High-rise living in Bangkok offers an interesting, unique duality: on one hand, you have the luxury of a stellar view; on the other, you must design around a pre-defined, often compact space.
These circumstances may feel limiting, but we think it actually opens the doors to very interesting kitchen design choices, especially in the area of minimalist kitchens. When designed properly, minimalist kitchens both aesthetically complement a high-rise’s sleek, modern design without detracting or taking too much space, while still offering intelligent solutions that allow for uncompromised functionality.
As our design team emphasizes, “In a condo, the kitchen needs to be designed as living space first and as workspace second. The goal is to make the kitchen feel like a natural extension of the living space and doesn’t compete with the view – it complements it.”
Why Minimalist Kitchens For Your Condo?
We view minimalism not as an aesthetic choice, but as a design philosophy suited for condo layouts. In the context of a sleepless, busy city, the home should be a retreat. We thus design the kitchen and subsequent living space in a way that prioritizes reducing visual clutter.
The core tenets of this style – clean lines and uncluttered surfaces – naturally make a smaller, more confined space feel larger and brighter. This is essential for the open-plan layouts common in high-rise buildings.
That is why when a client approaches us with a space that already has an overall modern and minimalist feel, we pitch a kitchen design that blends with this existing style rather than fighting against it.
Three Secrets to the Perfect Condo Kitchen
Achieving this look, however, does require more than just choosing white cabinets. Here are three specific ways our designers design minimalist kitchens to maximize both style and utility in a high-rise setting.
1. Create the Illusion of Space with Seamless Surfaces
The first step in making a defined footprint feel expansive is to eliminate visual breaks. We achieve this through an emphasis on continuous, uninterrupted lines.
Handleless kitchen designs, such as our LINE N or the new LINE One fronts, remove the visual noise of protruding hardware. This creates a sleek, monolithic look that allows the eye to travel across the room without interruption.
We also utilize reflective finishes to manipulate light. High-gloss fronts like NOVALUX, or soft, light matte tones like Sand or White, act as mirrors. They bounce natural light from the balcony or windows around the room, creating an illusion of depth that makes the kitchen feel significantly larger than its actual square footage.
2. Engineering for Maximum Function
In a condo, you usually cannot afford wasted space. While the exterior should look simple and soft on the eyes, the interior must be a filled with innovation – like that of renowned German engineering.
We maximize storage through “hidden” solutions. Integrated appliances are crucial here; concealing a fridge or dishwasher behind cabinet fronts maintains the visual calm necessary for a small, open-plan home.
We also look for storage opportunities where others see none. One feature that consistently surprises our clients during showroom visits is the plinth drawer. It is a solution that favors utilizing the space in the kickboard area beneath the cabinets, allowing us to unlock storage for heavy items or baking trays that would otherwise clutter valuable cupboard space.
Combined with intelligent corner solutions like the LeMans system, our designs ensure every inch of the footprint is functional. You can contact us to learn more about our space-saving solutions.
3. Blur the Lines Between Kitchen and Living
Because a condo kitchen is always on display, it should be framed as a beautiful piece of integrated furniture rather than a utility zone. This requires a cohesive approach to materials.
We use our extensive palette to select fronts and worktops that complement the flooring and furniture of the living area. However, “minimalist” does not mean “boring.”
For a recent project in Sukhumvit 31 that we designed for an avid art collector, the kitchen needed to function as a seamless extension of his living space. We moved away from safe neutrals and utilized EASYTOUCH in Rust Red to create a bold, furniture-like focal point that complemented his antique collection.
To prevent the design from feeling too heavy in the condo setting, we positioned glass display cabinets on the outward-facing side. This provided a necessary visual break from the solid cabinetry lines. Finally, we integrated dimmable LED lighting into the open shelving specifically to accent displayed art pieces, allowing the kitchen to shift effortlessly from a workspace into an atmospheric backdrop for entertaining.
Mastering the High-Rise Space
The same meticulous attention to detail, thoughtful space planning, and commitment to personalization we bring to a high-rise condo is the exact same standard we apply to every kitchen we design, no matter the size or style.
Whether you have a view from the 40th floor or a garden in the suburbs, our team is ready to apply our expert, detail-oriented approach to your home. Contact us to begin your design journey!
