A video unveiling a couple’s unconventional kitchen design, which challenges traditional layouts and aesthetics, has gone viral on Instagram.
The video, shared by @theberlinchapters on Instagram as well as TikTok, has amassed over 290,000 views on Instagram since it was posted on April 21.
The couple, Dima and Guy, who are graphic designers based in Berlin, took a hands-on approach to building their kitchen from scratch.
“Our main occupation is design—digital product and packaging design—but passion for interior and home decor drive both of us equally,” Dima told Newsweek. He described his love for “building stuff to transform spaces,” while noting that Guy is “passionate about accessories, object design, colors and textures.”
The video walks viewers through key kitchen design elements that shaped their space. “We have built this kitchen ourselves and here are three unconventional design moves that shaped our whole concept,” the couple says in the video.
The viral video comes as home renovation spending in the United States was reported to have increased in recent years, with the median spend rising by 60 percent between 2020 ($15,000) and 2023 ($24,000), according to a survey last year by Houzz, a home design website.
Kitchen renovations were found to have the longest timeline in 2023, with 9.6 months of time devoted to planning and 5.1 months for building it, on average, according to the report by Houzz.
A Freestanding Design
Instead of following the conventional approach of fixing cabinets directly to the walls, Dima and Guy opted for a freestanding design.
“We didn’t want that typical glued-to-the-wall look that chokes the space,” they noted in the video. “So, we created gaps around the cabinets like it’s a piece of furniture complementing a room.”
No Wall Cabinets
Another break from tradition was the decision to eliminate wall-mounted cabinets entirely. The couple chose not to install shelving or upper cabinets, creating a more open environment.
“That gave the main unit more presence and let the space breathe, making room for more sophisticated lighting,” they said.
A Monochromatic Look
Finally, they committed to a monochromatic design aesthetic. Unlike the typical contrasting countertops found in most kitchens, they maintained the same color and material throughout.
“Contrasting countertops is a norm that gives away kitchens instantly,” the video explains. “We wanted to challenge it and make the design less obvious by keeping it seamless—same color, same material.”
Inspired by Imperfection
Dima told Newsweek that the inspiration for their design choices came directly from the imperfections of the space itself.
“The inspiration was the space itself, with all its heritage, cracks, cheap basic tiles and partial renovation done before we moved in,” he said. “We wanted to contrast that with something refined, looking more like a piece of furniture, extending the feeling of a living area.”
Their goal was to create a space that detracts from “the fact that it’s actually a kitchen,” Dima explained. While he acknowledged that none of their concepts were brand new individually, he emphasized that their specific combination felt unique.
When it comes to design style, Dima described the overall look as “loosely” resembling the “brutalist” architectural style. However, he noted: “To be honest, we’re not really sure. The rest of the house is quite a mixture, with some mid-century and heritage modernism influences, probably giving the vibe of eclectic minimalism in the end.”
Mixed Reactions Online
The reception to their project has been varied. In person, Dima said “the feedback was always overwhelmingly positive.” Online, however, the reaction has been more polarized.
“It’s still extremely positive, some people are asking for drawing to make a replica even,” he said. Yet, he acknowledged that some critics have been “hyper-focused on the practicality of the [design] choices,” with many assuming the worst.
Among the supportive voices, TikTok user Katie_ANN praised the aesthetic and wrote: “Stunning—you guys have amazing taste,” while Instagram user seb_kozak agreed, and commented: “This is stunning. So refreshing to see out of ordinary kitchen design.”
However, others were skeptical. TikTok user adam commented that the kitchen had “sophisticated lighting yet unsightly walls.” And TikTok user bumblefleapenny posted that it was “very unique, but I fear this is form over function.”
Another TikTok user, milunazhostic, added: “Extremely impractical, ok for people that don’t really cook I guess…”
Concerns about the kitchen’s practicality were echoed across both social media platforms.
Instagram user imengine3 wrote: “Visually very nice but impractical.”
TikTok’s carolineonline21 noted: “You know, I can see what you’re doing here. I sort of like it. Except for the gaps, the dirt trap would drive me mad.”
And TikTok user Gustel had a similar reaction and posted: “I really love this, the gaps seem like perfect hiding spaces for spiders tho.”
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