Industrial mid-century modern design is one unique style mix we just can’t get enough of! This combo style marries the best of both worlds, translating vintage and contemporary into a timeless masterpiece. And one recent client sought just this look for his new home. Read on to see how our designer accomplished the perfect blend of industrial meets mid-century modern!
The Challenge: Industrial Mid-Century Modern Design
It all started with a client acquiring a gorgeous mid-century-inspired house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s main apprentice. Apart from feeling a bit dated, the existing interior layout also left a lot to be desired in terms of functionality. So, when the owner approached Decorilla, he was looking for a designer to:
- Combine mid-century interior design with industrial elements
- Source all new furniture, accessories, and decor
- Reinvent the dining room without blocking access to the patio
- Convey a more masculine feel in all rooms
- Come up with ideas for a multipurpose room to serve varying functions
Not sure if industrial mid-century modern is the right look for you? Then, take our Free Interior Design Style Quiz to discover your unique decorating style today!
Design Inspiration: Industrial Meets Mid-Century Modern
What the client was looking for turned out to be an interesting fusion of styles. He provided a comprehensive inspirational gallery showcasing industrial decor mixed with other styles, such as neoclassicism, also with quite a bit of mid-century modern design.
Some samples involved glamorous accents or contemporary curvy, organic furniture lines. However, all the interiors pointed towards slightly moody and masculine layouts with strong character, but without going over the top.
Initial Concepts: Finding the Right Designer
Since the client already had a pretty decent idea of what he wanted, finding them the most suitable designers wasn’t challenging. Shortly after completing the first steps of the online interior design process, the team connected them with two creatives, both very proficient in the desired styles. Each designer presented an attractive industrial mid-century modern moodboard with the ideas for bringing the client’s vision to life.
While choosing between the two was not easy, the client finally picked the design proposed by Darya N. Her concept brought an inviting space that balanced raw industrial elements against homey furniture and decor. It maintained the spirit of the house and its owner while making it a proper residence at the same time.
Results Revealed: Mid-Century Industrial Design
The designer loved what she described as “an incredible home with such well-proportioned rooms and an amazing view!” And the view was exactly what she established as the central point of the layout. Her composition of the mid-century industrial design brings the outside in, using the stunning canyon as a giant framed art. It also makes the perfect background for the loft-style dwelling the client was after.
Industrial Mid-Century Modern Living Room
The living room is a stunning display of industrial meets mid-century modern. Darya’s interior design perfectly complements the home’s architectural features, rather than detracting from them.
Polished concrete flooring extends uninterrupted beneath a vaulted ceiling, supported by exposed beams that convey a loft-like feel. Expansive windows and sliding glass doors frame a sweeping desert panorama, flooding the interior with natural light and visually extending the living zone into the rugged landscape beyond.
This open, industrial mid-century modern living room unfolds around a central fireplace flanked by low shelving and raw‐timber accents. A streamlined modular sectional faces a minimalist hearth inside a moody brick surround. It’s complemented by a sculptural chaise longue and leather-wrapped lounge chair that punctuate the perimeter, offering varied vantage points. An oversized urban art piece meanwhile reinforces the room’s industrial feel.
Since sunlight filled the open-concept living room, the designer opted for a moody charcoal wall paint for the interior. This not only provides a stunning contrast for the mid-century modern furniture, but also frames the stunning views. It also gave the masculine look the client wanted.
Transforming Challenges Into Creative Solutions
Darya proposed adding dimension and color to the walls by painting them light grey with clay stain. In addition, a black accent wall and fireplace complement the iron support beams of the house. This dramatic color palette serves as the perfect backdrop for bright, neutral fabrics, while also allowing the antique brass accents to shine at their best. At the same time, incorporating opulent materials such as leather and marble polishes the industrial mid-century modern space with a layer of luxurious sensation.
Moody Dining Room Design
The mid-century industrial design carries over to the dining area, creating a cohesive space with two distinct functions. A solid‐walnut table, with its sculpted steel base echoing the geometry of the ceiling’s exposed beams, commands the center. The setup maintains clear sightlines established across the room, all while preserving direct access to the expansive glazing that dispenses natural light and frames the desert vista.
