Industrial design highlights raw, unfinished spaces with modern design elements that emphasize the beauty of exposed materials and structural elements, Diana George, the founder of DG Design Group, says.
„The style is all about reclaiming objects, architecture, and furniture that have their roots in commercial design—especially factories and offices—for residential purposes,“ Adnan Anwar, the founder of Adnan Anwar Design, says.
Below, learn more about the key elements of industrial design while gathering tips from professional designers for embracing the look in your own home. You’ll also find 47 examples of well-designed industrial style living rooms of all shapes and sizes.
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01
of 47Multiple Materials
Malcolm Davis Architecture / Photo by Joe Fletcher
This repurposed loft space features many key characteristics of industrial style living rooms, including oversized windows, metallic accents and furnishings, track lighting, and plenty of green friends. These elements work seamlessly together to create an industrial living space that is still warm and welcoming.
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02
of 47Funky Light Fixture
Designers agree that funky light fixtures are a key element of industrial style spaces. Say goodbye to the builder-grade lighting in your living room and install a dramatic, neutral-colored piece instead—something made out of metal is an excellent pick.
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03
of 47Simple Neutrals
Most industrial style living rooms are neutral in color. Pare down and focus on decorating with just the essential pieces to create a streamlined look. You can still weave in personality in the form of lighting and small accents.
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04
of 47Mixed Metals
Reclaimed wood and mixed metals shine in this living room nook. Don’t be afraid to mix various finishes within one vignette. If the space starts to become too neutral, bring in a favorite plant for a pop of greenery or some colorful books to style.
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05
of 47Industrial Lighting
Track lighting and exposed ductwork set the tone in this industrial style space, which features clean lines and is free of clutter.
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06
of 47Comfortable Seating
You can still make comfort a priority when decorating in an industrial style. Here, a large, neutral sectional serves as a plush place to plop down and relax. Opt for a similar palette when choosing furnishings, so everything looks cohesive.
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07
of 47Luxe Lamp
Don’t solely focus on your overhead lighting; select cool table and floor lamps as well for your industrial space. This brass mushroom-shaped lamp exudes major sophistication.
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08
of 47Ribbed Walls
Wooden walls with fluted detailing make a stylish, industrial-like statement in this living room, as does the addition of a statement-making modern light fixture hanging over the bar area.
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09
of 47Green Touches
Supplement reclaimed wood furniture with plenty of plants. You can also go the faux route since there are so many convincing-looking options to pick up these days—no one will be able to tell the difference.
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10
of 47Stylish Shelves
Make use of industrial style metal shelving to stay organized, particularly if your living room doubles as a home office. Layer decorative pieces with another to create more depth throughout the space.
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11
of 47Clean Lines
Here’s another example of shelving at play in an industrial style living room; opt for pieces with a minimal profile and clean lines to stick to the aesthetic at hand.
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12
of 47Farmhouse Accents
This industrial style living room has some elements of farmhouse style design and other mid-century modern touches. Don’t be afraid to mix and match various aesthetics to curate a space that’s all your own.
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13
of 47Sweet Sconces
Industrial style sconces free up space beside this sofa and add another layer of dimension to the living room. Aim for a metallic or matte finish whether you want a soft or contrasted look.
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14
of 47Textural Mix
Yael Weiss Interiors / Photo by Nicole Cohen
Warm up your industrial style living room with all kinds of textures—boucle, sheepskin, you name it—to soften the space a bit, as designers recommend.
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15
of 47Neutrals and Metals
Metallic furniture pieces add a contemporary feel to this neutral living room, which also contains an industrial style fireplace. The lighting fixture in the center of the room refocuses the space with its textural lines.
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16
of 47Leather, Marble, and More
Leather, marble, fluted wood, and more come together to create an industrial living room full of a wide range of materials.
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17
of 47Stairway Seating
Yael Weiss Interiors / Photo by Nicole Cohen
Carve out a seating nook away from the crowd by pushing leather chairs up against wood and wrought iron railing at the edge of your living room.
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18
of 47Cozy Nook
Alternatively, designate a reading nook like the one seen here, which features a sculptural lamp and a few potted plants beside a plush accent chair.
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19
of 47Neon Lights
Neon lighting will spice up your industrial style living room; choose any phrase that speaks to you and enjoy basking in the glow of the sign.
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20
of 47Two-Toned Feel
Don’t be afraid to try a cool, two-toned look in your industrial living room. This blue-gray combo is moody and mod, not to mention majorly eye-catching.
