Industrial-style kitchens are about function first and decoration second, but that doesn't mean you have to give up on aesthetics and personality. Whether you want to keep your kitchen simple or are looking for a design to complement your open concept or loft space, we've compiled our favorite industrial kitchen ideas to wow you with inspiration.
For commercial kitchens, it's important to prioritize the right materials, such as concrete, stainless steel, or exposed brick. By choosing materials that make your kitchen easy to clean, you can create the ultimate commercial kitchen that incorporates the charm of your home. Read on to discover 27 inspiring options to help you start creating a super cool and practical style.
1. Incorporate metallic elements.
“It's classic, but always feels fresh,” says designer Liz Kahn of the unlacquered brass cabinets in this Kiev studio. “It's almost impossible for natural brass to look anything other than luxury. Our design language will always include that.”
2. Experiment with glass blocks.
Eclectic industrial kitchens include mixing and matching different materials. A glass brick backsplash looks great with the wood countertops in this St. Petersburg apartment.
3. Add lighting to exposed beams.
Exposed beams are the perfect vehicle for installing unexpected light fixtures, as this dreamy industrial kitchen in this Atlanta home proves.
Bare light bulbs hang in the compact kitchen of this warm Brooklyn loft, giving the space an incredibly cool vibe.
5. Use reclaimed wood for a cozy feel.
Touches of reclaimed wood (like this Texas kitchen) give even the most sterile industrial kitchen a warm, inviting touch.
6. Add a pop of color with an accent wall.
If you like colors that contrast with stainless steel and natural materials, but still want to honor your home's history, take a look at how this 100-year-old home does it. Homeowner Sasha Santilian left one of the walls in its original condition and painted the adjacent wall a vibrant emerald green.
7. Incorporate designer-approved touches.
Toronto-based designer Shauna Walton provides a great example of what a warm, well-designed industrial kitchen can look like. She chose gorgeous woods, a stunning marble backsplash, and industrial-chic light fixtures that shine on their own without the need for added color or pattern. We also love the arched doorway, which provides even more cooking space.
8. Mix and match shelf space.
There are some great design hacks to be found in this Montreal home. For one, they installed two practical open shelves on either side of the kitchen window to add more storage (and display) space. Plus, we love that the metal matches the cabinet door handles, which were customized cabinets from IKEA.
9. Incorporate elements from other favorite design styles.
Just because you're creating a practical kitchen doesn't mean you can't incorporate other design movements and style influences. Exhibit A is this fusion of industrial and Victorian kitchens. Exposed brick, stainless steel appliances, and exposed ceiling beams combine with elegant design details to create a one-of-a-kind kitchen.
10. Use black for a dramatic look.
Black is a dramatic color for any room, but when used on kitchen walls, countertops, and cabinets, it gives the space a strong industrial look. Additionally, black is a rustic color that hides dirt well. The kitchen in this renovated London home is a stunning statement of industrial Scandinavian style that makes a bold statement.
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11. Gray never disappoints.
Gray mimics the color of stainless steel, concrete, and other industrial building materials, so it's a great color to add to your kitchen for a clean, practical look. The kitchen in a food blogger's Brooklyn apartment is It has an unpretentious functional beauty, one of the reasons for which is its sophisticated and glossy gray and white beauty.
12. Find the right accent color.
Industrial kitchens are often rigid spaces made up of building material colors, but bold colors can still blend into these spaces. Stick to just one accent color and choose from primary colors like strong yellow, rich red, or bold blue to really wow. This high-gloss metal stool with bright yellow legs from Buffalo His Kitchen shows how to add color to an industrial kitchen without going overboard.
13. Create a beautiful backsplash.
One of the most commonly used materials in industrial kitchens is stainless steel. Stainless steel is an easy metal to incorporate as it is used in many appliances and tools. Highlight sophisticated appliances and give the room a strong sense of design with a subtle yet elegant backsplash, as seen in the kitchen of this modern Australian home.
