Industrial Kitchen - How to Recreate the Look at Home

Industrial-style kitchens have been making the rounds for close to five years now. More popular than ever, their charm is no longer limited to city-centre lofts or condos,  and are now also prominently featured in rural and suburban homes. Such kitchens are both cozy and authentic, functional and robust. Suffice it to say: there’s a little something for everyone. 

Why is it so popular? What features make it the ideal option for your renovations? How can you design a cozy space while preserving this existing architecture? Explore this timeless trend that can transform just about any kitchen into a unique and inviting area.

What Is an Industrial-Style Kitchen?

Source: Canva

Inspired by New York lofts, industrial kitchens heavily rely on the meshing of recycled materials and sombre colours to create a factory-like look, one that’s straight out of those 19th-century manufacturing plants that were rampant in the United States during the Industrial Revolution. 

A pragmatist and culinary enthusiast’s dream, the industrial-look kitchen is highly functional and perfectly designed for large family gatherings. The storage space is optimized, and the countertops are multiplied, making for a space where one can enjoy a comfortable sit-down meal. 

This style blends industrial, functional, and trendy furnishings with unfinished materials like wood, concrete, stone, metal, and glass. A modern-looking, industrial-style kitchen has nothing to do with the traditional kitchen per se, meaning that it lends itself to the creative mind. It’s an open-floor concept that features storage options while also highlighting trendy items. 

Industrial-style kitchens also favour big spaces. In smaller homes, we can trick the eye into thinking the area is bigger than it is by knocking down the wall adjacent to the living room or dining room. It can be replaced by a partition, allowing more natural light to seep in.  

The Different Industrial Kitchen Designs

Source: Canva

While the industrial-style kitchen has been trending since 2018, designs have evolved since then. Industrial kitchens have been adapted to suit new trends and remain relevant year after year. 

While unique and cozy, it’s also authentic and animated; its various looks continue to dazzle. If you haven’t yet landed on a specific tone and design inspiration, I bet the next few looks will help with that!

The New York-Inspired Industrial Kitchen

When picturing an industrial kitchen, one first thinks of those swanky New York lofts with red brick walls, open floor plans with wooden beams and exposed piping. Said version is factory-inspired—the latter favours open-floor concepts and spacious rooms.  

The Classic Industrial Kitchen

Source: Canva

Now this is what we call an authentic industrial look: concrete floors, walls swapped for partitions, dark or neutral-coloured furnishings, and raw materials. 

The Creative Industrial Kitchen

Let your imagination run wild, and create a very tailored-to-your-liking space. Signs, blackboards, posters… whether it’s used to showcase your weekly menu or inspirational quote of the day, an industrial-style kitchen speaks to your soul. 

The Retro-Inspired Industrial Kitchen

Source: Canva

Inspired by furnishings from late 19th-century American factories, the vintage version of said kitchen takes on a unique and striking setting. Thrifted furnishings, retro appliances, vintage-inspired decor, and a boho-chic style pair colours and patterns to slightly defy the unfinished-looking features of wood, steel, and concrete.

The All-Black Industrial Kitchen

Source: Canva

The all-black look is audacious and timeless and adds character. It’s all about the subtle play between various shades and materials, which gives light to a minor contrast. You can do so much with black, especially since a lot of decorative materials and items are available in the said colour that’s mysterious yet elegant: flooring, wallpaper, countertop, sink, faucet, etc. For all things metallic, matte finishes are preferred. 

The Family-Friendly, Cozy Industrial Kitchen

With this one, we’re relying heavily on one’s whimsical and playful mindset with a slate-finished wall where one can leave behind a chalk imprint. As a gathering spot, the kitchen island looks a little bit like a long, unfinished-looking table, surrounded by mismatched stools or chairs. With this look, you can also add colour to the cabinet doors if you’re going for a more friendly setting. 

The Modern Industrial Kitchen

Source: Canva

For those who prefer straight lines and refined decors, a modern version of the industrial kitchen combines colours and exquisite items. One opts for shades of white and cream, natural wood, and a few hints of black. We’re swapping out everything that shines with brushed gold, black, or gunmetal finishes. 

The "100% Thrifted” Industrial Kitchen

Remodelling or renovating a kitchen can be expensive. Luckily, in the spirit of the industrial look, the “thrifted” trend suits it perfectly. This allows you to revamp cast-aside items, going from one thrift store to the next and perusing ads to find hidden gems. People are also browsing through online DIY websites for inspiring ideas to help them transform their new finds into one-of-a-kind items.

What Defines an Industrial-Look Kitchen?

