How to Create a Minimalist Kitchen—and Why You Should, According to Experts

Minimalism, while beautiful, can feel like an impossible ideal. From the spotless shelves to the beautiful furniture, it's a philosophy that seems lovely from the outside, but daunting to undertake and implement. There's perhaps nowhere where minimalism is more difficult to achieve and imagine than a kitchen—one of the busiest, most important spaces in the home.

And yet, that's all the more reason to create a minimalist kitchen. Yes, it can be challenging to organize all of your various knives, pots, and pans, but in the end you'll have a much more beautiful, streamlined space that's a breeze to use. Here's everything you need to know to get started—from the minimalists and home organizers who've done it themselves.

Benefits of a Minimalist Kitchen

A natural question, of course, is why? Overhauling a kitchen is no small feat, so what are the inherent pros of a more minimalist one? For starters, a less-is-more scheme will make just about everything you do in your kitchen a lot easier.

"A minimalist kitchen is a kitchen curated for you," says minimalism blogger and expert Francine Jay. "Instead of a hodgepodge of culinary gadgets that you rarely—if ever—use, it contains exactly what you need for how and what you cook." She likens it to a capsule wardrobe, in that a well-edited kitchen contains only the most useful and versatile items.

"Owning less stuff in your kitchen makes it more enjoyable to use and easier to clean," adds minimalist blogger and author Joshua Becker. "You'll be surprised how minimalism changes your entire mood when you're in the space—and improves its functionality."

Ditch the Duplicates

One of the first and easiest steps you can take towards a more minimalist kitchen is getting rid of as many duplicate items as possible. "Most people have so many—how many peelers do you need? How many wine openers do you need?" says professional organizer and author Shira Gill. "These tend to be easy, unemotional choices."

Other frequent duplicates include glassware and coffee mugs, as well as containers. "That’s one of the biggest clutter magnets I see in kitchens—just insane amounts of food storage," she says. "Some are warped or stained, or they don’t even have lids anymore."

Identify What's Necessary

One of minimalism's primary tenets is only keeping what you absolutely need, and parting with the excess. That's especially important in kitchens, which are such a functional space—but it can also be difficult to discern what you really need, and what you can toss. "I find it really illuminating how few things you actually need to be a good cook," says Gill. "If you have a good chef's knife, you only need one."

If you're having a hard time saying goodbye, Jay recommends a temporary measure to help discern what's worth keeping. First, grab a cardboard box and take everything out of your cabinets, cupboards, and drawers, and store them in a nearby room. "For the next week, go about your daily cooking—and as you need each item, retrieve it from the box," she says. "It’s a great way to see what you actually use. If something hasn’t returned to your kitchen after a week, or a month, question if you really need it."

Clear Off Countertops

Countertop space is essential for meal prep, and too often it's consumed by unnecessary items. "Make this your mantra: surfaces are not for storage," says Jay. "Surfaces are for activity, and should be kept clear at all other times. Only the items you use on a daily basis deserve a spot on the counter."

Not only will this make cooking easier, but it also eliminates some of the "visual noise" and "visual clutter," as Becker says, making it feel more "calm, peaceful, and minimalist." If you're struggling with finding new storage options, Jay recommends wall-mounted racks or hanging baskets.

Toss Your Gadgets

These days, there are more kitchen gadgets on the market than ever, from air fryers and oil makers to slow cookers and waffle machines. While these may seem like a fun idea at first purchase, they often end up collecting dust and taking up valuable real estate. "The vast majority of us are not turning out complicated dishes on a regular basis and don’t need the equipment to do so," says Jay. "Let go of culinary fantasies you’re unlikely to pursue, and know that people have been making delicious food for thousands of years with the simplest of tools."

If something is part of your daily routine, of course, like a coffee maker or a toaster, then that's certainly worth keeping. But if your countertop is full of devices that you only use a few times a year, then it's time to get rid of them. "Most kitchens contain way more items than necessary," says Becker. "Honestly, our grandparents cooked better and healthier meals with half the gadgets and tools we store in our kitchens today."

Make a Place for Everything—and Keep it There

Once you've determined what's absolutely necessary for your kitchen, make a plan to keep it organized. "Use organizer trays in your drawers to corral utensils and small tools," says Jay. "This method makes it easier for you to find what you need, and harder for random items to sneak in."

Another aspect of this is getting rid of things that don't belong in a kitchen at all. "Kitchens can attract things like mail, bills, homewares, and kid's stuff—so sometimes just doing a quick sweep can make it feel a lot more manageable," says Gill.

Keep it Clean

Everyone's kitchen gets messy from time to time, but a minimalist design will help it stay clean with less hassle. That doesn't mean that it will look completely spotless all on its own, though—a few basic cleaning rituals will help keep it sparkling.

"It's just about tiny habits, like doing the dishes before you go to bed," says Gill. "My family is super busy, but after dinner we take time to wipe down the counters and put everything away." These smaller, more manageable daily routines will keep messes from piling up, so your minimalist kitchen can maintain its less-is-more shine.

Be Patient

Minimalism doesn't happen overnight, and for many, it's a big change. If it's a challenge at first, or if it's taking longer than expected, remember to be patient with both yourself and the process. "Kitchens are one of the hardest areas in the home to organize," says Gill. "Break it down into micro zones so you don’t get overwhelmed. I’ll often just do one drawer at a time with clients, or just one item at a time."

The end result will be worth it. In fact, it may spark a newfound love of the culinary arts. "Personally, I never liked cooking until I found minimalism," says Becker. "Having a clear workspace for both preparation and cleaning was a game-changer for me. Now, I love it."