Industrial Bathroom Ideas Cool & Characteristic Bathroom Designs

Industrial style bathrooms are all the rage these days. With their edgy, urban vibe, industrial bathrooms are the perfect way to add character and visual interest to your home. In this article, we will explore some of the coolest and most characteristic industrial bathroom design ideas to help you create your own stunning space.

Elements of Industrial Style Bathrooms

Before diving into specific design ideas, let’s look at some of the key elements and materials that typify the industrial bathroom aesthetic:

Exposed Construction Materials

Exposed brick, concrete, ductwork, and piping are common in industrial bathrooms. Letting pipes, wiring, and structure show provides an unfinished, urban look.

Metals

Metals like steel, iron, and aluminum are heavily used in industrial baths. Metal pipework, stainless steel or galvanized hardware, and metallic finishes on surfaces add to the raw, industrial style.

Vintage Fixtures

Look for vintage-inspired fixtures and accessories like pendant lights, wall sconces, and metal basins. Distressed finishes and vintage-look tiles also help capture the factory or warehouse aesthetic.

Minimal Decor

Industrial bathrooms have an unfussy, minimalist look. They focus on materials, textures, and functional design over decorative elements.

Neutral Color Palette

Stick with a neutral palette of greys, blacks, and earth tones. Pops of color can come from accessories like towels or floor mats.

Cool & Characteristic Industrial Bathroom Ideas

Now let’s look at some amazing industrial bathroom design ideas you can steal to create your own stylish and edgy space:

Exposed Brick Walls

One of the most iconic industrial elements, exposed original or faux brick walls, adds loads of texture and character. For a modern twist, paint bricks white or neutral. Or leave them natural for a classic warehouse look.

Concrete & Cement Finishes

Concrete floors, walls, and countertops are hardwearing and ultra-modern. For walls, use concrete, stucco, or special cement-based paint finishes. Concrete counters with integrated sinks sculpt a seamless, bespoke aesthetic.

Galvanized Metal

Use galvanized metal buckets, pans, or bathtubs as statement sinks. Metallic finishes on piping, shelves, and accessories boost the urban vibe. Hammered metal, like this hammered copper tub, adds appealing texture.

Plumbing as Decor

Let pipes show instead of hiding them. Mix metals like copper, steel, iron, and brass for industrial appeal. Showers with exposed plumbing have an edgy, urban feel.

Vintage Finds

Incorporate unique vintage pieces like signs, carts, ladders, and cabinets. Old factory carts become novel sink stands. Letterpress cabinet drawers might store towels or toiletries.

Retro Metro Tiles

For walls, floors, or as an accent, classic metro tiles with their beveled edges and retro vibe just scream industrial chic. Go for black, white, grey, navy, or terra cotta shades.

Statement Lighting

Eye-catching pendants like cage lights, Edison bulbs, or shop lights illuminate form and function. Try industrial wall sconces, vanity pendants, or funky chandeliers.

Bold Black & White

A black and white color scheme gives bold contrast. Try black walls with white tiles, or vice versa. Use both colors in tile, decor, or vanities for graphic punch.

Wood & Leather Accents

Warm up an industrial space with wood or leather stools, shelving, mirrors or mats. Reclaimed wood and leather add natural texture.

Gritty Texture

Consider concrete, stone, or wood-look porcelain tiles for floors and walls. Or distressed wood parquet offers worn character. Leave grout lines dark for graphic contrast.

Floating Vanities

A chunky floating vanity spotlights sleek materials like wood, concrete, or metal. Add bold corrugated metal or graphic cement tile as a splash.

Minimal Shower Design

Walk-in showers with a linear drain, floor-to-ceiling tiles, and spare detailing provide an airy, pared-back feel. Frameless glass doors maintain the modern vibe.

Industrial Bathroom Color Schemes

Industrial style bathrooms typically revolve around a muted, neutral color palette. Here are some stylish and moody color combinations to try:

Black & Gray

A black and gray palette oozes modern elegance. Use black in tiles, walls or vanities paired with concrete grays. Pops of brass add a glam touch.

White & Black

For serious contrast, opt for graphic black and white. Think black walls, floors or vanities contrasted by bright white tile.

Earth Tones

Warm up an industrial space with earthy hues like beige, brown, tan and cream. Terracotta floor tile or wood vanities keep the look natural.

Bold Blue

Make navy blue your bold accent hue. Blue walls, tile, or vanities pop against grey and beige neutrals.

Moody Green

Deep forest green makes a dramatic counterpoint to concrete greys and wood tones. Use green tile or paint for an earthy vibe.

Industrial Bathroom Materials & Finishes

Let’s look at some great material and finish options to recreate the industrial look in your own bathroom:

Concrete

Concrete as a vanity top, wall finish or flooring has a raw, bespoke vibe. For walls, use concrete, cement tile, or special paint finishes like Venetian plaster.

Exposed Brick

Both real and faux reclaimed brick add textures and imperfections that just scream industry. Whitewashed brick keeps it airy.

Distressed Wood

Reclaimed wood, parquet, salvaged boards, or wood-look porcelain tile offer worn character that contrasts concrete and metal finishes.

Stainless Steel

For a sleek sheen, try a stainless steel apron-front sink, tile backsplash, or shower pan.

Subway Tile

Both real and faux metro tiles with their beveled edges provide an instant retro, industrial look.

Metal Finishes

Brushed brass, oil-rubbed bronze, and matte black hardware, fixtures and accessories add urban edge.

Galvanized Metal

Galvanized steel buckets, tubs and counters resonate industrial simplicity. Hammered copper offers artisanal appeal.

Creative Industrial Bathroom Ideas

Looking for some unique and creative ways to amp up your industrial bathroom design? Here are some cool ideas to try:

Display Collections

Make use of metal factory carts, shelving units, or glass cabinets to display collections like rolled towels, lotions, or grooming supplies.

