20 Small Industrial Kitchens Featuring Exposed Brick

If you follow Decoist, you know we frequently celebrate the modern-industrial aesthetic and how it evolves each year. The style has enjoyed a resurgence thanks to adaptive reuse projects that transform old factories and warehouses into homes. As architects and homeowners rediscover these structures, modern-industrial interiors—both expansive loft-style spaces and compact, efficient units—have multiplied around the world. Today we focus on the latter: the charm and ingenuity of small industrial kitchens.

Modern industrial kitchen island with ample light — Modern-industrial island that is creative and filled with ample light

The industrial kitchen offers many striking ideas, but small industrial kitchens with an exposed brick section are especially compelling. Exposed brick brings texture, warmth and authenticity to a compact cooking area. Whether the brick acts as a subtle backdrop or a highlighted design element, it instantly gives the room depth and character. In tight footprints, a single section of brick can become the defining feature that anchors cabinetry, lighting and shelving.

Exposed Brick Wall Sections

For decades, interior trends favored smoothing over brick with plaster or paint. In recent years, however, exposed brick has reclaimed its place as a desirable finish—especially in modern-industrial interiors. Revealing an original brick wall in a small kitchen is a simple, high-impact move: it celebrates a building’s history while creating visual contrast with contemporary materials. Even a narrow strip of exposed brick behind open shelving, a sink, or a compact cooktop adds personality without overwhelming the space.

Small eat-in kitchen with exposed brick wall — Bringing the exposed brick wall to the small industrial eat-in kitchen with urbane appeal. From: Phoenix Building Renewal

Corner space in industrial kitchen with brick backdrop — Corner space comes in mighty handy in the small industrial kitchen with exposed brick wall backdrop

Reclaimed wood island and copper pendants in industrial kitchen — Kitchen island in reclaimed wood along with sparkling copper pendants used in the small industrial kitchen

Apartment kitchen with blue cabinets and exposed brick section — Apartment kitchen with blue cabinets and exposed brick wall section along with dashing pendant lights

Modern industrial kitchen in Barcelona with exposed brick and white walls — Beautiful modern industrial kitchen of Barcelona home with an exposed brick wall and walls in white and porcelain backsplash. From: Homesearch Barcelona

Tiny industrial kitchen with whitewashed brick and neon lights — Bright neon lights steal the spotlight in this tiny industrial kitchen with whitewashed brick wall backdrop

Combining Brick with Other Finishes

Small industrial kitchens may seem limited in surface area, but they offer plenty of opportunity for mixing materials. Metal, wood and stone can coexist in a compact plan without feeling cluttered. Metal elements—window frames, ductwork, hardware—establish the industrial foundation. Wooden cabinets or open shelving introduce warmth and organic texture, while polished countertops or porcelain backsplashes add a modern, easy-to-clean surface. Thoughtful combinations balance tactile contrasts so the overall look feels cohesive rather than busy.

Custom brick-wrapped kitchen island with white countertop — Custom kitchen island that is perfect for small kitchens is draped in brick and features a white countertop. From: Kamila Kovalevskaya

Varied finishes and textures in a small modern industrial kitchen — Different finishes and textures still find pace next to one another in this small modern-industrial kitchen

Pendant lights creating light and shadow in industrial-eclectic kitchen — Pendants create a lovely interface between light and shadows in this brilliant industrial-eclectic kitchen. From: unicum project

Polished gray finishes combined with exposed brick wall in the small modern-industrial kitchen. From: martin mailleux

Exposed brick as focal point with shelving and cabinets — Turning the exposed brick wall in the kitchen into the focal point with smart shelving and the right use of cabinets. From: Nina Williams Interiors

Balanced modern and industrial styles in modest kitchen with brick wall — Balanced use of both modern and industrial styles in the modest kitchen with exposed brick wall. From: Patti Wilson Design

Creating that Spacious Ambiance

Light and careful organization are essential in small kitchens. Natural light from large windows is ideal, but where daylight is limited, layered artificial lighting helps maintain an open, airy feeling. Recessed ceiling lights provide even illumination, while task lighting under cabinets and dramatic pendants over islands add function and atmosphere. Because brick, matte metals and darker wood absorb light, compensate with brighter, reflective surfaces—white backsplashes, light countertops or glossy accents—to keep the room from feeling dim.

Ultra-small kitchen with window and small brick backsplash — Ultra-small kitchen with a window that ushers in ample natural light and a small brick wall backsplash. From: Shperling DESIGN

Small kitchen behind a spiral staircase — Small kitchen behind the spiral staircase inside the tiny apartment is stylish and space-savvy

Using wall space with hooks, hangers and floating shelves — Using wall space in the small industrial kitchen with hooks, hangers and floating shelves

Wall-mounted shelves and clever cabinets in small industrial kitchen — Wall-mounted shelves and clever cabinets give the small industrial kitchen with exposed brick wall a more organized look

Floating wooden shelves combined with cabinets for storage — Floating wooden shelves combined with cabinets for better storage options in the small kitchen

Narrow kitchen with half-whitewashed brick wall — Narrow kitchen with modern-industrial style with brick wall that is half whitewashed on one side

Small industrial kitchen with a red refrigerator and retro touches — Red refrigerator brings color to this small industrial kitchen of Moscow apartment with retro touches. From: 4 arts

Small industrial kitchens prove that strong design doesn’t require a lot of square footage. With an exposed brick accent, a careful mix of finishes, well-planned storage and layered lighting, a compact kitchen can feel both functional and full of character. Whether you keep the brick raw, whitewash it, or combine it with polished modern surfaces, the result is a kitchen that feels authentic, cozy and thoughtfully composed.