Industrial pipe decor is one of the most unexpected ways to add beauty to a room. The heavy steel tube that once transported water or gas through factories are now adorning the walls of various lofts, restaurants, and offices. These pipes dont use drywall and paint to decorate the walls of these spaces because drywall and paint do not possess that same strength as the steel of these once-industrial pipe.
The look of industrial pipe decor is considered to be both moddern and grounded to the earth and the industrial past of the materials from which it is created, yet does not include the noise and mess of an actual factory floor. Once a person spots some industrial pipe decor, they will begin to notice industrial pipe decor potential in the remainder of there environment. The beauty of the industrial pipe decor style is that the pipe can be used in various ways within a space.
Industrial pipes can stand alone as decor. Or, industrial pipes can disappear within other decor elements, such as lighting or shelves, and be used to support other elements within that space. Because the material is capable of withstanding decades of use, the pipe can handle the lighter use of a decor application.
Industrial pipes do not need to be treated with care; the pipes are that strong and durable. A little rust on the decor elements will only add to the character of the decor. The rust is indicative of the heavy use that the pipes endure during their life as industrial components.
What follows are eight ways to incorporate industrial pipe decor into your home décor. Each of the eight idea represents a different use case for the decor element, though all of them utilize the properties of the materials in the same way. Some of these ideas are best completed in one weekend, while others may take a bit more planning.
However, each of the ideas will allow you to utilize industrial pipe in ways that may surprise you and still maintain its inherent industrial roots.
Eight Creative Ways To Use Industrial Pipe Decor
1. Clothing Rack
One of the easiest ways to use industrial pipe decor in your home is to create a clothing rack. Use the floor flanges, nipples, and a cross tee to create a clothing rack that can support the winter clothing of your clothes.
Thread the vertical pipes into the flanges to secure the rack to the floor. Add elbows to the rack at shoulder height to allow for clothing to be hung along the horizontal pipe. The rack can hold your clothing without sagging.
You can disassemble the metal components to allow for the rack to be moved to another apartment. The clothing rack can be painted matte black or left as raw metal.
2. Open Shelving
Open shelving can also be created using industrial pipes.
Use the metal pipes as the frame to support your shelves. Use the floor flanges to secure the shelves to the floor. Use the tees to create multiple shelves of different heights.
Cut the wood or metal shelves to the size needed to place on the pipes. The pipes can perform a double function as the shelves and the shelving supports. It is common for guests to run their fingers along the metal shelves to feel the texture of the metal.
To avoid this function of the shelves, make sure that the shelves are levelled when constructing them. Otherwise, they will be an eyesore in your kitchen or bar area.
3. Lighting Options
Lighting options for your home can use industrial pipe decor.
Use industrial descenders to hang pendant lights from the ceiling. Or, build a chandelier by creating a grid of metal pipes that extend from a central support, then thread decorative lights into each of the pipes. Use warm bulbs within the chandelier that allow for the metal to contrast with the glass.
Use the industrial rods to create lighting in your kitchen or dining area. If you rent your home, use industrial tension rods or floor lamps made of industrial metal to avoid damaging your ceiling.
4. Bathroom Towel Bars and Vanities
Bathrooms benefit from industrial towel bars and industrial vanity legs.
Use industrial metal to create a ladder-shaped towel rack. Position the vertical metal risers into the floor to secure them to the ground. Add horizontal metal towel bars to each riser.
The metal will allow for your towels to air out. For the vanity area, use four short legs made of industrial metal and thread them into the elbows to support the countertop. The open nature of the vanity will allow your bathroom to appear larger.
It will also allow for the placement of baskets under the vanity. Coat the metal threads with clear lacquer to avoid rust from the steam from your bathroom showers. This may mean the sacrifice of hidden storage for your toiletries, but the additional square footage in your bathroom is likely worth the trade-off.
5. Floor to Ceiling Bookshelf
Use industrial metal to create a bookshelf that extends from floor to ceiling. The vertical metal pipes range from the floor to the ceiling and are secured into the floor and ceiling with flanges. Create horizontal metal pipes that act as stops for the books on the shelf.
The bookshelf will create an airy feel in your living room or hallway. You can add a few wooden shelves within the metal bookshelf for items that is heavier than books. The metal pipes will not sag under the weight of your books.
Make sure that the flanges are secured to the floor with the metal pipes to avoid the shelf walking forward out of the floor over time.
6. Coffee Tables or Side Tables
Coffee tables or side tables can also be made of industrial metal. The tables will likely be of a smaller size than the other tables made of metal.
The coffee tables can feature a frame that is created by the metal pipes and elbows. The metal frame can be used to support a slab of wood or metal. Metal coffee tables allow for the metal frame to be seen when using a glass slab for the coffee table.
Weld the metal joints together to allow for a seamless coffee table. Threaded metal joints allow for the coffee table to be disassembled for moving day. File the metal edges to make them safe for children or add metal rubber caps to protect the metal.
7. Metal Headboards
Headboards can be made of metal to add a touch of industrial decor to your bedroom. Create a horizontal and vertical metal grid that is secured to the bedroom wall. Use the metal to create a headboard that is freestanding by creating two tall a-frames of metal that are connected by metal bars on which the bed rests.
Add metal hooks to the top of the headboard for hanging décor items. The metal headboard will appear masculine in your bedroom. Pair the headboard with crisp white bedding to soften the metal in the bedroom.
8. Outdoor Decor
Outdoor spaces can benefit from using industrial metal for decor. Use schedule 40 galvanized metal to create a pergola that extends over your garden. Grow climbing plants such as grapes or jasmine on the pergola so that they will cover the metal in lush greenery.
The metal will weather to a patina that will only improve over time. Use metal corners to create raised garden beds. Or, hang outdoor metal lanterns from metal shepherd hooks that are driven into the ground.
The metal was created for use underground or in the oceans, so it will stand up to the weather.
9. Curtain Rods
One last idea for using industrial metal in your home may surprise you. Use metal rods to create curtain rods.
The metal pipes will be two inches in diameter and will span the width of your bedroom or living room windows. Mount the metal pipes to oversized flanges that are painted to match the color of the wall. The metal rod will allow your heavy velvet or linen curtains to drape over the rod.
When the curtains are open, the bare metal pipe will stand as a modern sculpture in your space. When the curtains are closed, the metal and fabric will work together to create a pleasing textural space in your room. These ideas are just a few of the many ways to use industrial metal in your décor.
However, they will give you the confidence to experiment with metal to create your desired décor in your home. To successfully use industrial metal in your décor, you must respect the material. Industrial metal does not want to be treated like delicate décor items.
It doesnt need to be as refined as the rest of the décor in your space. Industrial metal leans into its past and the inherent elements of metal that create such a fresh look for décor elements after more than a few decades of its first use in industrial spaces. Choose one of the projects above to start your journey into using industrial metal in your décor.
Once you have completed your first industrial metal project, you will understand why people have extra lengths of metal pipe in their garages. There are alot more ideas for industrial metal projects that can be used in your home, but these will start the ball rolling for your decorating ideas. The possibilities are remarkably strong for industrial metal in décor projects in your space.
