We recently told you about a groundbreaking decor style that, although inspired by the past, doesn’t lose its charm over time. It’s the industrial style—a design choice for people with large homes who are eager to take risks. Well, now we want to take it a step further and introduce you to one of its possible evolutions: industrial chic.

It retains the essence of the main decorative style, but combines it with other elements that give it a distinctive and elegant touch. As a result, the final look offers a very interesting blend of the classic and the contemporary.

What do you think? Are you interested in learning all the details about the industrial chic style?

With an industrial style as the foundation

As we just mentioned, this decorative style is based on the industrial style. This means it features characteristics such as these:

• It brings to mind 20th-century industrial buildings and factories: by decorating our home in this way, we’re trying to emulate those spaces. Therefore, it’s a perfect choice for large, spacious homes, where the absence of walls promotes open spaces.
• Brick and metal: much of the essence of this decorative style lies in its materials. The goal is to convey a sense of simplicity and naturalness, so exposed brick and unpainted metal surfaces predominate on the walls. That said, materials must be chosen carefully to prevent them from deteriorating over time, so it’s advisable to use, for example, stainless steel, which can withstand the test of time and environmental conditions well.
• Antique and upcycled furniture: Signs of wear can also be seen in furniture. This doesn’t mean using rickety or practically broken pieces, because it’s important that they remain functional and allow you to use them without any problems. Rather, the effect should be visual—the pieces should look worn on the outside. That’s why we can use secondhand furniture or create custom pieces by repurposing other materials.
• Plenty of natural light: Because of its unique characteristics, the industrial style works very well with attics or lofts. These spaces usually have several windows or large picture windows, so natural light always plays a central role. The absence of walls, which is a common feature of this type of home, also contributes to this.
• Exposed elements: Industrial design embraces a sense of rawness, because it isn’t shy about showing us elements that, in other contexts, would be unsightly or even unpleasant. Its great charm lies precisely in the fact that it reveals these elements to us—and even flaunts them—to convey a sense of complete naturalness. So in this type of home , it’s common to find exposed beams, pipes, wiring, and so on.

Industrial-chic decor: How do you achieve it?

By following these styling tips, you’ll likely end up with a vintage, eye-catching, and surprising decor. But for it to be considered elegant, there are still a few more steps to take. Here are some ideas:

Combining with the Nordic style

You could say that, when it comes to mixing styles, the Nordic style is the one that pairs best with industrial chic. In fact, it’s perfect for adding that “chic” touch we’re looking for, because it embraces minimalism, simple, straight lines, and light colors, such as white and gray. Not to mention that they share a love for materials like wood, since both styles aim for very natural results that remind us of places like the countryside and the forest.

Industrial ceiling lights

Beyond making the most of natural light, we also need lamps and light sources with their own character for the hours when the sun isn’t out. Typically, industrial chic decor features ceiling lamps with a modern design, but inspired by those used in factories, schools, and hospitals about a century ago.

These stood out for their strength and durability. And although, in principle, they are not intended to withstand harsh environments (such as those with smoke, heat, or even toxic substances), they should still convey a sense of sturdiness.

Furthermore, to ensure they blend in, it’s best for these lamps to be made of metals such as iron, steel, copper, or bronze. And to ensure they also look modern, we can opt for rows of spotlights or grid-style lamps, because in addition to being practical, they’ll successfully blend their classic essence with an innovative design.

Modern stainless steel appliances

For the kitchen, we can install appliances with a modern—or even futuristic—look, as long as they’re made made of a high-quality metal such as stainless steel. In fact, it’s well known that stainless steel offers significant advantages for a demanding environment like the kitchen, because it’s resistant to high temperatures, very durable, looks hygienic, and is easy to clean.

Because of these benefits, there is a wide variety of stainless steel appliance designs. And since the industrial chic style pairs so well with metal, most of them will fit perfectly in a kitchen of this type.

Contrast with silhouettes and curved lines

We can add a counterpoint in the form of curved lines to the now-classic square and straight lines. While we shouldn’t overdo it in this case, they can help us modernize the overall feel a bit and even bring a touch of femininity to the home, since the industrial style is known for being predominantly masculine.

To do this, you can use vases and pots with these curved shapes to display another feminine element, such as flowers, or place decorative ceramic figurines with rounded designs. The goal is to convey this feeling in a subtle way, without ever compromising the essence of the industrial chic style!

Rugs That Don’t Clash

By definition, industrial design is cold: concrete, brick, wood, and metal are materials that contribute to this, as do its stylistic minimalism and the overall appearance of age and wear. That is why rugs and textiles do not fit in very well with it, although this is not an insurmountable rule.

What’s more, to make the most of them and have them contribute to an industrial-chic decor, textiles should have a simple, worn-in look. For example, geometric patterns are always a good choice. And, to stay true to the established theme, cool, muted colors (especially shades of gray) should also be emphasized.

When it comes to rugs, it’s best to choose plain, simple ones. We can choose from monochromatic options in shades of gray or brown, or take a bit more of a risk with repeating patterns or the geometric shapes mentioned above. The latter will even help give the room a slightly more modern look and help us achieve the contrast we’re looking for between classic and contemporary styles.

CULMIA helps you achieve an industrial-chic look in your home

You already have several tips for achieving an industrial-chic look in your home. So now it’s up to you to put them into practice and create a unique space that suits you and surprises all your guests.

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