What do concrete floors, exposed piping, brick walls, and rustic wood have in common? They're all hallmark signs of industrial interior design. This style first took off in the 1960s and 1970s, when living space in big cities was limited, leading to the conversion of old factories into loft-style apartments and condos. By the early 2000s, industrial style went mainstream, finding its way out of old commercial factories and into traditional homes. While it has remained a staple design style for office spaces, it slowly lost favor in living rooms to trendier designs like minimalism. But now, industrial living rooms are making a big comeback, though they might look slightly different from past versions.
As interior designer Vanessa Larsson told The Spruce, "To get back on the map, it needs a shift in color and texture." Traditional industrial design relied on open spaces, minimal decor, large windows, and raw building materials. The result was a hip but often colder look compared with many classic decor trends that stand the test of time. Luckily, modern versions bring a little more warmth than the original style, making this design aesthetic achievable for just about anyone.
A new take on industrial living rooms
Industrial living rooms are once again trending, but with a slightly elevated feel. Natural elements remain the key, and there's plenty of room for experimentation, so achieving this look is well within reach. For example, because of exposed piping and metal fixtures, steel was a staple of this design, but other metals like brass or copper can add warm accents to the space. You can incorporate these materials into your lamp fixtures, decor pieces, or even the brackets of open shelving.
Another big change that can take your industrial living room from warehouse to contemporary is opting for wood flooring rather than concrete. Since wood is a natural material, it still plays well within this design while boosting the space's character and resale value. You can also experiment with furniture ideas for an industrial-style home. Of course, following the design principles of natural materials makes leather, wood, and metal all worthy options. And if you're picking paint colors, the best color palette for an industrial home decor style features a neutral base. Keep your living room walls a shade of white, gray, or brown, and bring in other earthy colors through the room's furniture, floors, and accents. Don't forget to include a few soft-textured elements, like a woven throw blanket or a ribbed area rug, to warm up the raw design.
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