The combination of modern and rustic design has become an increasingly popular interior design choice in recent years, and for good reason - the combination of natural materials, like wood, with the industrial vibe of steel pipes creates a unique and stylish look that brings out the best of both worlds.

Incorporating wood and steel pipes in your DIY furniture projects can add a touch of sophistication and rustic charm to any space. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to achieve this look, here are some tips for combining wood and pipe in your DIY projects.

Tip 1: Choose the Right Wood

When choosing wood for your project, you have several options. Lighter woods like pine can create a modern feel, while reclaimed wood can add a rustic touch to your piece. You should also consider the grain and texture of the wood, as well as the color and finish, to ensure that it complements the pipes.

The Restore Line by PIPE DECOR® offers reclaimed wood that has undergone our unique finishing process that accentuates the natural knots and grain of the wood. The wood itself is collected after forest fires or acquired through preventative deforestation which reduces the severity of future fires. We use low-impact logging practices to maintain and preserve the land from which each piece is harvested. When paired with our pipes and fittings, you can create a unique and long-lasting piece that exudes a rustic charm.

Tip 2: Choose Your Pipes

Similar to wood choice, there are many different pipe finishes you can go with. There’s always the tried and tested black pipes that go well with any aesthetic you're trying to achieve. If you want a more polished finish, you can go with galvanized pipes. These pipes come pre-finished with a zinc coating that makes them more durable. If you want to bring out a bit of glam in your DIY pieces, you can use brass pipes.

They’re also great to use as accent pieces for your furniture. All these types of pipes are available to purchase at PIPE DECOR®. We also offer our exclusive Noir line of pipes and fittings that come pre-finished in matte black to give your DIY furniture a bold and sophisticated look.

You’ll also need to familiarize yourself with the various fittings you’ll be needing to connect pipes and to attach your wood to your pipe base. Check out PIPE DECOR® for a complete list of fittings to use for any of your DIY projects.

Tip 3: Plan Your Design

Before you even start getting the materials you need for your project, you’ll need to slow down and plan your design first. Whether you’re building something as simple as a wall-mounted shelf, or something bigger like a bed frame, you’ll need to plan things out to ensure a smooth build process. Once you’ve decided on a piece of furniture to build, it’s a good idea to draw a rough sketch of your design.

When designing your furniture pieces, think about the balance between rustic and modern elements. A simple design with clean lines and minimal embellishments can showcase the beauty of both the wood and the pipes. Mixing materials can add interest, like using pipes or legs or support while incorporating wood as the tabletop or shelving.

Tip 4: Experimenting with Finishes

If you want to enhance your rustic-modern-inspired pieces, try experimenting with different finishes. Create a sleek look with matte finish pipes, or use a satin finish on the wood to highlight its natural grain and texture. Highlighting the natural knots, grains, and imperfections of the wood can give you an authentic rustic feel.

Tip 5: Use Other Elements

While limiting your materials to just wood and steel pipes is enough to give you that rustic-modern vibe, you can elevate the design with the use of other elements. Using leather upholstery adds a sophisticated touch that blends well to the rustic wood and pipe furniture.

Incorporating metallic finishes, such as brushed nickel or polished chrome, can elevate the modern feel of your furniture. These finishes can be used on pipe joints or in the hardware used to secure the wood panels.

Tip 6: Use Live-Edge Wood

If you want to incorporate a more natural touch into your rustic-modern furniture, try using live-edge wood. This is wood that has been cut to retain the natural edge of the tree which gives it an organic and unique look. This is often used as tabletops or as accents in shelving units. When using live-edge wood, it’s important to choose the right piece that complements the overall design of your furniture. The Restore line of products from PIPE DECOR® also offers live edge wood tops for desks, tables, and shelves. Whatever DIY project you have in mind, we have the right type of live edge wood for you.

And there you have it! By following these tips, you can create DIY furniture pieces that combine the warmth of wood with the sleekness of metal pipes. We hope this post has inspired you to create your very own rustic-modern pieces. You can always search Pinterest and other similar sites online for more design inspiration. But when you’re ready to start on your build, don’t forget to check out PIPE DECOR® for pipes, fittings, and wood for any of your DIY furniture builds.