Want a functional yet on-trend kitchen? Find out how to create an industrial-style kitchen with our design tips and solutions.
Industrial style kitchens have come to be a kitchen design category unto themselves. Although they were initially more basic and austere, over the years the industrial style has embraced new colours and materials, while always leaving the imagination space to invent new combinations.
The industrial style draws inspiration from old US factories and started to develop in the 1950s in New York. At that time, many spaces formerly dedicated to offices, warehouses and workshops that had fallen into disuse started being reconverted into residential spaces, resulting in the concept of lofts and open-space apartments. The industrial style is characterised by clean and regular lines, materials that are often crude (or at least they appear to be) but that give a sense of solidity and durability, and elements that are predominantly exposed. Although it can be adapted to suit any room in a home, the industrial style is particularly ideal for kitchens, precisely thanks to the practicality that an essential, rational and organised space affords.
In order to create an industrial chic kitchen, according to the diktats of the industrial style, there are certain fundamental characteristics to be taken into account:
Industrial-style kitchens are designed and built using extremely durable and sturdy materials “borrowed” from work environments demanding resistance to constant stress. An industrial chic kitchen is therefore destined to last a long time without losing its timeless aesthetic allure or its characteristic efficiency and functionality.
The type of materials used and the typical formal design rigour, where everything is always visible and within reach, facilitates the daily management of industrial-style kitchens. Maintenance and cleaning operations are also facilitated by the organisation of the spaces and the open elements. People who choose an industrial-style kitchen opt for a pragmatic design that originated in workshops and production environments, meaning that every aspect is designed to ensure order and efficiency. Lastly, the industrial style is far more practical than one might think, and combines harmoniously with the different moods of the other environments of the home.
The industrial style is ideal for combining different elements, even when of different styles and eras. Contemporary design objects can therefore live alongside vintage pieces and flea market finds, to create even more personal and original compositions. Exposed piping can be made of chrome, shiny, satin-finish or painted metal and for pendant wires there are countless fabric, pigtail or coated cables in a wide range of colours. As we have already said, electric appliances become an integral part of the kitchen decor, with standalone refrigerators taking centre-stage, together with other accessories such as slicing machines, food processors, mixers and other appliances with a vintage style, bright colours and plenty of chrome details. Many brands manufacture high-tech, high energy-efficient products with a mid-century-inspired vintage design. Cookware, especially when made of copper or cast iron, looks good when hung on a wall or arranged on an open shelving unit, and shelves or wall-mounted, under-wall-unit equipment rails are ideal for jars and containers holding dried ingredients and spices.
Although the industrial style was originally conceived for large open-plan environments, that does not mean it cannot also be used in smaller environments. As a matter of fact, it can help to optimise space, for example by exposing and valorising hood pipes instead of hiding them, consequently sacrificing one or more wall units, while open shelving units, panelling and space-saving solutions will help to make the best possible use of small volumes. However, when using an industrial style in a small kitchen it is advisable to opt for lighter materials and colours and pay special attention to natural and artificial lighting.
Eclectic and versatile, but at the same time rigorous and essential, the industrial style is the right choice for anyone looking for a unique kitchen that is sturdy and has a strong personality. Thanks to the variety of modular elements and the vast choice of materials and finishes, Gentili Cucine offers countless solutions for creating the perfect bespoke industrial-style kitchen.
Discover our modern or classic kitchens and contact our experts for a customised design.