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Industrial Kitchen Ideas

Whether it is using carbon colours, commercial building materials, or features that hasten daily routine, like a fine-tuned factory line, these industrial kitchen ideas demonstrate how to create an urban-themed cooking space that takes inspiration from the industrial revolution. Adopting characteristics seen in 19th-century workplaces, these industrial kitchen designs are full of structural details that proudly show off the inner workings as part of the decor for a deconstructed effect, both from real customer homes and those examples handpicked by our designers.

1. Carbon colours

Max out on industrial style by putting coal-coloured cupboards at the centre of a scheme. This will draw in a large room and make a bold statement.

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1. Carbon colours

A nod to the factory chimneys that once peppered an urban landscape, black makes a great choice for door fronts in an industrial-themed room. Its deep tone draws a space in for an intimate feel – great for larger spaces or those rooms that adopt an open format characteristic of factory floorplans. Black is also a bold choice that instantly elevates a room, making it an attention-grabbing, crowd-pleaser.

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2. Ashen tones

For compact living spaces, a paler, monochrome shade, such as slate grey, offers an industrious aesthetic without overpowering a room.

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2. Ashen tones

Dark hues give an industrial scheme immediate robustness, and grey is a strong alternative if black seems too intense particularly if space comes at a premium. Ashen tones, reminiscent of city streets, have a neutral quality that can calm a space visually making it feel more open. Equally, this choice has the versatility to be played off against bright bursts of colour or warm woods for a statement look.

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3. Simplify with slab

Enjoy the best of functionality and form by choosing industrial kitchen units with a slab-style front that lets the rest of the scheme do the talking.

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3. Simplify with slab

Clean lines and simple structures appear most frequently in urban decor, making slab cupboards a great fit for an engineered look. Practicality is central to this theme and the flat, easy-to-wipe finish delivers just that. The unfussy design means other features, like dark backboards or glass-fronted cupboards, can command attention, for a room that has layers of visual interest.

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4. Open up space

With open-plan formats often adopted across factory floors, consider using this spacious layout to craft a multi-functional living area for the whole family.

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4. Open up a space

Factories and warehouses are known for their sense of space, and this can be recreated at home using an open-plan layout. This could mean removing walls so the cooking area sits alongside lounging and dining sections, with further zones mapped out for studying or enjoying hobbies. The result will be a sociable, multifunctional room that brings everyone together.

See Open Plan Kitchen Ideas

5. Heavy-duty looks

Recreate the appearance of chunky building materials by selecting stone or timber-effect surfaces in laminate finish for an industrial kitchen on a budget.

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5. Heavy-duty looks

The use of commercial materials is at the heart of this theme, standing up to the daily wear and tear in a cooking space. These options can be expensive, so those on a budget or keen to splurge elsewhere in a room can consider low-cost laminate as an alternative. These come in a choice of designs that mimic the real thing, allowing the same effect to be achieved without the outlay.

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6. Subway chic

Metro-tiling offers a one-way ticket to an industrial kitchen design. Save time on this metropolitan look by switching to a tile-effect laminate board instead of tiles.

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6. Subway chic

A back-to-basics look is a cornerstone in industrial decors, and metro tiles are an excellent way to add an authentic engineered feel. Opting for a laminate board over individual tiles help quickly elevate an industrial scheme with little fuss. Eliminating the need for time-consuming grouting, it is also a low-maintenance option as it is easier to keep clean – great for keeping a cooking space looking pristine, so all eyes remain on the industrious theme.

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7. Steel the show

Take advantage of the functional and fashionable benefits of stainless steel often used in the construction industry by using it for a sink-bowl.

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7. Steel the show

Taking its cue from commercial buildings, industrial decor often favours stainless-steel detailing – making it a sound option for an on-theme washing area. The choice is wide, from single to double, round to square, so there is a style to suit everyone. A versatile colour, this look can be coordinated with other elements in a cooking space with minimal effort for a uniform finish. This material is also known for being highly resistant to corrosion adding longevity to a design.

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8. Give it gas

Fire up a man-made look by adding a gas stove complete with cast-iron supports for engineered character and a professional cooking experience.

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8. Give it gas

Favoured by professional chefs and caterers, gas cooking is frequently used in industrial kitchens – making it an obvious choice for an engineered interior. By providing instant heat, these devices can help get dinner on the table quickly and provide better control of the temperature required. Choose a stainless-steel or black model with chunky cast-iron supports to pick up on other dark colours in a room.

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9. Aged accessories

Drill down into the detail with industrial kitchen cabinet handles that have a patinated look or an aged finish for a well-worn look.

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9. Aged accessories

Rather than obscure the skeleton of a building behind plaster, factories leave it all on show, and this look can be replicated in engineered schemes by fitting brass-coloured handgrips on door fronts. The metallic effect will catch the eye, while a smooth, unpolished finish offers the textured feel of raw materials, like copper pipes, giving an aged aesthetic and enhancing an industrial-inspired layout.

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10. Factory foundations

Go to town with factory flooring by choosing a stone-effect surface that is manufactured to take whatever family life throws at it.

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10. Factory foundations

Intended to stand up to heavy-duty footfall, stone-effect vinyl floors are hardwearing. Its moister resistance and grout-free design make it both sturdy against spills and simple to clean – great for on-the-go households. Available in numerous colours and designs, try a grey tone to capture that authentic warehouse character.

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