Why Does Industrial Interior Design Sometimes Look Cheap? How Material Selection Makes the Difference
Avoid "Fake Materials"
The biggest reason an interior can look cheap is the overuse of "fake materials," such as wood-grain sheets and painted plastic made to look metallic. The essence of industrial design lies in the weight of the materials.
Choose "solid wood" and "real iron or brass."Even if you cannot furnish everything this way, having just one "authentic" piece where the eye naturally falls will change the credibility of the entire space.
Create a Contrast in Texture
If you use only cold, hard materials like iron and concrete, the space can feel desolate and unsettling.
Combining them with the warm impression of brass, or with wood, leather, and linen, creates a well-balanced space. Of course, you can also use parkerized steel or chrome to create a cool, modern atmosphere.
Use Lighting to Create Deep Shadows
Lighting the entire room evenly can make the texture of the materials look flat and highlight any cheapness. In an industrial space, use pendant lights and wall lights to illuminate "limited areas" and create deep shadows. The way metal with a pronounced texture glows softly in the shadows brings an overwhelming sense of luxury to the space.
Here’s the key!
Attention to Detail: Unify the "metallic texture" of everything from the texture of the cords to the switch plates and even individual screws. This "accumulation of details" is what completes a sophisticated industrial interior.
Rather than a mere jumble of items, why not aim for a cohesive space that reflects a respect for materials?
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