Modern industrial interior design is about exposing all that lies beneath to achieve raw, edgy style. The industrial-chic aesthetic, which really took hold in the late 2000s, is still going strong for commercial environments. The style celebrates humble materials, infusing spaces with a weathered, worn quality that resonates with many. The industrial look is a balancing act between form and function, allowing designers to juxtapose the raw with the refined in a way that results in a somewhat unfinished look that is at the same time cohesive and chic.

A Very Brief History of Industrial Interior Design

Abandoned industrial buildings such as urban warehouses, factories, and packing plants were the wellspring of modern industrial design. It was in the 1960s and 70s that artists living in Lower Manhattan and New England reclaimed these cavernous structures for their housing and studios. They were cheap digs, but better yet, with their innate character, high ceilings, and floods of light, they fostered creativity.

Eventually, old warehouses and factories went from hard-up artists’ shelters to being sought out by affluent urban professionals for housing as well as by commercial entities such as restaurants, hotels, coffee shops and retail boutiques. Distressed concrete or wood floors, exposed brick walls, aged pipes, and industrial lighting are the coveted hallmarks of these well-used and loved buildings. Part of the beauty of these old urban structures lies in the stories told by their imperfections.

Industrial Style Expands

The industrial interior design style has transcended its urban roots and the look can be found anywhere, even in the suburbs. The elements of industrial style are not difficult to embrace, and the look can be achieved without having to knock down walls to expose bricks or lay structural beams bare. Thanks to advanced porcelain tile design and manufacturing capabilities, we now have tile options that emulate materials like exposed brick and distressed concrete and wood – but with performance characteristics unrivaled by their ‘real’ counterparts. Here’s how GIO can help you get the look.

Exposed Brick Looks

Exposed brick walls in an interior space undeniably add character and raw charm. But if you aren’t fortunate to have brick walls waiting to be revealed, Brick and NEO_Brick are excellent alternatives for achieving the look. These lines offer the authentic appearance of brick with its versatile, urban character, with all the durability and easy maintenance of porcelain tile.

Concrete-Like Flooring

Concrete floors are a hallmark of many industrial buildings, and both our Fusion, and Progetto lines offer the look of concrete with superior durability unmatched by the real thing.

Distressed & Reclaimed Wood Looks

Wood floors also work well for industrial design themes. Vintage wood looks can add warmth to a contemporary industrial design providing a great contrast to the cool metallic elements you’ll find in industrial-style spaces. Capture the time-worn look aged or reclaimed wood floors with our durable and easy-to-maintain Barnwood, Provenza, Petrified, porcelain planks.

These are just some of our curated tile styles that you depend on to answer to the latest trends in commercial flooring design. GIO Tile brings you only the finest commercial-grade products, hand-picked from global sources based on our focused knowledge of what you need to transform commercial spaces. Contact us anytime – we’re here to work with you!