Living in a warehouse loft isn't a prerequisite for urban industrial décor. If you love gritty yet chic interior design, you can embrace the hip look—in one room or throughout your home. We've rounded up some of our favorite urban industrial style elements to get your creative gears spinning.
Embracing Industrial Wall Art
Make a statement with bold industrial wall art. Choose art that uses metal as a medium, whether it's copper, bronze, brass, or nickel. Look for paintings, prints, and photographs that feature industrial subject matter. Let your walls reflect the urban vibe.
Industrial wall art inspiration: A collection of three-dimensional metal film reels in various finishes, a framed painting or triptych of a cityscape, a galvanized wrought iron clock, or a metal wall panel with a vintage airplane.
Uncovering Exposed Brick Walls
Exposed brick walls are classic elements of urban industrial décor. If you have a hidden brick wall, uncover it to reveal the color and texture. Repaint or strip a painted brick wall for an authentic industrial look. If you don't have a brick wall, consider replacing an existing wall with brick or opting for brick veneer. A floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace can also serve as an industrial-chic accent wall.
Embracing Construction-Site Tables
Elegant dining, side, and coffee tables crafted from materials found at a construction site are perfect for urban industrial décor. Look for tables made of steel, wood, and concrete. These pieces can be blocky and sturdy or have a refined design, often using recycled wood or metals.
Construction-site table inspiration: A rugged waxed-concrete and wood dining table with exposed bolts, an elegant concrete and oak coffee table, an antiqued-iron coffee table with legs riveted in place, or a concrete, wood, and metal side table with a modern silhouette.
Warehouse Ceiling Fan Lights
Chic ceiling fans with lights can elevate your industrial style. Rather than keeping a factory or warehouse cool, they'll keep the air circulating in your home while providing ambient light.
Warehouse ceiling fan inspiration: Wood and polished nickel ceiling fan lights that resemble an airplane propeller, chrome ceiling fan light with two adjustable fans, or ceiling fan lights with exposed bulbs inside seeded glass shades and wire cages.
Adding Modern Industrial Sculptures
Accent tables, shelves, and bookcases can be adorned with sculptures inspired by modern machines and tools. Look for rugged sculptures crafted with metal that evoke the industrial era.
Industrial sculpture inspiration: Industrial gear figurines crafted in aged steel, a dynamic collection of interconnected iron rings featuring varied metallic finishes, a metal reproduction of an antique movie projector, or a set of three geometric metallic spheres.
Including Industrial Racks and Storage
Warehouse-inspired racks, shelving, and storage elements can bring modern elegance and sturdy design to your space. Look for bookshelves and storage units that showcase visible construction elements or possess a rough-hewn vintage quality.
Industrial rack and storage inspiration: Open-back bookshelves or shelving units with forged iron frames and wood or glass shelves, wood and wire basket shelving units with antique numbering, tiered steel corner gourmet stands for pots, or chic and compact studded metal cabinets with a mid-century modern silhouette.
Opting for Warehouse-Chic Chandeliers and Pendants
Sophisticated chandeliers and pendants with a touch of industrial style can enhance your space. Look for fixtures with functional metal shades polished for a modern look or burnished for a vintage finish. For a distinctive steampunk feel, choose fixtures designed with pipes.
Warehouse chandelier and pendant inspiration: Satin nickel island pendant with clean lines and curved wires, a wrought-iron island chandelier with pipework and wire cage bulb protectors, an oxidized metal linear chandelier, or a mix and match of smoked glass pendants.
Choosing Industrial-Style Seating
Seating crafted with metal and showcasing functional style is a staple of industrial décor. Look for chairs, benches, and stools with exposed rivets and distressed paint. Alternatively, explore seating options where fabric or leather provide a chic contrast to burnished metal.
Industrial seating inspiration: Minimalist wood and metal storage benches, solid hardwood and iron benches, or metal counter stools with a distressed paint finish.
Completing the Look with Urban Warehouse Lamps
Accent lamps are the perfect finishing touch for an industrial-style room. They add a low-key industrial element, making them ideal for bedrooms or living rooms where you want to feature the style as a secondary accent.
Urban warehouse accent lamp inspiration: Pipe and faucet table lamps with exposed bulbs, task table lamps with double-hinged arms, or metal tripod floor lamps with an antique bronze finish and linen shade.
Remember that although industrial style showcases metal elements, distressed wood, and exposed brick, it should also be warm and welcoming. Soften the edges of pure industrial décor by blending warehouse-style elements with soft furnishings, cozy colors, and accents. By doing so, you'll create a space that perfectly blends raw urban design with comfort and style.
