How To Get The Look: Industrial Chic

Industrial Chic continues to be a defining style for young millennials. It’s easy to see why. More and more, young people are living in developing neighborhoods in urban areas. Rather than building new homes, millennials are finding themselves moving into buildings made in the beginning of the 20th century. Industrial chic turns this into a design advantage. This style also can be achieved on a budget. Learn how to achieve this look with this quick and easy guide.

Industrial Chic: A Definition

Industrial chic combines the raw look of early 20th century building and factories. The heart of this look is a vintage quality, but you can capture the essence with good quality reproductions. Exposed, raw woods and unfinished metals like iron create an atmosphere of early industry. When done right, this style can be very “green” because it capitalizes on what is already available. Another note: whereas industrial decor tends to bring a masculine energy, we recommend you soften it just a tad. That accounts for the addition of “chic”!

Start with your space

Before you get into adding decor, start with the bare bones and build up. Exposed walls and exposed beams are instant indicators that this style will work for you. Not pa part of your current abode? Don’t worry. If you are dedicated to this style, but don’t actually live in a loft, just strip your space down to essentials. If you don’t have raw wood and metal surfaces, stick with white as a neutral base. Get creative. Light fixtures can be give a vintage a feel by adding exposed Edison bulbs.

Pick the right decor

Vintage pieces are the best, but as stated above, you can carefully select some reproductions of the industrial furniture style. Try to balance your furniture. Definitely select some pieces with raw wood or unfinished metals. But don’t forget to add some shiny, black powder-coated items as well – perhaps a pendant light fixture.

Further accent your space with leather. Think about a club chair with nail head trim. These cozy seats telegraph early 20th century style. Think expensive private library. And speaking of telegraph, feel emboldened to embellish with little early industrial touches. Use real vintage pieces like an old sewing machine or a typewriter.

The last thing you’ll want to do is add some color. Don’t let your space become monotone. Remember – we are adding chic! The perfect place is the wall. Art adds dimension to any space. Stick with something that jives with the rest of the decor. Modernist art or a piece with the same aesthetic will seal the deal if you are going for the complete industrial package. If instead you are looking to personalize, thing about photography that’s framed. Below they stuck with a black and white print, but used a cool, colorful pattern in the pillow. That’s a neat trick!