Have you ever seen a spotless kitchen on TV, only to wonder why your own kitchen never looks that way? One of the main reasons is that we all just have so much STUFF. Unlike the TV kitchens, we can’t just store all that stuff off-set. So what can we do to make our own kitchens feel more spacious, orderly, and functional?

To figure out how we could declutter our kitchens, we turned to the decluttering experts. Minimalists. We asked 18 experts on minimalism to give us their top tips on how to best organize a minimalist kitchen.

Personally, I found minimalism out of dire need. I was a shopaholic that found peace through purchasing more. I hoarded all unnecessary items and never tidied up after myself. It wasn’t until a few years ago when I realized how much more peace and focus I would have in my life if I adopted a minimalistic lifestyle. I decided to keep only functional items, and each one of them I have used and loved to bits.

As an aspiring minimalist, I personally learned so much from writing this article. Let me tell you, the insights I received from these 18 established experts were nothing short of amazing! They have helped me understand how to restructure my own kitchen to make the most of my space. I hope you’ll enjoy these tips as much as I did.

With that introduction, let’s jump right into the experts and their advice:

Create Functional Spaces

It’s crucial to design your kitchen efficiently, every inch of your kitchen should be functional.

“Understand The Issues With Your Current Setup”

Catherine Elizabeth Gordon https://catherineelizabethgordon.com/

Make sure you understand what the issues are with your current setup. For example, we have an under-counter fridge on a central island. It's precisely where the person doing meal prep stands, so if someone else wants to get access to the milk in the fridge, they have to move you out of the way. Also, consider how you're currently storing things you need e.g. spice jars. Is this optimal? Are you using the height in your existing cupboards? Do you need fewer cupboards and more drawers?

Declutter first; organize second. Pull out all your kitchen equipment and ask yourself what you need to keep. Then, consider how you could store 'like things' together. I've currently got cake tins in one spot and roasting tins in another. How could a new kitchen optimize how you store what you need?

Remember Ryan Nicodemus' packing party concept? Perhaps you could pack up your kitchen equipment, as though you were moving home, then bring back only what you need. Yes, there'll be some things you use seldom (e.g. celebration cake tin) but there'll certainly be things you never use.

“Use Open Shelving to See what you Have”

Clean Mama, Becky Rapinchuk https://www.cleanmama.net/

My two tips for a minimalist kitchen are open shelving so you can see what you have, and built-in garbage/recycling can holders.

“Maximize the Hidden Space”

Gigi K. Miller, Vision Organizing https://visionorganizing.com/author/voadmin/

The key to creating a minimalist kitchen is to first declutter! Pare down your items to match your minimalist lifestyle. Once you have completed the decluttering stage, choosing products that will help maximize your current space. I prefer having very few items on the counter. Most of your everyday items can be stored in the drawers, cabinets or even in the pantry.

A great way to maximize cabinet space is the use of stackable shelf organizers like these from Amazon.

Another area to take a look at is your drawers. Conquer this space by using drawer dividers and/or drawer organizers. Items such as knives and cooking utensils can be organized using an expandable kitchen drawer organizer. Maximizing the hidden space will help keep your counters clutter free.

“Use Dead Wall Space”

Kate Ibbotson, A tidy mind. https://www.atidymind.co.uk/

My biggest tip would be to ‘utilize your space’ in the kitchen. You can do this through maximizing cupboard space (use turntables, add shelves or move shelves around inside cupboards so that you’re using every inch) Also, use ‘dead’ wall space in other areas of the kitchen. Could you put up floating shelves to hold bulky items such as blenders and juicers? Or how about a magnetic wall mount for knives? Or you could hang your pans from ceiling hooks?

These tips will keep your surfaces clear for easy cleaning and food preparation and will make any kitchen feel clutter free and minimalist.

“Utilize Not Often Used Space”

Julie Corracio https://reawakenyourbrilliance.com/

I just downsized and have a smaller kitchen. I love to cook, so it was a challenge. The good news was it forced me to do another purge. I think it's key to be able to work with any kitchen design because probably most of us aren't going to have custom designed homes.

