28 Best Industrial Bathroom Ideas: Transform Your Bathroom
The industrial style has long been a favorite for those who love raw, bold design elements and a sense of practicality. It’s a style that celebrates unfinished materials like exposed brick, metal, and concrete, while still offering functionality.
When applied to a bathroom, the industrial bathroom can turn a basic space into something that’s both visually striking and highly practical. The beauty of this design style lies in its ability to combine sleek lines with rugged textures, creating a space that feels both modern and timeless.
If you’re considering industrial bathroom ideas for your next renovation or want to update your current bathroom with a little more edge, this guide has you covered.
1. Exposed Brick Walls
One of the hallmark features of an industrial style bathroom is exposed brick. Nothing says industrial quite like raw, unfinished brickwork. Whether it’s a whole wall or just an accent area, brick can provide a warm contrast to cooler metal fixtures and sleek tiles.
Consider installing brick veneer tiles if you want the look of exposed brick without the cost or challenge of dealing with real brick. The texture alone can elevate your bathroom, adding a sense of history and rugged charm. The best part? Exposed brick works beautifully with other industrial elements like metal fixtures and wood accents.
Pro Tip: Pair exposed brick with neutral tones for your bathroom’s color palette, such as white or black, to let the brickwork really pop.
2. Black Metal Fixtures
The boldness of black metal fixtures can turn an ordinary bathroom into something extraordinary. Choose black faucets, showerheads, and towel racks to make a statement. These fixtures can add a modern touch to the rustic, raw elements typically found in an industrial bathroom.
Black fixtures also complement other metallic elements like brass, chrome, or steel, allowing you to experiment with different tones in your bathroom. The industrial look embraces contrast, and nothing contrasts more beautifully than matte black against lighter or natural materials.
Personal Experience: When I updated my bathroom with black metal fixtures, I was skeptical about the boldness at first, but the results were fantastic. The black complemented the light wood tones I had used elsewhere, giving my bathroom a chic, yet grounded, feel.
3. Concrete Walls and Flooring
Concrete is one of the most iconic materials in industrial design. Its raw, unfinished look gives off a strong, urban vibe. In the bathroom, concrete flooring is particularly effective. It’s durable, easy to clean, and gives the space a modern, no-nonsense feel.
You can go all-in with polished concrete floors or use concrete-look tiles if you prefer a more manageable option. Concrete walls are also a great choice for an industrial bathroom, adding texture and a sense of depth to the space.
Quick Tip: To avoid the space feeling too cold or sterile, add soft touches like wooden accessories or soft lighting.
4. Metal Pipe Towel Racks
Another key feature of industrial bathrooms is the use of metal pipes. These can be used to create unique towel racks, shelving, or even a custom-made bathroom mirror frame. The exposed pipe look can give your bathroom an edgy, almost urban factory vibe.
A simple black metal pipe towel rack works wonders against white or light-colored walls. You can even DIY your own by purchasing metal piping from a hardware store and assembling it into a functional, one-of-a-kind piece.
Pro Tip: If you want to take it a step further, use metal pipes for a unique shower rod or curtain rail.
5. Open Shelving with Wood
Industrial design is all about embracing materials in their raw form, and open shelving with wood is no exception. Floating wooden shelves offer practicality while maintaining an air of simplicity. Reclaimed wood adds a vintage or rustic touch, making it perfect for creating a warm, inviting contrast to the harder industrial elements like metal and glass.
These wooden shelves are perfect for displaying bath essentials, decorative items, or even plants. Wooden shelves can also create the perfect storage solution for small bathrooms, reducing the visual clutter while adding character.
Personal Tip: If you choose reclaimed wood, make sure it’s sealed properly to protect against moisture.
6. Industrial-Style Lighting
The right lighting can completely transform your bathroom, and industrial-style lighting is no exception. Think exposed bulb light fixtures, pendant lights, or vintage-style sconces. These fixtures often have metal finishes like brass, steel, or iron, which provide the right amount of contrast and complement the other elements in an industrial bathroom.
Try mixing industrial pendant lights over the vanity area or install track lighting to create a more dramatic look. If you have higher ceilings, oversized vintage-style chandeliers made from metal or wire can add a sense of grandeur to your space.
Pro Tip: Incorporate dimmable lighting to allow you to set the mood, whether you’re enjoying a relaxing bath or prepping for the day.
7. Industrial Mirrors
Mirrors are an essential part of any bathroom, but in an industrial setting, they should also serve as a design feature. Opt for large, rectangular mirrors with metal frames. You can find mirrors with rusted metal finishes or sleek black metal frames that will give the bathroom a modern factory feel.
