The philosophy that less is more has been ruling design lately, with many homeowners choosing to integrate minimalism into their own homes. There are many advantages that come with a more minimalistic look, including its timelessness and the ease with which you can clean and manage the area. In this article, we take a look at this minimalist kitchen essentials you definitely need.
Minimalism doesn’t mean you have to adopt a very spartan lifestyle devoid of any comfort, but that you find ways to declutter your environment.
In the context of the worsening climate crisis, many people are becoming more aware of the importance of making more sustainable choices. Minimalism aligns with environmentalism because it means that you become a more conscious consumer. Instead of purchasing more and more things that you don’t even need, you get items that are resilient and which will last longer.
If you’ve been thinking about integrating minimalism into your home, the kitchen is the best place to start since this is where you need the most storage and orderly arrangements.
Cabinet design
The kitchen cabinets are the features that draw most of the attention in your kitchen, so you want to make sure they look the part. There’s nothing more simple and yet sophisticated than handleless kitchens. Make sure to choose cabinets that can accommodate all your pots, pans, utensils and kitchen equipment.
You don’t want to have items covering every flat surface available in your kitchen, and ensuring all things have their own designated space also guarantees that their lifetime is extended and you can use them longer.
The best colours for a minimalist kitchen are white, cream and beige, but you can also go for something more atmospheric, such as dark blue or charcoal grey. However, if your kitchen is relatively small, these dark colours can make the room seem claustrophobic.
Cooking equipment
Minimalism is well-known for its distaste for clutter. Too many things lying around can contribute to psychological stress, apart from being a nuisance. You must know how irritating it feels to rifle through piles of stuff to find the things you need.
Getting a new kitchen design is also an excellent opportunity to look at all the cooking equipment you own and decide what you should keep and what can be disposed of. Generally, the things you must own are:
- Wooden spoons: You need at least one or two good wooden spoons that can be used for stirring when cooking. Make sure not to leave them in the sink or dishwasher unless the brand specifies that it is safe.
- Spatulas: Just like in the case of wooden spoons, you don’t need more than one or two of them. Keep the high-quality ones and ideally made from silicone since they’re easier to clean and more versatile.
- One set of measuring cups, unless you’re a habitual baker who is constantly trying new recipes
- One colander is more than enough, but you must keep one in your kitchen so that you have a tool to rinse your salads or drain water from the pasta.
- Nesting mixing bowls should be durable so they can be used for baking, mixing meat with spices, and serving salads and fruit. You can choose the ones that come with lids at the top or graters to get even more uses out of a single item.
Dishes
It’s common to have too many dishes. You might have bought some of them because you thought they were cute, while others you probably received as gifts. You should keep the ones you’ve used over the past six months for regular use and maybe one set for special occasions and guests.
For a family of four, around six to eight plates should suffice. If there are fewer or more people in your home, you should size up accordingly. A few platters can also come in hand, so make sure to have two or three if you enjoy throwing dinner parties.
Every family member should have two different-sized bowls that can be used for breakfast, lunch or dinner and accommodate different foods. They’re also easier to keep stacked together when they are of different sizes.
Everyone should have one mug and one cup, and you might want to have a second set for the holiday season. Water bottles are also essential items that are often overlooked, but they’re a great way to reduce reliance on plastics.
Pots and knives
You can cook all your favourite dishes and even create new ones even if you don’t have cupboards and cabinets full of stuff. A saucepan is a must-have in the kitchen of any dedicated home chef.
A skillet or frying pan is also necessary, but having more than one or two won’t suddenly turn you into a Michelin chef. For more variety, get one non-stick and another made from stainless steel or cast iron.
Any kitchen needs a few good knives as well. A chef’s knife has numerous uses, including dicing veg, cutting meat and chopping nuts and herbs. Serrated knives are suitable for baked goods such as cakes or bread.
Paring knives will help you peel potatoes and apples, as well as mince garlic and core vegetables and fruits. You should get one of each, and don’t be afraid to invest in some premium-quality pieces that will last longer. To keep them in good condition longer, hang them on a magnetic holder. Help maintain their edges by using a whetstone or knife sharpener.
Appliances
Some kitchen appliances are indispensable, but some can be disposed of. Some of the ones that you should consider removing from your kitchen are:
- The microwave. If you’ve noticed that you don’t use yours, remove it from your kitchen.
- Blender. If you’re not a fan of smoothies, there’s no point in having one. However, you can choose a hand-held immersion blender that can be used in cooking as a more helpful appliance.
- Air fryer. Although there was a lot of hype around these appliances, the novelty has worn off for many. If you haven’t used your air fryer in a year, there’s no point keeping it around.
- Unitaskers. Waffle makers, egg slicers and other similar appliances that only serve one single purpose and can only be used for a single type of food create unnecessary clutter and aren’t the thing for a minimalist kitchen.
Wrapping Up
As you embark on your journey towards a minimalist kitchen, remember that simplicity doesn’t mean compromising on quality or functionality. The essentials we’ve discussed are more than just tools, they’re the foundation of a clutter-free, serene cooking environment.
Embrace each item not just for its utility, but for the space and peace of mind it brings to your kitchen. May your culinary endeavours be as joyful and uncluttered as your newly minimalist space. Here’s to cooking with ease, style and a touch of minimalism!
