Industrial style was born in the United States in the 1950s, a time when many artists were deciding to convert old factories into housing in pursuit of spacious, well lit surroundings. Open, free-flow spaces became perfect locations where they could have their work studios inside their actual home or in an adjacent space. This loft-style living is again becoming popular, and the most sure-fire way to decorate this type of home is to go industrial. Kitchens in this style fully embrace the essence of their origins. Here we will present you with some of the keys to this style.
There are three materials that should play a starring role in these settings: exposed brick, if these are the original walls and they can be recovered; wood, but in its most natural appearance; and metal, in the form of appliances with a stainless steel finish or even as other modules, such as a central island.
When selecting the countertops, you should try to create some contrast if the space being created feels a bit cold. For example, you can try a surface with a rough texture such as our Volcano line from Silestone. On the other hand, if exposed brick and wood dominate the space, you can compensate for their qualities with a crisp, shiny feel from a surface such as our ultra-glossy Dekton XGloss line. Another excellent choice may be natural stone, which can fill a kitchen with richness when it might otherwise seem rather austere. We recommend Sensa by Cosentino, a line of top-quality natural granites that do not require any maintenance, since they are given a revolutionary protective treatment that makes these surfaces highly resistant to staining. Another option would be one of the Silestone textures that emulate marble, such as the new Eternal collection.
As for the floors, one of the most commonly used materials for this style is microcement, which provides a very practical, continuous surface that is easy to clean and maintain.
Being able to see water pipes, gas lines, and electrical conduits is not a problem, because in fact they give these environments authenticity. In addition to these visible installations, you can expose the beams so they can be admired, by removing the false ceiling. Whether these beams are made of wood or metal, the results can be spectacular.
And based on the same concept of leaving nothing hidden, some of the shelving can be left open, with their contents then being right at hand.
The office area includes retro-style chairs or those sourced directly from past times, such as the iconic Tolix, a classic of the industrial age that is still very much in fashion today despite being over 80 years old. A wooden table with a recycled look can also fit in perfectly, along with a retro-style light fixture or even a classic chandelier with beautiful crystals for a luxurious touch.
Are you tempted to cover up the windows with curtains or blinds? It might be better not to, or to at least use a screen with a metallic finish that does not break up the general aesthetic. Regular windows can function perfectly well, although the ones that really fit this style like a glove are those divided into small, black metal frames, which offer a look very similar to that of a warehouse.
For the perfect final touch on your industrial-style kitchen you can install a high-pressure sink tap with a long, flexible, extendable spray hose for a professional appearance. Or add some strategically placed rails for hanging up cooking utensils or even some pots and pans.
And now... Enjoy your perfect industrial kitchen!
