6 Tips for Creating a Minimalist Kitchen on a Budget
Your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, a gathering space where cooking, eating, and conversing all happen at once. That’s why it’s important that your kitchen is both functional and beautiful, and if you’re looking for a way to modernize your kitchen, choosing a minimalist style is great way to maximize the space, reduce clutter, and create an environment that will become a focal point of your house.
Minimalism has been a trend since the 1950s, attracting those who prefer clean lines and free space. In recent years, minimalism has seen a resurgence, as the popularity of accumulating kitchen supplies has given way to the desire to be free of an abundance of unnecessary ‘stuff’.
There are multiple ways to go about creating a minimalist kitchen, from reducing the goods you keep in your kitchen to investing in some essential kitchen remodeling. Get inspired and build the kitchen of your dreams with these six simple but innovative design tips for those who want to create a minimalist kitchen on budget.
1. Less is More – Get Rid of Clutter
Everyone has gadgets and appliances that they’ve used once and never again. Instead of letting them collect dust and take up space, bite the bullet and get rid of them. If they’re in good shape, you could gift them to your friends and family. If you don’t want to pass your clutter on to your friends, donate the appliances to a thrift store or a shelter.
Start by picking 3-5 items and apply the basic minimalistic premise: Does this bring you joy? Do you use the item, or is it purely decorative? Does it have sentimental value, or is it simply taking up space in the pantry? If you haven’t used the item within 30 days, get rid of it. You’ll be amazed by how freeing it can feel to unburden yourself of clutter.
2. Consolidate Your Dishware
In the same vein as clearing up clutter, getting rid of unneeded dishware in your kitchen can clear up a lot of space. This doesn’t mean you have to get rid of family heirlooms, but you should get rid of excess dishes and cups.
Most families don’t need 20 to 30 plates and tons of coffee mugs. Go through your dishware and keep just enough for your family and a couple guests. This will save you cabinet space, meaning you can get more things off your counters and into your cabinets. This helps to create the illusion of a clean space.
3. Get of Unsightly Hinges and Outlets
Clean lines are an important factor in minimalist designs. Putting hinges and outlets out of sight help to create the clean lines you want. Many contractors can put outlets into drawers, keeping them hidden and allowing you to keep your electronics hidden as well.
Use zip ties to bundle cables and be strategic about where you place necessary kitchen items like knife blocks and hand soap dispensers; this can further provide the clean look you’re going for.
4. Choose a Single Focal Point
Multiple designs and colors can create the opposite of a minimalist kitchen; stick to a single color palette and choose a focal point in the kitchen. For example, use neutral tones throughout your kitchen–use silver or brass for your finishes and paint one wall a cool color, such as light blue or purple–and set a single vase of fresh flowers in the center of the island. This draws the eye to the center of the kitchen, while also suggesting that this is the area around which family and friends should gather.
Other focal point options include the oven range and backsplash, the window over the sink, or a prominent light fixture like a chandelier.
5. Keep Only the Knives You Use
Every chef–amateur and professional alike–considers his or her knives the most important tools in the kitchen. But they can also become problematic, especially when it comes to creating a minimalist kitchen. Over the years, collections of steak knives, butter knives, bread knives and butcher knives can accumulate in drawers–which also causes the knives to become dull. Choose your best set of knives, get them professionally sharpened and donate the rest. A quality knife block can work as a clean, simple decorative piece that is also functional.
6. Upgrade Your Storage Game
Once you’ve done the legwork of reducing clutter, choosing a color palette and finding a focal point, you’ll want to focus on creating an effective minimalist storage system. A general contractor who specializes in minimalist kitchen remodels can help you transform your outdated kitchen cabinets and drawers into clean, simple–but incredibly effective–storage.
If you don’t want to seek out a general contractor, either for cost, time, or both, you can always DIY your minimalist kitchen. many home improvement stores, you can find cabinet inserts that will help you to keep your items organized. You can get spice racks that fit perfectly in your smaller cabinets, draw inserts can keep utensils neatly organized, and a hanging pot rack can avoid the trouble of storage large pots and pans while also serving as your kitchen’s focal point.
Go Minimalist Today
Creating the minimalist kitchen of your dreams doesn’t necessarily mean you need to invest thousands of dollars in a complete kitchen renovation. Using these tips, you can start the process of transforming your kitchen into a clean, clear space that is more functional and less stressful. By getting rid of the things you don’t need, you’ll discover what matters most – and isn’t that what a happy home is all about?
Author Bio:
Tony Fallaver is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles, California. He has spent over 10 years in the construction industry, working roofing, plumbing, electrical, and more. In his free time, he likes to work on home repair projects.
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