The Minimalist Kitchen is Dead – Julia Child's '60s Kitchen Shows How to Vertically Organize a Cooking Space for Function and Warmth, Rather Than Perfection

For years, minimalism dominated the kitchen discourse. Utensils were to be tucked away, leaving countertops and shelves as clear as possible to create a perfect, polished appearance. Luckily, in 2026, we're adopting a more laid-back approach, and we're in good company. A photograph from 1964 shows that Julia Child's kitchen was built for function, with nearly every item needed for cooking out around the stove.

The gorgeous imagery demonstrates that The French Chef was a master of kitchen storage. Vertical space is maximized using a spice shelf, and universal pot covers hanging from S rings (like these from Amazon) on a bar below the extractor hood. Pots hang on the wall to the left of the stovetop, and large pots, a kettle, and a crockpot sit on the stove. Utensils hang from the hood or are gathered in ceramic canisters. Rather than appearing messy or overcrowded, the space is chicly functional. Everything Julia used to cook was within arm's reach.

As we revert to a more maximalist approach to kitchen design, Julia's space serves as a blueprint for how we can maximize the space we already have to optimize usefulness and form. Here's a glimpse of her cooking area, an edit of the products you need to recreate her look, and quotes from a designer on why it works (and how to replicate it).

Recreate Julia's Look at Home

The key to unlocking Julia's look is leaning into vertical storage. Nina Lichtenstein, New York-based interior designer, explains: 'In kitchens where every inch matters, vertical storage is often the unsung hero. By looking up instead of out, you can maximize capacity without sacrificing flow, light, or style. The key is knowing where to implement it and how to make it feel intentional rather than improvised. Done well, vertical storage isn’t just a space saver. It’s a design statement. It draws the eye upward, celebrates the architecture of the room, and proves that practicality and beauty can climb side by side.'

As we see in Julia's kitchen, the room between upper cabinets and extractor fan and countertops are essential to accessing this space. Nina advises: 'An underused zone is the stretch of wall between countertops and upper cabinets, perfect for slender open shelving, rails with hanging baskets, or even a magnetic strip for knives.'

Depending on how much you cook, you can lean more functional, like Julia, or go more aesthetically driven with the items on display in your kitchen. Nina recommends: 'Styling is where vertical kitchen storage comes alive. Balance function with aesthetics: reserve lower, easy-reach shelves for daily-use items and let the higher spots hold pieces that add character. Glass canisters of pantry staples, a row of cookbooks, or woven baskets create rhythm and texture while keeping clutter at bay. For open vertical shelving, lean on repetition and restraint. Multiples of the same jar or vessel look polished, while a mix of wood, ceramic, and glass warms the composition. Lighting also plays a critical role: an LED strip under each shelf or a pendant nearby can transform storage into display.'

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