How to Pull Off the ‘Hidden Kitchen’ Trend

Interior design trends reflect the time we live in, and almost three years on from a pandemic that has made dining out quite risky, it’s no surprise that kitchen renovations are high on many people’s wish lists. In particular, so-called “hidden” or “invisible” kitchens have become very popular in recent years.

The appeal of hidden kitchens is pretty simple: kitchens get messy and hide them Mess is sometimes more convenient than tidying up. (Like, for example, if you’re hosting a dinner party and want your guests to think you’re less messy than you actually are.) But even if you’re an absolute clutter freak, it can be nice to separate your kitchen from the rest of the kitchen separate your living space – this is great news for all those who are sticking with it an open floor plan that they didn’t ask for.

Corresponding a recent article in the New York Times, the hidden kitchen trend has grown in popularity over the past 2-3 years, especially among wealthy homeowners with generous renovation budgets. Unsurprisingly, many of the “hidden” or “invisible” kitchen examples featured in magazines and design blogs are incredibly expensive. But you don’t have to redo your entire kitchen (or build an entire pantry extension) to pull off this trend. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Literally hide your entire kitchen

The easiest way to try a hidden kitchen is to literally hide it behind a room divider, sliding doors, or any other physical barrier that is within your budget and blends in with the rest of your decor. This is a particularly good option for studio apartments and other spaces with open floor plans and small kitchens; It’s an easy way to physically separate your kitchen from your living space without tackling a large, expensive project.

Close your store

With an invisible kitchen you have more space to store things behind closed doors, the better. If you have open shelves, consider replacing them with cabinets or otherwise enclosing them. The same goes for your kitchen island if you have one. For a truly invisible vibe, try to keep your cabinets in the same aesthetic neighborhood as the rest of your living space – they don’t have to match perfectly, but strive for consistency.

Renovate your pantry

If you want to take full advantage of the hidden kitchen concept and want plenty of pantry space to work with, you can turn it into a full second kitchen. Depending on your needs, you can opt for a design that maximizes prep space or one that prioritizes storage.whatever you wish your actual kitchen had more of. (Some people go all out and add sinks, induction cooktops, and even dishwashers to their second kitchen.) Whatever you choose, make sure your hidden kitchen comes with doors that close—after all, the ultimate goal is clutter and to keep clutter out of sight.