The Art of Hiding: A Kitchen That Tucks Away

You’ve heard of using cabinetry fronts to conceal a refrigerator or dishwasher. But have you seen a kitchen that completely disappears within a space? German kitchen specialist Warendorf has designed such a system, which was exhibited at LivingKitchen 2015 in Cologne, Germany, and is now available on request.

By simply employing a grid layout and elegant finishes for the hardware-free fronts, the kitchen appears as a paneled focal or art wall. But, at the touch of a button, the central portion’s face raises, revealing a sleek countertop that provides ample prep space and is outfitted with a sink and induction cooktop. Integrated lighting, cantilevered wall shelves or racks, a backsplash, and a concealed ventilation hood complete this cooking zone.

Manually operated storage units — for pantry items, various wares and utensils, and, of course, additional appliances such as the fridge — flank and sit below the central work area. These can be customized with any of Warendorf’s fix-ins: precisely fitting knife-block and spice-rack inserts, lined drawers for special silverware, and modular, stackable tray and box inserts that maximize usable space in both drawers and cabinets.

Warendorf kitchen fronts are offered in more than 300 surface finishes, from glass and stainless steel to lacquer, veneers, and laminate, allowing the hidden kitchen to blend into any style of residential space, whether traditional or modern.