Kitchen clutter can easily spiral out of control, but there are ways to minimize its presence and make this household workhorse more functional and organized.
Consider investing in minimalist kitchen essentials that combine both functionality and design, such as quality vegetable peelers, which can save both time and space with their compact designs. Also consider glass storage containers, which will help keep pantry staples looking new while looking beautiful.
1. Pots and pans
Kitchens are where many of us spend most of our time, yet many of us hoard unneeded cookware and gadgets simply because they take up space. However, minimalism doesn’t require going without your favorite cooking utensils!
Smart kitchen organization and one-pot meals allow you to create delicious meals with fewer tools than ever before. Here are the essential kitchen tools you’ll need for cooking with minimal tools.
Minimalism is all about downsizing to only what you actually use and achieving contentment by owning less stuff. This applies across your home, including the kitchen. Minimalism may seem impossible given all the options out there for cookware, but being selective about which pieces you keep can make all the difference in achieving minimalism in this area of your life.
You should always own only one of each type of pot and pan (such as saucepans, frying pans, roasting pans, or skillets), along with several baking sheets that you can use for cookies, casual meals, or roasting vegetables.
Beyond these essentials, it is best to keep things simple by purchasing just a few basic cooking utensils, such as wooden spoons and spatulas made of high-grade silicone, to reduce plastic use in the kitchen. Our Place sells these tools.
2. Utensils
Basic cooking utensils will enable you to prepare any dish without overwhelming your kitchen. By only keeping those you use frequently, your work environment will become more effective and pleasurable.
Baking sheet pans are essential tools for creating delicious meals, from roast veggies to oven-baked chicken or fish. An aluminum sheet pan of this quality weighs less, cleans more easily, and won’t bend or buckle like cheaper options would.
Your pantry must include a quality set of knives, a nonstick skillet, and several smaller cooking utensils. A pair of stainless steel tongs similar to these is an absolute necessity, and whisks can help create vinaigrettes and marinades quickly and easily. Nesting measuring cups and spoons save space in drawers, while nesting measuring cups provide additional benefits—not forgetting an heirloom wooden cutting board that doubles up as an eating surface when needed!
Cooking should be fun! A key aspect of that enjoyment lies in having a well-organized workspace, from organizing your pantry and cabinets to getting rid of unwanted or old items like muffin tins from past holidays or rare silverware collections you rarely use.
After you’ve rid your kitchen of unnecessary items, take another look at what truly constitutes essential items. For instance, if you no longer require your stand mixer or those holiday cookie cutters from last season’s holiday baking session, donate them. Similarly, if you have multiple sets of tongs but only use one, store the ones you don’t use. This will not only free up space in your cupboards but also minimize the risk of misplacing essential items during meal preparation or baking.
3. Cutting boards
Clean, organized kitchens make cooking enjoyable rather than tedious, but too many tools, utensils, and gadgets can lead to clutter, which makes it harder to find what you need or use any items already present. This makes the minimalist approach to cooking invaluable, including investing in high-quality cutting boards as essential items.
An impressive, high-quality knife set can replace multiple single-use gadgets in any home cook’s kitchen and is an absolute essential. We tested multiple kinds of knives from Boos Block; our favorites included a multipurpose chef’s knife, serrated slicing knife, paring knife, and sturdy wooden board specifically designed as a serving platter.
Alongside your knife set, it’s also essential that you invest in quality nonstick pans that you can count on. We suggest forgoing cheap nonstick versions, which don’t stack easily and often contain harmful chemicals; instead, opt for two sturdy chefs’ pans made of stainless steel or cast iron to meet all of your cooking needs.
Other small appliances to keep in mind for making smoothies or crushing ice include a blender for creating smoothies and crushing ice, a food processor for quickly mincing garlic or chopping vegetables, and a quality coffee grinder for freshly brewed coffee. A microwave may be optional, depending on how often you eat on the go or whether your oven or stovetop can meet all of your mealtime needs.
To reduce food waste, maintain an efficient refrigerator by regularly cleaning it out and planning meals to avoid an overflowing pile of leftovers or half-used condiment bottles. Be sure to plan meals so as to prevent too many perishable items from clogging the space!
4. Dishware
Kitchens are one of the busiest rooms in any home, and they can quickly become overloaded with equipment and gadgets you rarely use. Adopting a minimalist approach to this space can make your kitchen more organized and efficient, which ultimately means more effective meal preparation and cooking!
Examine your kitchen space to determine which tools are most suitable for your cooking style and which ones you should discard or recycle. For instance, if you often peel vegetables with a peeler or mince garlic with a press, these are necessary kitchen tools that will save you both time and money in the long run.
Purchasing quality kitchen knives will also prove useful as part of your minimalist strategy. Consider purchasing a high-quality knife set that includes multipurpose chef’s knives, serrated slicing knives, and paring knives; they will replace many single-use gadgets in your kitchen while being easy to store safely.
Keep a few basic items like pot holders, spatulas, and baking dishes on hand, but if you have more than necessary, let go. When was the last time you used that madeleine pan?
As part of your organization plan, consider keeping one or more specialty meal-cooking devices like an instant pot, crock pot, or rice cooker handy. If you own multiples of these, store some and keep only those you use regularly.
5. Storage
One of the central tenets of minimalism is reducing clutter in your life, and storage is an integral component of this goal. By having proper organization solutions in your kitchen, minimalism can become easier and help to eliminate unnecessary clutter.
Begin decluttering your kitchen by getting rid of items you no longer need, such as duplicates and single-use appliances like microwaves. Take time to consider each item individually to assess whether it truly adds something important or just becomes clutter in your space. A microwave should always be considered essential.
To create more space for what you actually use in your kitchen, consider replacing solid cabinet doors with glass ones to let in more light and add an eye-catching design feature. It’s an affordable way to rejuvenate and refresh the look of your space!
Consider storage for items such as pots and pans or utensils that you don’t want to display, such as pot racks and spice racks that serve multiple purposes. For example, storing pots on one rack not only keeps them organized without taking up counter space, but also serves as a decorative feature.
If you need help deciding what items to keep or discard, consult a minimalist expert, or read up on minimalism and decluttering for guidance. Minimalism doesn’t mean giving up things that make life enjoyable; rather, it provides clarity and ease in daily living.