Source: Canva

In its industrial state, a kitchen isn’t solely viewed as an area in which meals are prepared, but a cozy gathering spot to spend quality time with family or friends. 

With a well-balanced mix of rustic, retro, and modern decorative items, the industrial style, which was once reserved for large areas, nowadays was reimagined for smaller spaces. If need be, it blends in other styles to create creative, open-concept, and cozy settings.

This style automatically gives character to a kitchen. While it’s often associated with a structured layout, prevalent structural materials, and a more masculine look, the industrial style is actually designed to break away from mainstream, conventional looks. 

An industrial-style, functional, robust, and cozy kitchen rarely exists without retro-looking pendant light fixtures, a big stainless steel sink, and long, black or tarnished copper, cabinet handles. Typically, we’ll see a harmonious and striking composition that highlights unfinished, original, or recycled materials, partitions, concrete floors and stainless steel countertops. 

Since it favours objects that are both subtle and dark, the industrial-style kitchen suits bright rooms just right. As such, we’ll offset the rather raw and cold materials by allowing plenty of natural light to seep in and multiplying the light fixtures. To create open-floor concepts, we recommend either replacing a wall with a partition or building out a cathedral ceiling.

What Colours Are Shaping the Industrial Look?

Source: Canva

Fundamentally speaking, the industrial look is neutral. Therefore, it can be quite easy to personalize such a design by adding a touch of colour, whether it be to existing furnishings, the materials used, or the trinkets added. 

While neutral colours are prevalent, avoid bright colours, unless it’s subtly hinted, here and there. Nothing prevents you from using colour to personalize the setting, provided you use it wisely. As for blending in blacks and whites, a true classic when it comes to interior design, they can easily serve as a basis for any decor. 

Black

Black metal, oftentimes matte, is very used. Glazed partitions are often used to separate the kitchen from the living room or dining room. (Walls can also be painted or wallpapered in black when the lighting in the room allows for it.) The furniture is also black, juxtaposed with wood or posters with industrial prints (motivational words, numbers, symbols, etc.). Overall, it colours the countertops, faucets, cabinet knobs, door or window frames…

White or Cream

White or cream is often used in combination with black, which is normally a must-have colour. Rugs and throw pillows, frames, and such shades come together and brighten the room. To follow along with current fashions, exposed brick walls can be painted white or covered in lime.

Grey 

Flooring, walls, piping, sink, and faucet, whether with a matte or metallic finish, we really see it everywhere, floor to ceiling. It’s a manufacturing plant-inspired look that highlights plumbing features instead of concealing them. From steel to anthracite, by way of concrete, grey always seems to be just the right colour. 

Brown

A lot of neutral-tone seating areas, whether it be chairs, armchairs, or stools range from brown to tan, to cognac, rust, and chocolate brown. Both irresistible and masculine, these shades match raw materials perfectly, whether it be wood, cement, or metal. 

Red

There are so many different shades to choose from: brick red, Bordeaux, wine, but there’s also Coca-Cola® red! As for decorative items, once again, red steals the show, setting off throw pillows, lamps, tapestries, stools, etc.

The Materials Defining Industrial Designs

Source: Canva

The keywords here are raw and authentic. Four materials are at the heart of this trend: concrete, brick, glass, and metal (iron, steel, copper, etc.). These are paired with leather to create a setting that’s both cozy and masculine. 

Paired together, wood and iron make dining sideboards, shelves, kitchen islands, tables, and stools. At times, untreated lumber can also bear wordings reminiscent of old workshops or antique signs.

What Is the Best Type of Flooring for an Industrial Kitchen?

For an industrial-look kitchen, the flooring must reflect the raw yet functional aspects of the sought-after design. Here are some ideal options:

• Polished concrete: A must-have to create an authentic, industrial look. It’s robust, low maintenance, and makes for a minimalist aesthetic whether it has a matte or glossy finish.

• Faux concrete or stone tiles: A practical alternative that mimics concrete while making for stain- and waterproof flooring.

• Concrete- or metal-look vinyl: More affordable and easy to install while recreating the desired “unfinished” look.

• Aged or laminate wood parquet: If you’re looking to create a cozy contrast, opt for aged or dark floorboards to keep in line with the sought-after industrial look.

Such flooring fits perfectly with metal features, exposed bricks, and neutral hues that are typical of an industrial look.

For more information about the options available, check out our kitchen flooring buying guide.

Industrial-Style Kitchen Must-Haves

Source: Canva

As mentioned earlier, an industrial kitchen runs amock, allowing creativity to take over.

