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Every December, we poll the interior designers on our contacts list about all the trends they predict will be big in the coming year, from the exterior upgrades they expect to see more of to the kitchen cabinet color they think will hit it big. But there is another way to suss out what lies ahead: Look at what the Danes are doing.
In the past few months alone, we’ve clocked a serious spike in über-minimalist kitchens with hardwareless drawers and dovetail detailing coming out of Denmark. Cabinet manufacturers like HeimWood, Dahl & Wulf, and Garde Hvalsøe, as well as design firms such as Martine Lie Interior Concepts, have been leaning into this look, seemingly because it gets you sleek, functional storage without compromising on character. It might take a few years before this trend hits the U.S., but we’ll prepared for the day that it does. Here’s what these kitchens are all about.
More Drawers Equals More Storage
Let’s start with the most enticing feature: drawers. We’ve heard time and time again from designers that drawers simply offer way more storage than cabinets because you aren’t letting vertical space go to waste. They’re so much more efficient, in fact, that if you go all in on lower drawers, you might not have to bother with installing upper cabinets, and that major omission automatically makes a kitchen feel cleaner and bigger.
Limited Hardware Will Lower Your Budget (and Stress Levels)
Going handle-free also comes with a lot of perks. For starters, it takes the hassle out of selecting (and paying for!) knobs, at least on panels that aren’t disguising appliances. HeimWood notes on its website that it accounts for around a 1-inch gap between each of its drawers, which makes them easy to open without handles while still disguising your pots, pans, and plates.
Dovetailing Adds Just the Right Amount of Charm
Not only are dovetail joints one of the strongest in carpentry (the wood seams are cut exactly to fit with one another), but the visible markings are a symbol of the level of craftsmanship that went into your millwork. The edges deliver enough texture and character that you won’t have to bother painting them.
Simple Cabinets Let You Get Creative in Other Areas
When you decide to go with streamlined wood cabinets, you can pull off just about any countertop material or backsplash. Exhibit A: Anne-Marie Buemann’s kitchen, designed by Garde Hvalsøe (above left). The managing partner of OEO Studio opted for the brand’s Lykke kitchen model. The lightly oiled oak pairs immaculately with the red tiled backsplash. In projects by Dahl & Wulf, we’ve spotted superbold countertop stones in shades of green and black.
They’ll Look Right at Home Alongside Traditional Cabinets
Good news: you don’t have to buck your love of Shaker fronts and appliance garages to get in on this trend. Martine Lie Interior Concepts shows how the minimalist drawers are perfect just for a coffee bar. We love the idea of leaving your morning station exposed, but if you don’t want to be faced with your espresso machine 24-7, pocket doors are your BFF.