21 Minimalist Kitchens That Are Simply Chic
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If you’re going for a minimalist interior with touches of midcentury-modern warmth, make sure you don’t stop at the kitchen threshold. “A sleek minimalist kitchen is crafted for cooking, entertaining, and whatever else life throws its way, but designed to be easily cleaned and maintained—making it ideal for those seeking a picture-perfect interior with all the comforts of home,” says David Thompson, principal and founder, Assembledge+, a full-service architecture firm in Los Angeles. To make the heart of your home both streamlined and stylish, we rounded up tips from design experts as well as some delicious inspo for your mood board from the AD archives.
What are the features of a minimalist kitchen?
Per Thompson, one of the best ways to achieve the minimalist look is to prioritize concealed storage within kitchen cabinets or drawers, where you’ll keep larger appliances—leaving countertops clear and maximizing your prep space. Thompson also recommends opting for panel-ready appliances, which allow refrigerators and dishwashers to disappear as they integrate into millwork.
“Seamless” is the key when it comes to the minimalist kitchen. With respect to hardware, Thompson says to go for hidden or integrated options “to eliminate the visual clutter of knobs and handles on cabinetry.” Maximizing natural light exposure is another handy tip; minimalism doesn’t have to mean “cold.” “Windows and/or skylights showcase the beautiful inherent qualities of the materials,” Thompson adds.
What colors and materials should a minimalist kitchen have?
Go with a muted tones. “Sticking with a neutral color palette can help make spaces feel larger and more open,” says Thompson, singling out hues of cool gray and white. And don’t be afraid to make a treatment with a wall (or two) of wood kitchen cabinets. He also recommends using natural materials, like rich hardwoods, and solid surfaces, like stone or quartz.
As these minimalist kitchen ideas below prove, it’s possible to keep one of the busiest spaces in the home feeling calm, sleek, and inviting, while also keeping the counters clear and pots tucked away with clever storage and design tricks. Keep reading for a selection of 21 minimalist kitchens that make our modern hearts swoon.
Photo: Lindsey King Photography1/21Clean lines for “mindful living”
Kerrie Kelly—CEO and creative director of Kerrie Kelly Design Studio in Sacramento, California—appreciates that minimalist kitchens embrace simplicity and create a “canvas for mindful living.” “Clean lines and intentional organization converge to create spaces that seamlessly blend functionality with refined aesthetics,” says Kelly. In this airy white kitchen, clean lines and thoughtful storage abound—which makes for a bit more peace of mind when the chaotic mess of preparing meals inevitably strikes.
Photo: Madeline Tolle2/21A culinary haven with an earthy palette
Dorothy Macik, a high-end luxury designer and principal of Dorothy Macik Design in Los Angeles, believes that minimalistic kitchens are the most pleasing to the eye as well as being the most functional and organized spaces. She notes that this minimalist kitchen employs muted hues in earth tones, allowing it to feel modern yet warm, calm, and welcoming. Macik points out that the chef’s kitchen uses “beautiful genuine stones and natural woods…and reduces the use of hardware,” helping the space achieve a fuss-free minimalist look that still makes an elegant statement.
Photo: Madeline Tolle3/21Contemporary zen minimalism
“This kitchen has an old soul that evokes a state of calm zen,” says Macik. Organic materials are used throughout, which include Ceppo rock natural stone, vertical grain Douglas fir wood cabinets in a chocolate ganache finish, and gunmetal fixtures. “Artistry and attention to detail are important when using minimal elements that are still luxurious and indulgent, such as the upper cabinets that were finished in an Old World hand-applied plaster,” she says. “Pairing with modern lighting and high-gloss mirror finish countertops keeps the kitchen sharp and contemporary.”
Photo: Robert Wright4/21A storage-friendly city kitchen
James Ramsey, founder of RAAD Studio in New York City says that one of the most important things to do when designing a clean, modern kitchen is to make sure there is adequate storage, and that those storage spaces get specific enough to suit various utensils, cookware, and appliances: “There’s nothing that looks more cluttered than crowded countertops!” he says. Beyond that, Ramsey and his team tend to lean toward a limited material palette for minimalist kitchens, one consisting of of two to three materials “that have a nice tension in texture and color, and to detail the joinery between them well,” he explains.
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Photo: Becca Pierson/L’Atelier Paris5/21Dark glamour
Maria Moraes, creative director of the Miami-based firm L’Atelier Paris Haute Design, shares that one way to go a minimalistic route in kitchen design is to stick to a largely monochromatic color scheme throughout the space—making way for a pop of color to really pack a punch, if you so choose. “This not only creates a sleek look, but can also allow you to play with color and bring it back into the kitchen, whether it’s a deep green or Pantone’s color of the year, Peach Fuzz,” says Moraes, noting that the American kitchen design, manufacturing, and installation company has the ability to fully customize a kitchen, so it’s easy to, say, match the cabinetry to the oven range and hood for a minimalist modern kitchen.
