Want to do an exterior renovation in Virginia and Maryland, but fresh out of ideas to liven up your home?
Look to your downtown area for design elements that will give your home a trendy, modern look.
Taking a cue from the urban jungles of the Northeast's warehouses, old factories and loading docks, industrial modern design pairs sleek lines and uncluttered spaces with natural building materials that help to soften the utilitarian appearance.
The industrial modern style takes a rough, raw, almost blue-collar approach to design. But don't take that to mean untidy, unfinished or home-spun. Spaces designed using the industrial modern style are sleek and contemporary, not overly fussy, glitzy or glamorous. Incorporating some of the features of the style into your Northern Virginia exterior renovation project will make your home the envy of hipsters everywhere.
Sleek and Comfy
With its use of often repurposed materials, industrial modern design has become a favorite of designers around the globe.
Think of a renovated loft in SOHO with a homey touch of Virginia and Maryland.
Some popular features of this aesthetic include:
Here's seven creative ways to incorporate modern industrial design in your home:
1. Upgrade Your Entryway
To add interest and style to your home's exterior, update your entryway with a wooden door constructed of horizontal panels. Think of the large, wooden sliding doors found in industrial spaces in places like New York City or Boston for inspiration. Add sleek, metal hardware and glass surroundings to complete the look. 
2. Incorporate brick and/or cement siding
Siding installation in Northern Virginia can take many forms, but to achieve a modern industrial look, look to smooth cement, possibly combined with rustic brick. The combination of the two materials will add interest and metropolitan style to your home's exterior.
3. Picture windows and skylights 
While this style draws inspiration from industrial spaces, this style shouldn't result in an cramped, dark space. Brighten up your home by adding expansive windows and kitchen skylights.
Northern Virginia picture windows will let in loads of sunshine and warm up your contemporary design scheme.
4. Exposed beams and ductwork
You can make your home feel like an urban loft apartment by letting the bones show through. Add distressed wooden beams on the interior. Leave the ductwork for your heating and cooling system exposed. These are key elements of the industrial modern design that will make your home's renovation sparkle.
5. Create an enclosed patio or a sunroom
Consider adding an enclosed patio to your home. Add a deck enclosed by big picture windows to function as a solarium for your modern loft-styled home.
Create seating areas and an indoor vertical garden for a unique and eco-friendly twist.
6. Pair natural building materials with metals 
One of the hallmarks of modern industrial design is the combination of natural building materials like stone and wood with metals like copper and steel. Bring this look to your home by incorporating weathered wooden beams and exposed brick siding on interior walls or installing a marble or stone-floored shower and stainless steel bathroom fixtures.
7. Color palette & furnishings
The color palette you select for a modern design should be industrial, but warm. Think grays, coppers and rust tones to finish off the look. Additionally, keep furnishings and decorative elements to a minimum. Clean lines are best. Remember - less is more in this scheme.
When you're ready to discuss exterior renovation in Northern Virginia or Southern Maryland with a contractor, don't hesitate to call on Exterior Medics. We have the vision and skills required to bring your dream home to life.
Image Credit: JoeInSouthernCA, Mae Chevrette, MidCentArc, Stewf, Dee Speed, heatherson
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