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DIY Industrial Home Decor Projects to Try at Home

 

After lengthy Pinterest scrolling sessions, I always find myself amazed by all the DIY ideas. These are seemingly simple projects that make their homes look professionally designed. Recently, most of my praise has been aimed at DIY industrial home decor projects.

Industrial home decor offers a sleek and contemporary look that is just striking.

Luckily, I’ve caught on to their little secret. And it turns out, anyone can achieve the industrial home look with a few DIY projects and some effort.

Keeping in mind the main elements of the industrial style, like brick walls, unfinished metal and wood furniture, and exposed pipes. With these features incorporated, we can easily have this trendy look in our own homes.

During my Pinterest spree, I stumbled on countless DIY industrial home decor projects. Think minimalistic pipe shelving, clever pallet furniture, and eye-catching metal wall art. Out of all the projects, there were five that seemed so simple and impressive that I knew I had to share!

 

Essential Elements of Industrial Home Decor Style

 

You can consider industrial home decor style as the union of modern and rustic styles. The blend creates an edgy look guaranteed to turn heads.

 

 

If you’re planning to test out industrial-style decor in your home, there are some essential elements to keep in mind. These elements will be the keys you need to unlock the authentic and stylish industrial living space.

 

Raw Materials

 

The industrial style heavily relies on these raw and unrefined materials. Mainly concrete, brick, steel, and wood.

There are simple ways to incorporate these materials into your living space. We can add exposed brick walls, concrete flooring, steel beams, and wood furniture for starters.

 

Metals

 

In industrial settings, metal is always present. By combining metals of different hues and finishes, you can make striking designs in your home.

Be sure to pick one metal finish to serve as the focal point of each room.

It’s fine (and even recommended) to use a variety of metals in the same space, but it can start to look cluttered if you mix them all on a single piece of furniture.

Equally, metal accents in unusual places will elevate your industrial design. Incorporate modern steel chairs in place of the old wooden ones. Or, instead of a glass lamp base, go with an iron one instead.

 

Neutral Colors

 

It’s time to say no to hot pink, vibrant orange, and bright teal colors. When it comes to the industrial style, we need to focus on neutral colors. Think gray, black, white, and brown. These are the colors commonly used in industrial home decor styles. Neutral colors create a simple and sophisticated look that can complement the raw materials.

If you can’t help yourself and want to add some pops of color to give it more depth, there are ways. Look for accessories in muted colors like olive green or navy blue. This will add color without making the room look too busy.

 

Industrial Lighting

 

Pendant lights, chandeliers, and floor lamps add a touch of elegance to the living space in industrial design. These lighting fixtures usually have metal and glass elements that complement the rest of the space.

 

 

The lights you choose are crucial to upgrading your house from just a warehouse look to a sophisticated home.

 

Vintage and Rustic Elements

 

Incorporate vintage and rustic elements such as old signs, metal gears, and distressed furniture when decorating. These elements offer some character and personality to your space without stepping away from the industrial aesthetic. You can incorporate these elements by adding vintage clocks, metal signs, and distressed leather sofas and chairs.

 

Choosing Industrial Home Decor Accessories

 

While creating the perfect industrial-styled home, we want to make sure we select complimentary home decor.

Industrial interior design is typically characterized by its “unfinished” look, primarily using metal, wood, and concrete pieces. Complementing the design with industrial home decor accessories is essential too, but it’s where you need the biggest eye for detail.

Industrial design has minimalist design characteristics so it’s important to avoid making the space look cluttered. Let’s just say it’s important not to overdo it.

It’s not lost on me that matching up home decor that fits the raw, unrefined aesthetic of industrial design can be a challenge. Thankfully, there are guidelines we can follow to make it easier.

 

Properly Sizing Your Accessories

 

Ideally, it’s best to go for items that complement our personal taste and highlight the room’s overall design. And in case you are wondering, this style can work with any room size.

For those with a cozier home layout, it is best to avoid large accessories. They can make a small room feel cramped. On the other side of the coin, small accessories in a large space have the opposite effect. They can get lost in space and seem insignificant.

