Industrial

While industrial style may have once been solely associated with 90s loft living, it’s since become as likely to appear in a farmhouse as an exposed-beam bachelor pad. Industrial style is all about reinvention, so go ahead and use a vintage barn pendant in a kitchen, or repurpose a distressed mail-sorting cabinet as an office wall unit. Looking for something a bit more paired down? Go with pieces from retailers like West Elm or Restoration Hardware, who often incorporate industrial elements like iron and steel into their perfectly contemporary designs.

10 SALVAGED FINDS TO FACTOR INTO YOUR INDUSTRIAL DÉCOR

Whether you call a converted warehouse home or you simply fancy a home that looks like a well-oiled machine more than it operates like one, industrial chic design is a powerhouse style worth considering. Capable of imparting cinematic vibes on virtually any space (thanks in part to details like theater spotlights moonlighting as floor lamps), industrial interior design rose to popularity in conjunction with contemporary, urban loft living. Condos with exposed brick play in perfect harmony with furniture like cast iron-base coffee tables and reclaimed wood dining tables. Even more perfect? One-time factory contraptions finding new life as decorative accessories.

To shine a light on all the ways in which salvaged factory and farm finds can be translated into industrial décor ideas, we’re reimagining 10 items that previously worked a gruff 9 to 5. At first glance, these might not be the kind of objects you’re vying to display in your home, but let us rework them a bit (and wipe off some of the grit)—we’re willing to bet that once you see their potential, they’ll all be on your flea market must-haves list.

Wheel

If a wheel came off the wagon, then congrats, the score’s all yours! Courtesy of a few lengths of rope (and maybe an electrician) and a wagon or factory wheel can be refashioned as an industrial chandelier or a pot rack. Alternatively, you can mount a large wheel with pipe legs and top it with a piece of glass for an uber chic industrial coffee table. Just be sure to look for wheels in cast iron finishes rather than wood to keep the look from straying into Home on the Range territory.

Steamer Trunk

Think of a steamer trunk as a pressure cooker for design ideas. With a little roll-up-your-sleeves action, a vintage steamer trunk can be transformed from a dingy piece of luggage into an industrial furniture piece. Use as is and cast your steamer trunk in the role of an industrial coffee table—as a bonus, the interior will hide extra blankets, board games, and pillows. Already have an industrial coffee table? Adhere a steamer trunk to a tall, folding luggage rack and top your trunk with a tray to make it into a home bar.

Zinc Bathtub

If you’ve ever run across an early 1900s zinc child’s bath then you know they’re literally one of the cutest things on the planet. However, what do you do with one besides try to bathe your pup in it? Move it to your patio, fill it with soil, and nestle in some sweet-smelling herbs, of course! If you’re an apartment dweller and have a balcony, you might think about opting for a slightly bigger tub. The tub’s oblong shape will prevent it from taking up too much square footage, but will make more room for larger plants like veggies.