What you Need to Know About Industrial Kitchens

Industrial kitchens are sleek and stylish, although they may not be for everyone. Some people prefer farmhouse or transitional kitchens, and the debate continues regarding the kitchen work triangle and whether you should use hardwood flooring in kitchens. However, we all agree that the industrial style is perfect for homeowners who want to cook like the pros. It is also ideal for people who want to mimic the utilitarianism of a commercial kitchen, especially in a loft-style setting.

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“Industrial kitchens in homes first arrived in the 1980s and 1990s when it became fashionable to have a professional-looking kitchen in your home,” explains Michael Schienke, director and chartered architect of MODEL architecture in London. “If you cook a lot, these kitchens are great. They are inspired by kitchens where professional chefs prepare delicious meals throughout the day. “

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Characteristics of an industrial kitchen.

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Schienke says that a professional kitchen is contemporary, with surfaces that are easy to clean. “Most of the countertops would be stainless steel, which gives them that ‘professional’ look,” he explains. Updraft range hoods are also a common accessory.

So does this mean you couldn’t have an industrial kitchen in a more traditional home? “In traditional properties where you would create an ultra-modern decoration [style] – Think old vaulted ceilings and restored and not completely painted properties with elegant Italian-style sofas and minimalist interiors, ”says Schienke. “In these cases, to create a stark contrast, an all-stainless steel ‘chef’ kitchen would look great.”

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Sandra L. Steiner-Houck, President and Senior Designer of Steiner-Houck and associates in Mount Joy, PA, agrees. “Industrial kitchens can be incorporated into any style of home effectively,” he says. “I would highly recommend working with a professional CKD (certified kitchen designer). This ensures that it is properly integrated into the interior design of the house ”. But she believes that it is possible to achieve an industrial feel in the kitchen that is consistent and respects the design of the house.

For Marc Hottenroth in Coffee Appliances, a brand of GE Appliances, an industrial kitchen is based on two factors. “I consider how it looks and how it works,” says Hottenroth. “Normally, a professional aesthetic defines the industrial kitchen. That includes sturdy knobs, sturdy handles and a stainless steel finish. “

Sturdy appliances

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In addition to stainless steel, Steiner-Houck says that industrial kitchens would also feature commercial or professional grade appliances. “They are designed to perform at a higher level, be extremely functional, and incorporate very durable finishes and surfaces, like a commercial kitchen,” explains Steiner-Houck.

In fact, heavy-duty appliances are a key feature of industrial kitchens. “These are the types of appliances that are designed to stand out in the kitchen and be noticed, like a 48-inch or 36-inch kitchen,” says Hottenroth. “These kitchens cannot be truly professional grade due to residential safety standards, but they should have improved performance.” He advises looking for burners that can offer a full spectrum of heat settings, from an ultra-low temperature of 140 degrees F to an intense output of 18,000 BTUs. “Also, consider dual-fuel models with convection ovens and heavy-duty full-extension oven racks.”

Other appliance considerations

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Built-in refrigerators and dishwashers are also hallmarks of an industrial kitchen. “Consider multiple appliances such as two dishwashers, one on each side of the sink, or multiple undercounter refrigerators throughout the kitchen for easy access to specific food preparation needs,” advises Hottenroth.

He says that induction cooking technology is gaining popularity. “Look for induction stoves with sous vide. This is a type of precision cooking where food is cooked in airtight bags in a temperature-controlled water bath, ”says Hottenroth. “Precise temperature control Monogram induction stoves ideal for sous vide and other precision cooking techniques ”.

Another cool appliance to consider for an industrial kitchen: a pizza oven. “Can you imagine having the capabilities of the best restaurant pizza oven to create the perfect slice at home?” With the 30 Inch Monogram Built-In FurnaceHottenroth says you can get a pizzeria quality performance. “It combines the crisp performance of traditional charcoal and wood-fired pizza ovens with the precision and ease of a sophisticated residential appliance,” he explains.

While stainless steel is immensely popular in industrial kitchens, Hottenroth says there is also a growing desire for appliances that can better blend in with home décor. “Consider Café Matte White with brushed bronze handles and knobs or matte black with brushed stainless steel handles and knobs,” he says. The Café collection also includes custom colored knob and handle sets with additional brushed copper and brushed black color options. “Now you can have the color and finish that looks great in your home and has the industrial style that makes a statement.”

Sinks and taps

Farmhouse sinks are all the rage, and Dan Worst at Elkay recommends the Crosstown Stainless Steel Farmhouse Sink. “It gives you the space and style options to incorporate that industrial feel into any kitchen,” says Worst. “The size of the sink is large enough to handle industrial-sized clutter while still maintaining a stylish look.” Plus, he says the narrow corners provide a cool, geometric, industrial design. “Plus, the straight side walls and flat bottom provide a modern look and more usable space.”

Another useful feature in an industrial kitchen is a pot filler. “Elkay’s Avado collection of kitchen faucets combines clean, modern lines with commercial and industrial designs that look as good as they work,” explains Worst. A wall mount faucet with a flexible hose is another great addition. “This faucet is gaining popularity due to the balance between semi-industrial styling, while at the same time it features a sleek, modern finish that fits in perfectly with current residential trends.”

Floor

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Stained concrete is a popular choice for industrial kitchens. There is an unresolved debate regarding the use of wood flooring in kitchens (and / or bathrooms), but many designers use hardwood or engineered wood or ceramic / porcelain stone tile in this type of kitchen design.

Colors

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Finally, we asked Jody Finglas, president of Finglas painting in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, for advice on choosing colors. “Industrial or commercial kitchens tend to look somewhat clinical because so much of the kitchen is filled with stainless steel,” says Finglas. “We have also found that because most of the area is tiled for easy cleaning and maintenance, it can be difficult to introduce color. But there are opportunities to make the space more exciting. “

He recommends introducing colored tiles like red and yellow on the walls. “These colors are very popular. They help divide the space and allow the kitchen to appear less industrial, ”he says.

Finglas points out that painted surfaces, like doors, are also great areas to introduce color. “A beautiful red door in a kitchen is classic and attractive. Because it is an eye-catching color, you should think about where you paint red in the kitchen so as not to overdo it, ”he says.