My Minimalist House Tour: The Kitchen

I have been on a journey towards becoming a minimalist for many years.   I would visit friend's homes that were clutter free, with lots of open rooms and clear counter spaces; they were so cozy,  welcoming, and peaceful!  I longed for that!  I would be inspired and would spend the next week organizing every area of my home.  But it never stayed that way.  We just owned way too much stuff!

Two years ago I watched a documentary called Minimalism.  There were only three of us at home at that point, and I had already given away about half of my belongings, and downsized to a small townhouse.  I was finally able to keep a neat and organized home most of the time, but my closets and drawers still got cluttered up time and time again.  But after watching that documentary I have been able to keep the main areas of my home and the closets and drawers organized (most of the time!).  I want to take you on a tour through every area of my home.

I still think I have too much stuff, but it's manageable now.  I have two teens still at home and I have to consider their feelings.  My daughter can part with things pretty easily, but my son not so much!  I always ask them before getting rid of something that might mean something to them.  Also in the kitchen I would like to have less of some things, like glasses and mugs for example, but they like to have more.  I will spread this post over a few days; let's start in the kitchen!

Here is my kitchen

In the white table I keep my daughter's school books and art supplies. She also keeps some homeschooling books in her backpack.

These are all of our glasses, mugs, small bowls and plates.  

I have a lot of mason jars and lids.  We use them as drinking glasses and for storing foods that I get from the bulk bins at the local food co-op.  

My daughter and I like to bake!  

This is above my stove. On the left are cleaning supplies, and on the right are cooking oils. 

On the left are all my pots and pans and our large strainer.  The cupboard on the right holds candles, toothpicks, salt and pepper, and matches.  It also has a few empty glass spice jars that I can refill at the food co-op.

Only three things under my sink

Bowls, pie plates, bread pans and storage containers on left. Spices and food from the bulk bins at the local food co-op on right. 

This is the cupboard above my sink. 

The left is a lower cupboard where I keep my foreman grill, juicer, crock pot, food processor, coffee pot, and large glass jugs I refill with water at the food co-op.  On the right is my food pantry. I also keep my broom and mop in there.

We don't use paper napkins or paper towels.  This drawer holds my dish towels, dish cloths, and pot holders.  I keep cloth napkins in a drawer in my table.

I keep enough for 6 place settings of silverware here so there's enough when my older boys come over.  Also, here are all of our knives, and metal straws (I hate plastic straws!).

Above my fridge I keep a few cookbooks; I get most of my recipes online.  In the basket I have my extra silverware and a few kitchen items I'm waiting a bit to see if I really need. 

  Not shown are a few casserole dishes in the drawer under my stove.  I also have a narrow cupboard next to the stove where I keep 2 cookie sheets, a cooling rack, 3 cutting boards, and a few muffin pans. 

A minimalist lifestyle gives me more peace.  I spend less time cleaning and dealing with stuff, and more time doing the things I love, with the people I love.