61% of People Regret Designing Their Home in This Style

Just because a remodel looks great on social media doesn’t mean it’s as nice to live in IRL. According to a survey by HomeHow, 61 percent of renovators who went with an industrial design (think: exposed beams and concrete floors) now regret it. Whether you are course correcting a similar mistake or already thinking about resale value, we’re here to help with a few solutions to the unforeseen problems these homeowners didn’t predict about the popular style. 

Winter Is Coming

The challenge: Industrial finishes like brick and HVAC systems can leave a home feeling too cold—figuratively and literally. By pairing the foundation down to the basic structure, outside weather isn’t being blocked by as much insulation. 

The fix: Start a fire! Freestanding fireplaces can blend well into raw settings, and if your place isn’t rigged for ventilating smoke, gas versions are available, too. If you’re down for a DIY project, build your own with an electrical insert and basic wood structure. 

Everything Echoes in Here

The challenge: It’s hard to keep secrets in a lofty room without everyone else hearing you. Sound travels fast, and when words are bouncing off the ceiling in an echo chamber, working from home is even less fun.

The fix: Big rugs, small rugs, Turkish, Moroccan—anything works. They will subtly absorb noise; it’s why bands in recording studios often have a few scattered around. Layer them one over another for ultimate coziness—either two in the same color scheme or a bold hue and a neutral for some contrast.

I Need Privacy

The challenge: Picture it: A pandemic sets in and every member of the family is within eyesight of one another 24 hours a day. Privacy has never been more necessary, and an industrial layout doesn’t allow for much.

The fix: Make barriers out of thin air—er, fabric. Fringe curtains can be hung from the ceiling, and a hedge of plants or a row of bookcases can create zones without you ever having to lift a sledgehammer.