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Your Recipe for Creating a Sleek, Integrated Kitchen
A designer shares steps to hide your stuff and create a light, streamlined space
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Crisp lines and minimalist finishes are growing in popularity, as homeowners are increasingly finding the idea of an integrated kitchen delectable. “There has been a shift toward more modern, open-concept kitchen designs,” Minneapolis designer Morgan Molitor says. Keeping clutter at bay and putting practical elements behind closed doors let your kitchen become a canvas for both your cooking and your life. Read on for ways to pare down to the essentials and achieve your own sleek space.
1. Create Clear Sightlines
Remove extraneous walls so that your kitchen flows into other spaces. Install large windows and an island or a peninsula to enjoy your view while you prep and cook, and conceal your ventilation by choosing a discreet downdraft vent. Some types can be elevated up to 18 inches to accommodate large pots and pans, and then retract into the countertop with a push of a button. Or try in-ceiling ventilation that lies flush overhead. “They both make such a difference in keeping sightlines open and letting your eye move around the kitchen,” says Molitor, who co-owns design-build firm Construction2Style with her husband, Jamie.
Place cabinets against side walls, and keep taller storage areas and pantries at the end of a cabinet run for lines that are long, lean and unobstructed, Molitor advises. “We also veer away from larger, bulky appliances,” she says.
Remove extraneous walls so that your kitchen flows into other spaces. Install large windows and an island or a peninsula to enjoy your view while you prep and cook, and conceal your ventilation by choosing a discreet downdraft vent. Some types can be elevated up to 18 inches to accommodate large pots and pans, and then retract into the countertop with a push of a button. Or try in-ceiling ventilation that lies flush overhead. “They both make such a difference in keeping sightlines open and letting your eye move around the kitchen,” says Molitor, who co-owns design-build firm Construction2Style with her husband, Jamie.
Place cabinets against side walls, and keep taller storage areas and pantries at the end of a cabinet run for lines that are long, lean and unobstructed, Molitor advises. “We also veer away from larger, bulky appliances,” she says.
2. Hide Everyday Appliances
“Keep appliances hidden within the cabinetry, ceiling or countertop,” Molitor says. Try a panel-ready beverage cooler, dishwasher or fridge for a streamlined, furniture-inspired look. Use appliance garages for smaller items like toasters and blenders, or tuck a microwave drawer into an island.
“Keep appliances hidden within the cabinetry, ceiling or countertop,” Molitor says. Try a panel-ready beverage cooler, dishwasher or fridge for a streamlined, furniture-inspired look. Use appliance garages for smaller items like toasters and blenders, or tuck a microwave drawer into an island.
Design by Construction2Style
Then spotlight elements that showcase your tastes. A French-door wine-and-beverage cooler, as seen here, protects your favorite bottles and makes a design statement with LED lighting and crisp stainless steel. Add artwork you love or install an eye-catching backsplash (or both!). “Add in those touches of personality, color and life to make your home yours,” Molitor says.
Then spotlight elements that showcase your tastes. A French-door wine-and-beverage cooler, as seen here, protects your favorite bottles and makes a design statement with LED lighting and crisp stainless steel. Add artwork you love or install an eye-catching backsplash (or both!). “Add in those touches of personality, color and life to make your home yours,” Molitor says.
3. Keep the Air Clean
When spaces are open to one another, it’s especially important to minimize cooking smells. “Having the right ventilation is key to having clean air in your kitchen space,” Molitor says. “You always want to make sure you are venting the toxins out of your home instead of recycling them back in.” Choose a kitchen vent that features multiple zones for catching smoke, oil and unwanted odors, such as the downdraft model with tri-capture zones seen here. Designed with four-way ducting, it works with ranges, cooktops and cooktop-oven combinations.
Look to online tools, such as a downdraft configurator, to help you select the right ventilation configuration for your cooking appliance’s size, setup, fuel source and exhaust type as well as your ducting and blower. Bonus tip: Start your fan 10 minutes before you turn on your range, then cook on back burners and use the highest fan setting available. Large windows or sliding doors offer additional airflow.
When spaces are open to one another, it’s especially important to minimize cooking smells. “Having the right ventilation is key to having clean air in your kitchen space,” Molitor says. “You always want to make sure you are venting the toxins out of your home instead of recycling them back in.” Choose a kitchen vent that features multiple zones for catching smoke, oil and unwanted odors, such as the downdraft model with tri-capture zones seen here. Designed with four-way ducting, it works with ranges, cooktops and cooktop-oven combinations.
