Minimalist Design: A Growing Trend in Kitchens and Bathrooms
From Scandinavian kitchens to Japanese bathrooms, minimalism is at the core of many recent design trends and themes. Many of us are in search of simplicity and practicality in our lives, and minimalist design cannot only streamline your space, but also look clean and chic in the process. Plus, minimalism doesn’t have to mean boring, there are many ways to implement simplicity in your home, from emphasizing clean lines to utilizing natural elements to simply decluttering your design. The key is blending functionality with aesthetics to facilitate clean living and beautiful style.
What Are Some Ways to Create a Minimalist Kitchen?
The key thing to remember when creating a minimalist kitchen is that it is designed to be easily cleaned and maintained. Before getting into stylistic choices, the bones of a minimalist renovation should include things that enhance the functionality of your kitchen and make it easier to keep organized. One element that is crucial to a minimalist kitchen is concealed storage. The options are expansive, from creative cabinetry solutions like toe-kick drawers or pull-out spice racks, all the way to a hidden butler’s pantry. Regardless, the key is ensuring that everything has a designated place so things can be put away easily and intuitively.
Another great option is hidden appliances. “Decluttering” doesn’t just mean making sure everything is in its place, it also means visually simplifying your space. For example, concealing larger appliances with custom panels that match the adjacent cabinetry will allow you to create a seamless, minimalist look without sacrificing functionality. However, minimalism is a spectrum, so perhaps hiding appliances in this manner is a little too far on the simplistic side. Instead, you could just make sure to opt for sleek appliances and simple touches in terms of hardware and cabinetry to ensure an equally appealing and streamlined look. For example, GE Monogram has introduced a new line called the “Minimalist Collection” that streamlines appliances to fit this popular style. Either way, just remember that less is more.
Another way to cater to a minimal look in your kitchen is to always be mindful of light and color. Maximizing natural light wherever possible is key-whether that means adding some windows or a skylight, utilizing light colors, or adding some creatively placed reflective surfaces, prioritizing sunlight in your kitchen will inevitably make your space feel open, simple, and calm. Remember-minimalist doesn’t have to mean cold. In fact, minimalist style can work with a wide variety of color palettes and tastes and still feel simple while staying authentic to you. It’s just a matter of putting all the right elements together and choosing the right shades. By including as many natural elements as possible to mirror the inherent simplicity in nature, your kitchen will feel like an extension of the world around you. It’s also a good idea to steer toward muted tones, though there are lots of options within those guidelines if you don’t want to have an entirely neutral space.
There are other small touches and ideas that can help contribute to a minimalist kitchen, but overall it’s important to remember that no minimalist kitchen is the same-and they certainly don’t have to be bland. Your kitchen can certainly be minimalist and functional while still being visually interesting, you just have to choose the right blend of ingredients.
What About Bathrooms?
When it comes to minimalism in bathrooms, it can be easier to create the vibe you seek in these typically smaller spaces. Since you spend less time in these spaces than in your kitchen, it’s really a matter of choosing a few effective elements and making sure everything has a place because, once again, storage is key. Though their smaller size can be an advantage when renovating, bathrooms can also become easily cluttered. If cabinet space is a concern, remember, there are other ways to maximize your storage. Taking advantage of wall space can be a great way to make sure to free up your counters and ensure that things have room to be put away, so consider adding some floating shelves, a mounted ladder for towels, or a recessed niche in your shower. Plus, a great tip to consider before starting a bathroom renovation is to get rid of anything you don’t use anymore! It’s easy to stuff unwanted hair masks or skincare you’ve stopped using into the back of the vanity, but taking the time to size down your collection is a great way to free up storage for other things.
Two key words that go hand in hand with minimalism when renovating your bathroom are “neutral” and “organic.” Opting for neutral colors, just like in your kitchen, is the best way to give your bathroom a minimalist feel, and to avoid a too-sterilized look, choose warm-toned colors and consider a textured bath mat to add some visual interest. Additionally, though clean lines are obviously a must when creating minimalist spaces (floating sinks and walk-in showers are always popular choices), don’t be afraid of interesting shapes and organic lines to evoke a softer feel. You can also consider adding natural elements like wooden cabinetry with a lighter stain, small plants, or even wicker baskets to add a little life to your space. However, it’s important to let the design speak for itself-there’s no need to get too crazy with decor when the base elements of your bathroom blend nicely in the first place!
Tips For the Rest of the Home
To help carry the minimalist aesthetic throughout the rest of your home, it’s important to keep in mind the basics: less is more, quality over quantity, natural is best, and storage, storage, storage! In areas like hallways or living rooms, embracing open space-and negative space-is a great way to start your journey. Don’t just clean up your items-declutter your furniture! Choosing a few quality pieces fit for functionality will free up lots of space and create the look you seek. Opting for functional furniture, like a pull-out dining table or an ottoman with a hidden storage compartment, is even better. Just like in your kitchen and bathrooms, limiting your decor allows the larger elements in your design to shine and enhances practicality.
Remember that you don’t need to stick to specific design rules. From mixed neutrals to an all-dark kitchen, from clean lines to organic curves, minimalism can take many forms. Not to mention the fact that “natural materials” encompasses a whole lot, so feel free to get creative when designing your minimalist home. If you’re thinking about going minimal, start a conversation with a team member today to start planning your perfect minimal space! Call (703) 369-3000 or click below to submit a Discovery Form.