14. Leave building materials exposed.
Leaving building materials exposed means you don't have to settle on a color palette for your industrial kitchen. Rough, raw elements like OSB boards, concrete floors and ducts (that are usually hidden) make an architectural statement. When combined with other modern, stylish elements, it creates a purposeful look, like this warm, industrial Spanish loft kitchen.
15. Choose appliances that are sturdy yet stylish.
Commercial kitchens prioritize functionality, so if your budget allows, splurge on a professional-grade stove or a huge refrigerator. Chef Eden Grinspan's Brooklyn kitchen shows you how to add dramatic appliances to your commercial kitchen to make it chic and efficient.
16. Splurge on super-powerful tools.
When creating a commercial kitchen, it is important to make it as functional as possible. That means it's important to think hard about how your current kitchen will and won't work for you. It might be worth going all out with a second oven, a giant standing mixer, and even a pot faucet above the range, as seen in the kitchen of this Indianapolis home.
17. Choose plain furniture.
Industrial-style kitchens rarely need additional seating, but if you do choose to add one, choose no-frills furniture, as seen in this Montreal loft. You may want to purchase or recycle furniture that is made from industrial materials, has straight lines, and looks like it would fit perfectly in your warehouse.
18. Select independent storage.
The kitchen in this Barcelona home is the epitome of functionality. You can tell that because ingredients, utensils and other equipment are all within reach and easy to see, thanks to simple free-standing metal shelves along the walls.
19. Add a freestanding metal kitchen island.
Additional workspace is a must in a commercial kitchen, especially if you don't have a lot of counter space. If you have the space, choose a freestanding metal kitchen island to expand your workspace and further establish the industrial look, like in this Auckland loft. And the best part? These are often available at low prices.
20. Install open shelving.
The kitchen of this New Orleans home demonstrates the suitability of open shelving for the avid home cook and collector. And since this one is from none other than Joy the Baker, you can trust that this is a functional kitchen.
21. Make sure key tools are within reach.
If you choose an industrial-style kitchen, there's no need to hide your most-used tools in drawers or cabinets. Hang your tools on hooks, stack them on a shelf, or lean them against the counter so they're easily accessible while you're cooking. This Echo Park bungalow shows you how.
22. Hang statement lighting.
Whether you leave oversized light fixtures, metal light fixtures, or both, striking lighting doesn't just enhance the look of an industrial kitchen (these types of light fixtures certainly do ). It is also important to provide a working kitchen with sufficient task lighting. The hanging lighting in this Brooklyn kitchen unifies this space and makes it even more functional for baking tasks that last all day.
Industrial kitchens tend to emphasize an airy, open feel, so if you're lucky enough to have a kitchen with plenty of space, consider going for it. Focus on the spaciousness of the room and emphasize elements that draw the eye upwards for the best warehouse feel, as seen in this industrial Detroit loft.
24. Know that small spaces can be industrial, too.
The renters of this cozy Brooklyn apartment aren't letting the size of their home stop them from building an industrial kitchen. Easy-to-reach tools, lots of metal, and an emphasis on a practical feel all give your small kitchen the look you want, no matter the area.
25. If you want to use wood, choose thick and heavy boards.
Stainless steel is the gold standard for industrial kitchen materials, but wood is essential for adding warmth to a space and making it more inviting. Look for materials that emphasize the rawness of the space, such as thick planks and edgy wood, as seen in this Toronto loft.
26. Don't forget the homely element.
An industrial kitchen can look too bleak in a home filled with photos, art, and other living elements. This renovated industrial kitchen is charmingly crafted with beautiful rugs, houseplants, and magnetized pictures on the refrigerator, giving the space character and heart.
27. Achieve a highly designed appearance by combining multiple natural materials.
The great thing about all these industrial style decor elements is that you can mix and match quite a few of them to achieve the look, without visually overwhelming the space. In the kitchen of this Dutch home, exposed brick, matte black, close-to-hand tools and statement lighting fixtures work together to establish a stylish industrial style kitchen.