So, before you get started, take a moment to consider the scale of your furniture and room to determine what sizes would work best.

 

Use Soft Accents

 

Even if your home has all of the right elements for the industrial design, it can still come out feeling dull and unwelcoming. One easy way to combat this is to re-evaluate your home decor.

Softer accents or even pastels can work wonders in lightening up a home!

You can try throwing little splashes of color as accents against the neutral grays. Some of the best colors to use are faded blues, gentle shades of greens, and smoky pinks. They are stunning and quickly warm up an industrial home.

Another good option is to stick to a monochromatic color scheme of pastels.

 

Minimalism

 

As I mentioned before, the industrial style is characterized by a minimalist approach to decor. It is all about creating a simple and clutter-free living space that highlights the raw and unfinished materials used. You can incorporate minimalism using simple and functional decor and furniture.

 

5 of the Best DIY Industrial Home Decor Projects

 

Now for the fun! Let’s take a look at some of the best DIY industrial home decor projects you can do for your space.

As a note, remember to follow all safety guidelines when using power tools and working with heavy materials.

 

Modern DIY Pipe Shelves

 

Building these DIY pipe shelves is a fantastic way to add a little flare to your industrial-style home. Here are the basic steps to get the project going.

Steps

1. First, measure and plan out where your shelves will go. You’ll need to determine the size of the shelves and how many you’ll need before you can get started. Once you have your specifications, draw out your plan.
2. Next, you will need to purchase your materials. For pipe shelving, you will definitely need pipes, flanges, elbow joints, and wood planks. When you are at the store, make sure to stay within the limits of your overall home design. For instance, if you can’t find black flanges and elbow joints, you may want to add spray paint to your list.
3. Chances are your wood is not going to be a perfect size immediately. So you’ll need to cut your wood planks to the correct size. Then, sand and stain them. It’s best to stick to a stain (not paint) so we can stick with the raw aesthetic of an industrial design.
4. While the wood dries, you should begin to assemble the pipe framework. Using the flanges and elbow joints, you can create the desired shape and height for your shelves.
5. Once the wood stain is dry, attach them to the pipe framework you just finished setting up. Make sure to use screws or brackets to secure them in place.
6. Now you can install your shelves! Anchors and screws can be used to securely attach the shelves to the wall.

Now that your pipe shelving is installed, you have the exciting task of adding some style and personality to them! Add your books, plants, and other decor items to complete that modern and industrial look.

 

DIY Pallet Furniture Coffee Table

 

 

A coffee table is the perfect industrial furniture piece to create when you want to repurpose old pallets. And this project is the perfect option for bringing something unique and rustic to your industrial home. Here are the main steps to make a pallet coffee table yourself.

Steps

1. First, you will need to find a wooden pallet that is in good condition and a good size for your table. (Make sure to give it a good scrub and sand down any rough spots before you do anything else with it.)
2. Once the pallet is clean and ready to be worked on, take your measurements and mark where you want to cut the pallet. Typically, the pallet won’t start out at the perfect length and shape, so this is your time to experiment.
3. You’ll want to use a circular saw or reciprocating saw to cut the pallet along your marked lines. Once you are satisfied with the final shape, remember to sand the edges and smooth them out.
4. Now it’s time to turn your pallet of wood into a completed coffee table! With the legs or casters of your choice, attach them to the bottom of the pallet using screws or bolts. You can purchase pre-made legs from most hardware stores (or use scrap wood to make your own).
5. Before you start setting your coffee and books on the table, there is still one final (and necessary) step. Remember to apply a coat of sealant to the pallet furniture to protect it from the elements.

Of course, if you want to go the extra mile, add any additional features such as a glass top or storage to the table. There are plenty of DIY tutorials on how to do this, too.

But, for this project, you are now finished! And with just a little creativity and some basic woodworking skills, this beautiful and functional coffee table can come to life in your home.

 

DIY Metal Wall Art

 

 

Now this one is awesome because it’s simple and can be done in so many unique ways! DIY metal wall art is a creative way to add a unique touch to your home decor because you can choose your design. Here are the (general) steps to create your own metal wall art.