Create storage. I added a spice rack on the back of the door. There was a small one already, but it didn't hold much so I moved that to the back of a linen closet. I can keep oils, spices, and stuff I use regularly within easy reach.

Clear your clutter. Don't clutter up counter space. Too much clutter may make you not want to spend time in the kitchen cooking. Keep out what you use frequently such as the coffee pot. See if you can utilize not often used space (under counter paper towel holder) (pot rack on the ceiling.)

“Sometimes the Simplest is the Best”

Vicky Silverthorn, You Need a Vicky https://www.youneedavicky.com/

Think about what you need rather than buying a kitchen that purely looks nice. I work with so many visually perfect spaces but practically they just don’t work. Avoid anything too gimmicky. Sometimes the simplest and most basic designs are the best…

The Neff Slide and Hide oven are fantastic and a great space saver. A hot water tap saves counter space and I think they’re fantastic!

“How Do You Intend to Use The Space?”

Zen Organizer-Regina Leeds https://www.reginaleeds.com/

I would say one of the most important questions is 'what do you need to store in your new kitchen?' If, for example, you are downsizing to save time, money and energy, you can probably give away the turkey roaster and formal set of China for 12. You'll want a basic stash of everyday dishes and glasses perched on open shelves for ease of access. This will save precious cupboard space for less attractive but necessary items.

The other key question is 'how do you intend to use the space?' If you are devoted to healthy food choices, for example, you'll probably invest in a powerful blender. You can whip up a hot soup or a smoothie in minutes. I can't live without my Vitamix but all the other gizmos I once found irreplaceable are gone. I use mine daily, so I let it live on the counter. When an item is heavy and you use it regularly, always create a home for it.

“A Minimalist Kitchen Must be Designed not to Overwhelm the Eye”

Nikki Boyd, http://athomewithnikki.com/

To have a properly designed minimalist kitchen, it is essential that most items have a dual function. Items must not only be functional but beautiful so that they can serve multiple purposes. For example, storing cooking utensils in a beautiful vase. A minimalist kitchen must also be designed not to overwhelm the eye. This means concealing items in a way that makes them accessible but not necessarily viewable. Using bins and baskets are a great way to categorize and conceal items in a cabinet while still making it simple to access these items.

Arrange your Possessions

If you want a minimalistic kitchen, start getting rid of/donating the appliances you don’t need, and organize them according to these tips! You’ll see the difference immediately!

“Storage Specifically for Appliances”

Amy Revell Simply Organized. http://simplyorganised.net/meet-amy/

Smart use of storage, so there is no wasted space. We recommend using drawers instead of cupboards so you can quickly and easily see what you have. Appliances on the bench can make a kitchen look cluttered, so having storage specifically for appliances will keep a minimalist looking kitchen.

“A Minimalist Kitchen can still be a High Functioning Kitchen”

The Neat Method https://neatmethod.com/

A minimalist kitchen can still be a high functioning kitchen. It's all about space design and capitalizing on "prime real estate." Any single use item (example: avocado slicer) can go. Those can be replaced with the function of a knife. By keeping a few high-quality items in your kitchen, you don't clutter up space with unnecessary gadgets (that goes for small appliances as well).

Appliances can often take up valuable real estate. Great use of space is refrigerator drawers and sinks that come with attachments for drying, strainer, cutting board.

Sitting back and thoughtfully planning your space when you design a kitchen can often help keep everything in its place from the start.

“Focus on What You Need and Love Most”

Seana Turner, The Seana Method. https://www.theseanamethod.com/

Minimalism, in any space, is about focusing on what you need and love most. In the kitchen, I recommend people invest in a few quality pieces that can serve multiple purposes. First and foremost is a sharp chef's knife. One good knife can cut most things and takes up almost no space.

My second choice would be a high-quality set of graduated pots with lids. I like stainless steel because it can go in the dishwasher, which keeps the pieces looking great. A set with three sizes will serve a wide variety of cooking needs and can even serve as mixing bowls in a pinch."

