A Minimalist Kitchen is pretty much the concept of decluttering, tidying and organising which is a worldwide phenomenon that’s sweeping the world, thanks to the likes of Marie Kondo and others. “Ask yourself if it sparks joy” is the slogan that lies at the heart of this movement.
Talking about minimalist interior design in kitchens, many of the ‘less is more’ principles apply. The great news is, keeping things simple evokes a sense of serenity, sophistication and spaciousness and can apply equally to a small space, or a larger one.
So what is a minimalist kitchen?
Minimalist Kitchen Design is often thought to be cold or impersonal. Nothing could be further from the truth. A minimalist interior kitchen can be created from the outside in, to be warm and inviting, a place where friends and family will want to linger.
Typically, this design style embraces ample light, clean lines, functionality and the beauty of space for its own sake. Decor wise, there’s a definite cap on clutter.
The Minimalist Kitchen is as much of an art form as it is a practical cooking philosophy. From paring down your tools and ingredients, to building a successful pantry, to using efficient cooking techniques – Melissa Coleman, author of the Minimalist Kitchen
Let’s take a closer look at some of our favourite minimalist kitchen tips:
Choose a monochromatic colour
In a smallish kitchen, or any kitchen, you can’t go wrong with classic all white to create a sense of light and space. White is paired beautifully with natural wood to achieve a stunning effect.
You can also opt for any neutral colour from the same family to get the same effect, such as black, charcoal or navy. For a more dramatic contrast, black and white works a treat.
Pare things down
Keeping things streamlined is not only visually appealing, but allows you to be more organised in the kitchen. There’s nothing worse than settling down to cook only to discover everything’s in a mess!
Handle-less drawers, a minimalist kitchen pantry, hidden storage in cupboards and drawers, and a clutter-free island benchtop are just some fantastic examples of how to stick to your guns for a minimalist interior design.
Make way for marble
There’s something timeless about marble. For a cool, clean look, this stone is a natural fit for any minimalist kitchen. Go all the way with a marble benchtop, or integrate it in more restrained ways with marble finishes or tiles.
Introduce bold accents
Just because we’re going for a no-fuss look, doesn’t mean things can’t be intriguing. In fact, a minimalist kitchen offers the perfect excuse to make a statement.
This can happen in a number of ways from unusual floor tiling and hints of greenery, to exquisitely shaped bowls carefully displayed on open shelving.
A subtle kitchen can also be used to shine the spotlight on an adjoining flow-on room – or a feature item nearby such as an arresting piece of art or a singular pendant light.
Painting one or two pieces of cabinetry in vivid colour can also act as a fantastic highlight, while keeping true to the minimalist style.
Prioritise empty space
If you’ve got your heart set on minimalist interior design, make sure not to fill things up with storage, shelving or decor. Paying homage to space is the name of the game here.
Not only will this bring a soothing quality to any kitchen, it’ll also make it easier to navigate the space and prepare meals in an organised way.
An empty space – known as a negative space in the world of interior design – allows for other objects, furniture or elements to take a starring role.
Use less, buy less
Don’t be tempted to fill up your kitchen with the latest cool appliances and gadget – trust us, you probably won’t need them. If you do wish to buy something, think long and hard about how much use you’re going to get from this purchase. We tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so it can quickly accumulate stuff. Prioritise the essentials and go Zen style. Try and buy only the amount of food you need to avoid things getting cluttered in the fridge or on the countertops. You’d be amazed how much food we waste.