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21
of 47Wooden Elements
Yael Weiss Interiors / Photo by Nicole Cohen
Wooden floating shelves hung at an angle along with a natural looking wooden side table add some edge to this industrial living room/office hybrid.
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22
of 47Cool Curves
Play to a loft-like space’s natural curves by opting for curvy furniture, like the wood and glass coffee table shown here. Bring in a large planter for additional liveliness.
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23
of 47Soft Sheepskin
Yael Weiss Interiors / Photo by Nicole Cohen
Use a column in a loft-like space to carve out a small nook. Warm up the area with a sheepskin throw, a favorite of industrial designers.
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24
of 47Oversized Windows
Rather than covering loft windows with curtains, leave them bare for maximum impact (and so as not to obstruct a beautiful view outside).
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25
of 47Wow Worthy Walls
Even if your space isn’t actually a loft, you can bring such a look into your home by adding wooden panels, ribbed detailing, and plenty of marble.
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26
of 47Splash of Glass
Yael Weiss Interiors / Photo by Nicole Cohen
The addition of a metal and glass coffee table and a telescope that’s both decorative and functional brings industrial flair into this otherwise transitional living room.
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27
of 47Subtle Shapes
While clean lines are a prime characteristic of industrial style spaces don’t be afraid to go geometric in some instances, such as when it comes to accent pieces, to mix things up a bit.
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28
of 47Bright Hues
Modern and minimal is the name of the game in this living room, which is industrial in style but still contains pops of bright color.
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29
of 47Sleek Lighting
How cool is the sleek floor lamp in this living room? It looks like something you’d find styled in a warehouse; which is exactly the look you’re seeking to replicate.
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30
of 47Barely There Furnishings
Yael Weiss Interiors / Photo by Nicole Cohen
If you have to weave a desk or table into your industrial living room, go with a glass option—it’ll take up minimal visual space while still being functional and contributing to the overall style of your room.
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31
of 47Nice and Tall
This loft-like industrial living room boasts incredibly high ceilings that are majorly swoon-worthy.
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32
of 47Functional Features
Make tall industrial style shelving work for you by adding a ladder made out of reclaimed wood—it’s on trend and functional.
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33
of 47Shiny Sconces
Say hello to dazzling sconces like these. There’s no reason to settle for unoriginal lighting in your industrial style space.
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34
of 47Black Beams
„I love using exposed bold black beams in my modern industrial projects,“ George says.
Here, she also incorporated aluminum black doors and windows.
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35
of 47Low Profile Feel
Keep furniture low profile to allow your industrial living room to feel airy and fresh, not stuffy.
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36
of 47Concrete and Shiplap
To add to this room’s industrial look, George opted for a concrete spackle fireplace, a raw shiplap wooden island, and pendant lighting with exposed bulbs.
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37
of 47Industrial Farmhouse Fusion
This living room contains elements of both industrial and farmhouse styles, proving that you can indeed enjoy the best of both worlds. Many components of the two looks naturally complement each other.
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38
of 47Touch of Jute
As designers suggest, laying down a jute rug can help to warm up an industrial living room and ensure that it still feels nice and comfortable.
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39
of 47Soft and Sharp
Design by Alexandra Nino / Photo by Shannon Dupre
Soft seating will also counteract the sharp corners characteristic of many pieces of industrial style furniture.
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40
of 47Classic Beams
Kathy Corbet Interiors / Photo by QPH Photography
You may choose to paint your exposed beams or leave them natural—either way, they’re such a special feature of industrial spaces and deserve to command attention.
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41
of 47A Bit of Contrast
These exposed beams are left unpainted and therefore provide a nice contrast to the black cabinetry present throughout this living room.
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42
of 47Artful Accents
While minimalistic, this industrial style living room is full of textural and artful touches that will make heads turn.
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43
of 47Abstract Work
While industrial style living rooms aren’t covered with art from head to toe, abstract works fit right into such spaces, especially when they’re rooted in neutral shades.
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44
of 47Pretty Pillar
Design by Alexandra Nino / Photo by Lauren Miller
Don’t let a sizable pillar interfere with your design plan—just decorate around it; it’s a key element of any loft room, after all.
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45
of 47Repurposed Finds
Repurposing furniture is key in industrial spaces. For example, go ahead and turn a traditional stool into a plant stand or side table.
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46
of 47Pattern Play
When mixing patterns in an industrial living room, keep colors consistent among pieces so that the space doesn’t appear too busy.
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47
of 47Hidden TV
Design by Alexandra Nino / Photo by Lauren Miller
This television has a function that allows it to look like artwork when it’s powered off, ensuring it doesn’t detract from the room’s design.