How to Warm up the Industrial Interior Design Look

Have you become enamored with industrial interior design?

Not all design enthusiasts agree that the industrial look is a good one. While there's no denying just how in vogue this look might be, some feel that it lacks warmth. The good news is that combining the industrial look with warmth and comfort is possible.

So, if you've been searching for ways to warm up your industrial home, we've got the answers! We're uncovering our 8 best tips and tricks for how to warm up the industrial look of your home today.

1. Wallpaper

Wallpaper is the perfect means of warming up some otherwise cool walls.

Remember, the majority of industrial spaces are outfitted by concrete ceilings, concrete walls, and exposed ductwork. This means that it's up to the remaining walls to bring a sense of warmth into these rooms.

In choosing your wallpaper, opt for warm tones and patterns. Patterned wallpaper helps to create the illusion of texture and therefore warmth. It's up to you whether you'd like to wallpaper an accent wall or an entire room.

2. Rugs, Rugs, Rugs

When it comes to industrial flooring, layering is absolutely key.

This is because industrial homes are often outfitted in concrete flooring that tends to feel cold. With warm, deep-colored rugs, the coolness of the floor is naturally warmed through texture. Look for reds, yellows, and oranges to give your space a pop of color with the much-needed texture.

3. Splashes of Color

When we think of some of the warmest and inviting rooms we've been in, they're often rooms that are complete with bold pops of color. Don't be afraid to accent your home with color.

This can be done through artwork, pillows, kitchen appliances, and blankets.

4. Natural Elements  

Natural elements, like wood, naturally make a room cozier. Perhaps our mind naturally connects to the warmth of chopped logs burning in a fireplace. Or, maybe we allow our mind to take us to a cozy log cabin from our childhood. Either way, the connection between wood and warmth is undeniable.

Within your home, try incorporating wood into your design. This could be anything from a wooden dining room table or bed frame to wooden wall frames and accents.

5. Warm Lighting

When it comes to lighting, it's safe to say that it's not just about the fixture itself. Instead, it's about the combination of how the lightbulb and the fixture interact.

Let's consider how a bright, white lightbulb makes us feel. Naturally, we feel less at ease and potentially even more self-conscious.  

Now let's consider a warm, more yellow-toned bulb. We begin to feel comforted, warm, relaxed. This is because yellow is a color that has scientifically been linked to happiness. So, if you're looking to add a touch of warmth and happiness to your industrial space, why not consider a soft, yellow bulb?

In a room that naturally lacks warmth, this type of lighting helps to create the illusion of a warm and comforting space.

6. One Word: Vintage  

Today, it seems that so many iconic designers are encouraging a more contemporary aesthetic.

Of course, there's no denying the allure of modern fashion and furnishings. However, it's important not to turn a blind eye to the vintage world. While vintage furnishings can be challenging to stumble upon, they are well worth the treasure hunt.

The history of vintage items pairs perfectly well with the history of industrial settings. Remember, more often than not, these industrial spaces have a history that dates back to factories or warehouses. Consider adding vintage accessories and accent furniture to boost the warmth of any space throughout your home.

7. A Touch of Greenery

Who knew that simply adding a touch of greenery to your home could allow it to feel more warm and comforting?

On dark, dreary days, you can count on your houseplants to add a much-need dosage of color and light to any room.

Adding greenery to your home isn't just appealing to the eye. Instead, indoor plants can actually benefit our mental health as well as our physical health. In fact, research has found that indoor plants can remove approximately 87 percent of the pollutants in the air.

8. The Art of Hygge  

If you've ever read a Danish design magazine, you're well aware of the concept of "hygge".

While this concept is considered to be a lifestyle, it's often practiced within the design of the home. It entails adding warmth such as blankets, candles and warm textures to create feelings of coziness and comfort.

When it comes to decorating your industrial space, you're going to want to incorporate the concept of hygge when it comes to your accents. The easiest way to do so is to incorporate texture into your decor items.

This could be anything from sheepskin rugs and blankets to velvet pillows and vintage candlesticks. These simple items have the ability to create a much-needed sense of warmth in any space.

Achieving the Industrial Interior Design Look

There's no denying that the industrial interior design look has its fair share of critics.

We've heard it many times before: it lacks warmth, coziness and that ultimate sense of comfort that we crave within our own home. After all, no one wants to come home after a long day to a cold, dreary space.

But, what if we told you that the industrial design look didn't have to be connected to a lack of warmth. In fact, some of the coolest and most well-designed industrial spaces are those that are engulfed in warmth.

With this guide, you can look forward to creating an industrial house that feels like a home. From opting for warm lightbulbs and decoring your floors with rugs to steering toward heavy textures and warm colors, adding warmth to your industrial home is certainly possible.

If you've always dreamt of renovating your space, perhaps now is the perfect time to finally get started.

Check out our services page to learn how we can help to make your renovation dream a reality!

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