As kitchen remodeling trends come and go, one of those expected to stay popular through 2019 is industrial chic. This design style borrows elements from factories and warehouses to transform kitchens into sleek, workman-like spaces highlighted by concrete, metal, and brick.
Industrial chic is commonly seen in restaurants or in the homes of avid cooks, yet it may also be right for you if you enjoy rooms with a minimalist and masculine feel. Here are several points to remember as you consider it for your home.
The worn is reborn
Are you renovating an older Atlanta property with exposed pipes, bricks, or beams? Industrial chic will let you spruce up your kitchen with these materials, rather than cover them up.
This can happen in two ways. First, you can leave these elements exposed (to a safe and tasteful degree), so they may serve as accents for the walls or ceilings. Second, you can repurpose them as smaller pieces of fixtures or furniture.
With its emphasis on salvaging materials, industrial chic is also popular among proponents of “green” design—a trend you could very well support for years to come.
Concrete isn’t pedestrian
If industrial chic is trendy, one of its main materials, concrete, is even trendier. That’s not to say kitchens all over Atlanta will look like unfinished pavements.
While concrete floors are an option, concrete countertops are all the rage. Already valued for their sturdiness, resistance to heat and scratches, and flexibility for custom design, these countertops also come in a variety of decorative finishes. Featuring such an impressive example, like a rust-and-concrete surface, can be enough to pull off an industrial-chic kitchen.
Consider that another industrial-chic bonus: there’s no need to build a kitchen from the ground up. Without launching a large-scale kitchen remodeling project, you can achieve its look simply by upgrading certain fixtures to match it.
Steel is a steal
When decorative concrete isn’t an option, stainless steel offers a strong alternative. This material not only creates an industrial look; it also provides similar advantages, like durability, heat resistance, and real estate value. A key aesthetic difference is that stainless steel would appeal more to contemporary or forward-looking tastes, while concrete would interest those preferring the traditional or rustic.
Prominent use of metals for windows, lights, and other fixtures contribute to industrial chic.
An open floor plan is ideal
Are you envisioning a spacious living-dining-entertaining area, as well as a roomy kitchen? Industrial-chic kitchens work well with open floor layouts, so you should consider it if you’ve already decided to pursue an open-plan concept.
Remember those exposed beams that industrial chic lets you repurpose? Those would look striking glimpsed anywhere in an open-floor living space. The statement countertop would stand out too, along with the warm tones and neutral colors favored in industrial chic.
Sources:
10 Kitchen Trends That Will Be Huge in 2019 (and 3 to Forget), HGTV.ca
Industrial Chic, KitchenBathDesign.com
Industrial Chic Style, TheSpruce.com
Top 10 Materials for Kitchen Countertops, TheSpruce.com
