Soft Industrial Chic for London Apartments: How to Warm Up a Minimal, Open-Plan Space
That’s exactly what Studio Akiva achieved in their Industrial Chic Apartment on the Isle of Dogs, a London riverside home that balances industrial texture with contemporary warmth.
In this post, we’ll break down how that project reimagines industrial style for a modern London apartment – and how you can apply the same space planning and styling ideas at home.
Why “Soft Industrial” Is So Right for UK Homes
Industrial chic originally took its cues from old factories and warehouses: exposed brick, visible services, concrete, metal and big open spaces.
The current UK direction is a little different:
Industrial bones, softer finish – raw textures are still there, but balanced with warm wood, textiles and softer lighting, part of a wider shift towards “warm minimalism” and soft minimalism in interiors. (Furniture And Choice)
Character without clutter – people still love the moody, built-to-last feel of industrial interiors, but want something more liveable and personal. (Homes and Gardens)
Perfect for open-plan spaces – black accents, simple lines and honest materials work brilliantly in open-plan kitchen–living rooms, which are increasingly common in UK city apartments. (Furniture And Choice)
Studio Akiva’s London project is a textbook example of this softer approach – industrial, yes, but calm, organised and inviting.
The Case Study: An Industrial Chic London Apartment
This project started with a clear brief: a professional male client in the tech industry wanting his riverside apartment transformed into a cohesive, modern home.
The scope covered:
A new kitchen with proper breakfast and dining areas
A full rethink of the open-plan layout
Updated lighting and electrics
Bespoke furniture and wall décor
Connecting the client with a trusted contractor and managing the works end-to-end
In other words: everything needed to take the space from “nice enough flat” to “designed home” – without the client having to juggle trades, deliveries and endless decisions alone.
Space Planning First: Making Open-Plan Actually Work
Industrial style often shines in open-plan spaces – but only if the layout is right. Otherwise, you’re left with one large, echoey room and nowhere that feels truly comfortable.
In this London apartment, Studio Akiva used space planning to define clear zones while keeping the room bright and flowing:
The kitchen peninsula extends towards the river, subtly marking the transition from kitchen to living area.
The BORA hob sits centrally on the peninsula, turning the cooking zone into a sociable hub where you can cook, chat and enjoy the view at the same time.
The open-plan layout remains visually spacious, but the way the furniture, joinery and lighting are arranged creates a natural rhythm from cooking to dining to relaxing.
For UK homeowners searching for open plan living room ideas UK, this is a key takeaway:
Don’t start with decoration – start with how you move through the space, where you cook, eat, work and unwind. Good layout is what makes industrial chic feel intentional rather than cold.
The Kitchen: Industrial Lines, Warm Details
The kitchen was designed as the heart of the apartment – sleek and contemporary, but with plenty of storage and warmth. (STUDIO AKIVA)
Key elements you can borrow for your own home:
Streamlined cabinetry
Tall wall-hung units, matte base units and deep drawers hide pull-out storage and utilities, keeping everything calm and clutter-free.A “soft” industrial palette
The base of the scheme is industrial-inspired: cool greys and blue tones, strong lines, minimal hardware. But it’s carefully softened with:Rustic oak flooring
Wooden accents
A soft glass splashback in Farrow & Ball’s Parma Gray
This mirrors the broader UK trend of pairing monochrome, industrial elements with warmth and texture – think black accents plus wood, soft fabrics and layered lighting rather than stark grey-on-grey. (Furniture And Choice)
Lighting that does more than one job
Integrated lighting brightens the worktop area, while open shelving and carefully placed fixtures add depth. Combined with the natural light from the windows, the effect is bright but atmospheric – not harsh.
The result is a kitchen that feels luxurious yet understated – very much in line with the “quiet luxury” and soft minimalism trends we're seeing in design right now. (Woman & Home)
Living & Dining: Framing Views and Layering Texture
Beyond the kitchen, the open-plan living and dining area is flooded with natural light from full-height windows overlooking the Thames. Studio Akiva chose to make this the star of the show:
The floor-to-ceiling windows become a defining feature, framing sweeping riverside views and grounding the entire scheme in its context.
