The timelessness of steel makes it a material that is always at the forefront of interior design. Thanks to its use, styles such as industrial decoration prevail to this day since it started.
In the 1950s, the city of New York became the scenario for the emergence of a new style of decoration, in which steel was the protagonist. Both immigrants and US citizens began to reuse abandoned factories and warehouses to inhabit them as their new homes.
Although these were considered houses for lower-class people, in the beginning, the spaces with high ceilings and large windows quickly became a trend due to their predominant characteristics, framed by their visible structural elements.
Industrial style is still current thanks to the timelessness and versatility of steel.
What is Industrial Decoration?
This style is characterized by exposing construction materials typical of industrialization, such as concrete, wood, glass, and, of course, steel. In decoration, the following are the most predominant characteristics:
- Sober tones: Grey, blue, white, or black colors. Which, thanks to their visual effect, make spaces look larger. Another option to achieve this effect is the use of steel sheets to cover walls.
- Dark floors: Whether they are made of natural cement or wood, the somber tones for the floor are essential in the decoration.
- Large windows: Natural lighting is essential to counteract the darkness of the materials. To do this, you have to make the most of the large windows that face the outside.
- Combination of elements: Harmony is one of the qualities that stands out the most in this trend. For this reason, it is possible to combine pieces, such as wooden tables with iron lamps or cement chairs.
Steel: the protagonist in decoration trends
Its versatility, malleability, and easy handling make it adaptive to the industrial style, both aesthetically and functionally, meeting the needs of each space.
According to the World Steel Association, this is the most important industrial and construction material and “is used in all aspects of life [...]. In addition, it can be recycled repeatedly without losing its properties”, which allows it to have specific uses and be available indefinitely.
Generally speaking, steel is found in a variety of industrial-style environments, including:
Steel in furniture
- Lamps
- Sofas and chairs with metal frames
- Bars
- Home appliances
- Shelves
- Decoration items
Steel in structure
- Beams
- Columns
- Stairs
- Pipelines
Steel is present in all aspects of daily life thanks to its versatility and malleability.
For ANDI (National Business Association of Colombia), the most representative economic association of the production platform, this is an element that came here to stay. Its flexibility, resistance, and other mechanical attributes mean that no other component will replace it.
According to ANDI's Colombian Committee of Steel Producers, "history has been built with steel, a material of great vitality that has been a symbol of development and progress since the steel industry has become the backbone of modernity."
At Ternium we are aware that the use of steel for decoration is increasingly common, due to its sustainability and versatility, which makes it a fundamental component within an industry that responds to the housing needs of the users. For this reason, we remain firm in our commitment to strengthen our services to contribute to construction and progress in quality.