The Concept

Minimalist design and architecture began after the second world war, but it gained prominence in the 1960's and 70's. The basic concept is that "less is more". The fundamental approach of minimalist architecture is to strip everything down to its essential quality and achieve simplicity. The idea is not completely without ornamentation, but that all parts, details, and joinery are considered as reduced to a stage where nothing can be removed further to improve the design.

Basic Rules for Minimalism in Cabinet Design

Layout

The layout is uncomplicated: straight stretches and right angles, and occasionally a simple angle or basic curve. Cabinets should not be too close to casings. Spaciousness is recommended.

Doors and Panels

For truest-to-definition minimalism, doors and panels are in a slab style. The spacing between the doors is minimal as well, usually 1/8 of an inch. Essentially, the design is defined by the negative space between the doors and panels. The negative space creates dark lines that outline the doors and panels. A well executed design uses continuous lines as much as possible, and uses short lines minimally.

Another take on the linear effect created by the negative space is the metal rimmed door. The metal creates a stronger contours.

Carcasses

Carcasses may need compensation to allow for a consistent gap around all fronts. If the door width is 1/8 inch less than the carcass, an extra 1/16 inch should be added to a carcass width for end units. If the cabinet unit has a finished panel on each end, an extra 1/8" should be added. That is, 1/16 extra for each side. It may seem trivial to address these small increments, but minimalist styles require attention to the details, and a well executed project is the sum of the details. Anyone who has adjusted doors to try to maintain that negative space gap will understand the frustration with trying to keep the space line consistent.

Door Hardware

Hinges are concealed.

Door pulls are either non-existent or simple, and if pulls are used, length is preferred.

Tip-on door and drawer opening systems allows for cabinet doors to be sans pulls or knobs. Opening and closing is controlled by a gentle touch.

The implementation of continuous pulls, that is: a metal moulding or groove the full width of the door, is another option that suits minimalism.

Countertops

Countertops are without a post formed back splash, and the edge profiles are basically square. A "waterfall" countertop suits a minimalist style - finished ends of the cabinets have the countertop continuing full depth to the floor.

Mouldings

Mouldings on top of the cabinets are generally not included with minimalist cabinetry. Crown mouldings don't fit in with the idea that they would add to the design. If any top moulding or light valance moulding would be considered, it should be a simple square edge or round. If the top cabinets go up to a ceiling or bulkhead, a recessed ceiling filler should be recessed from the front and ends of the cabinets to give that floating look.

Toe Kick

Aluminum toe kick plates lend well to the contemporary look of a minimalist cabinet design. Black toe kick finishes helps to give an appearance of a floating base cabinet - the kick plate can give a subconscious impression that this is a shadow. Another minimalist option is the application of the flooring material on the kick, again giving the floating base cabinet appearance.

All this said, the truest option to the minimalist concept is to have no kick plate at all, and have the cabinet "floating", that is, suspended from the wall. Generally the distance from floor to the bottom of the base cabinet is 10 inches. If a kick plate is required to hide plumbing or to add extra support for weight reasons, it can be set back 8 to 12 inches from the front of the cabinet. Floating base cabinets especially suit vanities.

Panels and Fillers

The protrusion of end panels from the front edge of the cabinet carcass is important. The front edge of the panels should be flush with the front face of the doors. Therefore, the back edges of the panels need to be scribed to fit the wall. Thus, the negative space lines are consistent. Likewise the edges of pack panels, light valance moulding and any other panel should be flush with the doors. Front fillers should be added to the carcass fillers so that they are flush with the door faces.

Finishes

Minimalist styles suit finishes that are not busy and contemporary. In example:

high gloss
solid colour
glass
mirror
metal

Wood is an option, especially with fine or linear grains, and not cathedrals, rotary cut veneers, and wild wood grains.

Advantages of Minimalist Cabinet Design

" You could say that a minimalist style is no style at all. It is so minimalist that even style has been removed."

A big advantage of this "lack of style" is that nothing clashes. Concern that your furniture will suit is like worrying that your couch will not look good on a bare wall. Thus, "Shabby Chic" decor is welcome.

Yet, although in theory minimalism lacks style, somehow, in reality it is loaded in style. Minimalist cabinetry can be quite eye popping.

Understanding and appreciating the concept of minimalist design, you look at other styles, in all of their ornateness and complexity and wonder what someone is trying to prove.

Recently I was in Europe and witnessed two contrasts:

In The Netherlands, among the places I visited, was a place called "The Veen Park". This was an heritage park and showed the way of life for the people who processed the ground, removing peat/coal to make fuel. Their life of of hard labour was difficult, but simple. Their homes were minimal as were their meager belongings.

A pair of simple bedstays in The Veen Park, a heritage town in The Netherlands.

I also visited a royal palace, in all of its opulence and extravagent workmanship. I found much of it to be so overdone that it seemed tacky and even somewhat repulsive.

Reflecting on the differences, I found that there was something that seemed approachable about simplicity. And sometimes, you definitely can have too much of a good thing.

Maybe we don't need to go all ornate/Greeky/Italian/jeepney to have an eye-pleasing design.