Industrial style kitchens are currently one of the hottest trends in interior design. Characterized by exposed brick, distressed wood, metal accents, and pops of color, these kitchens blend old and new elements for a look that is both rustic and modern.
If you love the raw, utilitarian aesthetic of industrial style but struggle to incorporate it into a kitchen design in a way that still feels inviting, the following five striking kitchens with industrial-inspired style will provide plenty of inspiration. From small galley layouts to large open concept spaces, these kitchens demonstrate how to execute the industrial look flawlessly.
Introduction to Industrial Kitchen Style
Before diving into the specific examples, let’s briefly overview the key elements of industrial style and what makes it work so well for contemporary kitchen designs:
Exposed Brickwork and Ductwork
Exposed brick walls and ductwork are hallmarks of industrial style. Leaving pipes, vents, concrete, and brick uncovered celebrates the structural bones of the space rather than hiding them. It brings an artsy, loft-like look to the kitchen.
Distressed and Salvaged Woods
Tables, islands, shelving, and cabinets crafted from reclaimed wood in grey washed, naturally weathered, or deliberately distressed finishes add organic texture. Popular salvaged wood choices include barn wood, heart pine, driftwood, and remilled oak wine barrels.
Metal Accents
Stainless steel, galvanized metal, wrought iron, and antique tin offer eye-catching metallic contrast against wood, brick, and stone. Use metal for light fixtures, chairs, stools, shelves, range hoods, and pot racks.
Vintage Factory and Farmhouse Elements
Incorporate pieces like old factory carts for islands, barn doors for pantry access, antique pulleys for pot racks, galvanized metal buckets for utensil storage, and refurbished machinery parts as accents.
Pops of Color
Painted cabinets, colorful tile backsplashes, bright barstools and appliances prevent industrial kitchens from feeling too cold. Bold yellows, reds, blues, and greens energize the space.
Modern Updates
While industrial kitchens embrace a well-worn patina, modern updates like subway tile, stainless steel appliances, pendant lighting, and clean lines balance the ruggedness with sleekness.
Now that we’ve set the stage for what defines the industrial kitchen aesthetic, let’s look at how to successfully pull off the look with five stunning industrial style kitchen examples:
1. Exposed Brick and Dark Wood Kitchen
This stunning kitchen features two of the core elements of industrial style: exposed brickwork and reclaimed wood. The natural red brick wall left uncovered and the dark barn wood-style flooring provide a raw, textured foundation for the space.
Stylish Mix of Materials
The solid wood counter height dining table and black metal Tolix-style stools offer additional industrial edge, while the marble waterfall island countertop and gold pendant lighting keep things current. The white cabinetry and walls allow the other materials to shine as focal points.
Vintage Meets Modern
By pairing the distressed woods with marble, gold accents, and modern white lacquer cabinetry, this kitchen artfully blends industrial character with contemporary updates for a livable, functional kitchen. The pops of plants and sunlight streaming in soften the rugged materials for a welcoming vibe.
Clever Use of Space
This galley kitchen could feel narrow and closed in, but the high ceilings, open shelving, glass cabinet doors, and visually lightweight stools maintain an airy aesthetic. The peninsula island maximizes work space without making the room feel crowded.
2. Industrial Loft Kitchen with Exposed Pipes
This kitchen doubles down on the urban loft aesthetic by exposing not just brick, but also pipes and ductwork. Leaving mechanical systems unfinished spotlights the architectural interest of the space.
Bold Pipes & Authentic Details
The matte black piping stands out boldly against the unfinished brick wall, while additional exposed silver ductwork, conduit, and vents maintain continuity. Salvaged factory carts lend authentic industrial warehouse charm.
Inviting Industrial
Despite the ultra-raw industrial look, this kitchen remains warm and welcoming thanks to abundant natural light, glass door cabinets, white and wood accents, and pops of greenery. The island with overhang seating creates a casual, social space.
Harmonious Materials
The key materials – brick, metal, wood, glass, and concrete – strike an ideal balance. The consistent use of black metal for the bar stools, lights, shelving, and floor outlet cover ties everything together cohesively. The palette successfully masters both rugged and refined.
3. Rustic Wood Industrial Kitchen
Wood takes center stage in this rustic kitchen marked by detailed craftsmanship. The reclaimed elm plank floors and custom stacked wood storage cabinetry make a textured, natural statement.
Woodworker’s Dream
The gorgeous wood cabinetry stands out as the focal point of the kitchen. Mixing stacked cabinet fronts, open shelving, closed storage, and dimmable lighting shows off beautiful carpentry. Raw reclaimed wood beams reinforce the handcrafted style.
Textural Touches
From the diagonal wood ceiling boards to the stacked stone backsplash to the woven barstools, various materials in this kitchen add visual interest through contrasting textures. The repeating verticals and scattered metals boost the rustic ambiance.
Smart Storage Solutions
Abundant cabinetry means no shortage of storage space. Drawers for utensils and sliding racks for spices keep everything organized without cluttering the countertops. The recycled wood cutting boards mounted on the walls are both decorative and functional.
4. Small Industrial Galley Kitchen
This narrow galley kitchen makes the most of its limited square footage to create a space that feels open and uncluttered, despite its confined footprint. The strategic use of industrial elements visually expands the room.