Consider a floor-to-ceiling mirror or a mirror with built-in shelving to increase both style and functionality.
Quick Tip: Mirrors can make smaller bathrooms feel more expansive. Opt for large mirrors to open up the space visually.
8. Rustic Wooden Vanity
A wooden vanity is a fantastic option for an industrial bathroom because it balances out the more mechanical elements with natural warmth. Opt for a weathered wooden vanity or one made from reclaimed wood for that authentic industrial feel. This adds a rustic charm that feels both elegant and unpretentious.
Pair it with a metal sink basin or concrete countertop to keep the overall industrial theme intact while ensuring that the space remains functional.
Personal Tip: When I swapped my modern vanity for a reclaimed wood option, it completely shifted the bathroom’s atmosphere—now it feels more grounded and inviting.
9. Exposed Shower Pipes
For an industrial-inspired shower, consider exposed shower pipes. This design choice not only adds visual interest but also showcases the raw beauty of industrial materials. Exposed pipes can be paired with industrial-style showerheads, like rain showerheads or vintage-inspired faucets, to complete the look.
You can opt for black metal pipes, or for an even more rugged touch, choose copper pipes, which will add a pop of color and warmth to the bathroom.
10. Industrial Bathtub
An industrial bathtub can be a showstopper in your bathroom. Whether you choose a freestanding tub with metal legs or a clawfoot tub, these pieces lend a vintage, almost industrial factory feel to the space. The combination of exposed metal and sleek design makes the bathtub the focal point of your industrial bathroom.
Pair it with black metal fixtures and concrete floors for a cohesive look that blends rustic and modern elements seamlessly.
11. Concrete Countertops
Concrete countertops are a must-have in an industrial-style bathroom. Their durability and raw aesthetic make them the perfect choice for a space that values both style and function. Concrete can be customized to fit your exact needs and design preferences, and you can even add a polished finish for a sleek, modern look.
These countertops are easy to clean and maintain, making them ideal for a bathroom setting.
12. Industrial-Style Shower Door
Instead of the typical framed shower door, consider an industrial-style glass shower door. These often have black metal frames or exposed hardware, making them feel more like something you’d find in a modern warehouse or loft. The clear glass adds an open feel to the bathroom, while the metal accents tie in with the industrial theme.
Quick Tip: Choose a sliding shower door to save space and keep the design sleek and functional.
13. Concrete Sink Basin
If you’re really committed to the industrial aesthetic, consider a concrete sink basin. This modern option is incredibly durable and offers a minimalistic, sleek look. Concrete works especially well in bathrooms that feature other industrial elements like metal hardware and open shelving.
Combine the concrete sink with a metal faucet for a bold contrast that highlights the raw beauty of both materials.
14. Rustic Industrial Artwork
Art doesn’t have to be soft and subtle in an industrial bathroom. Instead, opt for rustic industrial artwork that complements the bold design of the space. Look for pieces that incorporate metal, wood, or abstract designs. You can even go for black-and-white photography that features industrial landscapes or architectural structures.
These pieces can bring personality to your bathroom, creating a space that feels curated and thoughtfully designed.
15. Vintage Steel Bins and Storage
Industrial design loves functional storage solutions. Vintage steel bins or metal storage baskets are perfect for keeping bathroom essentials organized in style. These pieces have a utilitarian appeal that fits perfectly with the raw, no-frills aesthetic of the industrial bathroom.
You can use these bins for towels, toiletries, or even as a unique way to organize bathroom cleaning supplies.
16. Industrial Bathroom Flooring
When it comes to flooring, there are plenty of options that can help create that industrial vibe. Polished concrete floors are ideal for a sleek, urban feel, while wooden planks can add warmth and contrast. Tiles with a concrete or stone effect are another option if you prefer something easier to maintain than actual concrete.
17. Large-Scale Industrial Artwork
Go big or go home. Consider installing a large-scale piece of industrial artwork to make a bold statement. This could be a vintage metal sign, a geometric print, or a large metal sculpture that fills up the wall space.
Large artwork in an industrial bathroom adds personality and makes the space feel curated.
Conclusion
Creating an industrial-style bathroom is about blending raw materials, functionality, and modern design in a way that feels both fresh and timeless.
The best part about industrial design is that it allows you to mix and match different elements to create a space that’s truly yours.
Whether you go all-in with exposed pipes and concrete walls or simply add a few industrial-inspired touches, you can transform your bathroom into an edgy, yet comfortable retreat.
