If you've ever wanted to design a kitchen that doesn't look like a kitchen, you're in good company. Miami Heat basketball player Jimmy Butler is the latest celebrity to exhibit a streamlined, almost invisible kitchen (primarily through his sleek cabinets), and, inevitably, the results are beautiful.
While we still have a few months left of this year, designers are already hailing camouflage kitchens as one of 2025's most influential 'trends' – noting how these functional rooms increasingly serve as multi-functional practical and social spaces.
As a result, more people are looking to design a kitchen that feels like an extension of their living space, where cabinets and appliances are out of sight. This often involves choosing naturally hued, handle-less cabinets that feel integrated and hidden (or, more accurately, camouflaged). For an example of how clean this style looks, nobody does it quite like Jimmy Butler.
In his kitchen, Butler chose wooden kitchen cabinets that are so streamlined that you'd be forgiven for forgetting they're actually there. It's a look that designers say is crucial to achieving the camouflaged aesthetic.
'A key element of this trend is the use of sleek, invisible cabinets. By eliminating bulky appliances, handles, and cabinetry detailing, these kitchens achieve a clean, minimalist look that feels more like a natural extension of the living or dining area,' comments Stacey Cobley, senior designer at Harvey Jones.
'Personal touches like choice of materials or hidden storage solutions can shine through, and ultimately, the home can feel more cosy. The beauty of these kitchens is in their subtlety – they’re highly functional but don’t overtly appear as such, creating a stunning, refined living environment.'
Gareth Davies, the design director at Classic Interiors, agrees. 'A camouflaged kitchen strikes the perfect balance between contemporary design and essential functionality,' he says. Wooden kitchen cabinets like Butler's epitomize this perfectly.
'Invisible cabinets are a prime example of this concept, with sleek, integrated storage solutions that allow the kitchen to shift effortlessly from a cooking space to an extension of the living area,' Davies says.
'These kitchen cabinets, often handle-free and seamlessly blending into walls, create a natural flow with a softer aesthetic. The key is precision and attention to detail. I guide clients towards push-to-open systems and appliances that integrate smoothly with the cabinetry. The warmth of wood running across surfaces adds a cozy feel. We focus on kitchens with subtle functionality – an invisible shelf that emerges with a gentle push adds elegance while keeping the space warm and personal. This ‘design in disguise’ allows the kitchen to do more while demanding less attention, reflecting my belief in effortless simplicity.'
Cabinets aside, we can buy into Butler's wooden kitchen look with some handpicked accessories below.
This Bohemian-style teak wood bowl stands as a beautiful centrepiece atop our tables, countertops and shelves.
This board is formed from solid oak wood with a water-based stain. We love its wood grain that serves as a beautiful charcuterie base.
This set includes a slotted spoon, solid spoon, and solid turner designed to assist you with any cooking venture in the kitchen.
