Perfecting Industrial Kitchen Design With Your Remodel

Most of us already have a picture in our minds when we think of industrial kitchen design: exposed brick, metal stools pulled up to a concrete island, and pendant lights hanging from high, open ceilings. It’s a look born from repurposed factories and lofts — equal parts rugged and refined. But what photographs beautifully in glossy magazines or staged Instagram posts doesn’t always translate perfectly to a home. Industrial design can easily veer into feeling cold, chaotic, or overly masculine if the balance isn’t right.

Here’s how to pull off a modern industrial kitchen that feels intentional — equal parts practical, minimalist, and effortlessly comfortable.

Design a Home That’s Uniquely Yours

Block can help you achieve your renovation goals and bring your dream remodel to life with price assurance and expert support.

Get Started

Define your industrial kitchen style

Industrial design is surprisingly malleable, taking on different personas. While it’s rooted in raw materials and functional elements, there are distinct sub-themes that offer their own tone and personality. Whether you’re drawn to understated minimalism, rustic charm, or polished sophistication, identifying which direction fits your home will help guide choices in finishes, materials, and layout.

Examples of different industrial kitchen styles:

• Modern industrial: A clean, refined take on the classic warehouse look. Think matte finishes, slab cabinetry, concrete or stone countertops, and minimal adornment. The space feels architectural and balanced — all about proportion, material honesty, and contrast — ideal for open-concept floor plans.

• Farmhouse industrial: This style blends the grit of industrial design with the warmth of classic farmhouse charm. Exposed beams, apron-front sinks, and distressed wood accents complement metal fixtures and simple hardware. The result feels inviting and nostalgic — perfect for homeowners who want the elegance of rustic living without losing that modern edge.

• Vintage or reclaimed industrial: Inspired by historic lofts and warehouses, this version focuses on texture, patina, and storytelling. Salvaged doors, aged brick, vintage lighting, and reclaimed wood introduce character and depth to your industrial kitchen. 

• Contemporary luxe industrial: The elevated, city‑ready evolution of the style — one that pairs rugged structure with refined details. Sleek fixtures, custom cabinetry, and sculptural lighting sit alongside exposed materials for a sophisticated blend of rough and polished. It’s for homeowners who love the precision of modern design but still want the soul of industry.

Find your industrial design color scheme

Here’s the secret: industrial design doesn’t have to be black-on-black. The look works best when you use contrast and warmth for balance, not monotony. A simple palette grounded in neutrals with layered tones can make even a small kitchen feel cohesive and elevated.

Color combinations that work well in industrial kitchen design:

• Charcoal, warm taupe, and brushed metal accents.

• Soft white cabinetry with matte black hardware and reclaimed wood trim.

• Deep navy with raw concrete countertops and copper lighting.

• Light gray walls paired with walnut shelving and iron fixtures.

• Olive green base cabinets with black marble or honed granite surfaces.

Don’t skimp on countertops

Your choice of countertop can make or break whether your kitchen feels modern industrial or just plain cold. Countertops serve as the visual anchor for the space — and industrial design thrives on bold materials that age gracefully and feel substantial. Opting for textures and finishes with integrity helps the look feel authentic rather than imitated.

Colors and materials that work best for industrial design: 

• Concrete: Concrete is the classic industrial countertop — matte, textural, and quietly dramatic. It can be tinted and sealed for durability, yet natural weathering over time only enhances its character. However, it requires regular maintenance to prevent staining, so it’s best for homeowners who appreciate a material that ages gracefully rather than staying pristine.
• Soapstone: Dark, velvety soapstone brings a deep, organic warmth that softens metal and glass while reinforcing industrial style’s authenticity. It’s naturally heat-resistant and dense, making it ideal for heavy-use kitchens. While it can scratch more easily than granite, those light marks create patina and personality that suit the raw aesthetic.
• Black granite or honed quartz: Both surfaces offer a clean, modern foundation with unmatched practicality. Honed finishes tone down reflection, echoing the muted textures of concrete and steel. Granite delivers strength and individuality through natural veining, while quartz provides consistency and low maintenance — a perfect pairing for busy households pursuing minimalist appeal.
• Butcher block: Wood countertops are the antidote to industrial chill — tactile, warm, and timeless. They introduce contrast and comfort, especially when paired with concrete or metal accents. However, they do need regular oiling and gentle care to avoid water marks, so they’re best used on islands or secondary prep areas.
• Stainless steel: Stainless steel is sleek, hygienic, and reflective enough to expand light in darker spaces. Its resistance to heat and bacteria makes it a practical favorite for serious cooks. Scratches and fingerprints are inevitable, but in a true industrial kitchen, those marks just tell the story of a well-used, hardworking space.

Upgrade your appliances

Appliances play a surprisingly large role in an industrial kitchen remodel—they’re both functional and visual statements. Stainless steel or matte black appliance finishes are mainstays, but design-forward homeowners are combining textures like brushed brass for handles and trim for added character. Consider professional-grade ranges, visible hood vents, and open shelving around them to reinforce that utilitarian aesthetic.

For smaller kitchens, panel-ready appliances or compact models with clean profiles help maintain an organized, architectural feel without sacrificing practicality.

Strike the right tone with cabinets

Cabinetry sets the visual rhythm for any industrial kitchen design. It bridges the hard edges of steel and concrete with the practical warmth that keeps the space livable. Flat-front, modern cabinets work best — but details like tone, texture, and hardware determine whether your kitchen feels sleek and considered or cold and utilitarian.

