Material and character: how to furnish an industrial-style kitchen!

A classic in American film settings is the industrial-style home (and especially the kitchen). You've probably seen one on TV and thought, "How I wish I had a kitchen like that!" The industrial style in the kitchen may seem difficult to replicate, but don't worry: read our guide to find out how! Let's start with a few tips on industrial style. This type of decor is inspired by 1950s New York lofts and a "rough" aesthetic, dominated by worn materials that lend a very special warmth to the home. Minimal frills: functionality is the foundation of the industrial style in the kitchen, where every single piece is there to be useful and, above all, easy to use... Just like in a well-organized workshop! Do you know the secret that makes this type of space so appealing? Source: Pinterest In the industrial-style kitchen, everything that is usually hidden is revealed. Pipes, electrical and ventilation systems, heating and air conditioning systems... Instead of being camouflaged, they hang from the ceiling with steel cables, or run along the walls in plain sight. It's not uncommon to see them painted black, contrasting with the wall, or even in bright colors like red or yellow: in short, rather than being hidden, they are enhanced, becoming the focal point of the room. This unique look gives industrial-style kitchens a highly original and distinctive touch. Generally speaking, we can say that the "unfinished" aspect is a constant in industrial-style kitchens. You can emphasize it even more through the choice of materials: read the section below to find out how! Harsh warmth: materials for industrial-style kitchens Source: Pinterest Here it is, the most interesting feature of industrial-style kitchens: that slightly "unfinished" (but artfully done!) look that gives the impression of a constantly evolving space, changing with the needs of its inhabitants. To emphasize this, choose an aged concrete floor or a wide-plank parquet floor with a rough, slightly worn look. They'll give the room the look of a space that still needs a few touches to be finished: that's the trick! Let's talk about walls. An element that always enhances the industrial style in the kitchen is exposed brick: dramatic and impactful! If the room isn't very bright, we recommend using this covering on just one wall, or opting for white-painted brick (and if the paint isn't perfect... even better!) And for cabinets and wall units? The key materials in industrial-style kitchens are wood, concrete-effect resin, glass, iron, steel, and copper. They'll give the room a unique, contemporary, and unconventional character. For example, imagine an industrial-style kitchen in concrete-effect resin, with a raw wood countertop and black or copper-colored faucets: a stunning combination! Finally, let's not forget textile and upholstered elements: chairs, stools, and benches look their best when paired with wood and metal frames and distressed black or brown leather seats. But what color should an industrial-style kitchen be? Source: Pinterest Black is definitely the preferred color for an industrial kitchen. Choose it without hesitation for metal elements (like faucets), the oven, and the extractor hood. To create balance without weighing down the overall look, you can pair it with chairs and stools, also strictly black! If the room is large and bright enough, you can also use it on kitchen cabinets, walls, or both: tone-on-tone all-black is a great classic for industrial-style kitchens (but we'll get to that later). Not a fan of all-black? Don't worry: black isn't the only color! To lighten the overall look, you can choose neutral colors for walls and furniture: off-white, the entire range of grays, even anthracite; Or even warmer tones, from ecru to brown. They'll pair beautifully with the typical reddish color of bricks. For accessories, experiment with pops of color here and there: burgundy, red, and yellow are perfect for a unique ornament or accessory, as well as for the inside of an open shelf or for painting exposed pipes. Use these bolder colors to draw attention to a corner you want to highlight. From furniture to accessories: what's essential in industrial-style kitchens What absolutely must-haves in industrial-style kitchens? The industrial style in the kitchen draws inspiration from lofts, so the ideal choice would be an open-plan space that encompasses both the kitchen and the dining area. In short, a table and chairs are always welcome in an industrial-style kitchen. Source: Pinterest If space is limited, instead of a table, you can choose a classic: an island or peninsula, equipped with bar stools in wood, metal, and leather. Islands topped with an iron structure for hanging ladles and pots are beautiful! The cabinets often feature iron elements and exposed bolts, which lend grit, character, and originality to the space. Not all kitchen cabinets and wall units need to be like this: sometimes a decorative piece of furniture can transform the character of a room. We've seen that industrial-style kitchens hide nothing. Shelves and cabinets are open; dishes are often hung above the stovetop. You could also avoid using wall units and replace them with large wooden shelves for displaying jars and containers. But be careful, the kitchen must always be super tidy! Even the refrigerator can be freestanding, rather than built into a column: a bit of exposed metal is always a good thing in this type of space. Lighting is one of the most striking aspects of industrial-style kitchens. Large amber glass bulbs with exposed heating elements hanging from wooden slats; Large dome chandeliers with a black exterior and bronze interior; spotlights, sconces, and more! Source: Pinterest Be careful not to leave the walls too empty: hang something that adds warmth to the room! If the cabinets and cupboards have a similar look and you want to transform the room into an industrial-style kitchen without changing the decor, the choice of accessories and decorations can make all the difference. So, how do you decorate an industrial-style kitchen? Here are some ideas: - Steampunk clocks with bolts and gears - Old-fashioned American license plates - Wall-mounted wine racks, to turn your best wines into an interesting furnishing element - Rustic wooden crates - Antique-looking oil lamps - Vintage posters and Andy Warhol-style prints - Hanging grates and chalkboards for writing your shopping list - And, if you want to wow everyone, neon signs and wheels or bicycles hanging