Camouflage kitchens break the rules and change the narrative when it comes to functional executions. The aim here is to conceal just about everything, resulting in minimalism and lots of pristine, clutter-free kitchen spaces.
A camouflaged kitchen uses smart solutions and folding panels to visually get rid of many elements that are static and always present. Some of the executions go as far as even hiding the sink.
The concept can work for many Singaporean homes and if you’d like to find out more, just keep on reading.
What’s a Camouflaged Kitchen?
Kitchen camouflage creates the illusion of clean, appliance and fixture-free surfaces.
Also known as a concealed kitchen, the trend puts emphasis on the quality of materials and the beauty of furniture lines. In a sense, this execution is minimalistic but the trend itself isn’t about minimalism per se. That’s because items and furnishings aren’t eliminated from the equation. Rather, they’re tucked neatly inside the smart kitchen furniture and can be pulled out during any moment of need.
Camouflage kitchens are characterised by simple shapes, high quality materials and cleared lines. This design allows the beauty of materials like marble, granite and solid wood to shine through. Because there’s so little to engage the eye in visual terms, every single element needs to be impeccable and chosen purposefully.
When Is a Camouflaged Kitchen a Good Choice for Your Home?
Every home can rock a concealed kitchen because it’s so cool and sophisticated in appearance.
Functionality-wise and in terms of strategic interior design choices, camouflaged kitchens are an excellent choice for small flats and tiny kitchens.
The clean lines and the absence of appliances creates the illusion of more space. Such a kitchen can also be organised better, which increases its usability. A single surface can double as a work area and a storage solution, bringing the clever concept to a whole new level.
Tips and Tricks to Make Kitchen Camouflage Happen
While a camouflage kitchen is all about simplicity, achieving such perfection isn’t easy.
The first and the most important thing you and your interior design team will need to think about is integrating appliances into cabinetry.
That usually means getting custom pieces that fit the size of your kitchen and that are also designed in a way to accommodate for items (both small and large) like a coffee machine, a stovetop, an oven and even a fridge. Yes, some of the most sophisticated camouflage kitchen executions can conceal large items like the refrigerator and even the pantry. In fact, some interior designers take on the challenge of concealing the entire kitchen area, making solely the dining area visible whenever food isn’t being prepared.
When planning the cabinetry, you’ll also need to decide how appliances and items are going to be pulled out upon need. Folding panels, roll-up doors or just regular cabinets can work for the various essential elements in the kitchen. Just make sure the opening method you choose guarantees easy access and also maximises safety.
It’s a good idea to have few larger panels incorporated into the cabinetry project, as well. Do you intend to conceal the entire sink area, for example? You’ll need a big fold-up panel for the purpose. It needs to match the cabinetry in terms of material, colour and texture. That’s why such solutions are best when executed by one and the same carpenter.
Do keep in mind that such panelling systems can be quite heavy depending on size. That’s why they need to be custom-executed by experienced professionals. The hardware installed is also going to be important to guarantee smooth, easy and safe opening and closing of the mechanism.
There’s one more camouflage kitchen element that you may want to consider and that’s a countertop. If it’s made cleverly, the countertop can feature lids capable of concealing a few kitchen elements or creating some cool storage space.
Be mindful of the fact that most countertops are crafted from heavy materials like stone. So, if you’re going to have opening lids, you’ll need to think about the weight and the mechanisms that will need to be installed to make opening easier.
A final tool in your arsenal is panelled doors or a screen that fits well with the cabinetry and the rest of the furniture. Such a screen often resembles an armoire and creates the illusion of yet another piece of furniture. It can be used to hide large items like the fridge, a dishwasher or an entire food prep area in the kitchen. The benefit of this solution is that it’s fairly simple to execute in comparison to some of the custom panelling. The result is also going to be seamless and well-integrated in the camouflage concept.
Sleek cabinetry and wall-to-wall storage solutions bring the camouflage kitchen to life, giving you modernity and usability.
Executing the perfect concealed kitchen can be a more labour-intensive and costly process than just choosing some furnishings. If you are looking for proper space optimisation and ease of maintenance, this beautiful and modern concept makes a lot of sense.
Home Guide’s team of experienced designers has a lot of know-how in the realm of executing innovative kitchen concepts. Check out our portfolio or contact Home Guide right now to bring the perfect modern kitchen vision to reality.
