Industrial kitchen interior design is all about blending raw, edgy aesthetics with kitchen functionality, making it perfect for both home and commercial spaces. But how do you master this look without sacrificing practicality? In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about achieving an industrial kitchen design that’s both trendy and highly functional. Did you know that industrial kitchens have surged in popularity, with a 20% increase in demand for open-shelving designs alone? Whether you’re renovating a modern apartment or designing a restaurant kitchen, this guide has you covered!
What’s Industrial Kitchen Interior Design?
With it’s design roots in the Industrial Revolutions in Europe and America. This style has space at the heart of it’s design exposing the skeleton of what makes a kitchen and a home, industrial design exposes the story of creation in your home. It is a design trend story celebrating structure, architecture and purpose.
A style first embraced in commercial design on a large scale, loft living in the early 1980’s brought this trend into homes. It is a trend that continues to gain prominence in homes adding functionality to design, it is a trend which now incorporates other influences including modern minimalism, vintage chic, and even cozy vibes. It’s an adaptable and timeless design choice that can bring a level of modern elegance to your kitchen interior design.
What are the key elements you can expect to see in industrial kitchen design?
Industrial design makes use of exposed materials to provide an edgy industrial look. Raw brick walls, concrete and wood are all features of industrial interior design. Think statement concrete walls that shout modern open décor.
Metal finishes are also a key part of industrial design. Whether you choose cool stainless steel or iron or opt for a warmer more luxurious copper look, metal will play a big part in the design. Appliances, fixtures and décor should all make use of metal finishes that are tied together with one particular metal.
Monochrome and neutral colors are part of this design as they complement the metal finishes and exposed metal décor. Greys, blacks and whites create a clean minimalist feel that supports the exposed features of industrialism.
Open shelving and cabinets are a big part of designing an industrial kitchen. Everything is there for ease of use the design celebrate minimal and exposed stylings.
Exposure extends to the lighting of your kitchen too, which will have exposed bulbs with metallic decorative filaments, or metal pendants.
Best Materials for an Industrial Kitchen Style
Concrete countertops and islands are a great way to bring the industrial vibe to life in your kitchen. The dull matt grey is a durable option that adds a rugged look to your kitchen. The feel is one of luxury and style and works well with wood accents which soften the grey concrete to add warmth into your kitchen. This provides a more homely feel.
Wooden accents complete concrete industrial décor well. And can be used in a variety of ways to reduce the cold feeling industrial design can bring. Born from the movement of transforming large outdoor spaces like lofts and barns, wood accents give a more traditional home feeling which is necessary if opting for this style in smaller kitchens.
Stainless steel appliances are a popular choice in both commercial and home kitchens. It’s easy to clean and durable which makes it ideal for home kitchens. The color is also versatile meaning you can choose any wall color or décor ciolor and it will match.
Adding glass elements to your industrial design is a modern touch that still maintains the industrial vibe. Glassware allows you to see the exposed skeleton of kitchen and wall design, the brick, concrete, and stainless steel but obscures it to create a new visual dimension. Glass also adds more light to the design.
Industrial Kitchen Layout Ideas
Open floor plans
Industrial kitchen interior design is best suited to homes where there is open floor planning. The design needs space to be appreciated and showcases a sense of purpose and flow.
Kitchen islands with seating
Integrating large islands into your industrial kitchen design is also a common design feature. Ideal for holding family gatherings and social events in the home, centering and focusing on the island is possibly one of the reasons this design trend continues to grow in popularity. An open display kitchen island shelf works nicely decorated with a minimalist display of glass and metal kitchen storage items.
Efficient workflow
Industrial kitchen design focuses on balancing work flow in the kitchen with design. Triangle placement of sink, stove and fridge are crucial as this design seeks to optimise your cooking ability in the kitchen. It’s a perfect style for people who really love to cook and find joy in the day to day functionality of their kitchen.
Lighting Solutions for Industrial Kitchens
Pendant lighting
This style of lighting provides a chic trendy look for you kitchen that is eye-catching. Cage lighting in dark colors is the perfect complement to industrial design, while retaining a homely feel.
Vintage style bulbs, with exposed metallic color filaments are another hanging lighting option for your industrial style kitchen. Highlighting the lightbulb is the perfect easy to include a nod to the industrial revolution routes of the design style. Thomas Edison designed the lightbulb in 1879, so it is the perfect way to highlight the essential element of industrial design in a trendy way that brings warmth to your design.
Track Lighting
Adjustable track lighting allows you to position the light where you need it most in your kitchen. It adds more to a commercial large open plan space and may be a bit much in smaller kitchen embracing industrial design.
Under cabinet lighting
Under cabinet lighting adds a softness to industrial design and brings a luxe element to kitchens. Offering gentle lighting as you hunt for evening snacks, this option adds depth to industrial kitchen design at home.
Top Industrial Kitchen Design Trends for 2024
As the industrial kitchen continues to grow in popularity in 2024 there are three key trends to consider when opting for this aesthetic for your home.
- Matte black finishes. Opting for a matte black finish for your kitchen cabinets, appliances, lighting or countertops has become a popular way to capture industrial vibes. The finish is not as reflective as stainless steel making it feel less commercial. Adding it sparingly and make the colour a statement so it draws the eye and adds character and personality to your design.
- Sustainable materials. Reclaimed wood is a popular design feature that is adding warmth to the monochrome colors of industrial design. Adding appliances which are energy efficient and LED lighting is also becoming a key part of designing an industrial kitchen for your home.
- Smart kitchen technology. Smart technology is blending with the industrial aesthetic to achieve highly modern and luxurious kitchens. The two styles work well together and create spaces where home cooks who love modern design can really flourish.
How to Incorporate Industrial Design in Small Kitchens
Although industrial design favours open plan and large space designs, it can still be incorporated into a small kitchen.
Opt for a peel and stick concrete wallpaper to mimic the exposed wall design if you only have a small space and find compact appliances in stainless steel to fit smaller spaces. Add some shelving to make use of vertical spaces and decorate with metal and stainless stell pans to show this utilitarian style off.
Use your vertical storage and open plan shelving to help you in your kitchen work flow. Creating the industrial look in the kitchen is just as much about embracing your love of cooking as it is in a large open plan kitchen.
Conclusion
Industrial kitchen interior design is more than just a style trend, it’s a versatile, timeless approach to designing both home and commercial kitchens. It’s all about taking your love of cooking to a new ergonomic level in your home design. Prioritise your cooking process and flow in your design. Industrial design is perfect for bringing out the inner chef specialising in whipping up delicious treats in a kitchen where function takes centre stage.
For more design inspiration and expert advice, be sure to explore our other trend spotlights.
