Out of Sight, Out of Mind: 6 Covert and Clutter-Free Kitchens

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Freedom is a well-designed, uncluttered kitchen. So much so that today’s minimalist kitchen dream is to have every element in clear view when needed, and otherwise, have it be invisible. Simple as that, right? While hardly simple, it’s not impossible. With the finesse and determination of bulthaup and other marvelous manufacturers, disarray can live only in its place — behind sliding panels, folding doors and wonderful walls adorned in molding. And with tucked, stowed and out-of-sight elements, already limited space is newly available to let life play out freely.

Images via Kyde

House on the hill by Kyde, Cuxhaven, Germany

For every minimalist who still enjoys a bit of mystery and edge, Kyde’s House on the hill is a real life dream. Finished in every shade of gray, the home’s stunning interior lives in dramatic contrast to the bright blue water outside. Besides the in-wall oven, every element of the fully-equipped kitchen is concealed behind a wall of enigmatic folding doors.

Fulham Pavilionby Silver & Co., London, United Kingdom

For a couple and their child, Silver & Co. converted a derelict shed into a flexible, multi-functional studio with spaces to work, live and play. Floor-to-ceiling birch plywood wall panels conceal the kitchenette and slide sideways to make way for the artist’s wash-up sink and shower.

Project K by JUMA Architects, Nevele, Belgium

JUMA Architects transformed this 1976 bungalow into a contemporary villa with a holiday feel. Located in a previously unused attic space, the kitchen features a light and subtle palette, accented with occasional black fittings. With completely concealed nooks for storage and food preparation, the design creates a subtle atmosphere where residents may truly unwind.

OVD525 by Three14 Architects, Cape Town, South Africa

B3 Kitchen by bulthaup

OVD525 is a private home located on a steep mountainside in Bantry Bay, which overlooks Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard. In rebuilding this home, the architects sought to take full potential of this privileged site, incorporating a dramatic cantilever and a vast glazed wall. The entire home — including the immaculate kitchen — features understated and unadorned finishes and flowing spaces.

Vazio by AR ARQUITETOS, São Paulo, Brazil

The proposal for Vazio by AR ARQUITETOS was to create a house with double-height openings and built-in sculptural elements that would be penetrated by natural light. The focal point of the design is a geometric staircase with storage, which connects all three floors of the apartment. A small kitchenette is similarly tucked away, which may open and close towards the central living space. All of these components are finished in a soft, highly textural gray.

Home 10by i29 Interior Architects, Paris, France

In today’s contemporary homes, living spaces and open-concept kitchens often merge together. As a result, i29 aimed to develop a kitchen system that would completely disappear into space, aesthetically more akin to a piece of furniture than a typical kitchen. With a top surface that is only a couple of centimeters thick and all water, cooking and electrical connections included, the design champions minimalism.

One of the industry's biggest votes on design innovation is officially underway — help select the winners of the 2024 A+Product Awards! VOTE NOW >