‘Industrial Chic: How to Achieve the Urban Look in Your Living Space’ is packed with ideas to add some urban edge to your home decor.
This trendy style combines raw, industrial elements with a touch of sophistication and warmth. It’s a great way to bring an urban vibe to your living space without sacrificing comfort.
At its core, industrial style is about incorporating raw and industrial elements into your home decor. Think exposed brick or concrete walls, metal and industrial-inspired lighting, raw wood and metal accents, and a neutral color palette with pops of color. The key is to strike a balance between functionality and practicality, and comfort and warmth. If you love the look of an urban loft but want to create a more homey feel, industrial chic might be the perfect style for you.
Who might not be into the industrial chic look?
It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure. Some people might find the style a little too edgy or cold for their taste, and might prefer something a bit more traditional or glamorous.
And if you’re someone who likes things to look brand new and super polished, you might not be into the whole salvaged materials thing. That’s totally fine! It’s all about personal preference. What’s important is that you choose a design style that reflects your own personal taste and makes you feel comfy in your home.
Industrial Chic: How to Achieve the Urban Look in Your Living Space
If you’re feeling inspired to give industrial chic a try, here are a some key elements to achieve the look in your own home.
Key elements of industrial chic style
Industrial chic is a style that combines the rugged, utilitarian features of industrial design with the sleek, modern aesthetic of chic style. Some key elements of industrial chic style include:
Exposed brick or concrete walls
These raw, unfinished materials are a key element of industrial chic style. They give a space a rugged, edgy feel and can be left raw or painted to suit your desired aesthetic.
Metal accents
Metal elements like pipes, beams, and fixtures are common in industrial chic spaces. These can be left raw for a more rugged look, or painted for a more polished finish. You can try incorporating these elements through lighting fixtures, furniture, or decorative accents.
Industrial lighting
Industrial chic spaces often feature lighting fixtures that have a vintage or industrial feel, such as pendant lights, factory lamps, or Edison bulb chandeliers. These types of fixtures can help to create an industrial chic vibe in your home.
Reclaimed and repurposed materials
Industrial chic style often incorporates vintage and repurposed items, such as reclaimed wood and salvaged metal, to give a space character and a sense of history.
Neutral color palette
Industrial chic spaces tend to have a neutral color palette, featuring shades of black, white, and grey. This helps to emphasize the raw materials and industrial elements of the space.
Sleek, modern furniture
Industrial chic style is all about balancing the rough, industrial elements with sleek, modern pieces. Try mixing vintage and modern furniture and decor to create a cohesive industrial chic look.
Graphic artwork
Industrial chic spaces often feature bold, graphic artwork to add a touch of color and visual interest. This can be in the form of posters, paintings, or other wall decor.
Personal touches
Industrial chic spaces should feel lived-in and personal, so don’t be afraid to add in some of your own touches and personal items to the space. This could be in the form of plants, throw pillows, or other decorative accents.
Tips for achieving the industrial chic look in your home
Incorporate exposed pipes and ductwork
This is a classic industrial chic element that adds an urban edge to any space. If you can’t expose the pipes in your home, don’t worry! You can still get the same effect by using faux pipes or other industrial-inspired decor.
Use factory windows or other salvaged materials
Industrial chic style is all about repurposing and upcycling, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your materials. Factory windows make for a super cool and unique feature in any room, and they bring in a ton of natural light too. Other salvaged materials, like old doors or reclaimed wood, can also add an industrial edge to your decor. See below for ideas to incorporate salvaged materials into your decor.
Choose furniture with a raw, industrial edge
Furniture is a great way to add some industrial chic style to your living space. Look for pieces made of raw wood or metal, or that have an unfinished or weathered look. Mix and match different textures and finishes to add depth and interest to the space. And don’t forget about functionality! Industrial chic style is all about practicality, so look for pieces that serve a purpose and fit your needs.
Add some greenery
Industrial chic style can sometimes feel a bit stark, so don’t be afraid to add some plants to soften the look. Not only will they bring a touch of warmth to the space, but they’ll also help purify the air and bring a bit of the outdoors in. Plus, plants are just plain pretty to look at!
Incorporate industrial-inspired decor
Look for decor items that have an industrial feel, such as metal or concrete planters, industrial-style clocks, or metal storage baskets. These small touches can add a lot of character to a space.
Use industrial-inspired wallpaper
If you want to make a statement with your walls, consider using industrial-inspired wallpaper. There are many options available with patterns like exposed brick, metal grates, or concrete. This is a great way to add some industrial edge to your space without committing to a full wall treatment.
Experiment with lighting
Lighting can make a big impact in an industrial chic space. Consider using metal or industrial-style pendant lights, or go for a more unconventional option like a pulley light.
Go for a black and white color palette
Black and white is a classic color combination that works well with industrial chic style. Use a mix of black and white accents, such as throw pillows, rugs, and artwork, to add some contrast to the space.
Add pops of color
Industrial chic style can sometimes feel a bit dark, so don’t be afraid to add pops of color to brighten up the space. Look for colorful accessories like throw blankets, vases, or artwork to add some vibrancy to the room.
Incorporating salvaged materials into an industrial chic decor
Here are a few ideas for incorporating salvaged materials into an industrial chic decor:
Use salvaged wood as a feature wall
Look for old barn wood or other reclaimed wood to create a rustic and industrial feature wall. You can use the wood as is, or give it a new finish to fit with your desired look.
Incorporate salvaged metal into your decor
Old metal doors, grates, or machine parts can all add an industrial edge to your space. Consider using them as room dividers, wall art, or even as functional pieces like coffee tables or bookshelves.
Use salvaged windows as wall art
Old factory windows or other salvaged windows can make for unique and interesting wall art. Hang them on the wall as is, or use them to frame other decor items like mirrors or artwork.
Repurpose old furniture
Look for old furniture pieces that have a raw or industrial look, and give them a new lease on life. You can refinish them, paint them, or leave them as is for a more rustic feel.
Use salvaged materials as planters
Industrial chic style often incorporates plants, so why not use salvaged materials as planters? Old metal drums, buckets, or even old car tires can all be repurposed as planters for a unique and industrial touch.
Conclusion
So there you have it! These are just a few tips to help you achieve an industrial chic look in your living space. Remember, the key is to have fun with the style and make it your own. Mix and match different elements to find what works for you, and don’t be afraid to incorporate your own personal touches. And most importantly, don’t forget about comfort! While industrial chic style is all about functionality and practicality, it’s important to create a space that feels welcoming and cozy.
Happy decorating!
