Question: I’d like an open kitchen, but I prefer a clean, subtle style – I don’t want to leave fancy appliances on the countertop for show. How do I achieve this?

Answer: What you’re looking for is probably the minimalist look – a streamlined countertop with no clutter or kitchen equipment visible. Be aware that this decor style only works for singles. It is almost impossible to maintain if you have a growing family, as daily clutter is likely to accumulate.

To seamlessly integrate your kitchen into the living area, the key giveaways like the refrigerator, stove, tap and sink need to be hidden. Conceal the fridge behind cabinet doors and install fittings like undermount bar sinks below the line of sight. Also, pick discreet appliances. Some hobs now come in white and will blend into a white-themed living space, for instance.

In this kitchen by White Space Living (left), the tap and handle sit inside the bar sink’s cavity. Viewed from the adjoining dining table, the beautiful grain and flowing lines of the island worktop’s marble expanse are unbroken and beautiful.