Decorating Guides
Steampunk Décor: Where Victorian Vintage Meets Industrial Chic
We break down the what, why and how-to of this unusual style
It’s dark, dreamy and moody. It’s defined by soft curves juxtaposed against hard, raw surfaces. It’s where industrial elements take centre stage while sweet vintage details peek through. In terms of literature, it’s a world of Jules Verne’s fabulous tales of the submarine Nautilus, where H.G. Well defied the laws of physics in The Time Machine, and Alan Moore brought to life The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
While this style is not well known when it comes to interior design, it is definitely gaining popularity. It features an enticing mix of elegant Victorian accessories with strong industrial elements, blending rough textures with polished surfaces. Think vintage glass chandeliers with a dark iron framework paired with tan leather sofas and distressed metal desks. Within this style, there exists a sense of comfortable luxury combined with the desire to discover, travel and explore.
The underlying themes
Let’s start with the basic theme this style explores, which is that of the 19th century’s spirit of invention and discovery. Industrialism and all forms of travel play a big role here. Consider features like wallpaper displaying a vintage world map as an accent wall, antique grandfather clocks with exposed gears and salvaged metal lamps with uncovered Edison light bulbs.
Let’s start with the basic theme this style explores, which is that of the 19th century’s spirit of invention and discovery. Industrialism and all forms of travel play a big role here. Consider features like wallpaper displaying a vintage world map as an accent wall, antique grandfather clocks with exposed gears and salvaged metal lamps with uncovered Edison light bulbs.
This airy reading nook displays a strong industrial and nautical theme. The appeal of steampunk decor lies in the marvellous inventions of that time, where you could see the inner workings of gadgets and steam-powered machines. This gear sculpture by Iron Anarchy is the perfect example of this decor style.
The colours
Usually deep colours dominate this style, such as black, dark brown, bottle green, blood red, burnt orange and dark blue, offset with pockets of lighter shades like sepia, cream, and soft grey. The colour palette is enhanced by metal tones and metallic accents.
Usually deep colours dominate this style, such as black, dark brown, bottle green, blood red, burnt orange and dark blue, offset with pockets of lighter shades like sepia, cream, and soft grey. The colour palette is enhanced by metal tones and metallic accents.
Take a look at this powder room. It features polished copper pipes against a black tile background. The black wallpaper displays soft motifs that lend a Victorian feel to the space and the exposed filament-bulb wall lights bring in just the right amount of vintage appeal. The beaten-copper sink and faucets pair perfectly with the pale marble counter, while adding warm-toned highlights to the space.
The materials and textures
Part of the appeal of this style is to juxtapose traditionally masculine textures with feminine ones, so think of combinations such as heavy leather sofas backed by soft drapes or a salvaged-wood and distressed-metal bench softened by Victorian lace throw cushions. Salvaged wood, old furniture, distressed metal – all find a home within this style. Steel, copper, iron, bronze and brass are the most popular metals used in furniture pieces and décor accessories. You could cover one wall with an industrial-inspired wallpaper and pair it with soft bed linen, or look for pieces like a repurposed wood centre table that rests on vintage cast-iron furniture casters.
Part of the appeal of this style is to juxtapose traditionally masculine textures with feminine ones, so think of combinations such as heavy leather sofas backed by soft drapes or a salvaged-wood and distressed-metal bench softened by Victorian lace throw cushions. Salvaged wood, old furniture, distressed metal – all find a home within this style. Steel, copper, iron, bronze and brass are the most popular metals used in furniture pieces and décor accessories. You could cover one wall with an industrial-inspired wallpaper and pair it with soft bed linen, or look for pieces like a repurposed wood centre table that rests on vintage cast-iron furniture casters.
In this guest bedroom, vintage leather furniture complements the berry-coloured silk drapes. This decor style also borrows a few elements from industrial chic décor like exposed pipes and brick or concrete walls, while pairing them with more classic and moody accessories.
How to ‘steampunk’ your home
The best way to work with steampunk decor is to incorporate a few elements and work them into your space. For the wall colours, try light grey or pale olive and bring in darker elements with accessories and furnishings. If you are working with a nautical steampunk theme, then creamy white and sea blue can be your base colours. This Singapore apartment lightly hints at the steampunk concept with the round wood-and-iron side table. The leather armchair with brass rivets pairs perfectly with the textured grey walls.
The best way to work with steampunk decor is to incorporate a few elements and work them into your space. For the wall colours, try light grey or pale olive and bring in darker elements with accessories and furnishings. If you are working with a nautical steampunk theme, then creamy white and sea blue can be your base colours. This Singapore apartment lightly hints at the steampunk concept with the round wood-and-iron side table. The leather armchair with brass rivets pairs perfectly with the textured grey walls.
This kitchenette is another great example of using a few steampunk-inspired elements and pairing them with a modern aesthetic. The gas pipes and salvaged-wood wine rack, along with the industrial-style light fixture, lend a steampunk vibe to the contemporary space.
Your walls are the perfect blank canvas to experiment with. If the dark and moody side of steampunk doesn’t appeal to you, consider a lighter version like this accent wall covered in gear-patterned wallpaper.
With furniture and decorative accents, the key is to bring in a few raw surfaces and metal pieces. Consider antique-style globes, a chest in rough-textured metal, antique iron bar-stools, vintage leather trunks with straps and buckles, or old gadgets like typewriters, barometers and telescopes. Accessories like vintage aviator goggles, an industrial-inspired hourglass or gear-styled bookends also find a home within this style.
If you want to decorate your walls with framed pictures, choose themes like sepia-toned photographs, vintage-inspired botanical prints, hand-drawn airplane sketches, technical drawings, or vintage maps with nautical embellishments.
Amore Wall Light Of L 32 X H 30 X W 13 inches In Antique Finish (LL-W-6020-3 CYC
When it comes to light fixtures, choose pieces that celebrate the mechanical, such as a wall fixture comprising steel pipes, exposed bulbs, and valves for switches, or a floor lamp with a caged lantern and the wire attached to a pulley system. The same material palette can also be used to create a unique bookshelf with salvaged or natural-finish wood for shelves.
Read more:
14 Beautiful Chandeliers for All Spaces
11 Breathtaking Black Bathrooms
Tell us:
How would you ‘steampunk’ your home? Share in Comments below.
Read more:
14 Beautiful Chandeliers for All Spaces
11 Breathtaking Black Bathrooms
Tell us:
How would you ‘steampunk’ your home? Share in Comments below.
Loosely defined, steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that has a historical setting and features steam-powered machinery and inventions that were highly advanced for that time. The style is usually based in Victorian Britain, which brings in a lot of those soft vintage elements. It also portrays a time of exploration, discovery, science and inventions, which introduces the era’s raw features like gears, metal and unfinished surfaces.
Having leapt off the pages of literary classics, it has also turned into a fantasy world of cosplay, with elaborate costumes and working inventions. The style has also slowly crept into popular fashion and home décor.