Look to online tools, such as a downdraft configurator, to help you select the right ventilation configuration for your cooking appliance’s size, setup, fuel source and exhaust type as well as your ducting and blower. Bonus tip: Start your fan 10 minutes before you turn on your range, then cook on back burners and use the highest fan setting available. Large windows or sliding doors offer additional airflow.
4. Go Minimalist
Sleek style calls for subtle patterns, a simple palette and crisp edges. “We love incorporating clean lines into every aspect of the design,” Molitor says. “We also love that many of these integrated appliances have tri-level LED lighting that showcases the kitchen in a warm glow.” She especially likes installing discreet in-ceiling ventilation (remote-control operation makes it even more seamless) along with a smooth induction cooktop.
Then consider flat-panel cabinets with the slimmest of hardware or no pulls at all. Embrace glossy lacquered finishes and glass panels to highlight your kitchen’s minimalist beauty, as seen here, or go matte for a quieter approach.
Sleek style calls for subtle patterns, a simple palette and crisp edges. “We love incorporating clean lines into every aspect of the design,” Molitor says. “We also love that many of these integrated appliances have tri-level LED lighting that showcases the kitchen in a warm glow.” She especially likes installing discreet in-ceiling ventilation (remote-control operation makes it even more seamless) along with a smooth induction cooktop.
Then consider flat-panel cabinets with the slimmest of hardware or no pulls at all. Embrace glossy lacquered finishes and glass panels to highlight your kitchen’s minimalist beauty, as seen here, or go matte for a quieter approach.
Design by Katrina Stumbos
5. Embrace Design Continuity
Find balance in a cohesive look for your kitchen and adjoining spaces. “Think about the colors and textures within your home, and make sure they play off each other,” Molitor says. If you have wood and green hues in your living room, for instance, bring those elements into your kitchen. A quiet, neutral palette of whites and grays also works well. Be sure to carry the same flooring throughout adjoining spaces for harmony.
Not sure if all your chosen materials will work together? Try an augmented reality app, such as this one for ventilation products, that lets you envision styles and sizes in 3D before you make a final decision. “More and more clients want to see their space come to life before they make any major decisions,” Molitor says.
Above all, Molitor says, “remember that creating a sleek, integrated kitchen is all about making a calm and collected backdrop to your space. Then it’s up to you to layer the kitchen to bring in your personal touch.” Designers, appliance manufacturers and contractors are still working remotely during this time and can help you plan your dream space. If you’re ready to start construction, check local regulations and discuss steps with your contracting team for a safe, successful remodel.
Share your style: What appeals to you most about an integrated kitchen? Let us know in the Comments.
More: To learn more about the Zephyr products pictured in this story, visit the company’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
5. Embrace Design Continuity
Find balance in a cohesive look for your kitchen and adjoining spaces. “Think about the colors and textures within your home, and make sure they play off each other,” Molitor says. If you have wood and green hues in your living room, for instance, bring those elements into your kitchen. A quiet, neutral palette of whites and grays also works well. Be sure to carry the same flooring throughout adjoining spaces for harmony.
Not sure if all your chosen materials will work together? Try an augmented reality app, such as this one for ventilation products, that lets you envision styles and sizes in 3D before you make a final decision. “More and more clients want to see their space come to life before they make any major decisions,” Molitor says.
Above all, Molitor says, “remember that creating a sleek, integrated kitchen is all about making a calm and collected backdrop to your space. Then it’s up to you to layer the kitchen to bring in your personal touch.” Designers, appliance manufacturers and contractors are still working remotely during this time and can help you plan your dream space. If you’re ready to start construction, check local regulations and discuss steps with your contracting team for a safe, successful remodel.
Share your style: What appeals to you most about an integrated kitchen? Let us know in the Comments.
More: To learn more about the Zephyr products pictured in this story, visit the company’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
While our products have changed over the years, our commitment to unexpected design and ever-evolving innovation... Read More
While our products have changed over the years, our commitment to unexpected design and ever-evolving innovation... Read More
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All these kitchens are stunning!
Can you tell me about something that is not a Zephyr product? Who manufactures the stools in picture 4. The Minimalist?
Thank you
Do you have designers in the Sacramento area that design in this style? Also interested in someone who uses the 3D technology to show how colors and materials work in your kitchen. I like the zephyr pop up hoods.