Industrial design first emerged several decades ago in response to the need for a more efficient work space. Once these spaces were converted into living quarters, the organized, streamline style was adapted into a specific design aesthetic that has slowly made its way into everyday homes. Key components of this design style are the emphasis on materials such as wood, metals, and concrete, as well as stripped-down, simplified features such as exposed brick, pipes, and beams. This leaves a lot of room to let your imagination run wild, as all of these features can be mixed and matched with an endless number of design elements. The following kitchens will provide you with industrial-style inspirations that you can easily accommodate in your own kitchen design.
Photo Source: Architecture Art Designs
Metals are featured prominently in this industrial-style kitchen. Stainless steel, which is a popular, hygienic and easy to maintain kitchen material, can be incorporated into a number of elements, but is great for your countertop or faucet. This kitchen also features contrasting wood elements on the floor, island, and ceiling, and understated hanging glass pendant lights. With its clean lines and simple materials, this industrial kitchen style is perfect for anyone looking for a no-frills design.
Photo Source: Architecture Art Designs
This contemporary play on industrial design features painted wood shaker-style cabinetry in contrasting tones, brushed stainless steel vent hood and faucets, and two kinds of hanging pendant lights. Rustic wood elements are also featured, from the floor to the stools and center table to the ceiling planks held up by exposed beams. In spite of its prominently featured industrial elements, this kitchen still manages to maintain a homely warmth that can appeal to a wider range of homeowners.
Photo Source: Decoist
While many industrial kitchens tend to feature darker hues, there is no rule that says an industrial kitchen has to be dark. This kitchen has unmistakably classic elements, with traditional-style raised-panel white kitchen cabinetry. The added industrial elements – the wood ceiling beams and hanging copper pendant lights – are also painted white, helping to maintain the kitchen’s brightness rather than detracting from it.
Photo Source: DigsDigs
Natural elements are the key to this kitchen’s design, with unpainted shaker wood cabinetry, ceiling-to-floor exposed brick wall, wooden floor, and slate tile hood vent and wall. A combination of recessed lighting, track lighting, and tons of natural lighting brighten what could become an otherwise dark space.
Photo Source: DigsDigs
This hybridized contemporary industrial style plays on contrasts and contradictions. The most obvious illustration of this is the contrast of black and white – white shaker cabinetry versus black countertops, appliances, and shelving. While many homeowners may opt to choose just one, there are wall cabinets with glass doors and lighting, and open shelves, a more commonly-used industrial-style feature. The unfinished wood flooring and metal hanging pendants add that last bit of industrial flair to tie the entire design together.
Photo Source: DigsDigs
Industrial design isn’t reserved for larger kitchens. On the contrary, industrial design is all about efficiency, and making proper use of the space you do have. For many, this means open shelves instead of wall cabinetry, but cabinets with glass doors can work just as well, as it helps to maintain depth at eye level, keeping the space from feeling too small. The most prominent industrial feature in this kitchen is the use of metal for the base cabinetry, vent hood, and industrial-style overhead lighting.
Photo Source: Residence Style
This kitchen fully embraces the industrial style, with multiple industrial elements used in a variety of ways. Unfinished woods are mixed and matched, from the flooring and cabinetry, to the shelves and vaulted ceilings. Stainless steel is centered prominently with a large waterfall-style island beneath large bowl-style hanging light fixtures. Stainless steel appliances and similarly metallic vases wrap around the perimeter. This bold combination of wooden, brick and metal features is tempered by warm lighting.
Photo Source: Residence Style
With painted floors and ceilings, this industrial kitchen forgoes the warmth of unfinished wood in favor of cool metallics. Offset by contrasting black and white and simple, unadorned track lighting, stainless steel is the star of this industrial kitchen design. This no-frills design expertly blends elements of the classic and industrial style, creating an aesthetic that can appeal to a variety of personalities.