A minimalist kitchen, tried on your own kitchen.

What makes a minimalist kitchen

• Handleless fronts. Slab doors that open by a push latch or a recessed grip, so the cabinets read as one surface.
• Clear counters. Small appliances live behind doors. Only what is used daily stays out.
• Few materials. Typically one cabinet finish, one counter and one wall surface.
• Quiet color. White, off-white, pale wood, grey or black, with little contrast.
• Built-in appliances. The oven, fridge and extractor sit flush or behind panels.

What to check on your own kitchen

A photo of someone else’s kitchen can’t tell you how the style sits with your light, your proportions and the things you are keeping. These are the points to look at once it is on your photo:

• Storage. Count what sits on your counters now. A minimalist design only works if there is a cupboard for all of it.
• Warmth. An all-white kitchen can feel clinical. Compare it with a version that has wood lower cabinets or a wood shelf.
• What the design removed. Check that the fridge, extractor and bins still have a place. A design is a picture and can leave them out.

Before

After

Before and after comparison. Drag or use arrow keys to reveal more of either image.

Where it works, and where it doesn’t

It suits small kitchens, where fewer lines make the room feel larger, and open-plan spaces where the kitchen should recede. It also suits people who cook simply and clean as they go.

It is demanding for a busy household: fingerprints show on flat matte doors, and clutter has nowhere to hide. Handleless and integrated fittings also tend to cost more than standard ones, so ask for both options when you get quotes.

How to see it on your own kitchen

1. Photograph the kitchen. Stand in the doorway with the lights on and use your phone’s normal 1x lens. Clear the counters first so the design isn’t built around clutter.
2. Choose the room and the style. In Remodel, pick Kitchen as the room and Minimalist as the style. Remodel is designed to keep the shape of the space and its windows and to change the finishes around them.
3. Run a second style on the same photo. Try Mid-Century Modern next and drag the slider on each. A style is easier to judge beside another one than on its own.
4. Refine the one you keep. On a paid plan, Edit changes one thing you describe and Brush changes only the area you paint over. Designs are saved in your Library beside the original photo.

Styles to compare it with

• Mid-Century Modern. Flat fronts too, with warm wood, visible pulls and a little color.
• Contemporary. More contrast and more going on: mixed finishes and dark accents.
• Scandinavian. Just as simple, with more wood, texture and warmth.

What a design can’t tell you

A design can’t tell you what the work costs, where plumbing and wiring can move, or what your local code requires. It has no measurements, the cabinets and counters in it are a look to match and not specific products, and it can change details you did not ask about, such as an appliance or the view out of a window. Moving a sink or adding an island needs a measured plan from a designer or contractor.

What it costs

On the web, the Kitchen room type and the Minimalist style are both included with a free account, which comes with starter credits and needs no card. Every paid plan adds Edit and Brush and unlocks all the styles and room types. The pricing page lists what each plan includes.

Common questions

How do I keep a minimalist kitchen from looking cold?

Use one warm material, such as wood lower cabinets, a wood counter section or an open oak shelf, and warm white lighting. Texture in tile or plaster also helps.

Is a minimalist kitchen practical for a family?

It can be if storage is planned first. Deep drawers, a tall pantry cupboard and an appliance cupboard keep counters clear without daily effort.

What colors work in a minimalist kitchen?

White, off-white, greige, pale wood, grey and black. Most kitchens use two of them, plus one material for contrast.

Is the Minimalist style free to try on a kitchen?

Yes. On the web, a free account includes the Kitchen room type and the Minimalist style, with starter credits and no card. Paid plans start with Basic at $13 a month, or $91 a year and add Edit and Brush for changing one thing at a time. The pricing page lists what each plan includes.