Unexpected Materials

Think outside the box for counters or sinks. Try using an old tool chest, machinery parts, galvanized tubs, or even an engine block!

Factory Carts for Storage

Vintage factory carts on casters are a functional storage solution. Stash towels, toiletries or bath accessories in baskets, bins or drawers.

Masculine Touches

Add industrial edge with vintage signs, architectural salvage pieces, toolbox accessories, or engine parts as decor.

Urban Jungle Wall

Make one wall an urban jungle with exposed brick, hanging ferns and piping. The mix of nature and industry is unexpectedly delightful.

Create Zones

Use area rugs, varied floor tiles, lighting or partial walls to define separate zones for the tub, vanity, or toilet.

Make a Statement

Pick one big eye-catching focal point like an oversized clock, giant framed print, or graffiti-style wall mural.

Wall of Mirrors

Line a wall with factory-style metal framed mirrors. The repeating reflection magnifies light and space.

Unexpected Pops of Color

Add vibrant red, blue or green towels, stools, curtains or bath mats to perk up neutral tones.

Industrial Bathroom Ideas by Budget

You don’t need a huge remodel budget to get the urban industrial look. Here are some budget-friendly ideas:

Low Budget:

• Paint walls or cabinetry dark gray, black or navy
• Change lighting to edison bulbs or cage pendants
• Use a cement-effect paint on walls
• Add an industrial wire cart, shelving unit or stool
• Incorporate faux brick wallpaper or removable tile

Mid-Range Budget:

• Install concrete-look porcelain tile flooring
• Replace vanity with a metal industrial style one
• Swap out fixtures for matte black or brass
• Frame out a walk-in shower with metro tile
• Add vintage-look accessories like signs

Big Budget:

• Expose original brick walls and piping
• Install a huge industrial-style light fixture
• Use reclaimed wood for wall cladding or flooring
• Custom build a concrete vanity, tub or shower
• Source unique vintage decor pieces like factory carts

Tips for Achieving the Industrial Look

Here are some top tips to keep in mind when designing your perfect industrial-chic bathroom:

• Let structure show by leaving ductwork, pipes, beams, wiring and imperfections exposed. This adds character.
• Incorporate a combination of materials and textures like wood, concrete, brick, metal and tile.
• Choose vintage-inspired fixtures with galvanized, stainless steel, subway tile or distressed finishes.
• Look for salvaged and reused pieces with history like factory carts, signs, tubs or cabinetry.
• Stick to a moody neutral palette of black, white, grey, brick red and brown. Use color strategically as accents.
• Consider open shelves, wire racks or factory carts for characterful storage instead of cabinets.
• Create contrast with graphic elements like black framed mirrors, white grout lines, or concrete floors with a colorful rug.
• Don’t overdecorate. Industrial style celebrates simple, functional forms and raw materials.
• Layer in wood, leather, greenery or soft fabrics to add natural texture and warmth.

Industrial Bathroom Inspiration

Need a little extra design inspiration? Here are some stunning industrial bathrooms showcasing creative ideas and gorgeous executions:

This imposing industrial bathroom features matte black accents, concrete floors, floating wood shelves and a massive wall-length mirror.

Exposed original brick, black framed windows, green accents and concrete counters give this bathroom an urban loft vibe.

A clawfoot tub, exposed pipes, vintage sink, concrete floors, and subway tile create a charming industrial space.

The concrete tub, wood and corrugated metal wall, and reclaimed lighting make a bold industrial statement.

A vintage dresser converted to a sink, glazed brick walls, and black accents give this space an edgy warehouse aesthetic.

The metal utility sink, wood ceiling, concrete floors, and green tile make this industrial bath feel urban yet warm.

FAQ

What is an industrial style bathroom?

Industrial bathrooms have an edgy, urban warehouse or factory aesthetic. They feature exposed pipes and structure, concrete or brick finishes, and use metals, salvaged materials, and vintage-look fixtures for an unfinished, gritty vibe.

What key elements make a bathroom look industrial?

Exposed construction materials like brick, concrete and ductwork. Metallic finishes like steel or copper. Vintage light fixtures. Minimal, functional design with few decorative elements.

What type of vanity works best in an industrial bathroom?

Floating concrete, wood, or metal vanities help maintain the sleek, minimalist industrial look. Look for galvanized, distressed or hammered metal finishes.

What kind of tile is best for an industrial bathroom?

Subway tile, concrete-look porcelain, or vintage penny tile capture the industrial vibe. Keep grout lines dark. Try laying tile on the diagonal or in a herringbone pattern.

How do you add color to an industrial bathroom?

Use color strategically in industrial baths. Add pops of vibrant color through moveable accessories like towels, shower curtains, or bath mats. Bold colored walls or tile for accents also adds interest.

What type of lighting works best in an industrial bathroom?

Vintage-style Edison bulbs, cage or shop pendants, and sconces with exposed bulbs deliver iconic industrial flair. Industrial chandeliers or dramatic statement lights also work beautifully.

How do I add warmth to an industrial bathroom?

Layer in wood elements and greenery. Use area rugs in natural fibers. Incorporate leather or cotton textures. Add warmth through lighting with Edison bulbs or accent sconces.

Conclusion

Industrial bathrooms offer endless possibilities to create an eye-catching, unique space with modern edge. By using salvaged materials, vintage-inspired fixtures, and unfinished accents, you can capture the urban warehouse vibe. Focus on exposed structure, a minimalist aesthetic, and a moody neutral palette for that iconic industrial look. Use this guide to help design your own cool and characteristic industrial oasis. With the right concrete, metal, brick and tile choices, you’ll have a stunning bathroom that makes a fabulously functional design statement every time you walk in the door.