Industrial style has become increasingly popular in home decor over the last few years. The rugged, utilitarian aesthetic brings a raw, edgy vibe to any space. While industrial decor can seem cold or imposing, it’s easy to soften the look and make it livable. Here are 7 ways to add an industrial edge to your home, no matter your decor style or budget.
Embrace Exposed Elements
Exposing pipes, beams, vents, and ductwork is a hallmark of industrial design. Lean into this aesthetic by keeping structural elements of your home bare rather than hiding them. Painting exposed metal black or matching your existing trim gives a unified look. Exposed brick also brings an edgy, urban vibe. For added interest, highlight beams or pipes by hanging pendant lights over them. Leaving elements unfinished brings authenticity.
Add Metal Fixtures and Accents
Metallic accents and fixtures lend an industrial feel in any room. Swap out traditional cabinet hardware for black wrought iron or stainless steel. Opt for open metal shelving rather than enclosed cabinets, which show off decor and look sleek. Use metal lamps, side tables, stools or furniture legs for an on-trend look. Or install a modern metal stair railing and exposed metal support beams in open concept spaces. Stainless kitchen appliances also evoke an industrial kitchen.
Create an Open, Loft-Like Feel
Industrial spaces have an open, airy feel with high ceilings. To recreate this in your home, minimize partitions between rooms. Remove unnecessary walls, doors and ceilings to open up the space. Exposing ductwork in the process will amplify the industrial vibe. Install floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding barn doors rather than traditional swing doors. The more spacious and sun-filled the rooms, the more urban-chic your space will feel.
Incorporate Rustic Wood
The combination of wood and metal makes industrial decor warm and livable. Incorporate reclaimed wood pieces like dining tables, shelving and sideboards. Alternatively, distress new furniture using sandpaper for a weathered look. Wood crates used as stands, stools or storage also have rustic appeal. For walls, install reclaimed wood planks as wainscoting or accent walls. Wood floors with a gray wash or exposed brick walls also offset cold industrial features.
Choose Factory-Style Lighting
Visible bulbs, filament designs and bare light fixtures create functional, industrial lighting. Use pendant lights over islands or seating areas and position them at different heights for visual interest. Go with galvanized pipe lamps, dome lights or cage lights in raw metal finishes. Spot lighting on tracks offers flexible task lighting. Vintage lanterns, exposed Edison bulbs and shop floor styles like high bay lighting also deliver urban flair.
Incorporate Concrete and Metal Finishes
Industrial spaces highlight humble, unfinished materials like concrete and raw metal. Paint exposed brick white for a modern, gallery-like appearance. Use concrete on floors or walls, in dining tables or kitchen islands for an urban edge. Add depth with metal finishes like powder-coated steel, galvanized metal, copper or nickel in furniture, light fixtures and accents for a machined look. avoid polished finishes. Complex, dark metallics pair well with concrete.
Repurpose Everyday Items
Industrial decor embraces utilitarian, mass-produced items in clever new ways. Turn metal tins into pendant lights or vases. Use stacked crates for shelves. Transform a utility cart into a bar or console table. Display pulleys, gears, pipes and other salvaged parts as artwork. Even repurposed food packaging like tin cans and glass jars add quirky character on shelves. Let your creativity run wild to give ordinary items extraordinary flair. The more innovative your repurposing, the cooler your industrial edge.
This concludes a detailed overview of 7 ways to add an industrial vibe to your home decor and give any space a cooler, urban edge. With a combination of edgy and natural elements, you can easily achieve the popular industrial look in a personalized way. Embrace exposed pipes and metals, open floor plans, rustic wood, and factory-inspired lighting. Incorporate concrete, metal finishes and cleverly repurposed everyday items for extra flair. Use these tips to create a livable, ultra-cool industrial oasis anywhere you call home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adding an Industrial Edge to Home Decor
Adding an industrial edge to your home decor can create an edgy, urban feel. But you may have some questions about how to pull off this popular look in your space. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What are the key elements of industrial style decor?
Some hallmarks of industrial decor include exposed pipes, ductwork and brick walls; metallic and concrete finishes; open floor plans and high ceilings; and repurposed everyday items. Visible bulbs, vintage lighting, reclaimed wood, and distressed metal furniture also help achieve this look.
What are easy ways to add industrial flair on a budget?
Some budget-friendly ideas include exposing existing pipes or beams, painting walls and trim black, choosing galvanized metal fixtures from home improvement stores, and buying cheaper items like metal stools and wood crates to style. Repurposing tin cans, jars, or pallet wood also costs little.
How do you soften an industrial look so it feels livable?
The key is balancing edgy industrial elements with warmer textures and materials. Incorporate reclaimed wood furniture, flooring and accents. Add textiles like area rugs, pillows and blankets. Install pendant lighting over seating areas. Greenery and plants also help soften the look.
What colors work well in industrial spaces?
Stick to a neutral palette of black, white and gray as your base. Pops of color can come from furniture, art and accessories. Earth tones like wood brown, tan, olive green and brick red also complement industrial decor’s raw, neutral features.
Should all the finishes and metals match in an industrial room?
Matching can look too uniform. A mix of galvanized steel, antique bronze, black metal and stainless steel provide depth. Just be sure to limit the number of different metals in one space for cohesion. Unify the look with consistent neutral walls and flooring.
How do you add an industrial vibe to a kitchen?
Exposed brick, metal pendant lights, and concrete-style counters or flooring give kitchens urban edge. Stainless appliances, metal stools and utility carts doubled as islands or bars also help. Open shelving instead of cupboards has an industrial feel. Go for a bridge-style metal faucet and black hardware.
Can you incorporate industrial decor into more traditional home styles?
Absolutely. Add touches like metal and wood accent chairs in a living room, vintage-style lighting in entryways, or a concrete weathered dining table for contrast. Black window frames and door hardware also bring a subtle industrial vibe to traditional spaces.
Conclusion
Industrial decor provides an edgy, ultra-cool look that more homeowners crave. With exposed beams and metals, concrete and wood finishes, and repurposed lighting, you can transform the vibe of any room. Following the tips outlined above makes it easy to get on trend with industrial flair, even in traditional home styles. Just focus on raw, utilitarian materials and a neutral color palette punctuated with metallic accents. With the right balance of materials and furnishings, you can enjoy the urban edge of industrial decor anywhere.
