12 Essential Ingredients for an Industrial Kitchen
Discover key design elements for an edgy, Industrial-style kitchen
One of the great things about industrial style is that it embraces the old and the salvaged, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to achieve the look. In fact, you can keep things as unrefined and stripped back as you like. The industrial kitchen is a hardworking one, embracing exposed elements, rustic finishes and tough surfaces. Rest assured the space will be full of warmth, character and individuality. Here are some fabulous examples…
This kitchen in a converted loft stays true to the building’s industrial heritage. Key elements include the exposed brick, filament lighting, chunky surfaces, use of black and rustic furniture.
2. Concrete floors
Polished concrete flooring is a practical choice for an industrial kitchen as it’s an extremely hard-wearing and utilitarian surface. Underfloor heating is becoming increasingly popular – it’s kind on the feet, can heat a large space and adds a touch of luxury. In-slab heating is installed when the floors are poured and can be electric or hydronic. The metal Tolix Cafe Bar Stools seen here come in a range of colours and can be bought as originals or reproductions.
Polished concrete flooring is a practical choice for an industrial kitchen as it’s an extremely hard-wearing and utilitarian surface. Underfloor heating is becoming increasingly popular – it’s kind on the feet, can heat a large space and adds a touch of luxury. In-slab heating is installed when the floors are poured and can be electric or hydronic. The metal Tolix Cafe Bar Stools seen here come in a range of colours and can be bought as originals or reproductions.
3. Original floorboards
Wooden floorboards are an alternative to polished concrete floors and will suit the industrial theme well if they are original, like in this converted church in country NSW. If you don’t have original boards, look to recycled native Australian species such as spotted gum or blackbutt.
Wooden floorboards are an alternative to polished concrete floors and will suit the industrial theme well if they are original, like in this converted church in country NSW. If you don’t have original boards, look to recycled native Australian species such as spotted gum or blackbutt.
4. Stainless steel
A key feature in industrial kitchens, stainless steel never goes out of fashion. It’s favoured by professional chefs due to its hygienic nature and can be used for benchtops, cupboard doors and drawers, and shelving. It is prone to scratches and streaks but a good stainless-steel cleaner will assist.
A key feature in industrial kitchens, stainless steel never goes out of fashion. It’s favoured by professional chefs due to its hygienic nature and can be used for benchtops, cupboard doors and drawers, and shelving. It is prone to scratches and streaks but a good stainless-steel cleaner will assist.
5. Freestanding units
Freestanding units are a great alternative to built-in cabinetry or islands. They are often used in industrial and commercial kitchens due to their flexible nature. The trollies in this kitchen in country Victoria not only suit the industrial vibe but are also practical as can they be rolled away. The sink unit, fridge and oven are also separate freestanding pieces, and the lack of wall cupboards ensures the focus is on the exposed brick wall.
Freestanding units are a great alternative to built-in cabinetry or islands. They are often used in industrial and commercial kitchens due to their flexible nature. The trollies in this kitchen in country Victoria not only suit the industrial vibe but are also practical as can they be rolled away. The sink unit, fridge and oven are also separate freestanding pieces, and the lack of wall cupboards ensures the focus is on the exposed brick wall.
6. Exposed brickwork and pipes When designing an industrial kitchen, consider leaving any pipes or ducting exposed, and also removing plaster to expose brickwork. Copper water pipes bring warmth and originality to this kitchen in Sydney. For brickwork, test a patch first to check the condition and type of brick, and look for varying tones of mid and deep brown, which will suit the industrial look more.
7. Use of black
A bold use of black embraces the Industrial style – carry the theme through to all elements including the flooring, lighting, joinery, furniture and cabinetry/benchtops. The black Eames Moulded Plastic Eiffel Armchairs work well with this rustic wooden dining table.
A bold use of black embraces the Industrial style – carry the theme through to all elements including the flooring, lighting, joinery, furniture and cabinetry/benchtops. The black Eames Moulded Plastic Eiffel Armchairs work well with this rustic wooden dining table.
9. Vintage bar stools
For an industrial scheme, scour antique stores for original, preloved barstools, like the ones in this loft conversion. Vintage or Mid-century Modern stools are an appropriate choice, and look for materials such as wood and metal.
For an industrial scheme, scour antique stores for original, preloved barstools, like the ones in this loft conversion. Vintage or Mid-century Modern stools are an appropriate choice, and look for materials such as wood and metal.
10. Metal furniture
If the kitchen is open plan, ensure the dining and living room furniture reflect the industrial aesthetic. Industrial-style dining furniture includes preloved wooden tables – the more scratched and tarnished the better – and metal chairs. Take a look at The Junk Map for a comprehensive guide to vintage, industrial and recycled furniture stores and salvage yards in Australia.
If the kitchen is open plan, ensure the dining and living room furniture reflect the industrial aesthetic. Industrial-style dining furniture includes preloved wooden tables – the more scratched and tarnished the better – and metal chairs. Take a look at The Junk Map for a comprehensive guide to vintage, industrial and recycled furniture stores and salvage yards in Australia.
11. Open shelving
Choose open shelving instead of wall cabinets to create a hardworking, industrial environment. They can be used to display treasures, vintage finds, or practical everyday items.
White chair: Bertoia Diamond Chair by Knoll
Choose open shelving instead of wall cabinets to create a hardworking, industrial environment. They can be used to display treasures, vintage finds, or practical everyday items.
White chair: Bertoia Diamond Chair by Knoll
12. Statement lighting
Industrial pendant lights are popular and easy to come by nowadays, and large metal lights can be sprayed in any colour to suit the overall scheme. The decision to hang four in a row here really makes a statement.
MORE ON THE INDUSTRIAL LOOK
So Your Style Is: Industrial
Concrete Flooring Is Cool, but Warmer Than You Think
Exposed: Bricks in All Their Glory … Inside the Home
Industrial pendant lights are popular and easy to come by nowadays, and large metal lights can be sprayed in any colour to suit the overall scheme. The decision to hang four in a row here really makes a statement.
MORE ON THE INDUSTRIAL LOOK
So Your Style Is: Industrial
Concrete Flooring Is Cool, but Warmer Than You Think
Exposed: Bricks in All Their Glory … Inside the Home
Industrial kitchens work best in industrial spaces. Look at the bones of the building and consider whether architectural features, such as high ceilings, exposed beams, original floorboards and large windows, are present.