The original plain white backdrop has been replaced with a deep, textured plaster panel that serves as a dramatic foil for the bespoke 3D wall sculptures. Their clustered, coin-like forms—rendered in burnished brass and patinated steel—reflect light, introducing kinetic sparkle and a point of visual interest that bridges the seating and dining zones.
Beyond the statement wall accents, the dining area is further visually set apart by curvy, light gray chairs and a statement pendant light that descends into its own spatial ‘halo.’ The designer’s decisions also optimized traffic flow, acoustic comfort, and the room’s multipurpose use—whether that’s formal dining, casual lounging, or seamless entertaining in an upscale office‐style environment.
Mid-Century Industrial Bedroom Design
The starting point for the mid-century industrial bedroom was the bed that the client had an eye on. The designer was able to blend it in with new pieces sourced to maintain cohesion throughout the house.
The bed is now framed by two cement night tables, with a matte metallic pendant light above each. Rich wooden texture and sleek metal finishes also stand out against the black brick background, creating a sensible balance.
The original bedroom had loads of potential but lacked all the trimmings of a personalized space. So, the designer dressed the interior in the same charcoal hue that runs throughout the rest of the home. This, in turn, emphasizes the beautiful furniture and asymmetric décor. And in the end, the space is just as swoon-worthy and luxurious as the rest of the home.
Next to the bed arrangement, the wall niche hosts a bult-in wooden bookshelf, juxtaposing the rigid industrial vibes with its raw surface, warm hue, and mid-century-inspired display. Discreetly texturing the white wall brought yet another level of visual interest, preventing the feeling of heaviness from dominating the space.
Across from the bed stands the mid-century modern console, accompanied by a prominent abstract geometric wall art piece. Although quite vibrant compared to the rest of the room, the painting’s earthy palette establishes the right balance between all the elements, cheering up the space while also pulling the room elements together.
Multi-Functional Bonus Room
Perhaps the most interesting space in the house, however, is the spare room turned flex room. This multifunctional space is a design hybrid of a man cave, home office, media center, and game room. Filled with mostly mid-century modern industrial furniture and putting function above all, its distinctive style still packs quite a punch.
Initially, the client was unsure what he wanted for the ground floor leading out to the pool. Fortunately, the designer recognized the room’s potential for entertainment. So she transformed it into a stylish industrial meets mid-century modern space geared for enjoyment.
While the primary color palette remains the same throughout the house, the mid-century flex room is slightly brighter than the rest. Instead of predominantly black and dark grey, here the shades lean more towards light smoke and off-white.
Furthermore, the trap of monotony is avoided by the addition of natural wood, a geometric rug, a small framed photo gallery, and taxidermy.
Design Details: Sourcing the Perfect Pieces
Each design package also includes additional benefits to streamline putting together your new interior. One of the client-favorites is the curated shopping list with significant trade discounts. It’s closely followed by the white-glove shopping concierge service which handles all the ordering, tracking, and delivery of the items you choose to purchase from the list. However, what most clients highlight above all else is the collaborative process with the designers and the team. Here’s what we got as a feedback for this particular project:
“The process was very intuitive and responsive. I enjoyed being able to pick from two proposals from different designers to start things off. From there, I really enjoyed how responsive Darya (my designer) was and that she went above and beyond on any of my requests. Lastly, I was shocked at how accurate the 3D renderings were. It really allowed me to envision the “look” of each room before making a final decision on the furniture, colors, and overall design.“
Get the Look: Industrial Mid-Century Modern Top Picks
Mid-century industrial design offers an excellent opportunity to refresh your home with a stylish mix of vintage and new. So choose from our top picks to get started on your own space:
Want your own industrial mid-century modern interior?
Your space can undergo a stunning transformation, too! So, schedule a Free Online Interior Design Consultation to get started on your dream home today!
Decorilla Featured Project – Industrial Mid Century Modern Design