For our latest lookbook, we’ve selected 10 warehouse conversions that have transformed industrial buildings into welcoming homes with charm and character.
Built for storing large amounts of manufactured goods, warehouses have practical designs characterised by exposed structures and unfinished surfaces, including exposed brickwork, revealed joists, concrete floors, steel window frames and uncovered pipework.
Their interiors are often considered cold and uninviting, but their high ceilings and large open-plan layouts make warehouses ideal for family homes and hybrid work and living spaces.
Below, Dezeen has rounded up 10 examples of converted warehouse interiors that celebrate industrial details and introduce elements that turn the space into a warm and inviting home.
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring bedrooms with cleverly disguised wardrobes, neutral living rooms with warm tones that create a sense of cosiness and Victorian and Georgian homes with contemporary living rooms.
Earthrise Studio, UK, by Studio McW
Architecture practice Studio McW aimed to enhance the building’s original features when converting this 1924 warehouse in London into a home office and living space.
Industrial elements such as steel windows, brickwork and exposed concrete beams were contrasted with softer textures introduced to the space, including timber floorboards and clay wall finishes.
Find out more about Earthrise Studio ›
10AM Lofts, Greece, by Studio Andrew Trotter, Gavalas Ioannidou Architecture and Eva Papadaki
This former warehouse in Athens was transformed into a penthouse and multi-purpose event space by Spanish design practice Studio Andrew Trotter and local studios Gavalas Ioannidou Architecture and Eva Papadaki.
The 1970s building was stripped back to reveal its concrete structure. The addition of new windows and white-painted walls lightened the interior, and vintage furnishings were used to soften the project’s industrial appearance.
Find out more about 10AM Lofts ›
Redfern Warehouse, Australia, by Ian Moore Architects
For this warehouse conversion in Sydney, local firm Ian Moore Architects stripped back the original structure and extended the building with contemporary elements indicative of its industrial past.
In the large open-plan kitchen and dining area, glass louvres and windows in metal frames extend to the roof’s ridge and overlook an internal courtyard.
Find out more about Redfern Warehouse ›
Defoe Road, UK, by James Davies
James Davies, founder of London architecture studio Paper House Project, was informed by the Albert Docks in Liverpool and the Tate Modern gallery’s Turbine Hall when transforming this Hackney warehouse into his own two-bedroom home.
Windows and skylights were added to flood double-height living spaces with natural light. Davies worked closely with an engineer to minimise the amount of visible structure in the open-plan interior, achieving a clean, minimalist design.
Find out more about Defoe Road ›
St John Street, UK, by Emil Eve Architects
Oak joinery, glazed tiles and terrazzo flooring add warmth and colour to this converted warehouse apartment in London, designed by architecture studio Emil Eve Architects.
Original concrete columns were used to zone the open-plan lounge space, dining area and kitchen, while partition walls with built-in storage were introduced to separate the other rooms in the long, narrow apartment.
Find out more about St John Street ›
Dirk and the Chocolate Factory, Spain, by Anna and Eugeni Bach
Architecture studio Anna and Eugeni Bach designed exposed green-painted metal beams to support the original structure of this former chocolate factory and warehouse.
The studio converted the 19th-century warehouse into a family home and studio apartment that showcases the building’s natural materials and distinctive construction, including Catalan brick vaults and wooden framework ceilings.
Find out more about Dirk and the Chocolate Factory ›
Canal House, the Netherlands, by Thomas Geerlings
Thomas Geerlings, creative director of design studio Framework, transformed a disused 19th-century warehouse into a family home with oak floorboards and walls rendered in concrete stucco.
Although most of the interior of the Dutch house had to be stripped away, Geerlings retained a structural partition on the first floor, which now divides two seating areas used for dining and as a workspace.
Find out more about the Canal House ›
Avenue Road Warehouse, Ireland, by Clancy Moore Architects
Local practice Clancy Moore Architects converted this Dublin warehouse into a home and studio by organising intimate, cosy spaces around a double-height atrium.
Flashes of colour add warmth and character to the otherwise stark white interior, including green doors and black kitchen cabinets.
Find out more about Avenue Road Warehouse ›
Residence HM, China, by Lim + Lu
Sliding steel partitions and bright red pipes distinguish this loft apartment in Hong Kong, which was converted from a former printing press by design studio Lim + Lu.
Informed by New York-style lofts and industrial buildings in the surrounding area, Lim + Lu emphasised the warehouse aesthetic with industrial-style furniture, black kitchen cabinets and concrete tiles in the bathrooms.
Find out more about Residence HM ›
Hope Wharf, UK, by Feix & Merlin
Located within an old grain store, London studio Feix & Merlin renovated this warehouse apartment by lowering the floor level and opening up the ceiling to create and double-height kitchen space and mezzanine level.
The studio designed industrial-style detailing in keeping with the warehouse’s history, including steel and glass balustrades and a concrete breakfast bar.
Find out more about Hope Wharf ›
This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring bedrooms with cleverly disguised wardrobes, neutral living rooms with warm tones that create a sense of cosiness and Victorian and Georgian homes with contemporary living rooms.
Source: Rooms - dezeen.com
