5 ways to experiment with the trendy industrial style décor this season

Stripped walls, exposed pipes and fixtures and a smattering of salvaged knick-knacks—there’s something quite alluring about the raw utilitarian feel of an industry-like setup. It’s no surprise then that this style is no longer confined to warehouses and factories but has become quite a sought-after décor theme in its own right. Perfect for those who prefer their homes to be modern with a rustic or vintage twist, industrial home décor is all about proudly and aesthetically showcasing what you would normally hide or refurbish. If you’re looking to redo your place and fancy this kind of simple yet charming décor, you don’t necessarily have to strip down your home or subject it to a complete overhaul. With the right colour scheme, a careful blend of textures, some metal artefacts and our expert advice, you can imbue your home with the simple, minimal magic of modern industrial décor in no time.

1.‘Bare’ it all!

Industrial style décor is all about sticking to basics, which translates into exposed walls and metallic finishes. Nothing captures the essence of this style like bare brick walls and unfinished concrete surfaces. However, if that’s not an option, a good way to evoke the ‘bare and rugged’ feel synonymous with industrial décor is to stick to cool and understated colours. Consider wallpapers in cool metallic colours like shades of grey and pale blues. A great idea is to create a focal point in your room by keeping one wall dark grey and extending the colour scheme to other walls by opting for lighter shades. To prevent your walls from looking monotonous, punctuate the greys with splashes of white and black through paintings, framed photographs and other artefacts.

2.Go vintage with wood

If you find grey a bit too austere for your personality, go the vintage industrial décor route by opting for faux wood wallpapers. Not only do they give the illusion of exposed walls, but also infuse your interiors with warmth and sophistication, preventing the overall industrial theme from becoming too cold and clinical. Such wallpapers come in a variety of tones and textures, making it easy for you to pick one that best complements your existing furniture and showpieces. Remember: metal and wood are the cornerstones of this style and the best place to make the most of the two is the kitchen, where faux wood wallpapers can be complemented by the steely finishes of your kitchen appliances and cutlery.

3.Repurpose, refurbish and recycle

Industrial-style homes are not just aesthetically pleasing but are also high on functionality, so don’t shy away from repurposing your existing furniture into something more useful and exciting. Old wooden crates make for interesting side tables, while spare tile slabs double up as statement table tops. If you have old wooden fixtures lying around the house, fashion them into rustic frames or create wall art by arranging them in clean, linear designs. For more inspiration, turn to garages and warehouses packed with scrap metal and spare parts. Objects like pulley wheels, old tin advertisements and metallic lighting fixtures are quintessential to industrial chic décor; so are old door knobs and faucets mounted on interesting wooden frames.

 4.Keep it rustic

An element that lends itself wonderfully to industrial home décor is a rustic colour scheme, allowing you to keep things simple yet chic. Rustic industrial décor is all about neutral, earthy colours, so pepper your room with furnishings in subdued tones of brown, beige, mossy green, burnt orange and dull teal. If you have wooden chairs and tables in your living room, consider leaving them bare or accessorise them nonchalantly with throws and cushions in solid neutral colours or simple linear or angular prints for that industrial shabby chic vibe. For metal chairs and stools, all you need is upholstery in earthy colours and natural textures.

5.Play with layers and textures

The real allure of industrial style home décor lies in the raw beauty of time-worn materials and artefacts. Let an unfinished wall, a wooden frame with chipped paint or a rusty metal artifact function as a focal point and complement it with upholstery and curtains in natural textures. Add depth to your interiors by layering wallpapers in similar hues and grainy textures that mimic the effect of concrete. Avoid rugs as they may dilute the hard and basic appeal of this style of décor.

Suggested collections:

Navajo Fabric: http://ddecor.com/collection/navajo-fabric

Unison: http://ddecor.com/collection/unison

Cotton Soft: http://ddecor.com/collection/cotton-soft

Elements: http://ddecor.com/wallpaper-elements-122853

Textures: http://ddecor.com/wallpaper-textures-123254