Get the Look: How to Implement the Industrial Trend into Your Kitchen

Invite sophistication and functionality into your home with the industrial kitchen trend. Renowned for its clean silhouette, deeper colour scheme and practical worktops, this interior style is sure to add a new dimension to your cooking space. Here, we worked with Alexandra Davies from premium kitchen appliance manufacturer Britannia Living to share her top tips for incorporating the industrial kitchen trend into your home.

Industrial kitchens are arguably the most functional and fit-for-purpose cooking spaces out there. And, with a sleek and sophisticated style, these are ideal for incorporating into your household.

With exposed walls, natural materials, and darker colour schemes all being celebrated in this interior style, it’s perfect if you’re looking to try something different with your interiors. 

The history of the industrial trend

The industrial interior trend has been predominantly inspired by the practical, busy factories and warehouses that were central to the economy in the Victorian era. Now regarded as a popular kitchen style, the look is inspired by a mix-and-match of textures and materials, and includes unique detailing. 

Dark and neutral colour schemes nod to the durable steel surfaces factory workers would’ve been working on during Victorian times, and the dim lighting there will have been in some corners and crevices of the older buildings. 

The success of the industrial trend depends on embracing the rough and ragged elements alongside those that have been painstakingly planned, and what better place to trial this than in your kitchen? As a high-footfall area that is vulnerable to more wear and tear, your cooking space is a perfect foundation for the trend. 

Switch to a factory-inspired colour scheme

Most homeowners like to expand the space they already have available to them with clean, white walls that are versatile. But, with the industrial kitchen theme, you can trade those in for deeper shades that mimic the look of the Victorian factories and warehouses.

The materials used in these factories mainly featured brick, concrete, stone, wood and steel, so think a gradient of grey and neutrals juxtaposed with metallic accents and wood features for a truly atmospheric kitchen. 

Incorporate wooden details

Woodwork is key to the industrial kitchen trend and it will contrast with any steel, stone or brick you choose to implement too. Wooden beams, countertops and cabinetry are commonly documented in this kitchen interior style, but if you’d like to keep these a more subtle material, opt for wooden cupboard handles or bar seat stools instead. 

Similarly, having wooden utensils and accessories out on display can add industrial touches to your cooking space. For example, a hanging rack of wooden-handled pans and ladles, or cork coasters stacked on your surfaces. 

Make use of copper and brass

Antique metallics that look worn can add character to your kitchen and take it back in time. While polished gold and silver fixtures and fittings can create an updated take on the industrial trend, if you’re looking to go classic with it, try incorporating copper and brass. These warmer metals will neatly contrast against the darker colour scheme and materials you’ve used. 

Copper appliances should get kept out on show for some extra bonus points and will also create the perfect atmospheric lighting when used for lightshades. And, best of all, this metal works effortlessly with cooler-toned brass which you could choose for your cabinet handles or recipe book stands. 

Choose practical worktops

Durability was key in the factories and warehouses of the Victorian era, and it’ should be no different for your busy kitchen. Your worktops are among the most important elements of your cooking space, giving you an area to prepare food, find recipes, and socialise with your guests over. The heavy usage your counters will go through means they need to be made of hardy materials, like quartz. 

Quartz comes in a range of tones and can even mimic the look of sleek marble, so you’re sure to find a counter to suit your vision. For an extra cohesive and easy-clean option, match your splashback to

Diana Simpson

Diana is a passionate journalist and a curious soul who is on the quest of finding what she loves the most; coffee, dogs, books or traveling? Born and bred in London, writing is her healing power.