What kind of shelf for an industrial-style living room?
What characterizes the industrial style?
The trend for industrial interiors emerged in the 1950s, when abandoned post-industrial spaces began to be converted into residential spaces in the United States. Spacious lofts mushroomed in this way. They were characterized by austerity, ample square footage, high ceilings, and exposed structural elements. Inhabited by New York's artistic bohemians, they underwent interior design transformations. As a result, the contemporary loft has many names. It seamlessly blends with other styles: minimalist, Scandinavian, vintage, and urban jungle. It harmonizes perfectly with modern design, classic patterns, and retro accents. It's no surprise, then, that it enjoys enduring popularity among enthusiasts of fashionable, unconventional designs created for years to come. What sets it apart?
Key style features: metal, wood, simplicity of form
Industrial interiors are typically subdued in terms of color and form. The simple shape of the furniture complements finishing materials such as wood, concrete, glass, and the ubiquitous metal. In this type of interior, you'll often find an exposed brick wall, creating a stark yet stylish look. Wood, on the other hand, adds a touch of coziness. A subdued living room or bedroom becomes a warm place to relax.
Colors play a significant role in loft interiors. These are primarily grays, black, and anthracite, broken up with white and often with more intense accents like red, green, and navy blue.
Why is a shelf a must-have in an industrial living room?
Imposing and heavy metal shelving is still used in warehouses, production halls, and industrial facilities. When we say "loft-style furniture," we think of open shelves that showcase all of the contents. The metal frame adds a touch of austerity to the interior while ensuring stability and long-term use. You can choose a single loft shelving unit, a model with a closed cabinet, a display case, or drawers. In our store, you'll find a wide selection of products that align with the latest trends.
Materials and construction - what should the perfect shelf be made of?
Metal frame + wooden shelves - classic style
A proven recipe for an industrial shelving unit? Metal and wood. This is the most common variant of this versatile piece of furniture. To visually lighten the room, you can opt for a metal shelving unit with tempered glass shelves equipped with spotlights. This display-style unit will add interest to the room. You can display memorabilia, framed photos, books, decorative figurines, and many other knick-knacks on it.
Laminated board with a concrete or oak structure
The concrete motif is an integral part of industrial designs. This includes floors, ceilings, and walls in a concrete shade, as well as furniture made from laminated boards that closely resemble this material. A perfect example is the industrial living room shelf from the OVO collection. The "ancient" oak color is paired with a decorative front in the color of dark concrete. Black legs complete the look. The light wood adds warmth to the interior, and thanks to the shelf's compact dimensions (50 cm wide, 38 cm deep, 182 cm high), it can fit even in the smallest of spaces.
What kind of shelf for an industrial-style living room?
How to choose the color and finish of a shelf for an industrial living room?
Matte black, graphite gray, raw wood
A modern shelving unit with a black frame or black accents in the form of legs, handles, and decorative inserts is the ideal solution. Raw wood models also work well, contrasting with the coolness of concrete surfaces. Furthermore, all shades of gray are welcome. Graphite and anthracite with a matte finish are colors associated with a loft-style interior. However, if you enjoy interior design experiments, you can complement your living room with a striking green, navy, or red shelving unit, which will contrast with the rest of the subdued décor, creating an intriguing visual effect (e.g., the INDA model with milled fronts and tall metal legs).
Types of industrial style shelves - which one to choose?
Stylish industrial-style shelving units come in various sizes and styles, varying in size and storage space. At Furnitop.co.uk, you'll find open and closed models, as well as those with additional storage compartments, drawers, push-to-open systems, or LED lighting. Find the perfect piece to optimally utilize the available living space.
Open shelf - lightness and spaciousness
If you're looking to showcase your favorite items, go ahead and choose an open loft shelving unit. The light gray ROME models, available individually or in sets, are worth considering. They can be used to conveniently arrange a bookcase in your living room, or even divide the space into functional zones, separating a seating area from a dining area or kitchenette. The light gray will look great in any industrial-style apartment, but not only that. ROME furniture will also work well in modern or classic interiors where you need extra storage for various knick-knacks. Open shelving units are lightweight and enhance the spaciousness of the room. They're ideal for use in tight and narrow studio apartments or offices.
Shelf with cabinets and drawers - more functions
Lockable cabinets, drawers, and storage compartments will hide everything you don't necessarily want to leave on display. Organize documents, small electronics, candles, or table decorations behind elegant fronts. You can equip the shelves with storage containers to make it easier to find what you're looking for. Take the adjustable CLINT shelving unit with sturdy metal legs, for example. The black complements the light wood tone. This unit features a three-shelf cabinet and a spacious drawer at the bottom. A functional option for a living room, office, or youth room.
Modular shelves - flexibility of arrangement
Models of this type, such as the ROME shelving units, offer numerous possibilities for optimal interior design. You can adjust the width of the unit yourself, and when you run out of storage space, you can purchase an additional module.
The size of the shelf and the size of the living room - how to adjust the proportions?
