Rustic industrial: how to add this cool and cosy trend to your home

A wooden bed with neutral bedding in front of a dark green wall

Living in a warehouse converted into a stylish home is a dream for many of us. All that space, with the potential to really hone in on the industrial style. While some may dream of a quaint, stone-clad cottage in the countryside. Both sound good to me – plus lots of others, as it turns out. In fact, I’ve recently noticed a rise in products that would go perfectly in this moody combination: so let me introduce you to the rustic industrial trend.

You could say the rustic industrial trend is a step up from the classic industrial style we know. Beyond exposed brick walls and metal accents, it aims to create warmth and a welcoming feel.

Rich walnut, aged steel, and textured leather – forget country chic and say hello to this edgier on-trend look. Upgrade your kitchen with black appliances, imperfect glassware and tactile crockery.

Create a cosy feeling in your bedroom with forest greens and warm ambers, mood lighting and natural materials, and embrace the look in your bathroom with linen fabrics, wood flooring and antique bronze radiators.

Ready to take a look at some of our favourites?

Dark wood for a rustic industrial look

Dark woods, such as in the collection of barstools, a wine shelf, flooring, and a chopping board, are a key part of the rustic industrial trend
1 Live Edge Collection ten-bottle hanging wine rack, £98, Charlton Island. 2 Liquorice panel engineered wood flooring, from £86.95 per sq m, Ted Todd. 3 Damascus 67 chopping board, £49, Procook. 4 Southwark kitchen stools in Oatmeal linen cotton and Acacia, £229, Swoon.

Dark wood is a cornerstone of any rustic industrial look. Treated or untreated, with the grain visible or not – what matters is that it’s rich in colour, to add warmth to your space.

cream bed linen
Suzi stripe yellow 100% linen bed linen, £139 for a double duvet cover, The Secret Linen Store.

You can, of course, go for wood or wood-effect flooring, but details such as barstools or shelving does the trick, too. Even small details – think chopping boards or knife blocks, for example – can make a difference and bring in an element of warmth.

Add warm neutrals

Interiors pieces in warm neutral shades – tiles in beige tones, a textured cushion, a rug featuring a geometric pattern in shades of beige, rust red, and green, and a terracotta armchair
1 Winchester Metropolitan Field tile in Hessian (left) and Thatch (right), £99.83 per sq m each, Original Style. 2 Clevedon chair in Raspberry 100% linen , £1566, Darlings of Chelsea. 3 The Coal Drop flat matt paint, £46 for 2.5 litres, Coat. 4 Bloomingville Zante cushion, £56, Sweetpea & Willow. 5 Eva large rug, £1695, Arlo & Jacob.

I mentioned it before, but the rustic industrial trend is all about bringing in warmth by pairing classic elements with rich woods and cosy textures. But we can’t leave out colour, can we?

Cushions with fine harbour stripes in a room styled with warm, darker neutrals
Harbour stripe cushion in graphite and ecru, from £80, and Harbour stripe throw in Mushroom and ecru, £180, Tori Murphy.

To take your space up a level, bring in neutral shades. You’re not limited to beige, either – terracotta shades are really having their moment. Of course, this trend also works well with shades of green and brown; they naturally go well with, for example, brick and really lift metal accents, too.

Rustic industrial micro trend: tactile handles and knobs

Textured knobs and handles – such as these designs made  from wood, leather, and resin – can really upgrade a rustic industrial scheme
1 Sutton knob in chocolate bronze plate finish, £29.40, Armac Martin. 2 Large dark tan Thor leather handle in black, £17.99, Dowsing & Reynolds. 3 Resin and wood cupboard knob, £6.50, Natalia Willmott.

Pay attention to the small details while creating your schemes – handles can always really add to a look. For a rustic industrial style, choose knobs made from less traditional materials.

Resin, wood, and leather are popular choices for a rustic industrial style. Some designs will change as they age, too – leather, for example, has a tendency to get softer the more you use it.

Don’t forget about the essentials

A rustic industrial scheme needs some metal accents, too – whether they're dark, like the radiator, range cooker, and butler's sink, or in finishes such as these brass taps
1 Ancona vertical radiator in Lacquer, from £273.41, The Radiator Company. 2 R7 100 Electric range cooker with twin hotplates in Pewter with stainless steel trim, £14,000, Aga. 3 Mayan taps in aged brass, £360, Devol. 4 Ribchester sink in black, from £724.52, Shaws of Darwen.

The beauty of rustic industrial style is that you can – no, must – go bold. Dark colours and metal finishes are must-have accents, and there’s no better way to really make a statement than with a standout kitchen essential.

Whether you choose a colourful range cooker or butler’s sink, or opt for a dark metal radiator, there are plenty of options. Also think about how you can highlight your design even more.

A rustic industrial bathroom featuring a large, white oval tub and a rattan mirror leaning against the wall
Rattan cheval mirror, £150, John Lewis & Partners.

That’s where metal finishes come in. Whether you prefer brass, chrome, nickel, gold, or something else entirely, use them to lift your rustic industrial scheme and introduce another layer.

So, what are you waiting for?

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