The Industrial-style bathroom

Modern with clean lines

Raw and unfinished, with a precisely minimalist feel – that’s the best way to describe the industrial style. Just as it has in other living spaces, the industrial look in bathrooms is becoming increasingly popular. This is where modern design meets stylish imperfection, where clean geometry and minimalist restraint blend with intentional flaws to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Discover how to design your own industrial-style bathroom and find out what truly defines the look.

Materials, shapes and colors for an industrial-style bathroom

In its beginnings, the industrial style turned necessity into a virtue: Old industrial buildings were especially cheap to rent, and, starting in the 1960s, they were increasingly converted into apartments. Since tenants renting these spaces often couldn’t afford lavish furnishings or expensive renovations, the look evolved with its bare walls, exposed pipes, and soaring ceilings. Industrial design in the bathroom is defined by the following:

Duravit DuraSquare washbasin on metal console in front of wall with illuminated mirror

Materials

Duravit D-Neo bathroom with sink area and bathtub

The right colors

The color palette is generally kept deep and understated. Gray and black underscore the understated style and work perfectly together with both modern bathroom design and minimalist concepts. A white bathroom in an industrial style can also work well, though the color accents in this case should otherwise focus on dark wood, exposed brick, and bathroom plants, if desired. Earthy or rusty tones work well in subtle accents.

Detailed view of a bathtub from the DuraSquare series

Design language

Designing an industrial-style bathroom

Thanks to its emphasis on clean lines, the industrial-style bathroom works perfectly in combination with many modern bathroom elements.

Close-up of a DuraSquare washbasin on a metal console

Sink area

The perfect sink area in industrial style combines the previously mentioned elements perfectly. Metal base cabinets and consoles bring just the right material quality into play. Sink faucets in bronze or brushed brass can also add small highlights, and black faucets can also achieve the same exceptional effect. Our tip: The washbasin console from the DuraSquare series combines glass and metal elements.

Duravit Bento Starck Box freestanding bathtub

Freestanding bathtubs

Lighting

Even though these interiors are generally on the darker side, an Industrial-style bathroom should still get as much natural light as possible. This keeps the overall impression vibrant, and large windows will only enhance the look even more. Even with artificial lighting, the room shouldn’t be too bright – mirror cabinets with dimmable lighting are especially useful here since they also blend well into the glass look.

Industrial-style bathroom with DuraSquare bathtub and Stonetto shower tray

Accessories

Implementation tips

The unfinished character makes a lot of things easier in industrial-style bathrooms. When combined with minimalist furnishings, you can create an extremely stylish bathroom with relatively little effort and expense.

ME by Starck vanity with mirror in front of concrete wall

Make use of existing elements

Industrial-style bathroom with DuraSquare bathtub and sink area

Modern with clean lines

Materials, shapes and colors for an industrial-style bathroom

Designing an industrial-style bathroom

Implementation tips

Make use of existing elements

Minimalist, yet inviting