A lot has changed since the old days of traditional interior design. It’s becoming more rare to find homes complete with curved wooden furniture, lush carpets, chandeliers, and large rock fireplaces. And while there are many who wouldn’t even consider living in a home that isn’t replete with this kind of furniture and decor, many have turned to more modernist styles.

Modernist designs are a stark divergence from the traditional designs of the past. In most cases, the result is the polar opposite of traditional; neutral colors pallets, metal and plastic, sharp angles, and an overall straightforward aesthetic.

Here we’ll be discussing two interesting interior design styles that have deviated from tradition.

Minimalist Interior Design

Minimalism is all about throwing out any unnecessary filler or fluff, leaving only the bare-bones essentials. That said, minimalism shouldn’t merely be thought of as “less”, but rather, “doing more with less”.

The various furniture in a minimalist home – kitchen counter, sink, couch, coffee table, computer desk – is arranged in such a way that their utility and function is emphasized over all else. The effect is a well-organized, simple, and open space that many find brings comfort and peace of mind.

While minimalist design emphasizes utility, its aesthetic nature shouldn’t be understated either. Minimalism achieves aesthetic appeal in its own way; the stark differences in color (mainly black, white, and grey with the sudden accent of deep red or blue), the artistic relationship between different spatial geometries and angles of various furniture, flat window shades, and the overall Zen feel of minimalist design is something from which many people derive a great sense of comfort and peace.

The main factors in minimalist design include:

Utility

Form and function are combined as much as possible in minimalism. The environment is made to be as clean, fluid, and efficient as possible, and color palettes are calm and simple – black, grey, blue, white.

Sharp Distinctions

There is little room for confusion as to where one area ends and another begins in minimalist design. The walls are often sharply divided by complete color distinctions, tables are simple and flat, there are no gaudy frames or transitional areas, and the kitchen cabinet will likely store dishes comprised of one or two simple colors (often black and white).

Multifarious materials are also often used in minimalism, giving further contrast between one area and another.

Industrial Interior Design

Often seen in big cities, industrial design incorporates the interior structure of a building into the decor. Structures that would otherwise be seen as merely utilitarian are given a surprisingly human quality and incorporated into the design aesthetic itself. 

Industrial design makes decorative use of:

• Stripped flooring
• Ceiling beams
• Visible ducts
• Iron railings
• Pipes
• Bricks

Some of the main elements of industrial design include:

Pipes, Ducts, & Beams

This is one of the most defining factors in industrial design. Usually these structures would be covered up, but instead they’re made an integral part of the design itself. If done correctly, this can give a feel to your home that is both human and mechanical at once; it brings the building’s history and form into your actual living space.

Cold, Metallic Colors (With the Occasional Warm Accent)

Most industrial interior design involves black, white, and grey colors with the occasional blue or red as an accent. This is done both to break up the monotony of the simple color tone and add a bit of warmth to the overall design.

The accent color could be in the form of a piece of furniture, a wall, or both.

Atmospheric Lighting

Lighting plays an important role in industrial design. The focus is usually calm, atmospheric lighting that one might find after hours in a warehouse. This is achieved usually in the form of track lighting, the devices of which are typically purposefully worn or “distressed” looking with plenty of metal-finish. This makes a great accommodation to the industrial aesthetic.

Brick & Concrete Walls

Walls are usually comprised of materials that would be covered up in other designs. Concrete and brick are the most common materials used in industrial design. They can be clean cut or aged, depending on your preference.

Floors

Industrial design often incorporates polish concrete floors. They can have various imperfections purposeful left in, or be smooth and consistent. 

Making It More Human

Industrial design usually involves various plants and soft, lavish furniture to bring an overall human appearance to the otherwise cold and mechanical surroundings.

The outcome is a paradoxical combination of the human and the machine. For many, this is a very comfortable place to relax and call home.