on the walls. Plants are allowed, as long as they are without flowers and placed in aluminum or iron containers. The many faces of the industrial kitchen: choose the right style for you! Source: Pinterest It's easy to say "industrial kitchen"! But the truth is that this style is so fluid and malleable that it has many different "faces": you can visit ten, twenty, a hundred industrial kitchens and you'll never find one that's the same. This is because there are different variations of the industrial kitchen style. Let's examine the three most popular: industrial chic, industrial vintage, and modern industrial. The characteristics we've seen in the first paragraphs are a neutral base: they apply to everyone. To put the finishing touches on your industrial-style kitchen and adapt it perfectly to your personality... Read below! For those who don't want to give up a touch of elegance: the industrial chic kitchen Source: Pinterest Perfect for you if... - you love the originality of the industrial-style kitchen, but are worried about overdoing it with the "raw" effect - and if you want to add a feminine touch to the space. Among industrial kitchen designs, we find highly original solutions that combine modernity with refinement: from this fusion comes the industrial chic kitchen, where aesthetics and functionality merge to create an extremely sophisticated kitchen model. The industrial chic style is characterized by a certain taste for the elegance of the past, combined with contemporary and characterful elements. How? Through the juxtaposition of raw materials with more delicate details: for example, an elegant painting in an elaborate antique frame on a rough brick wall; or a small crystal chandelier hanging above a sturdy concrete dining table, enhancing the space. Source: Pinterest Industrial chic kitchens generally have a light and airy palette that brings them somewhat closer to shabby chic: white, light gray, beige. They also incorporate, in small doses, richer materials like marble (for example, for the kitchen countertop): contrasting with the great industrial kitchen classics, such as worn floors and black metal accessories, it creates a striking mix. So, here are three elements that transform an industrial-style kitchen into an industrial-chic kitchen: 1) White subway tiles as a backsplash 2) A small crystal chandelier 3) A marble countertop (whether for the table, kitchen, cabinet, or island). For the contemporary home: modern industrial kitchens Perfect for you if... - you love the personality of the industrial style, but just can't live without the clean lines of contemporary furnishings - or if you love the idea of ​​an industrial-style kitchen, but need to integrate it harmoniously into a modern home. Source: Pinterest Introducing the kitchen with grit! Modern industrial kitchens take the strongest elements of the industrial style and give them a "dusting off," eliminating the patina of time. The result is an industrial design with a decidedly metropolitan feel. Clean lines, wide-plank parquet floors, and lots of black: these are the key ingredients! A practical example? It's not uncommon to see all-black spaces in modern, industrial-style kitchens: from the walls to the cabinets, cabinets, and accessories, almost the entire room is black or anthracite gray, lightened by a natural wood floor. This choice will make the room extremely modern, but be careful! It must be carefully considered. Black absorbs light: it's not ideal for small spaces with limited ceiling heights, but in a very large room, it will create a striking aesthetic impact. A good compromise in modern industrial kitchens is to paint just one wall, perhaps with chalkboard paint: a very trendy element and also a smart choice, because it's practical, beautiful, and perfectly washable! Accessories and lighting become minimal. You could opt for recessed spotlights (practically invisible!) above the kitchen countertop, and compensate with a single, large, dome-shaped chandelier in the center of the room. What if you wanted to introduce a truly wow factor to your modern industrial kitchen? Source: Pinterest If space and budget allow, you absolutely can't do without a floor-to-ceiling glass and black metal door separating the kitchen from the dining room! It's by far the most popular industrial element in modern homes, and the visual impact is priceless. Here are the 3 elements that transform an industrial-style kitchen into a modern industrial kitchen: 1) Chalkboard-effect walls; 2) Recessed ceiling spotlights; 3) Glass and black metal door. For those with a retro soul: the vintage industrial-style kitchen Perfect for you if... - the charm of retro atmospheres is an element you absolutely can't give up - or if your home has slightly vintage elements, such as original floors, and you can't or don't want to do without them. Source: Pinterest The vintage industrial-style kitchen draws much of its charm from that old-fashioned aspect that contemporary industrial style seeks to eliminate. The floors are often the home's original ones: 1970s terrazzo tiles, hidden and covered for years, are perfect, and are finally enjoying a major comeback. If you don't have any, you can recreate the same effect by choosing a floor with geometric or floral patterns, using tiles and cement tiles (which actually also make perfect backsplash). Instead of bold black and charcoal gray, the vintage industrial-style kitchen favors softer colors like brown and burgundy. But, above all, the beauty of this style is that it allows you to use a wide variety of recycled elements. This way, you save money and unleash your creativity! Source: Pinterest A practical example? A great classic of the industrial-style kitchen (vintage or otherwise) is the island. And the beauty of the island is that it doesn't have to be the same as the rest of the kitchen! You can achieve a stunning effect by painting an old piece of furniture, like a dresser, a desk, or a low shelf, and applying a custom-cut rough-hewn wood or stone countertop. The same goes for the rest of the room: shelves made from wooden crates, pallet elements, and reclaimed chairs and stools will give your industrial-style kitchen the vintage look you've been looking for. So, what are the 3 elements that transform an industrial kitchen into a vintage industrial-style kitchen? Here they are: 1) Vintage cement tiles; 2) DIY island; 3) Reclaimed stools. Now you know everything you need to create an industrial-style kitchen in your home: choose the one that best suits you and... Enjoy!