Note: this list will not contain anything you would want to (or could!) buy.

As a side note, the process of decluttering and organizing can be a long one. I am not suggesting that a kitchen can be decluttered in one day. Utilizing minimalism in a space is a skill that sharpens with practice over time. It may take weeks, months, or even years to perfect. To this day, I continually question what I can do without and what can I accomplish with less. Listen to your heart and mind as you follow the path on your personal minimalism journey.

Welcome to the core of sustaining my minimalist kitchen.

Minimalist Mantras

As you continue to pare down and as your space remains minimal, it can be helpful to remind yourself as to why having a minimalist kitchen is beneficial. It’s a tough world out there! It is only human to compare yourself to others and how your kitchen stacks up to one at a friend’s home, a magazine, or the one on the latest home design show. In a world dying to sell me the latest and greatest gadget, here are some quotes that I rely upon to keep myself motivated;

• “Even the best chefs can get by with a small set of kitchen tools.”
• “The tools don’t make the chef, the meal does.”
• “Anything “too good” to use has no purpose in your house.”

Find some additional inspiration online such as Pinterest, or in my favorite read, Stuffocation by James Wallman.

 

Allowing My Space to Inspire Creativity

Creativity can come in many forms. For starters, think “multi-use items”.

Yes, my kitchen towels double as oven mitts. Yes, my plate can be used as a spoon rest as well. Yes, I keep my spices in large mixing bowl (in the cabinet) and not on a spice rack. It boggles my mind the lack of creativity encouraged in today’s kitchen. Why have so many seemingly single-use items (melon baller, banana slicer, etc.) been made so marketable in today’s media and otherwise intended for such a creative space? Avoiding ‘functional fixedness’, or the cognitive bias that limits the use of an object, is a crux of creativity. How many uses do each one of your kitchen items have? Coconut peach yogurt parfait in an (upcycled) finished peanut butter jar, anyone?

 

Natural Light is My Friend

This may seem obvious, but cooking is something of a visual task so it may behoove oneself to have adequate lighting. Lack of light could be perceived as a barrier. I make sure to not obstruct the natural light that pours through my kitchen windows and door. There are no curtains or large objects in the way.

 

Next Level Minimalism

Cabinets, drawers, and pantry decluttered to the essentials and organized? Check. Countertops cleared? Check. Kitchen looks effortlessly maintained and your creative juices are flowing? Check. Ready for the next level?

-Always have your outlets in plain view and unused (save for the microwave)

An unused and plainly visible outlet is such a beautiful thing. An unused outlet signifies potential. It shows that I have the mindfulness to conserve energy and yet, I only use power when needed.

On a side note; Have any of us stopped and wondered about the greatness that is a standard electrical outlet? How awesome is it to create a new physical or chemical composition of something right before our very eyes via plugging in any kitchen appliance? You have the ability to create something new right in front of you (smoothie, toast, etc.)! You have the ability to make your own decisions about what food item you use and how to utilize them. You are in control about what happens to the earth, your energy bills, and your family. How do you feel in control if your appliances are already plugged in?

-No written words and limit numbers

Another reason as to why I keep my spices and other objects out of view, I don’t need reminders of written English or advertisements to interfere with my thoughts. Yes, I have been known to turn the soap around so the back side faces front as to not reveal the writing. Concurrently, I’ll turn the time function to “off” on the microwave panel. Eliminating as much mental noise as possible allows your creative side to breathe. Try it!