What is it that denotes an industrial living space? Exposed bricks, beams, ducts and/or pipes, and furnishings that come from a factory, certainly, but these elements are not entirely necessary. Found objects, re-purposed and salvaged pieces, vintage ephemera and hand-crafted items that can also serve as focal points and spark conversation will also do it. Here’s how you can create warehouse style in your home.

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Key to this style is a weathered, ‘wear and tear’ look. This can be achieved many ways. Here, a heat gun, as well as black and brown shoe polish, has been used to give the TV cabinet an aged appearance.

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A large metal or distressed papier-mâché letter adds a bold graphic element, as does Vintage signage. And consider incorporating well-used or rusty old tins and everyday kitchen utensils for an eclectic feel. Paint one or, at most, two pieces an industrial red or vivid orange. But remember, too much of a good thing is just that – too much.

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Accessorise with cushions that instantly bring to mind New York’s SoHo district, with its industrial buildings, boasting the world’s greatest collection of cast-iron architecture. Nearby neighbourhoods include Greenwich Village, Little Italy and TriBeCa.

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Great ideas from Tara

- Check out your local salvage yard for unique elements such as wood or metal stools. You can also try eBay for other ‘vintage industrial’ items. Or you can create your own vintage-look eye chart using MDF board and stickers from office supply stores.

- Take one big, standard, uninspiring timber TV unit and ‘industrialise’ it, giving it an urban effect with a distressed finish and metal-look painted drawers. Also, show off utilitarian items such as a retro fan, allowing them to be seen and recognised as sculpture.

- Recycle, re-purpose and re-use, as pre-loved materials are suited to industrial-style decorating. Try your hand at this interesting DIY coffee table cum book nook, made from an old cable reel. Search online to find your own wooden cable reel.

- Choose paint for your walls in colours and textures you would expect to find in an old warehouse. Go for deeper, warmer, greyish or stone-coloured neutrals. Dulux Pony Express fits the bill, especially for a feature wall. For added texture, keep an eye out for faux stone-effect paints.

Click here for PATTERN SHEET

Industrial elements for your room

- Choose clean-lined, no-fuss furnishings and furniture. A single accent chair is enough to make a statement.

- Recycle and re-use – so instead of an everyday door, you could re-purpose an old door on a track.

- Metal accents suit the industrial look. Opt for metal light fixtures that would not have looked out of place in a factory or warehouse in times past – think factory pendants.

- As this is not a glam look, select matt finishes, as well as those pieces with a worn surface that comes only with age. Of course, you can cheat it!

- Rough-hewn, weathered and worn wood pieces, plus concrete, are primary elements of this decorating style. So, wherever possible, incorporate salvaged and recycled materials. Think how easy it is to use reclaimed commercial shelving as an attractive home for books, or battered wooden crates for stylish, unpretentious under-table storage.

- Scour salvage yards, surplus stores and auction houses for old school desks, library shelves and cabinets. It won’t be long before you view these seemingly boring pieces with fresh eyes.

- Texture comes courtesy of wear and tear, and even flaky paint. So seek out furniture and pieces with this kind of raw appeal.

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