Ideas for Designing an Industrially Styled Kitchen

If you love a casual vibe and a clean-looking kitchen, you might opt for an industrial design during a renovation. Here are some materials and ideas to consider.

Bricks

Industrial kitchens have a rawness expressed in surfaces such as painted brickwork. White-coloured bricks will help give the room a sense of airiness and space. This openness is part of the aesthetic that originates from the large warehouses and other industrial premises reminiscent of this style. Consider whether the plaster can be pulled away from a section of the wall in your kitchen to reveal some brickwork.

Metal

Metal is an essential component of an industrial kitchen, and it's easy to incorporate it into a room. You could install stainless steel appliances with a retro shape or a clean, minimal design, both of which have contours that work. If the room doesn't feature any exposed pipes, you could add some to the decor. For example, install open shelves and create a frame using thin plumbing pipes. Black-finished metal pendant lights in a design that evokes the industrial age are ideal.

Timber

Industrial kitchens also have a rustic quality, which you can imbue using timber on the floor, cabinetry, or furniture. You could install rich, warm-toned wood rather than white-washed, pale wood. You can incorporate wood in the form of a kitchen table and chairs. Many pieces combine timber and black metal in their design so that chair legs are black and the top is warm brown, for example.

Concrete

You may not be able to rip off the plaster on the wall to reveal brickwork. But instead, it may be possible to pull up the flooring in the kitchen to reveal a concrete slab underneath. If it's in sound condition, contractors can polish the concrete, turning it into attractive flooring. If you don't have brick walls, this is ideal for bringing a raw element into the room that covers a large surface area. Contractors can buff the concrete to different sheen levels, from a subtle matte to a high shine, so you can choose the level you prefer.

Other Materials

Once you've created enough of a raw feel in the kitchen, you can use other materials to carry on the industrial theme. For example, you could lay dark grey-black porcelain floor tiles in a matte finish, or you could fit a laminate benchtop that emulates charcoal soapstone. Another option is to install black-finished cabinetry to give the room an edgy look. Industrial kitchens are relaxing and unfussy, and you can add warmth with your own touches. You could, for example, add softness to the decor by laying down a neutral-toned floor rug.