“Must Not’s for a Minimalist Kitchen”

Regina Lark, A Clear Path https://aclearpath.net/

Must haves for a minimalist kitchen (or rather, must “have nots!”)

Refuse to bring in, or stack paper on, any surface of the kitchen

Limit to no more than 2 sets of dishes (every day and special occasion)

Do not bring anything into the kitchen unless you’re POSITIVE that you will use it, and… when you will use it!

“Get Rid of Mismatched Items”

Horderly http://horderly.com/

Streamlining is a must have for a minimalist kitchen! Get rid of any mismatched items like plates, bowls, cups, Tupperware, etc. and simply get an all matching set. White would scream minimalist but a soft color would work as well.

Consider open shelving for a minimalist kitchen design. Only display the items you love so that every time you enter your kitchen there is a sense of joy :)

“Get A Combined Appliance”

Low Tox Life, Alexx Stuart https://www.lowtoxlife.com/

My tip is this: Get a multicooker/blender combined appliance. I have a Thermomix and it's just brilliant. I do everything from making nut meals to grind cinnamon or coffee in there, make ice cream, mayonnaise, hollandaise, custards, smoothies, quiche or cookie dough, cake batter and soups. I love not needing 4-5 different items cluttering up my kitchen to perform the task of my one Thermomix. So, sure it's expensive, but having that sort of appliance means you've got one of a few things where everything is super useful and treasured, and you have more space.

“Think About What You Want To Do In The Kitchen”

Laura Cattano http://lauracattano.com/

Think about what you want to do/cook in the kitchen, then evaluate what you have to see what you enjoy using and donate/give away the rest. for instance, if you've tried baking and don't love it then don't bake. so many one-use kitchen gadgets are redundant, give away appliances /gadgets that don't make prepping a meal easier. When designing a kitchen, install all lower drawers instead of a mix of small drawers and large cabinets. crawling on the floor to access your pots and pans is not chic, nor does it inspire one to get cooking.

Adapt a Minimalistic Lifestyle in the Kitchen

After a While, you’ll start getting used to these tips and want to adopt them into your lifestyle.

“Adapt Your Shopping List”

Less Stuff, Lisa Cole, https://www.less-stuff.co.uk/

Menu planning to prevent food waste is my top tip. You don't have to plan down to the last detail, but a little bit of forward thinking will save you loads of food and money.

Do a fridge audit first so you can check what needs eating and roughly plan veg and carbs around a protein for each meal. You can adapt your shopping list to what is seasonal and what is on offer as well.

“Add Recycle Bins to Motivate Yourself to Recycle”

Minimalist HK, Erica https://www.minimalisthk.com/

I think one of the key things is maintaining a grocery shopping list in your kitchen. A kitchen should be the place that you think of any restock needed for food/necessities. I found it very useful to have a list so that you don’t need to think about when and what to buy and avoid impulse purchase. Also, keeping a list allows you to examine over time if you need to buy something. Hardware-wise, As the kitchen is often the place that you create a lot of waste, would be nice to keep your rubbish bin small and add recycle bins to motivate yourself to recycle. For me, I usually accumulate and wash the plastic bottles/containers and take them out for recycling whenever possible.

“It’s Easier to Clean/Organize When it’s Distraction Free”

Heal Your Living, Youheum https://healyourliving.com/

"The two essential design elements for a Minimalist kitchen are spacious cabinets and pantry space. You can easily keep the counter space clutter-free by placing everything inside the storage. It will be much easier to clean or organize the kitchen area when it is distraction-free."

“Can’t Live Without A Toaster and Kettle”

James Wallman, Stuffocation. http://stuffocation.org/

I’m English: I can't imagine a kitchen without a toaster & a kettle. I've tried living without because they're technically superfluous: you can boil water in a pan, you can toast bread in the grill... but life is short & absolute minimalism may look nice for a shoot, but, in my view, it's often a Reductio Ad Absurdum :-)