Removing unnecessary clutter from your home is a liberal experience, especially when you do it for the first time. Although a lot of people believe that it makes your kitchen a lot less functional, the truth is quite the opposite.
A kitchen in a minimalist home is designed to function optimally by only sticking with what is actually useful, while getting rid of everything that is not. It simplifies everything, without sacrificing anything important, which essentially makes the minimalist kitchen, the ideal kitchen.
In case you have recently been intrigued by the concepts of leading a minimalist lifestyle, we have five ideas for your next kitchen remodel, which will help you get started on that path.
Declutter and Start Over
You need a clean slate here, so the very first step to achieving that is the decluttering. Now, it would be very difficult to say what exactly can be considered as clutter without looking at a particular kitchen, but generally, if you have too many cabinets, drawers, cookware, utensils and other kitchenware, it is time to get rid of some.
The best course to take is to go for a complete overhaul and get that clean slate you need to build your new minimalist décor on, but for small uninstallations and installation jobs in the kitchen, just call in a local handyman service by searching online for a ‘handyman near me.’
If you are in California, Edward’s Enterprises comes highly recommended, since they have some of the best handyman services. The contractor also provides complete house renovation services across all rooms, so if you do decide to go for a full-on renovation and commit to the minimalism décor, Edward’s Enterprises can cover all of that as well.
White is the Iconic Choice, But It Doesn’t Have to be Bland
White is so often associated with minimalism because the color causes our minds to relax on a subconscious level, while making the area feel more spacious than it actually is. White is simple, classy and minimalistic, all at the same time. There is just no way you can go wrong with an all-white kitchen if minimalism is the theme that you are going for.
However, as it is with monochromatic themes in general, try to use different shades of white for the different parts of the kitchen. Just because it’s all white, it doesn’t necessarily have to be bland!
Paint the kitchen cabinets, drawers, the ceiling and the wall in white, but ensure that each of the sections have a slightly different shade of white than the other. Leave one wall unpainted and use decorative white wall paper on it instead. Hang a painting on that wall with a black or navy frame and a subject matter that’s dominated by white to complete the look. The results could be quite stunning and relaxing at the same time.
If you prefer a little contrast, black, deep brown or navy blue for the kitchen appliances, utensils and some artwork will go beautifully.
White and Light Brown Wood Work Too
For those that want their kitchens to have a bit more variation, light brown wooden storage is a good option, as we leave white shades for the walls and the ceiling.
Introduce more light brown and maybe lighter shades of gray with the cookware, utensils and other kitchenware. Bright, vibrant colors are not usually seen in a minimalist décor, but if you prefer a bright green vase or a lampshade in red, it should not be a problem.
If You Have an Oven, Get Rid of the Microwave
As most kitchens already have an oven, the microwave is that one piece of unnecessary kitchen equipment that you really don’t need. The only advantage the microwave oven has is that it can heat food quite a bit faster, but given that microwaves inevitably make your food lose some of its taste, the few more minutes of waiting are well worth it.
Identify the Useless Stuff
Deny it as we may, we are all vain to some degree, so it would not be surprising to find a banana slicer or a butter dispenserin your kitchen! Identify the things that are either useless, broken or have no use for you at least. Once you have identified them, either give them away to people or hold a garage sale if you think they are worth anything. Although, don’t expect that banana slicer to be picked up by anybody anytime soon!
When you call in the contractor or the handyman, discuss your ideas with him so that you can get a professional opinion regarding the expenses that are to be expected from the minimalist kitchen renovation. Rest assured that it would be cheaper and more affordable than almost any other kind of kitchen remodeling project, in spite of looking better than most of them.
*This is a contributed article.
My friend talked about her plans of modifying his kitchen into something more functional yet attractive., I like your idea of removing clutter and sticking with different shades of gray for a more minimalist appeal. Perhaps finding a remodeling contractor can help him with this plan.
Yes, I think it looks very pleasing and warm!