Kitchen Trends 2020: Soft Minimalism and How to Achieve It

1. Luxe appliances
Sleek and chic appliances are key to achieving the new-minimalist look. The latest ovens and coffee machines feature matt-black or charcoal finishes, touch-screen controls and pared-back detailing to blend in seamlessly with minimalist kitchen styling, such as Fisher & Paykel 45cm Compact Built-In Combi-Steam Oven and Fisher & Paykel 60cm Built In Coffee Machine.“There’s less focus on the hardware today – logos are discreet, knobs and handles are restrained, and there’s less stainless steel,” says Whiting. “Black glass is prevalent in cooktops, with induction styles streamlined to look like flat, glass plates.”

Today’s high-end appliances offer more flexibility too; innovative products such as Fisher & Paykel’s Integrated Column Fridge and Freezer allow you to position your fridge and freezer side by side or separately; and Fisher & Paykel’s DishDrawers can be installed anywhere within your cabinetry as either single or double drawers.

2. Concealed storage
When a kitchen aesthetic is all about clean lines and simplicity, clutter is a major no-no. Today’s soft minimalist kitchens feature smart storage galore; think generous banks of floor-to-ceiling cupboards; deep drawers with customised interiors; and storage nooks to conceal everyday essentials such as the toaster and kettle.The working parts of the kitchen are often hidden away in a separate butler’s pantry that houses everything from open storage, a second fridge and dishwasher to bench space for cooking prep.

In homes that can’t accommodate a butler’s pantry, appliances are often integrated into cabinetry, for example Fisher & Paykel Integrated Double DishDrawer Dishwasher and Fisher & Paykel’s 368L Integrated Column Freezer – a design concept that’s particularly appealing in kitchens that open directly on to a living space.

3. Matt finishes
Unlike the high-gloss surfaces we saw in the 90s, today’s minimalist kitchens feature matt finishes in both cabinetry and appliances. Textured, woodgrain joinery finishes add extra softness and visual interest.Contemporary good looks aside, matt finishes offer another key benefit – fingerprints, scratches are dirt are far less noticeable than they are on glossy finishes, which makes it easier to keep the kitchen looking pristine.

5. Slender lines and curves
Slim is in when it comes to material profiles, with chunky benchtops and shelving giving way to sleek and slender lines for an altogether more refined aesthetic.Curvy accents provide an appealing contrast to these crisp lines – think curvaceous tapware and shapely, linear pendants.

“Big, feature lighting above workspaces is not as common as it once was, with feature lighting now more often seen in interesting wall sconces,” says Whiting. “We’re also seeing LED lighting built into joinery – for example beneath wall-mounted cupboards and bulkheads – which provides practical illumination for cooking without drawing attention to the fittings themselves.”

Reinforce the aesthetic with luxe appliances with minimalist detailing, such as V-Zug’s stunning range of built-in ovens, cooktops, dishwashers and rangehoods. “The simpler the appliance face the better,” says Whiting. “V-Zug appliances have flush handles that only pop out when needed, sleek black finishes and their induction cooktops look like flat glass plates that sit discreetly within your benchtop.”