Industrial Kitchen Design Ideas Hold a Unique Appeal

When factories were built in the United States during the late 19^th century and through to the 20^th, they all looked quite similar. Often built near a water source, they were full of brick, concrete, iron, and – eventually – steel. That’s because these were deemed to be materials that would last for a long time…and they did!

As factories began to close, however, they sat empty for a while until some ingenuitive individuals decided they could do some pretty cool things with those old factories, turning them into stores, living spaces, and more. As such, the era of industrial décor was born.

Industrial design, including industrial kitchen design, is signified by certain architectural elements. For example, in factories of old, you could often see exposed pipes and ductwork. Designers have brought those into their industrial design plans. These same designers have also embraced an open floor plan, such as what you’d fine on a factory floor, where there were rarely any walls separating one section from another. In addition, design specialists recognize that it’s important to keep those bricks, concrete, iron, and steel elements front and center, as well as wood, exposed rafters, and other characteristics that were prevalent in those old factories.

You can find all or some of these in industrial kitchen designs, which tend to offer plans that are otherwise simple and uncluttered. In other words, these industrial kitchen plans let the architectural elements do the talking.

Here are some other elements of industrial kitchen design:

• Neutral monochromatic colors – Cabinets and other major elements in the room should be all of one color and tend to be neutral, including white and black as well as gray, the latter becoming increasingly popular in the last 5 years or so. Ask your cabinet professional what they have available that fits this description.
• Accent colors – In truth, the typical industrial kitchen features very few accent colors, if any. In fact, most designers suggest that they be used very sparingly and be limited to earth tones like rust or maybe olive green. If you feel a need to use red or purple, limit it to something small that offers just a minute pop of color.
• • Shapes

– Industrial kitchen design is all about clean lines, though you’ll find plans that include both straight lines and curved contours. It’s really a matter of preference for the homeowner, but both fit the industrial vibe.

• Finishes for fixtures – Here you’ve got a lot of options. When looking for fixtures for your industrial kitchen you can choose a variety of finishes that include brass, iron, glass, chrome, and copper. Look around the room and see what best matches the rest of your elements. You can also mix and match finishes if you wish, installing brass light fixtures but opted for chrome faucets and other elements, for example. Look for vintage factory fixtures, like lighting, in your local antique stores or at garage sales.
• Embrace your exposed elements – If you’ve got pipes or ductwork showing, be sure to keep them front and center if possible. Don’t cover them up, by any means.

!

• Decorative pieces – Industrial kitchen design doesn’t generally include a lot of additional decoration, especially the frilly stuff you’d find in vintage or shabby chic kitchens, like decorative plates, v
  ases, and such. Instead, if you want to add some decorative pieces to your industrial kitchen, think “hard” materials like wood, steel, iron, and glass. Abstract art often works well with an industrial kitchen motif or perhaps you can find some old vintage photographs that pertain to the history of your local region or to your building, in particular, if you’re in an old, renovated factory or similar structure. Plants are also good decoration for this style of design.

As you think about how to proceed with your industrial kitchen design, remember that the emphasis should be on simple and open. Be modern where it calls for modern or embrace the vintage elements where they steal the scene! Revel in the high ceilings or the brick walls and make them stand out. The end result should be a comfortable, welcoming space despite the starkness of the industrial style.

At Mr. Cabinet Care, we can help you figure out how to make your industrial kitchen one that you’ll love and that will wow your guests at your next dinner party. To get started, call us to speak with one of our design experts.