How to Decorate Industrial Farmhouse Decor Style
Updated March 30, 2022
Industrial Farmhouse decor fuses the charm and warmth of the countryside with the modern edginess of industrial style. Modern farmhouse decor includes shiny metals and lots of white and other light hues whereas industrial decor features darker tones, tarnished finishes, darker metals and reclaimed wood elements. It’s a classic case of “opposites attract”.
There are those who like the warmth of modern farmhouse style but find it a little too cute or contrived. Industrial style design can feel too cold and rugged.
Read on and learn how these two styles can be blended together to create a totally unique decor.
The Industrial Farmhouse Evolution
The way we describe Industrial Farmhouse style is different today than it was just a year ago. It will likely be different next year. Industrial Farmhouse style is constantly evolving and its flexibility is part of the appeal and enduring popularity.
A few years ago you might have envisioned industrial farmhouse style as a modern, edgy loft apartment in an old converted factory in the city. It might be decorated with cozy fabric textures and furnished with a soft comfy sofa and big comfy chairs.
A good description might have included exposed brick on some walls and sheetrock on others. Exposed stainless steel ductwork and plumbing, with very high ceilings and tall windows, would be part of that look.
That’s still a cool look and always will be. That’s where Industrial Farmhouse was born. Like everything else, it has expanded and evolved. It has become harder to define because it’s a much more broad term now.
Look at these 2 photos…
They are both considered Industrial Farmhouse style. What is similar about them? Not much, right?
They don’t look alike at all. They share some characteristics like open shelving, metal pendant lighting and black metal stove hood but that’s about it.
What is Industrial Farmhouse decor?
Industrial style, which came from factory loft-inspired living, was adopted and brought into family homes and so it evolved. It is this flexibility that has made Industrial Farmhouse take on such enduring popularity and wide appeal.
It has a more unique outcome than other styles. You might begin your decor project with Industrial Farmhouse style in mind. What does that mean? Well, it means different things to different people. That’s the appeal!
On the other hand, if you said you were going to decorate your home with Modern Farmhouse Style, most people would conjure up a similar picture in their mind.
Go to wayfair.com and search for “modern farmhouse furniture”. You’ll see lots of white sofas, white painted or natural hardwood dining chairs. If you search for “industrial farmhouse furniture” you will see a lot of wall decor and lighting fixtures but you’ll have a hard time finding furniture pieces. This is true when you search Google images and Amazon as well.
Why is that? Maybe it’s too hard to define or furniture companies just aren’t branding their furniture and describing it as “industrial farmhouse furniture”. The fact is, there are many styles of furniture that work beautifully in the industrial farmhouse context. Perhaps it’s because it is such a flexible style.
Mid-Century Modern furniture always works with industrial farmhouse. So do big soft contemporary styles of furniture. This is where you make it your own.
This style of industrial farmhouse fuses the rustic charm of the countryside with the modern edginess of industrial style. We usually envision traditional industrial style as modern, edgy loft apartments in old converted factories in the city.
Industrial Farmhouse is more city than country
Designers are taking the farmhouse style and making it more urban.
Modern farmhouse style has a rustic charm that people love. But designers are transforming them into more modern spaces with a city feel. The old country appeal is still there, but it’s been updated to be cleaner and more contemporary.
The enduring appeal and popularity of Industrial Farmhouse Styles
Some say modern farmhouse style is out but is it really? The fact is, we just get tired of things. It’s in our nature.
If you have a modern farmhouse decor style, you can probably just do some minor updates like changing paint colors or updating the backsplash to make it feel fresh again. Maybe you just need a new coffee table that adds some edge to your current look.
Make Use of Existing Structure
Industrial decor style looks amazing in a warehouse, loft-type space but it is certainly not limited to that. In a loft, you would incorporate any exposed brick, heating ducts, and feature any raw architectural elements in a modern industrial building.