Photo: Tim Hirschman. Styling: Lisa Rowe.6/21Play up the contrast
Thompson shares that the built-ins and cabinets here are painted in a Farrow & Ball charcoal color, providing a bold contrast with the Calcutta white marble island. “The veining throughout the marble creates the illusion of movement against all-black cabinetry,” he says. For this modern kitchen, Thompson says the goal was to embrace the natural landscape and allow sunlight to accentuate a variety of material textures, including natural wood grains, milky marble surfaces, glazed tiles, and the undulations of brush-applied paint. (Subway tiles are another nice flourish if you’re looking to jazz up any minimalist kitchen design.) The look was achieved through the use of “expansive windows along the counter space and extra-large skylights over the island and stove,” he says, pointing out that while this kitchen is minimal, it isn’t sterile; it embraces both warmth and expansiveness.
Photo: Ashton Woods Homes7/21Subdued and sleek
Yes, even with a compact space, you too can declutter your kitchen. Leigh Spicher, national director of design studios at Ashton Woods Homes in Atlanta, explains that a key component of minimalism is the application of good sight lines, as seen in this simple kitchen that still makes space for a sit-down island. “When you stand in the kitchen, are the features balanced, straight, and even? Sometimes people only think of less ‘things’ when it comes to minimalism, but with proper design, it becomes more about how the space ‘feels,’” says Spicher. “If the kitchen is balanced with clean lines, there is automatically less visual clutter, leaving a little more room for functional items.” For example, a toaster, a cutting board, or a fruit bowl on the countertop won’t totally throw off your minimalist kitchen design.
Photo: Viv and Tim Home8/21Scandinavian chic
When building her dream custom home, Vivianne Chow, interior decorator and owner of the Chicago-based Viv and Tim Home, wanted the space to have a timeless, minimalist look. With a white oak island and white cabinetry, she achieved “a clean and minimalist design, without being too cold.” Chow also chose a one-inch shaker white cabinet door for a modern twist and flat panel white oak wood for the kitchen island. And how about that sleek stove hood? “The hood design is very minimalist with a simple trim piece across the bottom,” she says, adding that installing a full-height quartz slab as the backsplash resulted in a clean and minimal look with no visible tile grout lines. The result is a simplicity that’s the opposite of cold: “The warmth from the wood island and leather bar stools results in a cozy and inviting feel perfect for the main gathering space of the home,” says Chow.
Photo: Brent Bingham9/21Proof that modern can be cozy
Renovated by Lauren Williams (founder of Lauren Jayne Design in Miami) in collaboration with Alisberg Parker Architects, this Scarsdale, New York, kitchen takes a minimal approach to a well-furnished space. “A tailor-made sofa tucks into a carved-out niche and is paired with a custom white oak pedestal base dining table. The perimeter cabinets are a fresh white to match the [Benjamin Moore] Decorator’s White walls and ceiling,” she says. The central island is finished in walnut and detailed with legs to give the illusion of a freestanding table, allowing Mater bar stools to push underneath and maximize space. Williams adds that a bit of cohesion in materials streamlines the space: “The stone at the range wall carries over to the island and is a Calacatta marble,” she says.
Photo: Ashton Woods Homes10/21Bring on the natural light—and the natural materials
“My favorite myth to debunk about minimalism is that it is cold,” says Spicher. “Minimalism is steeped in simplicity, but by adding natural elements (like wood, natural light, and quartz), a minimalist kitchen can feel warm.” When considering minimalist kitchen ideas, opt for skylights and windows to lend some warmth, and ample cabinet space—as present in this kitchen, which also showcases three see-through cabinets—can keep all the clutter off your cooking surfaces.
Photo: Jennifer Hughes11/21Dark colors and straight lines
Thompson likes that the interplay of dark hues, clean lines, and walnut accents harmonize with the midcentury-modern aesthetic of this home. Per Thompson, the upper cabinets and island are crafted by Ferris Custom Cabinetry and feature walnut with a grain of honey, gold, and black, for “a visual symphony that complements the ebony finish of the base and wall cabinets.” The wall cabinets are painted in Sherwin-Williams’s Iron Ore. Rounding out the mix are Caesarstone quartz countertops and thin bricks painted white, creating the “appearance of exposed brick, paying homage to the midcentury sensibilities,” adds Thompson.
Photo: Laure Joliet Styling: Lisa Rowe12/21Elevate a simple space with quality sustainable materials
Earth tones and natural materials are hero features of many minimalist kitchens, so it’s only logical to opt for eco-friendly where you can. Thompson notes that the use of formaldehyde-free MDF oak kitchen cabinetry not only contributes to the home’s sustainable features “but also imparts an element of sophistication, elevating the overall warmth and coziness of the kitchen.”