In open-concept spaces, where partitions are used, refined and functional furnishings are featured. Patrons of said design tend to swap their traditional kitchen islands for a long, workshop-like table. Countertop surfaces are multiplied and open-concept storage areas are all the rage. Shelves with a rustic finish, made with metal and wood, are used as a pantry. Most everything can be exposed, so the choice is yours!

The walls are endowed with faux brick panels or concrete, or simply painted in black, grey, or another neutral shade. Whimsy just isn’t a match for this one. 

People aren’t going out of their way to conceal exposed piping. Homeowners choose to have a large stainless steel sink and a matte or brushed finished faucet, whether in black, gold, or copper. 

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to design your kitchen as such. Most hardware and department stores, warehouses, online retailers, and thrift shops are filled with must-have industrial kitchen items. Some specific items can really set the tone as a whole, like retro kitchen stools, monochrome checkerboard tiles, metallic pendant light fixtures, black Dekton countertops with copper veining, black door knobs, unfinished wood panelling… It’s all about making the right choices. 

If you’re somewhat crafty, you can save a bit of money by going the DIY route and making your partition, workshop-like kitchen island, wooden shelves… If you’re a collector, you most likely already own a few precious gems that would add a nice, personalized retro touch to your new kitchen: metal signs, a Coca-Cola® cooler, an antique clock, etc.

Have you landed on concrete floors, walls, and countertops? We highly recommend hiring a professional to carry out such installations since they’re more complex than you might think.

Workshop-Look Decor Ideas

Source: Canva

Both retro and contemporary, this decor style is simply timeless. And, since unfinished materials mesh with metallic and factory-like structures, the possibilities are endless. That’s probably why all industrial-look kitchens are unique and tailored-made to one's liking! Feel free to draw inspiration for the following…

Slate

A little, a lot, everywhere…for a painting, cabinet door, or wall! People really get a thrill out of using it to write their daily menu, little reminders, or leave it up to budding artists to express themselves.

Stainless Steel Furniture and Metal Shelving

Since it reflects light, it often better suits small industrial kitchens rather than wood and dark-coloured metal. Not unlike restaurant kitchens, it allows for all essentials to be readily available. 

A Stainless Steel Kitchen Island on Wheels

Wheel-mounted, this apparatus serves as a table, storage space, service counter, and countertop. Since it’s easy to move around, when wheeled out, it gives small kitchens more space and ensures that all essentials are readily available in larger kitchens. It fits anywhere, matching any cabinet, regardless of colour, finish, or material.

Authentic Light Fixtures

Light fixtures are reminiscent of those found in old-fashioned factories and manufacturing plants. Also, pendant lights are featured. As for fan favourites: oversized metal domes and string lights, lined up on a wire. The light bulbs should be bright enough to light the entire room. Add wall sconces if need be.

Bar Chairs and Stools

In line with the Chesterfield sofa, the Tolix stool is a staple industrial design piece. While often available in black or steel grey, bright hues or pastel colours add a cozy touch to the room.

Vintage-Looking Appliances

Red and black are favoured for their elegance, while pastel hues are rather whimsical. KitchenAid retails several small appliances designed with a retro look yet designed for modern-day efficiency.

A Thrifted Look

Want to make your kitchen look like a mismatched masterpiece, where contrasting furniture pieces, gleaming yet simple items are featured, and new and thrifted stuff? Pots, pans, and kitchen utensils are left out in the open, and displayed in bulk.

Antique Posters and Signs

Vintage botanical prints, antique Coca-Cola® signs, enamel signs, old-fashioned etchings... Now's the time to personalize your decor. You can also adorn your furniture with stickers, emphasized by retro-inspired artwork.

A Whisper of Femininity

Girly details are thrown into this once-masculine world... From baby pink to hot pink, tableware and linens to throw pillows and stools. A Persian rug, bright bouquets and floral prints. Colours and a touch of femininity echo natural materials in a setting that's both cozy and welcoming.

Check out our article on kitchen decor trends.

Leading Industrial Design Brands

Source: Canva

Want to splurge a little? Here are a few companies that retail very on-brand and must-have industrial-style pieces. 

• Tolix: Unfinished or colourful chairs and barstools.

• Jieldé: Designed first for industrial use, the Jieldé lamp is now making its way into our homes.

• Chesterfield: Timeless leather sofas and armchairs that will keep you happy for years. 

• IKEA: When well matched, a lot of their products can create trendy, affordable designs. 

Still undecided? Note that the industrial style can blend perfectly with a Scandinavian, boho-chic, or Art Deco look. With these newer looks, white is prevalent and showcased using light wood species and stainless steel.