If you want to know how to create the industrial interior look, you’ve come to the right place. Even though there are many variations to this style nowadays, like industrial vintage, industrial rustic, and shabby chic among others, we’ll be focusing mainly on the roots of industrial decor.
First of all, let’s discover what those roots are:
Did you know this decor style was born in the modern era? Around the time the industrial revolution was happening and young, creative people were moving to cities such as London and New York, they occupied spaces that were previously warehouses and factories. That’s why this style has a lot of pipes, unfinished details, and gray-ish hues.
Now, let’s set a couple of ground rules that industrial decor sticks to:
- Unfinished wood and metal furniture
- Lack of pretension
- Function overlaps decor
- Steel, iron, and aluminium are secondary options
“Form follows function.” - Louis Sullivan
Pallets for Anything
Many times I’m scrolling through Pinterest, I get amazed by how many projects there are with pallets. I mean, you can do pretty much anything with them, from chairs, to tables, to sofas, and even beds. Also, because pallets are pure wood, they’re perfect for creating your industrial home design.
Mason Jar Lighting Fixture
So, lighting is a very important feature in all decor, but it gets even more attention when it comes to industrial decor. Some would even say it’s the most important aspect of this decorating style. There are several possibilities for it:
- Small lamps
- Plain bulbs
- Pendant lights
- One big centerpiece lighting
Or, you could also DIY at home like this mason jar lighting. Glass is also a major component of industrial decor.
Industrial Style Furniture
We’ve mentioned at the beginning of this article that industrial decor furniture is all about wood and metal, but it can also have steel, iron, and aluminum. But one more important thing about it: the idea is to avoid big furniture stores and focus on flea markets and garage sales instead. Even Craigslist could be an option for you.
About the style itself:
- Old factory machinery and wheels can make DIY table legs
- Worn metal chairs and stools (that someone might want to throw out) will complete an industrial living room or home office
- Black or worn brown sofas are a go-to
DIY Pipe Shelves
Both pipes and DIY projects are a defining characteristic of this style, so why not combine the two? You’ll need several sizes of pipes, and a couple connectors, plus wooden planks and the tools and screws to attach everything to the wall. Once you have all the supplies on hand, you can get started in assembling your DIY pipe shelf.
Wooden Boxes
It has been established that wood is one of the main materials of the industrial decorating style, so things like wooden boxes - or even a wooden chest, like in the photo above - will be great picks for your industrial bedroom. As with pretty much anything that’s part of the industrial style, they’re for both decorating purposes and functionality!
Color Palette
It seems like this style has the simplest color pallet: you’ll want to stick to black, white, and most of all: gray.
If you wish to add more color:
You can go with darker tones, such as a deep blue or a dark purple (a.k.a. plum). Or you can make use of exposed brick walls to add color to your space.
Industrial Wall Art
Even though industrial doesn’t keep many items that don’t have a practical function, that’s not exactly a rule to follow. The options for wall art in the industrial decor would be:
- Black and white frameless pictures
- Road signs
- Factory pieces on display
- Old sewing machine attached to the wall
- Old clocks displayed
Industrial Architecture Update
There aren’t many people that would make this sort of effort in order to achieve the looks of a decorating style. When I say “this,” I mean: giving some attention to the architecture of your home itself. That is: leaving ducts on displays, walls unfinished, and wooden beams visible on the ceiling or on concrete floors.
The costs of this type of service will vary according to the area you’re located in. For example, in Long Beach, CA, the average price is $46,404, but in Miami, FL, the average is $34,083. So you can only really know what (or how much) you’re dealing with once you contact a local professional in your area.
Steel Countertops
Last, but not least, one of the major changes you can make to your home that will bring the industrial style in is updating your kitchen countertops with steel countertops. Plus, you get the bonus of adding a more resilient and durable material to your countertop. Doesn’t that sound great?
If you need any help with bringing home your furniture, hanging your things on the wall, or even installing the DIY shelves, a handyman will be the perfect pro to help you - get a free estimate!
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