The Secret Kitchen: 9 Ideas for a Concealed Cookspace
These clever kitchens 'open up' to reveal what's cooking in a case of now you see it, now you don't
Susan Redman
29 March 2016
Houzz Australia Editorial Staff; writer, author, dreamer.
It may be easy to hide a pantry behind an integrated cabinet door, but what about a whole kitchen? It’s not only possible it’s also becoming increasingly popular, as apartments and some houses get smaller, and storage gets smarter. Even if you have plenty of space, a concealed kitchen could be just the ticket, especially if you prefer a quirky, clean and just plain minimalist style. Here are nine secret sculleries that rate high on style and substance.
1. Slim secret
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Minimalists will love this sleek approach to kitchen design by UK firm Mowlem & Co. What looks like a bank of white cabinetry for storage is in fact hiding a rosy red kitchen with all the mod cons.
The lack of space in some townhouses or terraces makes this arrangement ideally suited to narrow homes. Mowlem & Co created this ‘secret’ kitchen for a classic London mews house, and a family that needed an efficient kitchen which wouldn’t dominate their open-plan living space.
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Minimalists will love this sleek approach to kitchen design by UK firm Mowlem & Co. What looks like a bank of white cabinetry for storage is in fact hiding a rosy red kitchen with all the mod cons.
The lack of space in some townhouses or terraces makes this arrangement ideally suited to narrow homes. Mowlem & Co created this ‘secret’ kitchen for a classic London mews house, and a family that needed an efficient kitchen which wouldn’t dominate their open-plan living space.
OPEN
The full-height external doors neatly slide back via a special mechanism into ‘door docks’, to reveal bright red kitchen units and shiny appliances. There’s enough room for an oven, sink, dishwasher and microwave, as well as plenty of drawer and cupboards space too.
The full-height external doors neatly slide back via a special mechanism into ‘door docks’, to reveal bright red kitchen units and shiny appliances. There’s enough room for an oven, sink, dishwasher and microwave, as well as plenty of drawer and cupboards space too.
2. Ninja nook
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This antique-style Japanese cabinet hides a compact kitchen behind its doors. Produced by US-based YesterTec Design Company, this cabinet is one of a number of designs in a collection called Stealth Kitchen Modules. Stylish armoires of various designs hide mini kitchenettes. When each is opened up, a full service of appliances and fittings is on show. The armoire/modules can also be customised to complement surrounding furniture and decor styles.
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This antique-style Japanese cabinet hides a compact kitchen behind its doors. Produced by US-based YesterTec Design Company, this cabinet is one of a number of designs in a collection called Stealth Kitchen Modules. Stylish armoires of various designs hide mini kitchenettes. When each is opened up, a full service of appliances and fittings is on show. The armoire/modules can also be customised to complement surrounding furniture and decor styles.
OPEN
The pocket bi-fold doors open to reveal a countertop with storage areas above, a two-burner ceramic stovetop, a stainless steel sink, and an oven. There is also a refrigerator, single-drawer dishwasher and storage areas. The units are perfectly suited for a tiny house or studio apartment – just a pity they don’t come with a sushi chef!
The pocket bi-fold doors open to reveal a countertop with storage areas above, a two-burner ceramic stovetop, a stainless steel sink, and an oven. There is also a refrigerator, single-drawer dishwasher and storage areas. The units are perfectly suited for a tiny house or studio apartment – just a pity they don’t come with a sushi chef!
3. Open sesame
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In this classic chalet house in Austria, the brief for this open-plan interior living space, featuring original lofty timber rafters, was to keep a modern sensibility within the traditional framework. To keep the focus on the textural qualities of the timbers (and not, presumably, on kitchen clutter) a disappearing kitchen was neatly sequestered behind a feature wall of oak panelling.
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In this classic chalet house in Austria, the brief for this open-plan interior living space, featuring original lofty timber rafters, was to keep a modern sensibility within the traditional framework. To keep the focus on the textural qualities of the timbers (and not, presumably, on kitchen clutter) a disappearing kitchen was neatly sequestered behind a feature wall of oak panelling.
OPEN
Behind large folding, handle-free doors, a small kitchenette stands ready for action. It accommodates all the basics plus plenty of storage, and features a natural wood finish with metallic and copper-toned highlights for the fittings, splashback and countertop.
Check out the rest of this home
Behind large folding, handle-free doors, a small kitchenette stands ready for action. It accommodates all the basics plus plenty of storage, and features a natural wood finish with metallic and copper-toned highlights for the fittings, splashback and countertop.
Check out the rest of this home
4. Built-in surprise
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Smart design adds features that make more look less. In this sleek Studio Tonic-designed seaside home in Normanville, South Australia, a downstairs kitchenette is hidden behind doors and serves an adjacent wine cellar when the homeowners are entertaining.
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Smart design adds features that make more look less. In this sleek Studio Tonic-designed seaside home in Normanville, South Australia, a downstairs kitchenette is hidden behind doors and serves an adjacent wine cellar when the homeowners are entertaining.
OPEN
Bi-fold doors conceal the set-up when the kitchenette is not in use, but open to show a long countertop with a sink, plenty of storage cupboards and drawers and, at the push of a button, even a retractable microwave unit.
Bi-fold doors conceal the set-up when the kitchenette is not in use, but open to show a long countertop with a sink, plenty of storage cupboards and drawers and, at the push of a button, even a retractable microwave unit.
