Industrial chic is making a comeback. It’s blending the raw beauty of brick, metal, and wood with softer textures, warm lighting, and comfortable furnishings. What used to associate with stark warehouse spaces has evolved into a style that feels inviting, functional, and modern.
Why is this “Back to the Future” trend occurring? Today’s homeowners clamor for spaces that feel authentic. By leaving materials like brick visible and admired, industrial design honors the character of a space while adapting it for contemporary living.
You don’t need to live in a loft to enjoy industrial chic. The modern version of this style involves pairing rugged materials with comfort and intentional design. Exposed brick walls add warmth, texture, and history to a living space. With Acme Brick’s range of colors and finishes, it’s easy to incorporate industrial character in a way that feels personal and livable.
Industrial chic draws inspiration from factories and urban spaces, highlighting raw materials and historic construction. Common elements include:
• Exposed brick
• Concrete surfaces
• Metal accents
• Reclaimed wood
• Open structural features
While earlier versions leaned heavily into minimalism, contemporary industrial design balances those materials with soft furnishings, warm lighting, and layered textures. The result is a look that feels both rugged and warm.
Located in Austin, Texas, Centro West is within the Plaza Saltillo Transit-Oriented Development district and it was designed by the architecture firm Gensler. Interestingly this industrial-inspired project incorporates 7 shades of Acme Brick!
A central plaza forms a communal gathering point, while a through-block alley park connects the buildings’ lobbies and provides space for public art and ground-floor retail. According to Dezeen, “In addition to residential and commercial areas, the development integrates public amenity space and opportunities for future cultural programming.”
Modern industrial design uses a mix of brick tones, textures, and finishes to create depth and visual movement. Subtle variations in color help spaces feel layered and dynamic rather than flat or uniform.
Other contemporary elements of this look include:
Seeking hiking trails, good schools and a lifestyle that seems less hurried, many families and individuals prefer to live in a “master-planned” or other suburban communities. Not surprisingly, these homeowners are taking their industrial “chic” with them! What was once limited to urban lofts in repurposed warehouses is now appearing in suburban homes and other new buildings.
Exposed brick accents, metal lighting, and architectural details add depth and character to modern spaces, creating homes that feel stylish yet established. Lightweight thin brick veneers make it easier than ever to bring this look indoors. Plus, the Speedymason panel system for thin brick and stone makes installation a breeze! This panel is easy to handle and easy to install, reducing time, cost and improving safety.
Industrial chic is all about emphasizing materials that show their character, rather than hiding it. Alongside exposed brick and concrete, metal cladding plays a key role in this aesthetic, adding contrast, structure, and a distinctly urban edge. Acme Brick’s metal cladding panels provide a sleek, contemporary surface that pairs beautifully with the warmth and texture of brick, giving spaces that signature industrial balance.
Whether used as exterior accent elements or interior architectural features, metal cladding helps anchor the industrial aesthetic. This is a design language where raw materials and modern comfort coexist in perfect harmony. When combined with exposed brick accent walls and architectural texture from stone and masonry accents, the effect is a layered, refined look that feels both vintage and modern.
This design trend leans into the beauty of raw, timeworn materials, especially the warmth and texture of reclaimed wood. Acme Brick offers several products that capture that weathered, industrial character without the maintenance demands of real timber. The Artisan Wood porcelain tile series delivers a convincing reclaimed wood look with natural grain patterns, matte finishes, and rich tonal variation. These are right at home in loft-inspired urban spaces.
For exterior applications or bold architectural statements, MAC Metal Architectural cladding features wood-look finishes like Smoked Birch, Cork, and Torrefied, blending industrial durability with rustic charm.
Acme also offers Trespa cladding in finishes such as Aged Ash, which captures the silvery, sun-bleached look of reclaimed planks often seen in converted warehouse spaces.
Together, these materials allow architects, designers, builders and homeowners to achieve an authentic industrial aesthetic. They highlight rugged textures while delivering modern performance and low-maintenance appeal.
As with any cool design idea, there are a few challenges to overcome to get that chic vibe. These include:
Instead of chasing the latest colors, furniture design or other short-term fads, industrial design that is truly chic leans into authenticity. It celebrates real materials, honest construction, and designs that age gracefully. The result is a home that feels grounded, stylish, and built to last.
As design experts note, “Industrial chic embraces raw materials like exposed brick, concrete, and metal while combining them with modern design elements for an edgy yet inviting atmosphere.” This shows how rugged elements can be contemporary and timeless at the same time.
When intentionally designed, this industrial aesthetic offers lasting appeal without feeling trendy or overdone. Exposed brick adds character that can’t be replicated, while natural finishes and comfortable furnishings make spaces feel inviting.
Acme is more than just brick. With thousands of construction and home improvement products, it is a wonderful resource for getting the look you want. Click here and find out.
