{"id":12049,"date":"2019-12-16T15:07:46","date_gmt":"2019-12-16T23:07:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/?p=12049"},"modified":"2020-01-16T16:11:25","modified_gmt":"2020-01-17T00:11:25","slug":"designing-a-minimalist-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentecdirect.com\/blog\/designing-a-minimalist-kitchen\/","title":{"rendered":"A Property Manager\u2019s 7-Step Guide to Designing a Minimalist Kitchen"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"minimalist<\/p>\n

Up and coming renters have made it clear what they love \u2014 simplicity and functionality. <\/span>Minimalism brings these principles together in a sleek and trendy way to appeal to those that are happier with less. They want a place where it\u2019s easy to unwind and hide from the stresses of the outside world. <\/span>With our seven-step guide to designing a minimalist kitchen, you can bring this design style to life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read on to learn how to make your property a frontrunner on anyone\u2019s rental list.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Color\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The right <\/span>color palette<\/span><\/a> is essential to a clean-looking design. <\/span>The first thing you need to do is choose the colors you want to use in your kitchen. Stick to a maximum of three. You need one base color and a couple of accent colors to tie the kitchen together. <\/span>White is the most classic base color for a minimalist style. <\/span>Your accent colors must complement each other without overwhelming the senses. Stick to neutral colors that bring in a hint of visual interest \u2014 tans, beiges, and greys are your best bet. <\/span>The colors you choose will help determine the materials and decorations you incorporate into the space.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Layout<\/span><\/h2>\n

Freshen up the layout of any kitchen<\/a> by knocking down some walls if necessary. <\/span>Removing a wall or two creates a better sense of flow with the rest of the home. It makes the kitchen look bigger and keeps it from feeling cut-off from other important areas. <\/span>If the walls surrounding the kitchen are load-bearing, consider knocking out a window or bar space instead.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As far as placement for counters and appliances go, an <\/span>L, U, or G layout<\/span><\/a> are your best options for a minimal design.\u00a0<\/span>Prioritize counter space above everything during the design phase.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Hidden Spaces<\/span><\/h2>\n

Clear counter spaces, clean colors, and crisp lines are all essential to your minimalist design. But they aren\u2019t the only things that you have to consider with a room as important as the kitchen. <\/span>The invisible parts of the kitchen need to be incredibly functional for your design to truly work.<\/span><\/p>\n

The insides of cabinets, the refrigerator, and the pantry must all provide plenty of storage to cut back on the amount of stuff left sitting out. Anywhere you can incorporate storage, you should. <\/span>Make sure these areas are easy to keep clean as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Lighting<\/span><\/h2>\n

The nice thing about minimalist design is that it doesn\u2019t have to be expensive. For example, you don\u2019t have to spend a lot of money on elaborate fixtures. <\/span>But, the lighting you do buy should lend itself to the overall \u201cmood\u201d of the space. <\/span>Pick lights that incorporate the simplest shapes. Anything too busy will throw off the design and look completely out of place.<\/span><\/p>\n

Each light should serve a purpose. <\/span>Overhead lighting is good because it illuminates the entire kitchen. Make it bright to really show off the space. Sometimes, a single light is all you need. <\/span>Task lighting<\/span><\/a> is another way to brighten up the places that need it. A warm pendant light above the dining area or bar can do wonders for the ambiance of a room. <\/span>Obviously, windows are always nice. They help to open up any room and are a great opportunity to add ambient light from outside.<\/span><\/p>\n

But don\u2019t fret if you\u2019re short on natural light. You can add sleek wall fixtures that bring in extra lighting without being too cumbersome.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Flooring<\/span><\/h2>\n

Wood or faux-wood flooring is the perfect material for any minimalist design. <\/span>Not only is wood a lot less expensive than it once was, but it\u2019s also an absolute classic. It melds well with so many styles, making it less likely you will need to redo the floors in the near future.<\/span><\/p>\n

The only catch to real wood is that it\u2019s easily damaged by water. And as we all know, the kitchen is ground zero for spills, plumbing issues, and other accidents. <\/span>You\u2019ll have to weigh the risk of replacing damaged wood with its timeless style. <\/span>If you decide that the risk isn\u2019t worth your time, here are a few other flooring materials you might consider:<\/span><\/p>\n

Concrete<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

Another amazing option for minimalist design, concrete brings a sleek look to any room.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, it\u2019s only realistic for ground-level units. <\/span>Concrete provides a unique look but is notoriously difficult to install on any level of a building other than the first.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tile and Stone<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tile is a popular choice for kitchen floors and can easily be implemented into a minimalist design. However, it\u2019s incredibly hard to replace when it cracks. And the installation process is a pain, too. <\/span>If you\u2019d prefer something with an organic aesthetic, natural stone is a beautiful flooring option. With the type of rock, you can really tie your whole design together. <\/span>The drawback to natural stone is its upfront cost. It isn\u2019t the most affordable material at the start, but it is the least likely to get damaged over time. As long as you care for them, your stone-tiled floors could literally last you a lifetime.<\/span><\/p>\n

The main issue, however, is the lack of noise absorption. And in a <\/span>rental property<\/span><\/a>, that can be a real problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Minimalist Visual Interest<\/span><\/h2>\n

Just because you are keeping it minimal doesn\u2019t mean your kitchen has to be boring. You can still incorporate some visual interest into the space. <\/span>There needs to be something for a renter\u2019s eye to land on that will give them that <\/span>oh wow<\/span><\/i> feeling. Interesting elements can be the smallest things \u2014 from the curve of the sink faucet to your choice of lighting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Textures are a fantastic way to add depth to your kitchen design. For example, you can add interest by incorporating a brick or tile backsplash to contrast the smooth surfaces of counters. <\/span>It\u2019s easy for something small to make a huge difference when it comes to minimalism.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Appliances<\/span><\/h2>\n

The refrigerator, oven, sink, and dishwasher are essentials in any kitchen. At the same time, however, they can easily overwhelm your carefully put together design. <\/span>Stainless steel appliances fit well into a minimalist kitchen. They meld with the neutral color palette, unlike darker choices that might overwhelm the senses. <\/span>It\u2019s also worth the effort to fit appliances into the design, so they fall flush with other surfaces. <\/span>If your refrigerator or stovetop is sticking out from the counter, it disrupts the clean lines you\u2019ve worked so hard on. Keep it sharp so the eye can glide along surfaces without interruption.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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You wouldn\u2019t imagine minimalism takes so much thought, huh? <\/span>Now that you know the ins and outs of designing a minimalist kitchen, you can start bringing a fresh new look into your property.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your <\/span>future tenants<\/span><\/a> are going to be very impressed!<\/span><\/p>\n

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