In the heart of our homes, where culinary creations come to life and the aroma of freshly cooked meals fills the air, lies an opportunity to embrace the beauty of minimalism.
Hello everyone! 👋 it’s Emi, and I feel it’s long overdue for this topic, minimalist kitchen! It isn’t just about sleek design and clean lines; it’s a space that embodies simplicity, functionality, and a mindful approach to daily living. Let’s delve into the art of creating a minimalist kitchen that nurtures both your culinary endeavors and your overall well-being.
Clearing the Clutter:
Begin your journey toward a minimalist kitchen by decluttering. Open those cabinets and drawers, and ask yourself: Do I truly need all these gadgets and utensils? Be ruthless in letting go of duplicates, items you rarely use, and those that no longer serve a purpose. By simplifying your kitchen tools, you’ll find that the essentials become not only easier to access and use… but also they will tell you where they would love to be stored.
Mindful Material Choices:
When selecting materials for your minimalist kitchen, opt for clean, timeless finishes. Neutral colors, such as whites, grays, and natural wood tones, contribute to a serene atmosphere. Stainless steel appliances often blend seamlessly with minimalist aesthetics, offering both functionality and a sleek look.
Quality over Quantity:
Minimalism isn’t about banishing all possessions; rather, it’s about choosing quality over quantity. Invest in durable, multifunctional items that will stand the test of time. A set of high-quality knives, versatile cookware, and a few essential gadgets can replace a multitude of less effective tools. Optimise your storage solutions to maximise space and minimise visual clutter. Consider open shelving for displaying your most aesthetically pleasing and frequently used items. (me and my partner have magnetic knife holder for displaying our knifes!)
We recently decided to keep two cutting board out of the four that we had. We found that we do not need that many. The one on right (black &white) are for keep! They are in good thickness, and in good condition. The left ones (red & white) are for parting ways. These were thin, bend with heat and sometime they slip and turns around while cutting. So not only they were not exactly pleasant to work with, they were potential safety hazard.
Functional Layout, Thoughtful Storage Solution
The layout of your kitchen plays a crucial role in its efficiency. Drawer dividers, pull-out shelves, and vertical storage can help keep your kitchen organised while ensuring everything has its designated place. When we designate the materials into cupboards, it’s important to imagine your chore flow! This way, the whole process of using them… include taking them out, use them, clean, dry, and putting away to their “home” are not much of a hustle!
For example from above image, I’m using verticals line of cupboards for plates and bowls. After they are cleaned and dried (from drying rack on counter and dish washing machine in the middle), I do not need to walk around to place them. Rather, I stay in a spot to just either reach to the cabinet above my head, or bend over to open the drawer bellow. I do this so to avoid me turning around and accidentally drop plates or smash bowls into corners of countertops. This does happen when we are in hurry if there are a lot of motion are required to access these tools.
Embracing Essentialism:
There are many benefit to maintaining clean surface at kitchen. Aim for an uncluttered countertop by organising only the items you use daily. (In our case… coffee machine, kettle, fruits bowls) This not only creates a visually appealing space but also makes cooking and cleaning a breeze. Keep like items together, whether it’s utensils, spices, or cutting boards, to maintain order and accessibility.
Now… what is essentialism? It is the principle of focusing on what truly matters. Apply this philosophy to your pantry as well. Streamline your ingredients to include versatile staples that can be used in multiple dishes. Not only does this reduce clutter, but it also encourages creativity in your cooking. (As my partner would say… “limitation fuels your creativity!”) By curating your pantry with intention, you’ll find joy in simple dishes that highlight the natural flavours of each ingredient.
Prioritise to use up the ingredients you have already in the fridge or pantry for each meal… it sound so obvious, but then why it is common phenomenons that we all have food that goes bad after purchase them?
Maybe when we cook, there are certain expectation toward ingredient combinations around certain dish? That cause us to rush to supermarket when we found that we miss certain things. Try out with odd leftover ingredients for new recipes! Implement that spirit of MAKE IT WORK! It gives you so much surprise, and the foods are more fresh and nutritious for your body to absorb them.
Regular Maintenance
Minimalism isn’t a one-time project; it’s an ongoing commitment. Regularly reassess your kitchen’s contents, discarding items that have become obsolete or redundant. This practice ensures that your kitchen remains a haven of simplicity and functionality. Kitchen is the most frequently used space at home… with creation of meals, garbage and food waste is something non-avoidable things to deal with. When your kitchen h is unhygienic… it doesn’t matter if your food is yummy! The food may have higher chance to be contaminated that cause us to be sick.
If counter top and stove are the main stage of the show…we can consider under the sink, bins and wash sink area as the “back end”. I do not cut corner for these place for minimising as they need to simple, functional and pleasant to work with. Having limited cleaning tool, easy access and restore system helps you to do maintenance work more often. It is not only for our hygiene and health… it polishes our heart!
As conclusion… A minimalist kitchen isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a space designed to foster creativity, efficiency, and a sense of calm. By simplifying your surroundings, you’ll find that your culinary experiences become more enjoyable and your daily life gains a sense of purpose. So, embrace the art of simplicity, and let your minimalist kitchen inspire you to saver the beauty of the essentials!
Thank you for reading, and we will continue to talk next week! 😁
Minimal Lifestyle. 
Leave a comment