5. Hidden gem
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For those who don’t cook often or whose kitchen is located in an open-plan space, such as a dining room or living area, kitchen clutter or just-used kitchen cooking utensils can be off-putting as you sit down to eat. In this home in France, designed by Olivier Chabaud Architects, there is nothing to give away where the kitchen is, but look closely at the large built-in cupboard in the background…
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For those who don’t cook often or whose kitchen is located in an open-plan space, such as a dining room or living area, kitchen clutter or just-used kitchen cooking utensils can be off-putting as you sit down to eat. In this home in France, designed by Olivier Chabaud Architects, there is nothing to give away where the kitchen is, but look closely at the large built-in cupboard in the background…
OPEN
…Et voila! Behind timber concertina doors there is a full-service kitchen featuring white lacquered cabinets, a countertop made of black marble and a splashback covered with mosaic tiles.
…Et voila! Behind timber concertina doors there is a full-service kitchen featuring white lacquered cabinets, a countertop made of black marble and a splashback covered with mosaic tiles.
6. Wonder wall
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A lack of space does not have to preclude a stylish and practical kitchen. In this tiny 24-square-metre studio apartment in Barcelona, the owner – photographer Christian Schallert – and his friend, architect Barbara Appolloni, came up with a clever plan to hide a compact and ultra-functional kitchen. By opening and closing strategically placed wall panels, Schallert can access the various functions of the kitchen, whether he’s about to cook or just wanting to get a drink from the fridge.
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A lack of space does not have to preclude a stylish and practical kitchen. In this tiny 24-square-metre studio apartment in Barcelona, the owner – photographer Christian Schallert – and his friend, architect Barbara Appolloni, came up with a clever plan to hide a compact and ultra-functional kitchen. By opening and closing strategically placed wall panels, Schallert can access the various functions of the kitchen, whether he’s about to cook or just wanting to get a drink from the fridge.
OPEN
The kitchen is located along one wall of the apartment. An integrated fridge, an electric stovetop, a sink, a freezer, a microwave and a dishwasher all have assigned spaces. At mealtimes, the dining table is pulled out along with all the kitchen appliances, and then later, neatly tucked away.
See more of this apartment
The kitchen is located along one wall of the apartment. An integrated fridge, an electric stovetop, a sink, a freezer, a microwave and a dishwasher all have assigned spaces. At mealtimes, the dining table is pulled out along with all the kitchen appliances, and then later, neatly tucked away.
See more of this apartment
7. Hello yellow
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Hidden elements in a kitchen can make the area feel like it is well organised. In this all-white kitchen in London, various kitchen functions and appliances are hidden behind closed doors – and what better way to hide them than behind streamlined custom cabinetry.
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Hidden elements in a kitchen can make the area feel like it is well organised. In this all-white kitchen in London, various kitchen functions and appliances are hidden behind closed doors – and what better way to hide them than behind streamlined custom cabinetry.
OPEN
When opened, they reveal an eye-popping canary yellow service area, with a sink, plenty of storage space and even a view.
Welcome yellow into your home
When opened, they reveal an eye-popping canary yellow service area, with a sink, plenty of storage space and even a view.
Welcome yellow into your home
8. Top class triangle
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Technically, this is not a hidden kitchen because we can see the sink and stovetop, but as the kitchen has been squeezed in under the roofline and displays a distinct lack of features along its bank of cabinetry, it can be called a concealed, or at least less obvious, kitchen.
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Technically, this is not a hidden kitchen because we can see the sink and stovetop, but as the kitchen has been squeezed in under the roofline and displays a distinct lack of features along its bank of cabinetry, it can be called a concealed, or at least less obvious, kitchen.
OPEN
Cleverly the kitchen opens up to offer both storage and essential amenities.
More small but perfectly formed kitchens
Cleverly the kitchen opens up to offer both storage and essential amenities.
More small but perfectly formed kitchens
9. Dark horse
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In this compact Munich loft designed by Aigner Architecture, black partition walls cover what appears to be a large cupboard on the right, next to the bedroom. However, doors slide back to reveal a smart black kitchen that opens on to a dining space, see below.
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In this compact Munich loft designed by Aigner Architecture, black partition walls cover what appears to be a large cupboard on the right, next to the bedroom. However, doors slide back to reveal a smart black kitchen that opens on to a dining space, see below.
OPEN
Featuring a long oak countertop and shelving, the kitchen is an attractive addition to the industrial-cum-minimalist aesthetic that distinguishes this compact loft apartment.
Featuring a long oak countertop and shelving, the kitchen is an attractive addition to the industrial-cum-minimalist aesthetic that distinguishes this compact loft apartment.
TELL US
Do you have a concealed kitchen in your home? Share photos with us in the Comments, tell us why it needed disguising, and share how you went about it.
MORE
Hidden Agenda: 15 Cleverly Concealed Kitchen Storage Spaces
Hidden Room: Making the Most of an Attic Space
Open Sesame: Design a Bookshelf That Doubles as a Secret Doorway
Do you have a concealed kitchen in your home? Share photos with us in the Comments, tell us why it needed disguising, and share how you went about it.
MORE
Hidden Agenda: 15 Cleverly Concealed Kitchen Storage Spaces
Hidden Room: Making the Most of an Attic Space
Open Sesame: Design a Bookshelf That Doubles as a Secret Doorway
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Cleverly hidden pantry under the stairs in a small modern Sydney apartment. Each basket extends to full capacity and holds up to 40kg's in weight. You can add up to 30 or 40% of surface area just be installing our baskets. Please contact us. www.tansel.com.au
I love the idea of hiding the kitchen if you just want to use the living area but I was wondering if you could still have an island with seating. I guess it would look funny having an island facing a wall.