A palette of neutrals, blues, greys and black accents keeps things calm and timeless, while continuous oak flooring visually stitches the space together.
Over the dining table, a Louis Poulsen pendant light acts as a sculptural focal point – adding a gentle glow and a hint of playful, Scandinavian elegance to an otherwise minimal scheme.
To avoid the room feeling too hard-edged, they layered in:
Custom furniture and clever storage
A white brick feature wall for extra depth and texture
Industrial accents (like dark metal frameworks) balanced with soft furnishings and clean-lined seating
The effect is what many UK homeowners are craving right now: a space that feels modern and urban, but also relaxing – the kind of living room you can imagine curling up in at the end of the day.
Bespoke Storage: The “Quiet Hero” of the Space
One standout element is the bespoke storage unit in the living area, designed to echo the warmth of the engineered oak flooring.
It combines:
Natural oak cabinetry
A dark metal framework for industrial contrast
A mix of open shelving and concealed storage, so everyday items are hidden away while favourite objects can be displayed
This is industrial chic at its most grown-up: rather than buying a set of mismatched shelves, the storage becomes a piece of architecture in its own right – part sculpture, part workhorse.
How to Bring Soft Industrial Chic into Your Own UK Home
You don’t need a Thames-front apartment to use these ideas. Here are some practical steps for UK homeowners wanting a similar feel:
1. Start with Space Planning
Before you choose a single tile or pendant light, look at:
How you move through the room
Where you naturally want to sit, work, eat and relax
Whether a peninsula, island or dining table could help define zones
Even in a small London flat, thoughtful space planning can make an open-plan room feel intentional instead of awkward.
2. Choose 3–4 Key Industrial Elements
To avoid going overboard, pick just a handful of “industrial” features, such as:
Black metal frames or legs
A brick or textured feature wall
Exposed or track lighting
Crittall-style glazing or black-framed windows
Then soften them with wood, textiles and warm lighting so the overall feel is more soft industrial than stark.
3. Layer in Warmth with Wood and Textiles
Follow the Industrial Chic Apartment’s lead:
Pair cooler tones (blues, greys, black accents) with oak or walnut flooring and furniture.
Add texture through rugs, upholstery and cushions – think natural fibres, boucle, wool or linen rather than high-shine finishes. (Furniture And Choice)
4. Treat Lighting as Part of the Architecture
In an industrial chic scheme, lighting is everything:
Use downlights or discreet ceiling lights for general illumination.
Add wall lights and a characterful pendant (like the Louis Poulsen feature in this project) for visual interest and softness.
Consider LED strips within shelving or cabinetry to highlight textures and objects.
5. Invest Where It Counts
If your budget isn’t endless (whose is?), focus on:
A well-planned kitchen that truly suits how you cook and live
A bespoke or semi-bespoke storage wall in your living room
One or two truly great lighting pieces
Then use more affordable options for accessories and smaller furniture around them.
How Studio Akiva Can Help UK Homeowners
One reason this London apartment looks so effortless is that Studio Akiva didn’t just design the look – they handled the entire journey, from concept to completion.
Their services for UK clients include:
Space Planning – optimising your layout so open-plan spaces flow beautifully
Interior Design & Styling – defining your palette, finishes, furniture and lighting
Fixed-price online design packages (such as their Open Plan Package and Post Design Support Package), perfect if you’re short on time but want a professional concept to follow.
Procurement & trade-discount management – sourcing fixtures, furniture and finishes at designer rates, and coordinating orders with trusted contractors.
If you’re a UK homeowner planning a renovation or looking for industrial chic apartment London inspiration, working with a studio that understands both design and logistics can be the difference between “nice Pinterest board” and “finished home”.
To explore space planning, styling and full interior design services tailored to UK homes, you can find out more at www.studioakiva.com – and start planning your own soft industrial chic transformation.
