Think your small kitchen can’t go minimalist? Think again. Today, we’re going to share a few simple ways to make your kitchen minimal and convenient no matter the size.
At Made Minimal, we can help you tackle your storage headaches. Our smart storage solutions are ideal for your Australian home, particularly small kitchens where every inch of space counts.
If you are struggling with a small kitchen or want a minimal yet functional one, keep reading.
The Minimalist Mindset for a Successful Pantry
Let’s clear something up: when we talk about a “minimalist” kitchen, we’re talking about an approach to cooking that focuses on functionality, practicality and organisation.
Each item earns its place because it adds real value to your cooking life. But letting go of the rest is often the hardest part, thanks to the emotional attachments we form.
Emotional Barriers
We all have that voice in our heads saying, “But what if I need this someday?”
Thinking like this keeps us stuck with expired spices, duplicate items and gadgets we never use.
Fun fact: The “just in case” mentality often stems from loss aversion, where we feel more pain from losing something than pleasure from gaining something of equal value.
But we all know that a dusty bread maker isn’t bringing you joy sitting in your cupboard unused for three years. So instead, try reframing your thinking.
Ask yourself: “Have I used this in the past year?” If not, it’s probably safe to let it go. Remember, you can always borrow items for one-off occasions or buy them again if truly needed.
If that helped and you’ve freed up some space, let’s focus on how to use your kitchen storage more wisely.
Effective Kitchen Storage Ideas to Maximise Your Space
We know it’s hard to keep a small kitchen neat and simple. So, here are some of our tips and tricks to help you use your space better. These ideas also work well in bigger kitchens, especially when clutter starts to pile up.
- Wall shelves: These are shelves mounted on your walls that float above your countertops, letting you grab things easily while making your kitchen look great. Try putting them between cabinets or over the sink where you need them most.
- Pull-out baskets: Those deep cabinets where things always get lost can be useful with a few smart changes. For example, adding pull-down wire baskets makes it easy to grab items from the very back without having to dig around.
- Corner cabinets: A spinning lazy Susan makes corner cabinets actually work because you can just turn it to find what you need. Now your weird corner spaces can finally hold things you’ll use instead of just collecting dust.
- Under-shelf racks: You don’t need any tools or drilling to double your storage instantly. Simple wire shelves that hang under your existing ones create perfect spots for cups, spices, or small things.
- Second-hand finds: Why spend a fortune when charity shops have exactly what you need? Glass jars from charity stores can make your pantry look great for a fraction of the price, and old jam jars work just as well as the pricey matching sets.
- Simple daily habits: Just five minutes each day putting things back keeps everything running smoothly. Add a quick weekly clean, and you won’t need expensive products or spend whole weekends reorganising.
Using some of these ideas in your kitchen can really change how it looks and feels. But you can’t have a good storage system without keeping it properly maintained.
Simple Habits for Maintaining a Minimalist Pantry
Now, don’t be intimidated by maintenance. A good maintenance routine shouldn’t take up much time or cause you more stress in the kitchen. Think of it like brushing your teeth. It’s a small daily habit that prevents big problems later.
- Weekly check-ins: Take inventory at least twice a year, and set reminders in your calendar so you know when to do it. Also, spending five minutes each week looking for expired items and moving older products to the front keeps things fresh and easy to find.
- The “one-in, one-out” rule: The golden rule in stock rotation is FIFO (First In, First Out), where you use products with earlier dates first. So, when you bring home a new pasta sauce, finish the old jar first.
- Simple tracking systems: You can use a simple spreadsheet or just a notebook to keep track of what you have. A whiteboard on your pantry door is also a great way to quickly note what needs restocking.
- Realistic habits: Take a black marker and put an X on all cans every few months, so you know which ones are older when you buy new ones. Simple systems like this work because they don’t require complex rules.
Your minimalist pantry stays organised when these habits become automatic. Start with just one weekly check and grow from there.
Your Next Steps Toward a Clutter-Free Kitchen
You’ve now got everything you need to transform your pantry. Your next step is to close this article and start planning.
At Made Minimal, we’re here to support your journey with storage solutions that work for Australian homes. Visit us at Made Minimal to find the right pieces for your space.
