opt for slightly more rustic elements – like hand scraped wood floors, old radiators and exposed pipes, and so on. Even changing small details – like colorful subway tile or darker grout – can give a cottage style bathroom an urban edge.
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Accessorize
If you’re really worried about being able to strike the right balance between old and new, the safest way to pull off an industrial style is to skip the architectural elements entirely and focus on accessorizing. Even if you start with an exceedingly traditional cottage-style bathroom, a few elements can easily dress it up and dramatically change the look of the space. Oil rubbed bronze fixtures (from faucets to towel bars) will give a classic white bathroom a more urban feel; adding in factory or warehouse style lighting fixtures, trough style sinks, or steel workstools can bring out the industrial feel.
So even if you don’t happen to have any aged bricks or weathered beams in your bathroom, don’t worry! An industrial style isn’t beyond your reach – it just might require a little creative design work.
