Your Guide to an Industrial-Style Kitchen
Raw materials, restaurant-grade appliances and frameless cabinetry are some of the elements found in these kitchens
Whether you’re tackling a kitchen remodel with the help of a kitchen designer, an architect or a contractor, being able to clearly define your favorite style will help get your project off to a smooth start. If you love the wide-open feel of lofts and utilitarian decor reminiscent of factories and warehouses, industrial style might be a good fit. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular kitchen style, including key elements, color palettes, fixtures and finishing touches.
Industrial-Style Kitchens at a Glance
Industrial-style kitchens are simple, utilitarian spaces where raw materials and tough fixtures and finishes take center stage — think of surfaces like concrete and steel, exposed brick and plenty of open space. Here are some common elements to look for:
Industrial-style kitchens are simple, utilitarian spaces where raw materials and tough fixtures and finishes take center stage — think of surfaces like concrete and steel, exposed brick and plenty of open space. Here are some common elements to look for:
- Tough materials such as concrete, steel, brick and wooden beams
- Restaurant-grade appliances and details
- Utilitarian light fixtures
- Exposed piping and ductwork
- Neutral, limited color palette
What You Won’t Find in Industrial-Style Kitchens
Favoring practical, hard-wearing surfaces and restaurant-grade equipment over ornament and excess embellishment, industrial-style kitchens are made to stand up to a lot of use. Here’s what you won’t see:
Favoring practical, hard-wearing surfaces and restaurant-grade equipment over ornament and excess embellishment, industrial-style kitchens are made to stand up to a lot of use. Here’s what you won’t see:
- Pristine surfaces without any wear and tear
- Elaborate molding, millwork or wainscoting
- Light or pastel color palette
- Delicate fixtures or fussy details
- Formal, traditional furnishings
Minimal Color Palette
The raw materials used form the foundation of the color palette in an industrial-style kitchen. Think of concrete gray, architectural white and matte black — with an occasional pop of saturated color.
Colors for industrial kitchens:
The raw materials used form the foundation of the color palette in an industrial-style kitchen. Think of concrete gray, architectural white and matte black — with an occasional pop of saturated color.
Colors for industrial kitchens:
- Shades of gray. Cement gray, dove gray, slate, charcoal
- Black and white. Architectural white, matte black
- Saturated color. Rust orange, brick red, royal blue, navy
Design Detail: Concrete
Bringing to mind converted lofts, warehouses and factories, concrete is ideal for industrial-style kitchens. Use it as a flooring material, a countertop surface or even on the walls. Just be aware that concrete is very heavy — you’ll need to work with a pro to determine whether your home can handle the extra weight. If you love the look of concrete but it won’t work in your space, large-format tile with a concrete effect can be a convincing alternative.
Find a concrete pro for your floors
Bringing to mind converted lofts, warehouses and factories, concrete is ideal for industrial-style kitchens. Use it as a flooring material, a countertop surface or even on the walls. Just be aware that concrete is very heavy — you’ll need to work with a pro to determine whether your home can handle the extra weight. If you love the look of concrete but it won’t work in your space, large-format tile with a concrete effect can be a convincing alternative.
Find a concrete pro for your floors
Design Detail: Stainless Steel
There’s a reason stainless steel covers so many surfaces in restaurant kitchens — it’s easy to clean, can take a beating and lasts a long time. Look beyond the usual stainless steel appliances to countertops, sinks and shelving made from this hardworking material. In the Emerick Architects-designed kitchen seen here, custom stainless cabinetry with an integral sink and commercial-style faucet pairs with black-framed windows and exposed-bulb lighting for a modern industrial look.
There’s a reason stainless steel covers so many surfaces in restaurant kitchens — it’s easy to clean, can take a beating and lasts a long time. Look beyond the usual stainless steel appliances to countertops, sinks and shelving made from this hardworking material. In the Emerick Architects-designed kitchen seen here, custom stainless cabinetry with an integral sink and commercial-style faucet pairs with black-framed windows and exposed-bulb lighting for a modern industrial look.
Flat-Panel Cabinetry
Modern frameless cabinets with flat-panel or slab doors have a minimalist look that’s well-suited to industrial kitchens. Look for simple bar pulls made from sturdy metal in a dark finish, or C-channel hardware that’s integrated into the cabinet. Sinks tend to be undermount or integral for a clean look.
Find a kitchen cabinet maker
Modern frameless cabinets with flat-panel or slab doors have a minimalist look that’s well-suited to industrial kitchens. Look for simple bar pulls made from sturdy metal in a dark finish, or C-channel hardware that’s integrated into the cabinet. Sinks tend to be undermount or integral for a clean look.
Find a kitchen cabinet maker
Design Detail: Salvaged Materials
Found objects and salvaged materials — such as the reclaimed logs and plumbing pipes used to create the island in this space from SUBU Design Architecture — add authentic vintage appeal to industrial interiors. Architectural salvage yards (accessed on your own or in collaboration with your designer) can yield all sorts of treasures, including brick, stone, boards, doors, sinks, tile and light fixtures.
Found objects and salvaged materials — such as the reclaimed logs and plumbing pipes used to create the island in this space from SUBU Design Architecture — add authentic vintage appeal to industrial interiors. Architectural salvage yards (accessed on your own or in collaboration with your designer) can yield all sorts of treasures, including brick, stone, boards, doors, sinks, tile and light fixtures.
Design Detail: Open Shelving
Take a cue from professional chefs and keep your most frequently used items on quick-access open shelves. Think functional — everyday dishes and glassware, maybe a pot of fresh herbs — over decorative objects and fussy collections.
Find floating shelves in the Houzz Shop
Take a cue from professional chefs and keep your most frequently used items on quick-access open shelves. Think functional — everyday dishes and glassware, maybe a pot of fresh herbs — over decorative objects and fussy collections.
Find floating shelves in the Houzz Shop
Finishing Touches
In an industrial-style kitchen, a few carefully chosen details are all that’s needed to finish the space. Exposed pipes (or accessories made from repurposed pipes), sturdy factory-style or filament-bulb light fixtures, wood and metal stools and potted plants are all good options.
Browse industrial-style bar and counter stools
In an industrial-style kitchen, a few carefully chosen details are all that’s needed to finish the space. Exposed pipes (or accessories made from repurposed pipes), sturdy factory-style or filament-bulb light fixtures, wood and metal stools and potted plants are all good options.
Browse industrial-style bar and counter stools
Your turn: Are you a fan of industrial style? Describe or show us your favorite industrial-style kitchen in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Your Guide to Industrial Style
Browse photos of industrial-style kitchens for inspiration
Find a kitchen designer to get your project started
Shop for industrial-style kitchen products
More on Houzz
Your Guide to Industrial Style
Browse photos of industrial-style kitchens for inspiration
Find a kitchen designer to get your project started
Shop for industrial-style kitchen products
Comments (15)
See 12 more comments
CGinNoCO