Minimalism is a design concept that never goes out of style. For 2017, 70s retro will be making a comeback, but the minimalist theme will remain. What is minimalism? Cambridge dictionary defines this style that “uses the smallest range of materials and colors possible, and only very simple shapes and forms.” British art charity Tate notes the qualities of minimalist art: truth, order, simplicity, and harmony.

For 2017, redesign your condo kitchen by incorporating the latest design trends. The coming year will be all about organic materials, simplicity, and functionality, which are dominant features of the minimalism.

Here are 10 minimalist kitchen design ideas you may try in your condo.

Blend Design Elements into a Minimalist Beauty

Don’t limit yourself with just black and white. Minimalism is simplicity and harmony. As long as you blend various design elements such as colors, you’d be able to create a stunning minimalist kitchen. You can paint your cabinets and drawers with navy, azure or admiral, which can perfectly complement a marble countertop. Organic materials are hot design trends for 2017. A wooden flooring will create a natural and cozy feel in your condo kitchen.

Granite and Layered Lighting

Kitchen renovation cost in the Philippines doesn’t need to be prohibitive. With simple touches, you can turn your boring kitchen into a dazzling cooking space. Marble is an interior design trend for 2017. However, you can also opt for granite. Granite pops out with the help of ambient lighting. The common shades of granite are white and gray. For a sleek look, choose a darker shade with a leather finish.

Wood and Natural Light

Find kitchen inspirations from naturalists. The use of organic materials, specifically wood, brass and marble, will be the design trend for 2017. You can combine two natural elements for your kitchen: wood and marble. Allow natural light into your cooking area. Clear your windows and mount sheer curtains for the right amount of light and privacy.

Brass is King

Brass is one of the 2017 kitchen trends you should watch out for. How do you incorporate this element into your minimalist kitchen design? You can mount brass lamps and use brass handles in kitchen cabinets and drawers. Brass can introduce a striking contrast into your kitchen. These are small touches that can have massive impact on your design theme.

More Wood for your Minimalist Kitchen

A study by the University of British Columbia suggests that wood as an interior furnishing material creates a healthful environment. “Wood environments were continuously described with the following terms: warm, homey, relaxing, natural, and inviting,” the researchers wrote. If you want to save money and be more eco-friendly, skip the home depot and go to a secondhand shop or the flea market, where you  can buy cheap wooden furniture pieces. With a little polish, you’d have a charming dining set.

Eliminate the Eyesore

What are the important attributes of a minimalist kitchen? There should be ease of flow, lots of open spaces, and a lack of clutter. Usability and cleanliness are also essential elements of the minimalist design. Get rid of the clutter by installing enough drawers and cabinets for your cooking tools, cutlery, and other small items. The adequate storage spaces also clear up space, making it easier for you to move in a tight condo home. You can pick up minimalist kitchen design inspirations from the Japanese. The harmony between wood and ceramics create a tranquil and orderly space.

Living Elements in your Cooking Space

Natural is always preferable. You may know that houseplants are effective indoor air purifiers. Instead of carbon-emitting fresheners, place plants in your cooking and dining areas. Shades of green also boost the overall look of an all-white minimalist kitchen. Vertical gardens are hot interior design trends for 2016, and it’s unlikely that designers will be dropping it for 2017. It’s aesthetic and functional.

Natural Light for a Natural Feel

Can’t decide on a kitchen design? Condo living is best matched with the minimalist concept as the latter suits small spaces. “Less is more,” as the saying goes. This is in line with the minimalist attribute of ease of flow and cleanliness, which can also mean the natural circulation of air and light inside your cooking area. Replace your fluorescent lights with ambient lamps and allow natural light to enter your kitchen.

Infuse Zen Principles into your Kitchen Design

The minimalist design concept is prominent in Japanese culture and art. The principles of Zen aesthetics is about simplicity (kanso), asymmetry (fukinsei), elegance (shibui), naturalness (shizen), profundity (yugen), unconventional (datsuzoku), and tranquility (seijaku). Try incorporating these virtues into your kitchen design ideas. You can mimic a sushi bar by installing a floating dining counter. This can save space. Make sure you have enough storage area to get rid of clutter, and choose furniture and décor pieces that mean something to you. Don’t mount a painting just for the sake of having something on your wall.

The Minimalist Design for your 2017 Kitchen

Overall, your 2017 minimalist kitchen design should involve organic materials such as wood, marble and brass, sufficient storage space for small items, and space-saving furniture pieces. Don’t be afraid to experiment with design elements. What’s important in a minimalist design is the harmony between various elements. Play with colors, textures, and forms, but always create a flow.

The new year is a good chance to revamp your kitchen design. Nothing too fancy. A few touches can actually do the work. Remember that minimalism is about order, simplicity, and harmony.