Vintage Industrial Style: How Replacement Kitchen Doors Create Perfect Open-Plan Entertaining Spaces

Drawing inspiration from old industrial spaces and factories, the vintage industrial style expertly blends old and new to create stylish interiors that feel both contemporary and full of character.

If you're drawn to the vintage industrial aesthetic, it's an excellent design style for an open-plan entertaining space that is certain to impress. So, let's explore some of the main elements of this unique and timeless design style before looking at a selection of replacement kitchen doors that will help you to create your dream entertaining space.

What exactly is the vintage industrial aesthetic?

Emerging from the period of time when factories and warehouses were converted from industrial spaces into apartments, spaces in this style often feature repurposed materials and exposed structures. This allows spaces to remain aligned with the fact that industrial buildings in the late 19th and early 20th century were designed and constructed with functionality at the forefront rather than form or appearance.

Pro Tip: At its heart, industrial style celebrates the form and characteristics of the materials from which items are made. From shiny chrome to wooden furniture where the natural wood grain is the star of the show, texture and the ways in which different finishes interact with each other create the characterful and sophisticated industrial spaces that have proven to be enduringly popular.

Centre natural materials

As natural materials feature heavily within vintage industrial style spaces, choosing replacement kitchen doors with a wooden finish is a simple way to introduce another layer of texture into your space.

Many of our cabinet doors are available in a selection of wooden finishes, including our sleek and sophisticated Valore slab doors. The Natural Kendal Oak or Light Natural Casella Oak finishes will both bring warmth to your space, whereas Driftwood Light Grey or Urban Oak feature cooler tones. For a super rich and impactful finish, Vanguard Walnut is guaranteed to make a statement.

Create contrast with exposed brick walls and concrete floors

If wood finishes aren't quite your style and you're hoping to incorporate some colour into your kitchen, it's worth considering choosing replacement kitchen doors that will contrast beautifully with other features in your space, such as concrete floors or exposed brick walls.

Both rich, heritage inspired colours and contemporary hues can work well in an old-meets-new style space, so you may want to explore our Bella range of doors, as each model is available in more than 50 colours.

Our Bella Richmond doors have a simple silhouette which suits both bold and more understated finishes, making it an excellent choice for an open-plan entertaining space. Supermatt Blush Pink is a charming finish that feels fresh and contemporary. However, if you're looking for something with a heritage feel, you may prefer Supermatt Colonial Blue or Supermatt Rusty Red.

Pro Tip: Choosing cabinet doors with an ultragloss finish is another interesting way to play with contrast. Our Zurfiz doors with a glass effect edge come in a variety of super glossy finishes, including Ultragloss Copperleaf, which has a stunning metallic quality that suits the vintage industrial style perfectly.

Complete the look with shiny metallic hardware

Metallic accents bring dimension to vintage industrial inspired spaces, where they catch the light and bring a touch of elevated glamour to even the most straightforward designs. Our Windsor Knob has a simple aesthetic and comes in a range of metallic finishes, including brushed copper, chrome and satin brass. Our Windsor Shell handles have a similar traditional vibe and are available in the same metallic finishes, making them an ideal option if you prefer cupped handles.

Alternatively, you may want to choose handles with a decidedly more contemporary look and feel, which is where our Slim Square D Handle in stainless steel or Slimline Handle in stainless steel really come into their own.

Celebrate simplicity and neutral colours

Neutral colours and simple, highly functional features sit at the heart of the vintage industrial aesthetic, as they help to establish an atmosphere that feels sophisticated and welcoming. Our Waterford Slimline Shaker doors feature a simple yet stylish 5-piece frame which has a timeless look that's easy on the eye. It also comes in a selection of neutral finishes, including cashmere and light grey.

Our Bella Dalton doors also have a timeless Shaker style, with a recessed panel that is framed by minimal lines for a sleek and charming look. As these doors are part of our Bella range, there are a range of finishes to choose from, including Matt Dove Grey, Supermatt Carat Beige, and Supermatt Taupe Grey.

Realise your open-plan kitchen dreams with Happy Doors

Whether you're looking for understated kitchen doors that will quietly elevate your primary entertaining space or you're keen to make a big style statement, the Happy Doors range of cabinet doors has something that's perfect for your home.

You can get in touch with one of our kitchen experts by sending an email to hello@happy-doors.co.uk or calling 0345 257 2526 between 8:30am and 5pm Monday-Friday.

Replacement Kitchen Doors Frequently Asked Questions

What colour hardware should I choose to complement my new replacement kitchen doors?

With everything from satin brass to super shiny chrome finishes, the hardware you choose should be informed by your personal taste and sense of style. It can be helpful to first determine whether you prefer warm or cool tones, before deciding whether you're looking for something with high shine or hardware that already has some texture or patina.

What style of replacement kitchen doors best suits a vintage industrial inspired kitchen?

From slab style doors that allow the natural grain of the wood to shine to panelled doors in a variety of characterful or heritage colourways, there are many different styles of kitchen cabinet doors that can shine in a vintage industrial chic kitchen. Again, let your personal style guide you here and you're certain to make the right choice.