6 Easy Steps to Beautifully Combine Modern, Industrial, & Farmhouse Design

The design world is always taking new gamuts in aesthetics, and these days, homeowners are going crazy over the modern-industrial-farmhouse combo. So further, we’ll look at each of these styles individually, followed by how you can combine them together in a single space. Let’s begin:

Modern style

This turn-of-the-century interior design style may have emerged at the helm of the 20th century, but its timelessness has withstood the tests of time with grace. Inspired by German and Scandinavian design movements of the time, this style emerged as a protest against the wild, rampant ornamentation that had taken over the arts, design, and architecture scene before. 

If you’re wondering what characterizes it, then here’s how you can identify and emulate modernism in your spaces:

• Key ideology: The most dominant characteristic of the modern style is that it follows the principle of “form follows function.” There’s a logic to every design decision that has roots in functionality, and the aesthetics are the byproduct of the whole thing.
• Zero clutter: The modern style does not accept clutter. It looks down on fussiness and fluff. Every decor piece, all the furniture - each and everything is chosen and styled with stark cleanliness.
• Clean lines: This style is all about clean lines, be they vertical, horizontal, or vertical. They are usually emphasized by exposed structural elements like columns and beams.
• Neutral colors & raw materials: Modernism frowns upon the use of bold or bright colors. It embraces materials in their rawest form and features a largely neutral color scheme. You’ll notice a dominant use of white, browns, greys, and more.
• Open floor layout: This style features open floor layouts as opposed to closed off rooms. This way, the layout feels bright and airy - not closed off.
• Natural light: Modernism also celebrates the effusion of natural light within built environments, so you’ll see lots of big windows capped off with sophisticated blinds.
• Low-height and sleek furnishings: The furniture used in the modern style is not only free of any frou-frou embellishments, but is also low-height so that the ambiance feels free, bright, and airy. The materials are also rather sleek (think: stainless steel, glass, etc.).

Industrial style

The industrial style is mostly characterized by highlighting the normally hidden parts of an interior design, such as exposed pipes, ducts, and wiring. It emphasizes practicality, is pretty laidback, and also features raw materials that are a part of the room’s ambiance itself. This combination of sleekness-weds-old world charm has made this style quite popular with the masses. 

Here are some of its major characteristics:

• Exposed wiring, structure, and pipes: An “at-glance” identification of the industrial style is the immediate exposure of wiring, ducts, and pipes. The ducts of the HVAC system are used as a design element, rather than being tucked away inside the ceiling. Electrical wires are typically hidden in narrower pipes that run across the ceiling in straightlaced patterns. Other than that, beams and rafters are also exposed in the ceiling if they exist.
• Industrial style light fixtures: The light fixtures featured in this style are of a very specific variety. They’re designed in clean lines and they feature certain “raw” components (e.g. rope, metal mesh, etc.) that give them an industrial edge. Track lights are an industrial style staple, and their multi-directional spot lights only add to the overall ambiance of this style. Plain edison bulbs hung with ropes are another notable fixture of this style.(Note: Industrial style enjoys the illumination of warm lighting only.)

• Material palette: The industrial style material palette features unique materials and aesthetics. Exposed brick is quite a staple and is usually used on feature walls. Then there’s concrete (for floors and walls), corrugated sheet, reclaimed wood, and iron objects. You might also see an abundance of subway tiles in this style.

• Color scheme: The industrial style color scheme leans on the neutral side and also features some natural accents like wood, rust, and sometimes, jewel tones.

• Accessorizing: At its core, the industrial style is quite sensory and deconstructed. It requires some spontaneity, so you can embellish it with abstract artwork, mismatched gallery walls, and even statement planters.
• Layout: The industrial style is inspired by factories, so its layout is mostly open. Double story spaces are designed like lofts, with the living room usually being double-heighted.

Farmhouse style

Known for its rustic charm with influences derived from rural architecture, this style is classy, welcoming, and absolutely homely. It is mostly characterized by a stylishly worn and weathered look with hints of vintage in the mix. It leans on the kitschy side despite having roots in functionality. With beauty and simplicity as the main objective, here are some major characteristics of the farmhouse style:

• Dominant color scheme: Earthy colors along with a predominantly white backdrop make up the dominant color scheme of this style. It doesn’t feature any bold colors - just relies on understated hues to exemplify its naturally beautiful aesthetic.
• Material palette: There’s a special correlation between woods and whites, which make up a lot of this aesthetic. You’ll also see a lot of natural fiber rugs (sisal, jute, etc.) along with butcherblock or marble countertops, depending on the finish that you’re going for.

• Furniture style: While mostly featuring a certain amount of restraint, farmhouse style furniture is large, cozy, and brims with comfort. You’ll see a a lot of oversized cushions on couches, slipcovered sofas, and big, impactful coffee tables that are surrounded by wingbacked armchairs.
• Vintage accessories: The thing that adds personality to most farmhouse style interiors is the decor. The accessories should be chosen in a mismatched manner - find vintage objects that will become conversation starters, splay gingham patterned tablecloth on your dining table, and decorate with vases with tall faux-grass. However, don’t be heavy-handed with the decor - just choose key items and place them in highly visible spaces throughout your interior.

How To combine Modern, Industrial, & Farmhouse Styles In a Single Space

Following are the major ways that you can combine the modern, industrial and farmhouse styles in a single space:

 1-Restraint is the key: The major thing to remember while combining these three aesthetics is restraint, because you don’t want everything to mesh together in an unidentifiable manner. Use clean lines and keep the textures to a bare minimum. In fact, it’s best to only use them in key places so that they don’t look overwhelming.

 2-Plan style: The plan and overall layout of your space should be breezy and open, so that the mixing and matching doesn’t make the space feel closed in. Emphasize the windows in your furniture placement and choose window coverings that complement all styles. Venetian blinds are a good option, but sheer curtains are a timeless alternative.

 3-Color & material scheme: It’s best to keep a backdrop of white (classic modern and farmhouse style) while emulating industrial style elements in the mix. You can paint a narrow strip of the wall in chalk paint or cover it in exposed brick to get an industrial effect. However, if that doesn’t go well with your aesthetic, then you can emulate the industrial vibe through other means.

 4-Ceiling style: If you’re keeping your walls white with respect to modern and farmhouse style themes, then you can highlight the industrial through the ceiling. Exposed pipes and ducts might be a bit too much, so you can opt for stained wood ceiling with an artfully distressed aesthetic. You can even cap it off with a statement light fixture in this style to make things wholesome.

 5-Furniture style: Choosing furniture for this combination can be a bit tricky. You need an expert eye for mixing and matching, but here’s a little thumb rule: the periphery furniture (credenza, sideboard, etc) can be bold and industrial while the main furniture can be a combination of modern and farmhouse styles. Camelback sofas with gilded filigrees can be paired with sleek espresso coffee tables. Or in reverse, low-height sectionals can be complemented with rustic coffee tables with a free-flowing planter in the middle for the right look. It all depends on your personal taste.

 6-Accessorizing: Here’s where you can have fun. It’s recommended to choose light fixtures in the industrial style, while the small knick-knacks and display items can be chosen in the modern-farmhouse aesthetic to complete the look.

So, this is how you can combine all three of these styles in a single look. We hope you find this guide helpful in differentiating between these themes and combining them seamlessly.