Minimalism is a style, technique, or principle that is characterized by extreme sparseness and simplicity. It is the intentional living with only the items that one really needs and removing excess possessions that only distract. The advantage of living minimally in a fast-paced world is that it frees us from feeling too rushed and therefore feeling too stressed.
How to create a minimalist kitchen:
Start small when decluttering. Pull out the smallest objects in the kitchen and go through these to see which of these you truly (and still) need and don’t. If they are not essential to your cooking or baking, then get rid of these. Get rid of multiples as well. Are there any decorative pieces in the room that do not serve any practical function?
Narrow down tools. First, determine how you use your kitchen by answering the following questions: a. How often do you cook or do you cook at all? b. Are you a baker? c. Are you a coffee and tea junkie? d. Do you always invite guests for meals?
Once you have determined how you use your kitchen, you can narrow down the tools inside it. Here’s how:
Instead of a knife block, opt for a magnetic knife strip. Or keep knives inside a drawer.
For pots and pans, you will most likely need three in various sizes.
The same goes for bowls, three of various sizes should be enough for a myriad of cooking and baking.
Instead of a stand mixer, get a hand mixer. It works just as well and saves you more countertop space.
Limit dinnerware, glassware, and mugs to eight pieces each. If you’ll be having more than eight guests over for dinner, there are disposable — and eco-friendly — options.
Nix the Espresso machine — unless you really use it. It takes too much countertop space. You can still make great coffee without it.
Any appliance or equipment that you will not use frequently. An example of this could be bulky juicers (you can use a blender and get rid of the pulp), toaster oven (you can use a traditional oven and there are compact ovens available), grilled cheese maker or panini press, hotdog sandwich makers, and the like. You can do most of these things with items you already have in your kitchen.
Invest in quality cookware and appliances. One of the practices of minimalism is to invest in quality items based on the belief that more is not better, rather better is better. By investing in quality tools, you have an easier time to prepare, shorter cooking time, and tastier meals. In addition, these are more efficient than cheaper items and can last a lifetime. An example of this is a wooden cutting board because of its longevity compared to plastic ones.
A sign that an appliance, cookware, or dinnerware is a good investment is if you can use it in multiple ways such as an oven that also be a convection oven and has a griller. A cast iron pan is also a good investment because you can use it for a number of dishes, you can even make desserts with this one item and more importantly, it can last you a lifetime.
There are many tools and accessories that have multiple uses, such as a can opener with corkscrew and bottle opener features.
Rethink color scheme and design. If you have the budget to remodel your kitchen, do so. Aside from making the kitchen functional, remodeling your kitchen to a minimalist style gives you a clean slate. Remember to keep it clean, light, and simple. Neutral tones are best for a minimalist kitchen because it keeps with the theme of clean, light, and simple; plus, using colors that are in the same family but with minimal contrast makes the room appear bigger and more spacious. Forego the cabinets with carvings and stick with slab cabinets in a solid color.
Switch to modern hardware. When it comes to the faucets, cabinet and drawer handles, opt for those that have a sleek and modern design to keep in theme. Instead of door knobs, simple bars will give you that minimalist and modern look.
Keep everything in its place. To maintain a clutter-free kitchen, keep everything in its proper place. After using certain appliances or tools, return these to their cabinets or shelves or drawers. Clear the countertop of any clutter and only keep the necessities.