Steps

1. First, you’ll need to choose your design. There are tons of ideas online and on Pinterest. There are websites that offer free patterns and designs that you can use or you can expand your search with paid platforms too (like Creative Fabrica). If you’re feeling extra artsy, you can even create your own design.
2. Next, you will need to gather your materials. You will need a plank of wood, spray paint, a saw, a ruler, and a marker. You may also want to use sandpaper to smooth the edges of the metal.
3. Now you will need to hone in on your attention to detail. It’s time to trace your design. Using a marker, trace your designs onto the wood.
4. Once your design is ready (trace marks and all), cut the design out using your saw. Be sure to follow all safety precautions when using this cutting tool.
5. You may notice some rough edges when you are done cutting the wood. You can use sandpaper to sand the final design.
6. Now for the finishing touches! Use gold or metallic spray paint, to turn your creation into a beautiful piece of metal wall art. You can also consider adding other decorative elements like beads or wire too. This will give it a more personal touch.
7. Last, and most importantly, you’ll need to hang up your newly created artwork.

By following these steps, you can create your own unique and personalized DIY metal wall art to your home decor. What I like so much about this project is how simple it is and how easy it is to recreate the steps to create a piece of art for each room in the house.

 

Industrial-style DIY Clock

 

 

Now, this DIY industrial home decor project is ideal for an industrial-themed home. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also the perfect home decor item. Creating a DIY clock only requires a few steps.

Steps

1. First, you’ll need to gather the necessary materials so you can get started building the clock. Typically this includes a large wooden board or metal sheet, a clock mechanism kit, some stain, and various industrial-themed add-ons such as metal gears, pipes, and wire mesh.
2. Next, you need to prepare the wooden board or metal sheet by sanding it down and applying a coat of stain. Give the stain plenty of time to dry before doing anything else though.
3. Once it is dry, attach the clock mechanism to the center of the board. Your kit should come with instructions you can follow along with too.
4. Using screws or hot glue arrange and secure the decorations around the clock mechanism.
5. Finally, add the clock hands and numbers to the face of the clock. You will want to make sure the hands and numbers are centered and aligned correctly before hanging it up though. You will also want to test the clock to ensure it works properly.

Now, look at that! You can create a stylish industrial-inspired clock that adds character to your home in just 5 easy steps.

 

DIY Industrial Coat Rack

 

 

If you’re looking for a functional and stylish way to keep coats organized, a DIY industrial coat rack may be just what you need. With a few basic materials and some creative ingenuity, you can create a unique and eye-catching coat rack that is sure to impress.

Steps

1. First, you will need to collect all of the materials needed for this coat rack. You should look for metal pipes (about 1 inch in diameter), pipe fittings (elbows, tees, flanges, etc.), screws, anchors, a drill, a leveler, a saw, and hooks.
2. Once you have everything for the project, you can start measuring the length of the pipes you’ll need for your coat rack. Feel free to customize the length to fit your space and desired number of hooks you’ll need. When you have your measurements, use a saw to cut the pipes.
3. Next, use the pipe fittings to assemble the pipes into the shape of your coat rack. You can go for a simple horizontal rack or something more complex (with multiple levels and angles). Make sure you tighten the fittings securely so the rack is stable.
4. Once you have the coat rack basically assembled, grab the drill and screws to secure it to the wall. A best practice is to use anchors. This guarantees that the coat rack can support the weight of the heavy coats and jackets to come. This is also where you should use a level to make sure the coat rack is straight before putting the screws in.
5. As an option, you can add hooks or other decorative elements to your coat rack to give it a personalized look. Consider using metal hooks, wooden knobs, or any other decorative items.

There is no better time than now to enjoy your newly organized space. Whether you’re using it for coats, hats, scarves, or bags, this coat rack is sure to be a functional and stylish addition to your home.

Hopefully, you’re now ready to try out some of these DIY industrial home decor projects!

Up next, here are tips for Choosing the Right Industrial Home Decor Accessories.