The Non-Traditional Design Style That Embraces The Best Hits Of Industrial Decor

With its exposed brickwork walls, undisguised ductwork, rough concrete floors, and hard steel and wood furniture, industrial design decor became all the rage in the 2000s when a housing shortage forced developers to get creative with disused workspaces. Fast forward to today and neo-industrial design is picking up where that now-traditional industrial design movement left off. The difference? Designers and home decorators working in the style are adding warm, cozy elements to the signature roughness or mashing it together with other decorating styles.

Gone, or at least, scaled back, is the harsh steel-gray and earthy red-brown palette of conventional industrial decor — inspired as it was by the architecture of the Industrial Revolution. Instead of raw concrete floors and walls, home designers are switching some of these elements out in favor of softer features, like mid-toned wood floors, rattan rugs, cane furniture, and lush-leaved house plants couched in bamboo baskets. The aim is to bring warmer hues and more natural elements into a space. Colorwise, the changes are more nuanced. Think chocolate brown paired with steel gray instead of the usual brick red or other cozy alternatives to classic neutrals.

It makes good sense to combine other interior design styles with neo-industrial decorating sensibilities. Some of the fundamental elements of its predecessor, industrial style, became the norm only because they came with the building — think exposed brick and concrete floors. In other words, it's an evolving style born from repurposing what's already there and putting new demands on existing structures.

The combination of mid-century modern and neo-industrial is hard to beat. A vintage wood and steel nesting coffee table set makes a dramatic statement in a loft with raw red brick walls. Or you could try adding neo-industrial touches to a modern farmhouse style room. After all, both aesthetics feature understated furniture and accessories. A refurbished farmhouse stove, rustic wood dining table with benches instead of chairs, and huge chalkboard wall won't look out of place in a neo-industrial kitchen, while a hand-sewn quilt and sliding barn door would do wonders for a living room or den.

Don't have a big budget to go shopping for all new furniture? Embracing handmade craftsmanship is a big part of the vibe. Hit the thrift stores or rummage through your elder family members attic for unique vintage pieces. Stage an industrial style room with a Victorian-era crystal (or glass, let's be real here) chandelier and a leather ottoman from the 1950s and you've created an enviable neo-industrial style mash-up on the cheap.