Ideas for industrial‑inspired cabinets:

• Go for a no-handle look: Push‑latch or integrated edge pulls keep lines seamless and contemporary, complementing the workshop-like simplicity of industrial style.

• Contrast matte and metal: Combine matte black or graphite cabinet fronts with brushed steel or pewter hardware for understated industrial texture.

• Use mixed materials: Pair wood-grain lower cabinets with painted uppers or metal frames to create rhythm and depth.

• Highlight natural finishes: Choose rift-cut oak, walnut, or ash in clear matte sealants to show grain and pattern without unnecessary shine.

• Incorporate glass or mesh fronts: Metal-framed glass cabinet doors or wire inserts nod to vintage workshop storage, adding character and openness.

• Play with tone-on-tone contrast: Mix dark cabinetry with lighter countertops or walls to ground the space while keeping it airy.

• Layer neutrals: Charcoal, cement gray, smoked wood, and slate hues layer easily and feel cohesive when paired with raw materials like stone or steel.

Cabinets in an industrial kitchen should feel built‑in yet unfussy — the kind of design that looks like it belongs there, not like it’s trying too hard. Choosing honest materials, subtle finishes, and consistent tones keeps the look strong, balanced, and timeless.

Choose fixtures that pop

Fixtures are the jewelry of an industrial kitchen. Think matte black bridge faucets, brushed brass sconces, or steel pendants with exposed bulbs. The right lighting and plumbing fixtures create rhythm and emphasis, connecting your finishes from countertop to ceiling.

In a smaller industrial kitchen design for a small space, one large statement pendant over an island or a single wall-mounted faucet can become an anchor. Keep finishes consistent across elements so the design feels intentional, not cluttered.

Incorporate industrial touches into your kitchen’s ceiling design

In an industrial kitchen, the ceiling can be just as expressive as the floors or cabinetry. Exposing beams, ductwork, or joists instantly adds architectural detail and reinforces the raw, utilitarian character the style is known for. Painting these elements in matte black, white, or charcoal highlights their structure while keeping the look cohesive and intentional.

You can also introduce warmth and variation overhead with wood planks, steel panels, or suspended lighting. A few thoughtfully chosen features — like a statement pendant or track lighting along exposed beams — help pull the entire design upward, giving the space dimension and balance. When the kitchen’s ceiling design is considered, the space feels complete from every angle.

Renovate with confidence every step of the way

Step 1: Personalize Your Renovation Plan

Step 2: Receive Quotes from Trusted Contractors

Step 3: Let Us Handle the Project Details

Get Started

How to make your industrial kitchen still feel inviting

Industrial kitchen design thrives on contrast — rough meets refined, hard meets soft. Without warmth or human detail, it can drift into looking impersonal. Here’s how to ensure your modern industrial kitchen feels both functional and comfortable.

Embrace natural wood

Wood softens the cool tone of metal and concrete, bringing warmth and life into industrial spaces. Wide-plank oak or walnut floors ground the room beautifully, or you can introduce wood through open shelving, stools, or butcher block accents. Choose matte or satin finishes that highlight the wood grain without adding gloss — the goal is texture, not shine.

Maximize natural light

Light is the key to keeping an industrial kitchen open and inviting. Opt for large, unobstructed windows or glass sliders where possible, and complement them with reflective surfaces like polished metal or glass tile. Natural light keeps darker tones from feeling heavy and highlights the honest materials that make the space feel authentic.

Live plants make the difference

Greenery adds instant contrast and emotional warmth to an industrial kitchen. Potted herbs, cascading ivy, or olive trees soften angular lines and metal textures. Choose natural terracotta or simple ceramic planters to tie the organic elements into your color palette — an easy way to make the space feel lived-in and alive.

Layer textiles for comfort

Don’t overlook fabric. Textiles bring softness and tactile variety that counterbalance hard surfaces. A woven rug underfoot, linen roman shades, or upholstered bar stools can make an industrial kitchen feel complete and lived‑in.

Use Renovation Studio to envision your industrial kitchen

Before you commit to colors, materials, or finishes, visualize exactly how your space will come together. With Block’s Renovation Studio, you can design your layout, preview materials, and see realistic renderings of your new industrial kitchen design — all for free. The interactive tool lets you experiment with countertop types, cabinet colors, and fixture finishes, helping you make confident, informed design decisions before construction begins.

Find contractors with taste and talent with Block Renovation

Industrial remodeling demands a balance of technical skill and design vision. Through Block Renovation, homeowners are matched with vetted, licensed contractors who not only meet structural standards but also understand aesthetic nuance. You’ll receive detailed scopes of work, transparent pricing, and progress‑based payments that keep your renovation secure from start to finish.

Whether you’re creating a minimalist kitchen design or tackling a full industrial kitchen remodel, Block connects you with professionals who know how to turn striking design concepts into enduring, functional spaces. The result? A kitchen that’s sophisticated, efficient, and timeless — built to look as good as it works.

Remodel with confidence through Block

Connect to vetted local contractors

We only work with top-tier, thoroughly vetted contractors

Get expert guidance

Our renovation consultants offer expert advice, scope review, and ongoing support as needed

Enjoy peace of mind throughout your renovation

Secure payment system puts you in control and protects your remodel

Get Started