These are elements we usually hide with drywall in a residential dwelling but here they are celebrated. The Industrial Farmhouse style also makes use of concrete features that may exist. Concrete features such as pillars for internal support and load-bearing walls can be decorated in creative ways for a unique effect. These concrete features are normally flat and without any decorative detailing.
If you love the look of warm and cozy interiors but don’t want to use any old furniture and accessories, you will definitely enjoy the charm of the Industrial Farmhouse decor with its sleek lines and simplistic approach to design. A contemporary style of farmhouse decor is one with clean lines and minimal decoration. You can still add beautiful furniture pieces, but it is important not to clutter the space with too much artwork and knickknacks.
How to get the Industrial Farmhouse Look?
Elements used in the Industrial Farmhouse style would be described as rugged and sturdy, not delicate. Reclaimed wood, tarnished metals, wrought iron, and vintage furniture are some of the staples of modern Industrial Farmhouse decor. It blends the contrasts of urban and rural styles in exciting and unique ways.
If you want soft comfy furniture, consider adding industrial edginess with a rustic coffee table made with reclaimed wood and black metal or maybe an old trunk. Try to create a balance of cold and warm, soft and hard.
When decorating with modern industrial farmhouse style, think of different ways to combine vintage elements with modern decorating ideas. Don’t limit yourself, explore the possibilities. Combine rustic wood with smooth wrought iron or smooth wood with aged metal.
If your home has exposed brick walls, you can add vintage signs to the walls and hang vintage posters that pay homage to past eras. Add a few natural accessories, such as wooden wall shelves and pottery.
If you don’t have exposed brick and you would like to have some without the cost and messy installation of real bricks, check out this Industrial farmhouse wallpaper.
The Industrial Farmhouse style is all about simple lines, sleek appliances, and simplistic color schemes. Think rugged, not dainty.
Industrial farmhouse furniture can take many of the characteristics of industrial design and create a comfortable but ruggedly modern room. Dark woods and black metal accents are commonly used and industrial farmhouse style furniture leans toward darker fabrics or leather.
Add warm tones of color using throw pillows. Tans, beige, and gray tones can add softness to offset and balance out the coldness that industrial decor can have.
Industrial Farmhouse decor ideas
Source: decorsteals.com
Wrought iron and black metal are key elements that can evolve your decor into an industrial style. It can be used the barstools if you have an island, chairs, coffee table legs, industrial shelving, light fixtures, railings, sideboards, coat racks, and more. There are many other decor elements that you can use to bring in the industrial style. In the kitchen are for instance you could use reclaimed open shelves instead of upper kitchen cabinets. Add black pipe style brackets or black metal L brackets to give them a sharp industrial look.
Source: decorsteals.com
industrial farmhouse lighting can dramatically change the feel of the entire space. For the dining area, something like a vintage wheelbarrow-style chandelier is a spectacular look. Industrial farmhouse pendant lights or birdcage pendants over an island or other areas that need overhead lighting can add beautiful dimension.
Another way to create the look of rural style is to decorate with finished wood products from around the world. Solid unfinished hardwood furniture comes in many varieties such as teak, mahogany, and oak. There are many different finishes available such as sanded, clear lacquer, natural, and oil rubbed. You can also find various modern farmhouse wall decor and accessories such as vintage signs, barn doors, wall clocks, wooden coat hangers, and abstract wood artwork.
Industrial Farmhouse Decor on a Budget
Incorporating items like wrought iron, farmhouse tables, antique doors, floating shelves and other vintage looking elements like old signage and posters will get you started. Check out stores that sell wrought iron and furniture that are inspired by vintage designs.
There are plenty of thrift stores that sell old metal parts, such as wheels and handles, that can be used to complete your custom made industrial elements. Visit Flea Markets and garage sales where you can old wooden furniture that has been slightly damaged. Then you can repair, paint or stain in any way you like to create your very own vintage style elements that will suit your taste perfectly.
