“Industrial” may not necessarily be synonymous with “relaxing,” but industrial bedroom design is out to prove that exposed beams, brick walls, and unfinished flooring can be cozy in unexpected ways.
Though industrial bedrooms might take a backseat to the more popular decorating styles, such as minimalism and bohemian, the reality is that it’s just as trendy and has been for years. Notably, numerous coffee houses, bars, and restaurants have adopted a bold industrial-inspired look to achieve a relaxing, lived-in ambiance.
With the addition of some distinctive industrial elements, you can achieve the same effect in your bedroom, as well. Here’s everything you need to know about transforming your space into an industrial haven.
The Rise of Industrial Design: A Brief History
Industrial buildings were first constructed in the U.S. in the late 18th century. These buildings had high ceilings, open floor plans and received a generous amount of natural light.
However, industrial buildings quickly became obsolete when the Industrial Revolution came to an end. At that point, many factories shut down and moved their operations to other countries and cities, leaving these industrial-style buildings behind.
Simultaneously, major cities, such as New York City, became increasingly populated and many residents were on the hunt for cheap living spaces. To address the housing shortage, industrial areas and old warehouses were converted into residential buildings. However, instead of stripping these industrial buildings of their character, many tenants, particularly artists and savvy homeowners, chose to celebrate the utilitarian style by keeping the key elements intact.
What is Industrial Bedroom Design?
Simply put, industrial bedroom design is largely inspired by the no-frills look found in factories and warehouses. It’s a laid-back style that’s versatile, budget-friendly, and timeless. Industrial bedroom design is characterized primarily by stripped-down elements, such as distressed wood, exposed piping, and industrial lighting fixtures.
The color palette in an industrial bedroom is also primarily neutral, allowing the decor to take center stage and add a lively touch to the entire room. Perhaps the best part about industrial bedroom design is that it can work harmoniously with other interior design styles, including modernism, minimalism, and Scandinavian.
According to Insider, the industrial design style is predicted to be the next big trend in 2023, thanks to its fuss-free nature. In the interview, designer Kobi Karp said, “Industrial style has a mix of modern and traditional design and works for interiors that have to serve as places to live, work, and play.”
So, whether you’re trying to redecorate a studio apartment or just your bedroom, you can easily use the industrial-inspired style to revamp your living quarters.
Get the Look: 5 Tips for Creating an Industrial Bedroom
How do you achieve the perfect industrial bedroom when you don’t have high ceilings or floor-to-ceiling windows? It’s all in the details.
1. Think Outside the Walls
Exposed brick walls practically go hand-in-hand with industrial spaces, making them a bedroom staple. But if you don’t have exposed brick walls, don’t fret. You can still achieve the industrial bedroom of your dreams with removable wallpaper. Brick is a popular wallpaper choice, so it should be easy to find a realistic version.
If the deep red brick is too much of a statement, you can also opt for white brick walls to achieve an industrial bedroom look that’s subtly inspired by minimalism. But when it comes to sprucing up your walls with an industrial-inspired theme, brick isn’t your only option. You can also opt for an exposed concrete look or add a dramatic flair by painting an accent wall black.
2. Create the Illusion of Space
To make the most of your space, it’s essential to be mindful of the size of your furniture. Since the bed is the focal point of a bedroom, the trick to creating the illusion of more space is finding the right mattress size. A large mattress can easily overwhelm your room, making everything look cramped instead of cozy.
To pick the right mattress dimension, you first need to measure your room to identify which bed would be the most suitable. However, when shopping for mattresses, be sure to also take other factors into account, including your lifestyle and sleeping needs.
For instance, if you sleep alone, a twin-sized bed might suffice, but if you tend to shift around at night, you may need a slightly larger bed for added comfort.
3. Get Creative with Lighting
Industrial-style bedroom lighting is both simple and eye-catching. The best way to pick out industrial-inspired lighting is to look for pieces with metal accents, exposed bulbs, and a distressed finish.
If you don’t want to spring too much money on lighting solutions, you can also decorate your walls with industrial string lights to achieve a similar effect. Another DIY option is a hanging lightbulb instead of a bedside lamp.
4. Experiment with Textures
In a word, industrial bedrooms can be best described as eclectic. Metal, wood, and brick are all key components of industrial style that fit together seamlessly.
The key to achieving a cozy industrial bedroom is experimenting with textures. Incorporate metal accents wherever you can, whether that’s through your lighting fixtures or even a bedside table with metal legs.
Another popular choice for industrial interiors is distressed wood. You can easily find distressed wood furniture for your bedroom at thrift stores or garage sales, so you don’t have to splurge on new furniture. Alternatively, you can even forgo buying new furniture entirely by upcycling your existing ones. All you need to do is give your furniture a fresh coat of paint and distress it with sandpaper.
5. Enhance with Decor
Even if some industrial components are missing from your bedroom, you can enhance the overall appearance with the right bedroom decor and accessories.
For instance, layering a faux fur blanket on your bed can soften the look of your industrial bedroom in an understated way. An easy way to add some personalization is by framing your favorite piece of artwork above your wall. Alternatively, you could also create a gallery wall.
To liven up your space and make it look even cozier, try decorating your industrial bedroom with plants. The pops of green can add some unexpected color and break up the monotony in your room, especially if your color palette is primarily neutral.
An industrial bedroom design is easy to achieve, and the best part about it is that there isn’t just one right way to approach it. Instead, take this opportunity to embrace your eclectic side and transform your room into an urban paradise.
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