High Ceilings & Clever Lighting
Extending the cabinetry to the ceiling draws the eye upward, while the mesh cage pendant lights and edison bulb sconces keep things bright and airy. The mirrored backsplash enlarges the sense of space.
Multi-Use Island on Wheels
A slim rolling island topped with a wood butcher block finish serves as a prep space, casual dining area, and visual anchor. The industrial metal stools tuck neatly underneath when not in use.
Minimalist Materials
Rather than cluttering the tight space, this kitchen sticks to just a handful of materials: white cabinetry and walls, light wood accents, black metal fixtures, and concrete flooring. The sparse color scheme furthers the minimalist look.
5. Industrial Eclectic Kitchen
This kitchen confidently brings together a trove of materials, colors, and textures for an eclectic spin on industrial style. While united by metallic accents, no two elements look exactly the same for a layered, collected look.
Quirky Color Combo
Sage green cabinets, bold teal open shelving, copper grates, matte black hardware, chrome stools, and an exposed copper range hood compose an energetic palette. The creams and wood tones give it enough neutrality to avoid becoming overpowering.
Creative with Metals
From wire basket shelves to a rolling bar cart to diamond plate paneling, the creative use of metals in finishes like copper, brass, chrome, and nickel tie everything together. The metals look especially striking against the brick walls.
Conversation-Worthy Decor
The unique antiqued lighting, collectible tins, and salvaged pieces like an old railway sign and library card catalog lend character and encourage the eye to wander. This kitchen offers plenty of styling inspiration.
Designing Your Own Industrial Kitchen
If these stunning examples have you eager to give your kitchen an industrial makeover, incorporate the following tips as you plan your own industrial-inspired space:
- Expose architectural elements – Peel back drywall to expose original brickwork and piping to highlight the bones of your home. Use galvanized metal, corrugated tin, or unfinished wood to panel walls if needed.
- Source authentic materials – Check architectural salvage stores, antique shops, and online resellers to find genuinely old and worn items that supply vintage character.
- Add metallic accents – Use stainless steel, black iron, copper, brass, and other metals for lighting fixtures, shelving, barstools, appliances, and hardware. Mix metal finishes.
- Include reclaimed wood – Use distressed or weathered wood for cabinets, tables, shelves, and floors. Barn wood and heart pine work especially well.
- Paint or tile boldly – Choose a color for a painted accent wall or bright backsplash tile that excites you. Don’t be afraid to go bold.
- Add factory-style lighting – Use utilitarian pendant lights, vintage bulbs, industrial sconces, oversized dome lights, and TASK lighting. Layer lighting sources.
- Incorporate urban greenery – Potted succulents, air plants, herbs, and lush green plants help soften hard edges and materials.
- Maximize storage – Opt for drawer bases over doors, open shelving to eliminate upper cabinets, and smart organizational accessories.
Final Thoughts
Industrial kitchens offer the best of both worlds: the raw, exposed bones of a building paired with modern updates for comfort and convenience. By implementing some of the ideas showcased in these five striking kitchens with industrial edge, you can craft a space that feels inviting yet still artfully unfinished.
The key is to determine which specific industrial elements most appeal to your personal taste – exposed brick or ductwork, reclaimed wood or metal accents – then incorporate those signature details in a way that aligns with your lifestyle needs. With an endless array of options for achieving the warehouse aesthetic, embrace your creativity and find your own ideal blend of rugged and refined.
5 FAQs about Industrial Kitchens
What is an industrial style kitchen?
An industrial style kitchen embraces a raw, unfinished aesthetic featuring exposed bricks, woods, metals and pipes. Materials look distressed, vintage or salvaged. The overall vibe is urban loft meets factory warehouse.
What are the key elements of an industrial kitchen?
- Exposed brick or ductwork
- Reclaimed wood cabinets and tables
- Metal accents and hardware
- Concrete, metal or wood floors
- Vintage-style lighting
- Factory inspired decor like pulleys and carts
- Pops of bold color
What color cabinets go with industrial kitchens?
White or light grey cabinets pair well with the dark woods and metals often found in industrial kitchens. For a bolder look, opt for sage green, navy blue, brick red, jet black or even bright yellow cabinets.
How do you decorate an industrial style kitchen?
Use a mix of uncovered architectural elements, factory carts and shelves, reticulated metal lighting, pulleys for towels, galvanized buckets and bins for storage, salvaged signage and antique tins for decor. Add potted herbs and plants for a pop of life.
What flooring works best for an industrial kitchen?
Concrete, stained concrete, and distressed or reclaimed wood floors suit the industrial aesthetic. For a modern update, try large format porcelain tiles made to mimic concrete, wood or brick.
Conclusion
Industrial style kitchens remain a popular choice for achieving a modern yet timeworn look defined by rugged textures, utilitarian materials, and bold, eclectic accents. Whether you opt for exposed brick, pipes and metal like a New York loft, focus on rich wood elements for rustic character, or take an artfully curated approach to industrial decor, the possibilities are endless for creating an urban space with unique handcrafted appeal. Hopefully the striking kitchens showcased here have sparked inspiration for designing your own perfect blend of industrial edge and inviting warmth. Armed with these key insights into executing industrial design for kitchen interiors now, the only job left is to start brings your industrial vision to life!