Facebook marketplace is also a good source for used furniture. Regardless of how you choose to incorporate the look of industrial elements into your home, it’s sure to add a unique touch that no other home will have!
Industrial Decor for the Living Room
Source: burkedecor.com
If your aim is to create a more modern look, then the emphasis will be on bright colors, stainless steel, and metal fittings. Glass is often used in industrial farmhouse style as are steel framing and stainless steel wire. Wall decor can be either bare or decorated with wall art. When you decorate with industrial farmhouse style, don’t limit your modern farmhouse living room ideas to wooden elements. Incorporate metal and even copper or iron elements into their design.
If you have a large painted wall, try creating a gallery wall of photos, signs, and other elements to really warm things up. As mentioned earlier, floating shelves are a great choice too. Use pipe style brackets for the industrial look and warm it up with family photo frames resting on the shelves. If you have an exposed brick wall you don’t really need to put anything on it all in many cases.
However, if you feel it needs something consider a vintage sign or maybe a collage of them. Find sturdy pieces of furniture for your industrial decor style that are made from sustainable woods. A good idea might be a coffee table or daybed that can double as a sofa or chair. If you have a craft table or an artist’s table available, make use of it as an extra place to craft homemade projects.
Rustic metal finishes add an element of ruggedness to the industrial farmhouse style furniture and are very popular. If your piece of furniture doesn’t have metal finishing then you should look for pieces of furniture with decorative iron features that will add a touch of elegance.
Modern Industrial Farmhouse Kitchen Ideas
With industrial decor style, you’ll find many antiques and period features. For example, your kitchen walls may be lined with wood shelves to hold dinnerware, cups, pans, and plants. If your kitchen includes an island, adding a barn-style door to cap the end is a great look and it adds warmth and charm to the space. Don’t forget to include high-quality metal in your plans for your kitchen.
Metal is the easiest way to create a focal point in any room. High-quality metal items will help the entire room seem modern and chic and modern stainless steel appliances will certainly fit right in.
Try using an industrial farmhouse style kitchen sink to really celebrate the style. Over the countertop, you could place a piece of round or oval metal cooking rack with three racks above the sink. The combination of high-quality metal with touches of wooden elements will give your kitchen a real country kitchen feel.
Industrial Farmhouse Bathroom Ideas
Source: home-designing.com
Key elements that will give your bathroom an Industrial Farmhouse look are similar to what we described for the kitchen and living room. There are so many possibilities when you’re doing industrial farmhouse bathroom decor.
For instance, it can look amazing with a vanity made of reclaimed wood, rustic mirrors, stone sinks, and wall sconces. Open shelving with pipe brackets works beautifully, subway tiles always look great. Try a ladder style towel rack made with pipe fittings. An open shelf vanity is also very effective. Try metal pendant lighting.
Cool Industrial Farmhouse Finds on Etsy
Etsy is a great place to find unique industrial farmhouse decor diy. You can find fantastic shelving and unique wall decor that you won’t see anywhere else. Here are a few gems we found that are perfect for your industrial farmhouse decor diy project.
Farmhouse Sconce Light from Etsy
Railroad Spike Coat Rack from Etsy
What are the Best Farmhouse Colors?
Earthy neutral colors work well with industrial farmhouse decor. Here are some specific paint color suggestions.
Source: withinthegrove.com
Where can you Buy Industrial Farmhouse Furniture?
Several large retailers like Pottery Barn and Wayfair have beautiful farmhouse furniture. Thrift stores, second-hand stores, and Facebook Marketplace are great sources if you are up for doing a little restoration work.
Websites to find Industrial Farmhouse Decor
If you’re looking for something new and a little more unique, we rounded up some great websites where you can find farmhouse furniture online:| DecorSteals.com | ShabbyChic.com |
| AntiqueFarmhouse.com | Casagear.com |
| SmartFurniture.com | BurkeDecor.com |
Also check out our articles on Mid Century Modern Living Room Ideas and our favorite Stylish Comfy Sofas.
