How to Pull Off the 'Hidden Kitchen' Trend

Interior design trends reflect the times we live in, and nearly three years into a pandemic that’s made eating at restaurants pretty risky, it’s no surprise that kitchen renovations are high on the wish list for many people. In particular, so-called “hidden” or “invisible” kitchens have gotten quite popular over the last couple of years.

The appeal of hidden kitchens is pretty straightforward: Kitchens get messy, and hiding the mess is sometimes more convenient than cleaning it up. (Like when you’re hosting a dinner party and want your guests to think you’re less messy than you actually are.) But even if you’re a total neat freak, it can be nice to separate your kitchen from the rest of your living space—which is great news for anyone who’s stuck with an open-concept floor plan they didn’t ask for.

According to a recent New York Times article, the trend of hidden kitchens has been gaining in popularity over the past 2-3 years, particularly among wealthy homeowners with generous renovation budgets. Unsurprisingly, many of the examples of “hidden” or “invisible” kitchens featured in magazines and design blogs are incredibly expensive. But you don’t have to redo your entire kitchen (or build an entire addition for your pantry) to pull this trend off. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Literally hide your entire kitchen

The easiest way to try out a hidden kitchen is by literally hiding it behind a room divider, sliding doors, or any other physical barrier that’s in your budget and blends in with the rest of your decor. This is an especially good option for studio apartments and other spaces with open floor plans and small kitchens; it’s an easy way to physically separate your kitchen from your living space without undertaking a big, expensive project.

Close off your storage

With an invisible kitchen, the more space you have to put stuff behind closed doors, the better. If you have any open shelving, consider replacing it with cabinets or otherwise closing it off. The same goes for your kitchen island, if you have one. For a truly invisible vibe, try keep your cabinets in the same aesthetic neighborhood as the rest of your living space—they don’t have to match perfectly, but aim for consistency.

Renovate your pantry

If you want to go all the way in on the hidden kitchen concept and have ample pantry space to work with, you could turn it into an entire second kitchen. Depending on your needs, you could go for a design that maximizes prep space or one that prioritizes storage—whatever you wish your actual kitchen had more of. (Some people go all-out and add sinks, induction burners, and even dishwashers to their second kitchen.) Whatever you choose, make sure your hidden kitchen comes with doors that close—after all, the ultimate goal is to keep clutter and messes out of sight.