Modernizing Your Home with Industrial Pipe
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of industrial chic design is the urban, utilitarian simplicity of weathered steel, recycled and repurposed wood, and exposed seams. The industrial style didn’t actually start as a style at all, but rather as an absence of style that focused on function over form. Instead of hiding evidence of construction with paint and polish, the industrial look lets forged metal, gears, piping, reclaimed wood, and unfinished, rough-around-the-edges surfaces take center stage. The resultant look is a somewhat androgynous style that’s both rugged and sleek, mixing repurposed or reclaimed materials with the feel of a warehouse loft.
A popular manifestation of the industrial style of design has been to use pipeworks for things like shelves and furnishings. Especially popular in urban dwellings like apartments and condos, industrial pipes can be bent and routed in a multitude of ways, connected with Kee Klamp fittings that allow you to construct a virtually endless variety of forms for various purposes. Here are some ways that you can incorporate pipes and Kee Klamp fittings around your apartment to give your home an urban, sophisticated, industrial look.
Shelving
The convenient thing about pipe shelves is that they are versatile; they can cover walls of any size or take up just a small amount of space depending on what size shelves you need. If you need deep shelves for more storage, then they can be built to come further out from the wall. On the other hand, if you need small shelves in a bathroom or kitchen, you can use pipes and Kee Klamp fittings and pipe for small shelves as well.
Via IKEA Hackers
The “floating” effect of the bathroom shelves pictured here was created with pipes, Kee Klamp fittings, and inexpensive Lack shelving from IKEA. The Kee Klamp fittings were used to create multiple shelving levels as well as to mount the top of the shelves to the wall rather than the ceiling. Because the shelves appear to be floating, the shelves look lighter than they otherwise would while being made of metal piping.
Via Instructables
You can also use industrial pipes and Kee Klamp fittings and pipe to build smaller sets of shelves mounted only on the walls. Like the shelves pictured here, these shelves can be designed in many, many ways, which makes each person’s pipe shelves unique. They’re a design element that’s also functional and are mounted into wall studs, allowing them to fully support the weight of what you want them to hold.
Furniture
Industrial pipe and Kee Klamp fittings can also be used to create a variety of different furnishings around your home. This type of furniture benefits from being sturdy, versatile, simple to design and build, and relatively inexpensive.
Via Magnolia Homes
Pictured here, industrial pipes used for both railing and ladders on bunk beds can give an urban feel to what would otherwise be a homey, light area. It also makes the upper beds look safer and sturdier than they would look if made from wood.
Via Corynne Pless
The bed pictured here is made entirely from a combination of pipes, Kee Klamp fittings, and wood boards. It can be made to virtually any bed size with any size headboard and footboard as well. Additionally, these beds can be made using pipes only instead of using boards in the construction as well, giving it a more skeletal, minimalist look appropriate for boys and girls, kids and adults.
Via The MACNABs
Even tables can be constructed out of industrial pipes and Kee Klamp fittings. Whether tethered to the floor like the dining table pictured here or standing on legs, industrial pipes can be topped with a variety of surfaces reclaimed wood, metal, slate, tile, granite and serve as tables in dining areas, kitchens, offices, and elsewhere throughout your home. They can be custom-sized to fit your needs and the space that you have available.
For home decor ideas and DIY projects just like this one, head to Modernize.com for more inspiration!
This post was written by guest writer Dane O’Leary of Modernize