Your kitchen looks tidy, but drawers overflow, appliances pile up, and the countertop is never truly clear. Many people recognize themselves in this constant back-and-forth between dishes to stash, gadgets to hide away, and provisions bought “just in case.”
Minimalists, by contrast, apply a few simple rules that transform this room into a fluid space, easy to clean and easy to live in.
The movement is also making its way into decor. As SeLoger notes, minimalist kitchens favor clean lines, handle-less fronts, appliances and utensils tucked away in storage, sometimes behind a large cabinet, with restrained colors such as white, black, gray, or beige. Behind this visual calm, a method exists: a professional organizer sums it up in six very concrete rules.
Set Your Own Level of Minimalism and Begin the Great Decluttering
For Shantae Duckworth, a professional organizer and founder of Shantaeize Your Space, it all begins with a personal definition of what you’re aiming for. She first recommends asking yourself: “First, determine your parameters,” explains Duckworth. “Does that mean having a capsule wardrobe? Only a certain number of each item?” Translated to the kitchen, the question becomes: one place setting of dishes or three, how many glasses, how many pots and pans are enough for your household.
Next comes the major decluttering. Duckworth recommends tackling first anything that is damaged or unnecessary: “Let go of items that are worn, broken, irreparable, old, and no longer have a place in your home,” she says. She also invites you to “look at the things you didn’t use last year and be very honest with yourself,” reminding that the effort is rewarded with “a home filled with things you love.” Her approach is distilled into six simple rules for a minimalist kitchen:
- Define your level of minimalism
- Conduct a massive purge
- Eliminate duplicates
- Observe your purchasing habits
- Control what comes in
- Ask for help if needed
Hunt Down Duplicates and Tame Purchases That Create Clutter
Once the big sorting is underway, minimalists tackle duplicates. The article reminds us that no kitchen needs six peelers if you only eat carrots once a year, nor four ladles when you hardly ever make soup. The idea isn’t to deprive yourself of tools, but to aim for “one tool for a key function.” Fewer utensils means less dishes to store, fewer things that get wedged in the back of drawers, and, in the end, a clear counter space that’s easier to clean.
Disorder often returns with shopping. Duckworth invites you to review your purchases: irresistible promos, overstocked foods that end up expired, kitchen gadgets tried once and then forgotten. “Many of the things we buy serve to fill emptiness in our lives, and we need to evaluate them,” she explains. She adds: “We throw away so many things year after year, and the goal is to throw away less.” Online shopping amplifies this phenomenon, as many products are received but never returned, occupying entire cabinets with little real usefulness.
Filter What Enters the Kitchen and Embrace an Outside Perspective
The other strong rule for minimalists concerns the incoming flow. Duckworth cautions against gifts, samples, and items rescued “because it would be a pity to leave them.” “Be mindful of what you bring into your home—the gift bags, things your mother gives you, and everything else take up a lot of space,” she details. She sums up her mantra this way: “I always say that if an item has no dedicated place, then it has no place in your home.” A simple rule that helps you politely refuse, or immediately place an ill-suited gift into a donation box.
When decisions become too difficult, minimalists don’t hesitate to seek support. “An outside perspective helps decide on anything you’re hesitating about,” notes Duckworth. “A professional organizer will help map out your vision and offer new ideas for your space.” A pragmatically minded friend sometimes plays this role. Once the essentials are kept and the flow is under control, you can align your kitchen with the spirit emphasized by SeLoger: closed storage, invisible handles, appliances and the cooking area hidden behind a cabinet, and a neutral color palette. This visual calm completes the six-rule system and creates the impression of a clean and organized kitchen, day in and day out.
