Whilst comfort and cosiness matter throughout the year, there is perhaps no time of the year when that intangible feeling of warmth matters more than during the cold winter months, when you seek out that comfort like a soft blanket.

However, this desire for cosy, relaxing, intimate spaces at home can sometimes feel at odds with our propensity for the beautiful utilitarian minimalism that comes from industrial interior design. Brushed metal and concrete are typically cool to the touch, after all.

With 15 years of working with industrial materials from reclaimed scaffold boards to the same metal and raw concrete elements that are now foundational to modern interior design, we are not only aware of the character and history of these materials, but also how they can be used to their fullest extent to bring warmth to your home.

In this how-to guide, we are not only going to give you some expert advice on simple steps you can take to incorporate warmth and softness into your industrial interior without losing the edge that makes it special, but also explain why this matters over the winter.

Much of what we appreciate about warmth in interior design can be explained by the Danish word ‘hygge’.

Hygge is as much a philosophy and lifestyle as it is an interior design style, but it describes a particularly Scandinavian sense of comfort, cosiness and togetherness, all of which are perfectly fitting for winter.

That particular kind of warmth is important for our mental and physical health, as well as our relationships to others. This is why the living room, historically the centre of the family, has focused on this warm sense of togetherness.

We help to keep that sense of warmth and togetherness alive through our collection of furniture made from reclaimed scaffold board. In particular, our beautiful dining tables are ideal for a hygge-inspired dining room.

How Does Warmth Make A Room Feel Cosier?

• It adds charm and a personable ambience.
• It is more welcoming and inviting.
• It encourages being social with those who matter most.
• There is a greater appreciation for place, space and ourselves.
• It is more relaxing, peaceful and soothing for mental health.

By contrast, industrial settings are often associated with a sense of coldness, but this is not only an inevitability and somewhat necessary to maintain to an extent, it is also not necessarily bad.

The single concept that connects all industries together is economy; industrial facilities aim to make the most out of the least, which typically means stripping furniture to its bare elements.

Industrial design celebrates this raw sense of design; it does not hide the concrete, brickwork and metal that make up the structural core of the building, and every piece of furniture is designed to fulfil its purpose without the need for extra ornamentation.

This simplicity is itself extremely beautiful, and that is a significant part of the appeal of our shelving kits; the scaffold board base and supporting brackets are all on display and give the shelves their characteristic look and feel.

The coldness of industrial settings is a consequence of taking the architectural concept of “form follows function” to its natural conclusion.

A consequence of relying on functional materials is a sense of emptiness and hollowness, typically the result of the characteristic echo you hear in an industrial loft with a solid floor and no furnishings.

The Key Features Of Industrial Design That Feel Cold

• A lack of softness.
• A focus on solid, raw, long-lasting materials such as metal and concrete.
• A feeling of emptiness.
• Sleek lines.
• A focus on utilitarian minimalism.

It can sometimes feel as if cosy decor and industrial design sensibilities cannot coexist, but in reality, the opposite is the case. 

After all, there are a lot of common traits between industrial interior design and hygge-inspired trends such as Scandinavian minimalism and Japandi.

This is a huge reason why so many of our living and dining accessories, such as our chopping and charcuterie boards, look just as good on a Modern Farmhouse dining table as they do in an industrial loft.

There are a lot of ways to add softness to industrial settings, but here are five of the most important:

Use Natural Materials

People are biophilic by nature; we love anything that gives us a connection to the natural world around us.

The most important element of this is natural materials, but this is not incompatible with industry at all; after all, our furniture, fixtures, fittings and cladding are made from reclaimed scaffold boards used precisely because they are the best and most economical material in construction.

However, whilst scaffold boards have exposed woodgrain because ultimately it does not affect how well they function as a platform, this texture is perfect for adding comfort, warmth and a connection to nature.

As well as this, incorporate natural fibres and designs for flooring, wall decoration and furniture that celebrate and connect us to the natural world.

Add Warm Lighting

Industrial lighting fixtures are beautiful, but the traditional harsh lights used in factories tend to be too harsh and can lead to eye strain and eye fatigue.

A simple fix for this is to opt for warm light bulbs or vintage lighting, which bathes your living space in a much more comfortable light temperature closer to candles than office lights.

Add Layered, Soft Textures

A simple, affordable way to make any room feel more comfortable involves adding a soft, thick pile rug, cushions and more naturally textured soft upholstery.

This works not only for the obvious reason that it literally makes the room softer, but many soft textures are also naturally derived, which is inherently connected to warm, cosy spaces.

Incorporate Greenery

Whether you add tiny plants or succulents to shelving or incorporate a rustic planter on the back wall, adding greenery helps to break up the greys, silvers and terracotta colours that typically permeate industrial spaces.

Use Soft, Naturalistic Curves

Most industrial spaces are defined by clean, straight lines with no wasted material or motion. Metal support beams, minimalist tables and industrial shelving all rely on that straight, sharp silhouette.

Break it up with curved furniture and wall fixtures. A circular mirror, soft armchairs and beautiful canvas paintings can break up the utilitarian space and create a wonderfully warm finish.

• Use natural materials, especially characterful reclaimed wooden boards.
• Use warm ambient lighting, augmented with task and accent lights as needed.
• Add layers of soft textured textiles and cosy accessories.
• Add greenery to shelving.
• Add soft curves to break up the utilitarian design.

Ready to bring warmth and authenticity to your industrial space? Explore our collection of reclaimed scaffold boards, each with a character and history that can bridge the gap that makes any building feel like home.