Many people wonder how to get a minimalist kitchen. Decluttering is the first place to start.

Whether you're seeking an uncluttered, organized kitchen or have an open floor plan and want it to blend seamlessly with your other living areas, a minimalist design may be the best way to go. Its sleek surfaces and lack of ornamentation can provide clear and tidy workspaces. This gives the illusion of more space. At The Uncluttered Life, the company that produces Declutter Deck®, we believe in simple design that both performs well and looks good.

A Highly Functional Kitchen

You may imagine that creating such a highly functional, aesthetically pleasing space will exhaust your budget. However, that does not have to be the case. Whether you're building a new home or making over your current one, these ideas can help you get the look you want without spending a fortune.

Implementing a Neutral Palette

A chief hallmark of a minimalist kitchen is its peaceful ambience. To achieve this vibe, avoid colors that are too bright or distracting. Instead, paint your walls white or a soft hue like white or gray. Likewise, opt for a simple backsplash composed of sleek glass or large ceramic tiles in a neutral shade. This will give your kitchen a nice, minimalist feel. If you feel the need to add color, use pops of color instead of overwhelming the space.

Lighting and Floors

Grounding your kitchen with wood or stone floors, or ones that imitate each, can boost its warmth and elegance. For example, hardwood and luxury vinyl floors provide a light, smooth appearance while large-format ceramic or porcelain floor tiles resembling pale stone or concrete offer a contemporary touch that suits a neutral color scheme.

As for lighting, bringing in as much sunlight as possible, either by hanging roller shades or blinds that can be opened easily or eliminating window coverings altogether. This can do the trick. Additionally, instead of a traditional chandelier, consider installing a sculptural one with metallic finishes, transparent glass, and exposed bulbs. In this case, the simpler the better. Or for an even cleaner look, opt for recessed lights that blend into the ceiling. 

Simple Cabinetry

Cabinets are a standout element in any kitchen. Make sure to give yours consideration. Depending on your budget, you can swap them for simple, flat-front ones in a light wood such as white or maple. Leave them unadorned without knobs or choose something sleek like chrome bar pulls. The goal is to match them to your sink hardware for a complete look. Alternatively, you can get a minimalist feel for less by keeping your existing cabinetry and updating your more vintage knobs with less conspicuous ones.

Declutter Your Countertops - A Must!

Like your cabinets, your countertops are a main focal point of the space and can make or break your kitchen's design. An unassuming shade like gray or white will blend whether you go with quartz, marble, or laminate. For an uncomplicated appearance, seek a surface with little to no veining or speckling, and consider installing an under-mount sink. Just as important, always keep your counters as neat as possible, tucking away items you don't often use in your pantry or cabinets.

Limited Belongings and Declutter Deck®

As stated earlier, your kitchen can only fully reflect a minimalist "less is more" vibe if it's well organized. Therefore, pare down your dishes, glasses, pots, and kitchen tools as much as you can, keeping only what you need so they fit neatly inside your storage spaces. A good idea might be to swap with friends and family - exchange duplicate or no-longer-used items for ones you're missing. Another option is to sell what you don't want and put your proceeds toward something more useful, like shelf organizers, to help your cabinets stay tidy. To learn more, and to get other valuable ideas for possession-reduction, pick up a deck of prompt cards. Our Declutter Deck® will help you pare down to the essentials.