The Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries had a profound effect on interior design. As machines began to replace manual labor, many of the materials and techniques used in interior design were revolutionised. New materials and methods of production were developed which allowed for the mass production of furniture, fabrics, wallpaper and other interior components.
A major development during this period was the invention of steel. Steel was cheaper and more durable than wood, so it quickly replaced wood as the material of choice for furniture and architectural elements. Steel gave interior designers greater flexibility in their designs, allowing them to create lighter, more intricate pieces.
The invention of new manufacturing technologies also had an impact on interior design. The use of machines allowed for larger pieces to be created at a lower cost. This meant that it was now possible to create large items such as chairs, tables and beds that were not previously feasible due to manual labour costs.
The development of synthetic dyes also had a huge impact on interior design. Before the industrial revolution, dyes were created from natural materials such as plants or insects.
This meant that colours were limited in range and could be expensive to produce. With the invention of synthetic dyes, colours became much more vibrant and less expensive to produce.
Conclusion
The Industrial Revolution drastically changed the way interiors were designed by introducing new materials and production methods which allowed for mass production at a lower cost. The introduction of steel enabled designers to create lighter furniture with intricate details, while synthetic dyes introduced a wider range of vibrant colours into interiors. All these developments revolutionised the way we think about interior design today.