Tall and narrow vs. low and wide
Narrow, tall shelving units are a good option for a small living room. A versatile model, such as this one from the OLIVIER collection, can easily be placed in a corner, next to a sofa or against a TV wall. It also works well in a dining nook, offering plenty of storage for tableware, home textiles, and other small items. This piece features sliding drawers, a black metal frame, and a soft-close function.
A wide, low shelf, including the LANDO model, is perfect for a bedroom or a teenager's room. Above it, you can hang a picture, a poster, or create a wall gallery. It will look great in a living room or hallway. A large mirror can be mounted on the wall above the countertop to visually enlarge the room.
Shelves covering the entire wall - the effect of a loft library
Looking for an industrial living room idea? Designs with a large bookcase are popular not only with bookworms. The MALTIS bookcases will help you create a striking and practical reading area in your living room, bedroom, or other room. You can use them to cover an entire wall or part of it, depending on the space and the size of your collection. Equip the furniture with LED lighting to highlight your valuable volumes. Place a comfortable armchair and a lamp nearby—perhaps a black one with a metal leg. Your loft-style bookcase is ready!
What should you pay attention to when buying an industrial shelf?
First, check how much space you have for a shelf. If you want to create a cozy To enhance the interior's ambiance, opt for a model with wooden elements. A model with open, lightweight shelves will work well in a small room. Need closed cabinets or drawers? You can also find such options at Furnitop.co.uk. Match the shelf to the color scheme of your décor, remembering that the loft style favors subdued colors and raw materials.
How to arrange a shelf in an industrial style?
A metal-framed, wooden, glass-shelf, or concrete-colored shelf is the quintessence of loft style. It can serve a variety of functions, depending on your needs. Placed in a TV nook, it can store small electronics and other small items. Placed near the dining table, it provides easy access to dishes, table decorations, glasses, and so on. A low-profile model in the hallway, on the other hand, can serve as a dressing table or a storage unit for accessories or small wardrobe items. However, the key function of any shelf is to organize and display items—books, porcelain collections, potted plants, designer gadgets, vinyl records, travel souvenirs, electronics, and so on. More valuable items can be hidden behind a glass front.
A shelf as a space divider in the living room with a kitchenette
Lightweight, open shelving units, often without a back panel, are perfect as a symbolic partition or divider. You can use them to separate the living room from the dining area, or the bedroom from the workspace. This solution is especially effective in small spaces, as the interior will not lose any of its spaciousness or access to daylight. A lightweight shelving unit will separate the kitchen from the living area, ensuring comfort for all residents.
Industrial style and other trends - what does the shelf go with?
Currently, the interior design industry is taking a completely new approach to industrial aesthetics, boldly combining it with other styles. The result is unique interiors with intriguing element choices and yet remarkably harmonious design.
Loft, modern, vintage - consistent combinations
Looking for interior design inspiration? Opt for an industrial style. Furniture with simple shapes will complement almost any design, especially modern, minimalist, and modernist. You can also opt for a unique blend of loft style and the currently fashionable vintage aesthetic. Retro elements, plenty of wood, and handcrafted craftsmanship are the perfect option for lovers of interiors with soul. Complement an industrial shelf, a black, wrought-iron chandelier, and a coffee table with a metal frame with "soft" lounge furniture – a sofa, an armchair inspired by Chierowski's model, and a practical footstool.
Industrial + Scandinavian = Fashionable Balance
This is one of the most popular soft loft combinations. On the one hand, we have raw metal, glass, and muted shades of gray. On the other, we have elements typical of the Scandi style: soft textiles, fluffy blankets, wood, and natural materials such as wicker, rattan, linen, and jute. Furthermore, industrial motifs can be combined with cozy boho accessories, creating an eye-pleasing and, above all, comfortable living space. So if you're not convinced by the raw, somewhat cool industrial decor, don't be afraid to experiment. Incorporate your favorite accessories to create a unique arrangement that suits your individual needs.
The most interesting models of industrial shelving from Mebline's offer
Need more storage space? Choose the perfect shelving unit for your living room. Furnitop.co.uk is the place to find stylish furniture in a loft style. Browse our unique collections and find your dream model. Looking for a low-profile, closed shelving unit? The BETO 100 in black offers plenty of shelves hidden behind elegant fronts decorated with subtle milling. The lightweight LYKKE SV6 shelving unit will complement Scandinavian and soft-loft interiors. The light colors and wooden legs will visually lighten the space. You'll also find plenty of space for small items in the SAMBI shelving unit, featuring an attractive graphite and wood color scheme.
Summary - which industrial shelf is best to choose?
When choosing a loft-style shelving unit, pay attention to the material it's made of. Most often, it's metal, solid wood, MDF, or laminated furniture board. If you want to enjoy a modern living room but also want a cozy and warm atmosphere, choose a model with a wooden body or front. For ultra-industrial designs, shelving units in shades of concrete, stone, or steel. We present interesting proposals in various versions on our store website. We invite you for some inspiration!
