Renter's Guide to Modern Industrial Decor

Renting doesn't mean you can't rock an industrial-inspired space! With a few clever choices, you can transform your rental into a sleek, modern loft without breaking the bank or requiring a landlord's permission.

I was called to action to decorate this small apartment, my daughter's new place, as she moved in with her partner and their two furry babies🐈🐈‍⬛.  Kaz, the serious guy you saw in that previous picture, and Tessa, a Tortoiseshell girl. The first decision to decorate and combine this rental was to settle into a decorating style. The young couple went for a modern-industrial style.

Merging two households can be challenging, but this time, it went as smoothly as possible. They made the big decisions beforehand, and I was only in charge of the decor.

Today is the reveal of this apartment, but before we jump to the pictures,  I want to first give you the key points I followed and that you can keep in mind when infusing a rental or any other space with modern-industrial charm:

Color Palette

• Base: It's a rental! You most likely already have those base, neutral colors all around the apartment. If your apartment has exposed concrete or brick walls, that's a bonus.
• Accents: Introduce warmth with wood tones, copper, or brass accents.

Furniture

• Sleek and Functional: Opt for pieces with clean lines and metal accents. Look for items with a vintage industrial vibe. Hey, I simply used what they already had!
• Multipurpose: Consider furniture that serves multiple purposes, like a storage ottoman or a sofa bed.
• Thrift and Upcycle: Check out flea markets, thrift stores, and online marketplaces for industrial-inspired finds. You can also upcycle old furniture with metal paint or industrial-style hardware.

This once-empty space looked disheveled a few weeks after the move. It was the moment I started taking care of the decor.

Well, privacy was the day's first order, as those windows lacked treatments, and we all felt exposed.

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THE LIVING ROOM

THE BEFORE

The curtains were mounted, the room was vacuumed, organized, and turned into the comfiest spot for a mid-day snooze. 😸

& AFTER!

|  Curtain Rod  |  Curtain Rings  |  TV Console  |

Decor

• Industrial Lighting: Pendant lights with exposed bulbs or Edison-style filament bulbs are perfect.
• Exposed Elements: Simulate exposed brick with wallpaper or paint
• Plants: Bring life and softness to the space with greenery. Industrial planters or hanging terrariums add a touch of nature.
• Artwork: Choose bold, graphic pieces with a modern edge. Black and white photography or abstract art works well.

My previous post was about the peel-and-stick wallpaper installation. I love how this "exposed brick" treatment gave the room a new dimension.

There is a non-working fireplace behind the TV. But hey, what good is having an element that doesn't work for its intended purpose? Besides, it was lacking in style! 

I tried to disguise that fireplace with the wallpaper as best I could, but even though it still shows, the eye gets busy looking at those pretty bricks instead.

That was a short nap for Tessa. 🐈‍⬛ 

As stated before, all the furniture came from their previous apartments. They had two sofas, and both of them made the space too crowded. After considering it, the lower-quality sofa was sent to the balcony.

The art gallery installed in my daughter's previous apartment was used once again throughout this apartment. 

Materials

• Metal: Incorporate metal elements like exposed pipes, metal shelving, or industrial-style light fixtures.
• Wood: Introduce warmth with reclaimed wood accents, such as a wooden dining table or a rustic-looking bookshelf.
• Concrete: While real concrete might be off-limits, there are plenty of concrete-look alternatives, such as wallpaper, tiles, or furniture.

The black crown molding accentuated the style we were after. The same concept was used for the leather cushion on the sofa, which also adds to the industrial vibe in the room.

Behind the sofa, there is space for a console table, but that's still underway.  Right now, there is a very low TV console that needs to be updated, as well as a litter cabinet for one of the cats.

Let's take a quick look at the rest of the apartment!

The picture below was taken after entering the front door. The living room is on the right, and the dining area and kitchen are to the left.

THE DINING AREA & KITCHEN

In the dining area, the old shelves are the precise background with their sleek metal and wood combination.

I love to see how a brand-new household is being formed! In this case, throughout the furnishings: his dining table, her chairs, his books, her side table, etc.

It's a fusion on so many levels.

Decor

• Industrial Lighting: Pendant lights with exposed bulbs or Edison-style filament bulbs are perfect.
• Exposed Elements: Simulate exposed brick with wallpaper or paint
• Plants: Bring life and softness to the space with greenery. Industrial planters or hanging terrariums add a touch of nature.
• Artwork: Choose bold, graphic pieces with a modern edge. Black and white photography or abstract art works well.

One more frame from the previous gallery wall adorns the dining area. I adore this type of black frame, as it is classic and can be used with many decorating styles.

The same China is again used on the table, paired with leather placemats.

I did absolutely nothing to the kitchen. I took the below picture to put it in context with the dining area. 

There's nothing else to do besides fixing that paper towel holder or replacing it with a new one and organizing some of the cabinets.

| Shelves | Table |

THE BEDROOM

This is a minimalistic bedroom. It is small, barely fitting the bed and a couple of small nightstands. A couple of doors compromise the only extra space at the foot of the bed.

One of the caveats in rental apartments is the lack of overhead lighting, especially in the bedrooms. 

Installing exposed glass bulbs with a cord set and switch solved the lighting problem. The soft, even light these bulbs provide works exceptionally well here in the bedroom, and I also love that the nightstands have more real estate as there aren't lamps on them.

|  Bed  | Light Bulb | Cord Set with Switch |

Ha, look who's here!

She's a diva. 😆

THE OFFICE

This apartment has a second room, which was set as the office. The two of them use this office most days of the week as they work from home.

As you can see in this -before picture- they were desperate for window treatments for this space.

Blinds and room-darkening curtains were quickly installed, and they made a huge difference.

This office is also Kaz's private headquarters. He's the boss here. He loves being close to his favorite male human.

| Cat Tree | Cat Litter Box Enclosure | Curtains |

My daughter's same desk configuration is on the opposite side of the room. She mainly used white accents and the Ikea pegboard system to decorate and keep things organized.

Oh, and that Maryland flag is upside down. I mounted it this way, and my daughter quickly let me know about that mistake.  I just remembered that I need to correct it. 

The same decorative concepts were used again in the office: metal, wooden surfaces, black, white, and plain colors.

This room also received many lighting solutions, including a drum light mounted on the ceiling to make it brighter in the evenings.

|  Pegboard  |  Clear Containers  |  Storage Basket Set  |

The decorating in this room and most of the apartment is still a work in progress. This is just the beginning, but having an uncluttered, nice-looking space where we can work and, most importantly, call home is so important!

|  Desk  |  Chair  |  Floor Lamp  |

Oh, and let's not forget about the balcony!

You can check the before and after of that balcony right HERE.

Tips for Renters

• Removable Wallpaper: For temporary accent walls, consider removable wallpaper with an industrial pattern.
• Rugs: Use rugs to define spaces and add warmth to your floors.
• Wall Art: Hang artwork without damaging walls using command strips or adhesive hooks.
• Plants: Bring life to your space with low-maintenance plants that don't require excessive sunlight or water.

Remember, the key to a successful industrial-style rental is to create a space that reflects your personal style while respecting your landlord's rules.

With a bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can achieve a stylish and inviting industrial loft without making permanent changes.

Thanks for stopping by!

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