Clean and minimalist styles of kitchen decor has been rising in popularity over recent years. See how to give your kitchen a factory reset with these industrial decor ideas…
Industrial home decor has become popular in recent years. Inspired by traditional warehouses and factories, it’s a clean, minimalistic and functional style of décor that’s as well suited to urban properties as it is to rural properties. The kitchen is a space that can particularly benefit from this stripped-back no-nonsense style of décor. Here are just a few key ingredients that help make up an industrial-style home kitchen.
Give grey a go
Grey is a colour that is sometimes perceived as murky and dull. However, used in the right way, it can be calming, earthy and sophisticated. It’s a great neutral tone that can work well with a range of colours. Compared to white, it’s a lot less sterile.
For maximum impact, it’s worth using several shades of grey – lighter greys as the main backdrop and dark greys for accents. As to what colours work best with grey interiors, a few examples include lime green, yellow, turquoise and blush pink. When going for an industrial style, try to reserve these colours as small accents only as not to dominate the grey.
Embrace steel and concrete
Steel and concrete are artificial materials that are perfect for that straight-out-of-the-factory industrial feel. Stainless steel and polished concrete can both make effective shiny countertop surfaces. Alternatively, you could consider reserving these materials for small features around the kitchen such as steel cupboard handles or a concrete knife block.
Add some unfinished timber
Unfinished timber can also be a great material for giving your kitchen that industrial feel. It’s natural brown colour is perfect for contrasting all the grey in the room. Timber could be used for countertops, for flooring or for cupboards. It’s important that the wood maintains its unfinished look and is not painted over or heavily treated. Opting for reclaimed wood could be a way of saving money on this timber.
Expose a brick wall
Industrial décor is very much about stripping things back. One feature that can look particularly striking in an industrial kitchen is a single exposed brick wall. This involves stripping back all the plaster and removing any boarding so that the brickwork becomes a feature. If you don’t like the natural brick colour of your home, you could consider fake exposed brick. Make sure that the brickwork is sealed, otherwise it will be impossible to clean.
Explore industrial lighting styles
There are numerous styles of lighting that can add an industrial feel. Copper or steel pendant lighting is one option. This lighting could be hung over a breakfast bar or hung along the centre of the room. Try to opt for simple and traditional pendant designs that complement the minimal décor style.
There’s also the option of large bare Edison-style bulbs. These could be wrapped around beams on the ceiling for a stylish exposed look. There are LED light bulbs available in this style that could be an energy-efficient option to authentic incandescent bulbs.