Photo: Arianne Autaubo13/21Modern minimalism with a big footprint
A “feeling of spaciousness” abounds in this warm and inviting kitchen, which naturally flows into the family room living space, says Macik. “Minimalistic kitchens can still allow for open storage and display cabinets by focusing on the essential elements, which are designed in the best possible way,” says Macik, elaborating that touch latch doors and finger pulls for drawers instead of hardware keep the cabinets sleek and simple. “Reducing extras such as ornate decorative lighting, or bold appliances keeps it clutter-free,” she adds. (That said, kitchens will always need cookware and various gadgets, so don’t sacrifice must-have kitchen appliances in the name of minimalism!)
Photo: Ashton Woods Homes14/21Tired of the all-white kitchen? Opt for soft gray
“Minimalism is evolving beyond boring color voids, but for those that still feel all-white kitchens are the only way to achieve minimalist style, then soft grays might be the next evolution,” says Spicher, who recommends seeking out details like hands-free faucets or lights that you can control with your voice to reduce the visual clutter of hardware.
Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg Styling: Limonata Creative15/21A melange of materials
“Minimalist kitchens encourage material exploration,” says Darlene Molnar, interior designer of Darlene Molnar LLC, based in Reston, Virginia. “Here, concrete pendants and counter stools crafted from rebar and concrete bring a raw element into this otherwise sleek kitchen on the coast of western Maryland.” This kitchen’s waterfall countertop provides an eye-catching feature that adds to the sleek elegance of the space.
Photo: Devon Banks16/21Casual, comfy minimalism
Banquette seating, open shelving, and warm tones make for a minimalist kitchen that’s oh-so-inviting in the Brooklyn abode. “The tonal colors, mix of materials and consistency of finishes throughout the kitchen design are woven throughout to create a soft and minimalistic feel. A built-in banquette is an extension of the island, blending seamlessly into the millwork,” says Williams. “The thin profile Garrett Leather cushion adds softness and complements the delicate frame of the Cassina Superleggera chairs.”
Photo: Draper White17/21Colorado cool and calm
If you love the simplicity of an all-white space, declutter your culinary headquarters with a minimalist kitchen design like this. “This Aspen private residence envisioned by Lauren Jayne Design embodies minimalism through seamless integration,” says Williams, pointing out how the white oak cabinets by Bulthaup Kitchen and the clean lines of the Corian white countertops flow with the neutral palette. “The split-face limestone is a featured material throughout,” Williams says. “A large Rodney Smith photograph anchors the kitchen, [while] RW Guild Oscar pendants in blackened brass and Debra Weninger bar stools upholstered in Holly Hunt vegan leather add a touch of contrast.”
Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg. Styling: Limonata Creative.18/21Bold and blue
Looking for kitchen ideas that are minimalist but a bit different? Befriend blue or another bold color choice while keeping minimalist design intact. “Minimalist kitchens can be playful; in a two-toned kitchen along the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, a structural column is the kitchen is embraced with knotty pine, while chunky ceramic flush mount lights were brought in for balance,” says Molnar of this Delware kitchen. “Along the back wall, a structural stack was treated like the rest of the backsplash and wrapped in subtle glass tile to help it visually recede, then topped with shallow shelves to provide an opportunity for colorful accessories.”
Photo: Daniel Shea19/21A simple color palette with a standout center island
A kitchen remodel takes a lot of work, but it doesn’t always take a lot of color. “This minimal kitchen uses just two elements: black and white. In this case, it’s black and white Corian, which allows for seamless surfaces and exotic geometries,” says Ramsey. “The island actually features a 12-foot cantilever, as it transforms into a dining area, and the hidden, tapered structure gives it the illusion of being as thin as a sheet of paper.”
Photo: Roger Davies20/21Go all-in on warm wood
The kitchen is outfitted with walnut cabinetry and a granite backsplash and countertops in a Beverly Hills home designed by Marmol Radziner. The refrigerator (paneled in matching walnut) is by Sub-Zero, the range is by Wolf, the hood is by Vent-A-Hood, and the sink fittings are by Dornbracht. The Gordon International counter stools are clad in a Spinneybeck leather.
Photo: Roger Davies21/21Fashionably futuristic
Sleek, modern features—like these stylish Roche Bobois stools and reflective white cabinets—pair well with earthy organic materials to make for an updated minimalist kitchen in a Southern California home by architect Steven Ehrlich. A wall and counters of pale onyx are complemented by Varenna by Poliform cabinetry; the ovens, cooktop, and warming drawer are all by Miele, and the sink fittings are by Dornbracht.
