Your Essential Guide to an Industrial-Style Bathroom
Exposed raw materials, utilitarian fixtures, subway tiles and minimal colour are elements suited to industrial bathrooms
Whether you’re tackling a bathroom renovation with the help of a bathroom designer, an architect or a building designer, being able to pin down your favourite style will help get your project off to a smooth start. If you love gritty, utilitarian spaces, raw materials and decor that evokes factories and warehouses, industrial style might be right for you. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular bathroom style, including key elements, colour palettes, fixtures and finishing touches.
What you won’t find in industrial bathrooms
Industrial style favours an economy of design, with beauty found in the way design elements function, rather than in surface ornamentation. Here’s what you won’t see:
Find a specialised bathroom designer and renovator near you on Houzz for expert advice
Industrial style favours an economy of design, with beauty found in the way design elements function, rather than in surface ornamentation. Here’s what you won’t see:
- Delicate fixtures, fittings or fussy details.
- Luxurious comforts.
- Light or pastel hues.
- Pristine surfaces without any wear and tear.
- Elaborate mouldings or timberwork.
Find a specialised bathroom designer and renovator near you on Houzz for expert advice
Minimalist colour palette
The raw materials used form the foundation of the colour palette in an industrial-style bathroom, with an occasional pop of saturated colour.
Colours for industrial bathrooms:
The raw materials used form the foundation of the colour palette in an industrial-style bathroom, with an occasional pop of saturated colour.
Colours for industrial bathrooms:
- Shades of grey. Cement grey, dove grey, slate and charcoal.
- Black and white. Architectural white and matt black.
- Saturated colours. Rust orange, brick red, royal blue, and navy.
Freestanding bathtubs
A sturdy freestanding tub in black with visible rivets, as seen in this space by Haven Builders, makes a striking focal point for an industrial bathroom. Modern freestanding tubs in white or metallic finishes (think steely silver or copper tones) also work well. If you like the look of a freestanding bathtub but want to increase accessibility or make cleaning easier, consider choosing a partially freestanding tub instead.
A sturdy freestanding tub in black with visible rivets, as seen in this space by Haven Builders, makes a striking focal point for an industrial bathroom. Modern freestanding tubs in white or metallic finishes (think steely silver or copper tones) also work well. If you like the look of a freestanding bathtub but want to increase accessibility or make cleaning easier, consider choosing a partially freestanding tub instead.
Glass-and-steel shower enclosures
Black-framed shower doors made of aluminium or steel look stunning in industrial spaces. Try repeating the black colour in your window frames or with matt-black shower fittings and cabinet hardware for a cohesive look. Enclosures can be complete, with hinged or sliding doors; or they can be made of glass panels and have a doorless opening.
Black-framed shower doors made of aluminium or steel look stunning in industrial spaces. Try repeating the black colour in your window frames or with matt-black shower fittings and cabinet hardware for a cohesive look. Enclosures can be complete, with hinged or sliding doors; or they can be made of glass panels and have a doorless opening.
Hardworking raw materials
Rather than being hidden under layers of plasterboard and paint, raw materials take a starring role in industrial-style bathrooms. Look for industrial-strength materials including concrete, corrugated metal, stainless steel, brick and heavy timber beams to add authentic character.
Rather than being hidden under layers of plasterboard and paint, raw materials take a starring role in industrial-style bathrooms. Look for industrial-strength materials including concrete, corrugated metal, stainless steel, brick and heavy timber beams to add authentic character.
Design detail: trough sink
Trough sinks like the ones used in art studios, warehouses and old farmhouses look right at home in industrial-style bathrooms. Look for trough sinks made of concrete, white fireclay, porcelain or enamelled cast iron. Stainless steel is another good option for sinks in industrial bathrooms and powder rooms.
Trough sinks like the ones used in art studios, warehouses and old farmhouses look right at home in industrial-style bathrooms. Look for trough sinks made of concrete, white fireclay, porcelain or enamelled cast iron. Stainless steel is another good option for sinks in industrial bathrooms and powder rooms.
Design detail: white subway tiles
Hard-wearing, inexpensive subway tiles have historically been a popular choice for warehouses, factories and commercial spaces. Their crisp, clean look and versatility mean they’re still going strong today – try pairing them with dark grout for more contrast. In this industrial space, white subway tiles are paired with dark floor tiles for a foolproof black-and-white colour scheme that plays with scale.
Hard-wearing, inexpensive subway tiles have historically been a popular choice for warehouses, factories and commercial spaces. Their crisp, clean look and versatility mean they’re still going strong today – try pairing them with dark grout for more contrast. In this industrial space, white subway tiles are paired with dark floor tiles for a foolproof black-and-white colour scheme that plays with scale.
Design detail: hefty sliding doors
In a factory-inspired take on the barn-door trend, bigger, heavier-duty sliding doors are just right for industrial bathrooms. Plus, heftier sliding doors, like the ones shown here, provide more privacy than standard timber barn doors.
In a factory-inspired take on the barn-door trend, bigger, heavier-duty sliding doors are just right for industrial bathrooms. Plus, heftier sliding doors, like the ones shown here, provide more privacy than standard timber barn doors.
Finishing touches
Industrial bathrooms are not the place for an abundance of decorative flourishes – a few carefully chosen details are all that’s needed to finish the space. Exposed pipes (or accessories made from repurposed pipes), factory-style hardware and faucets, filament-bulb light fixtures, reclaimed-wood shelving, metal stools and potted plants are all good options.
Industrial bathrooms are not the place for an abundance of decorative flourishes – a few carefully chosen details are all that’s needed to finish the space. Exposed pipes (or accessories made from repurposed pipes), factory-style hardware and faucets, filament-bulb light fixtures, reclaimed-wood shelving, metal stools and potted plants are all good options.
Your turn
Tell us what you love about industrial style in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Keen to add some authentic touches to your bathroom for industrial style? Read up on 4 Creative Ways to Repurpose Old Fixtures in Your Home
Tell us what you love about industrial style in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Keen to add some authentic touches to your bathroom for industrial style? Read up on 4 Creative Ways to Repurpose Old Fixtures in Your Home
Industrial-style bathrooms are simple, utilitarian spaces where raw materials and tough fixtures and finishes take centre stage. Here are some elements to look for: