Minimalist Kitchen: What I Got Rid Of (And Never Missed)

I’m Dr. Ella Swanson, a longevity researcher and wellness advocate. While I’ve always promoted healthy eating, it wasn’t until my own kitchen began interfering with that value that I realized something had to change. Clutter was affecting my clarity, my cooking, and my cortisol.

This post is a blend of science, simplicity, and real-life transformation. I’ll walk you through what I removed from my kitchen, how it impacted my mind and body, and how you can apply minimalist principles — not just for aesthetics, but for better living.

👉 According to decision fatigue studies, reducing choice (like fewer utensils) can reduce mental exhaustion, making meal prep more enjoyable >

My kitchen used to be full — but not functional. Every drawer was stuffed, every shelf had “just one more thing,” and cooking felt more stressful than it should’ve.

Then one day, I opened a cabinet and a plastic container avalanche attacked me. That’s when I knew: it was time to simplify.

I didn’t go full minimalist overnight. But one item at a time, I decluttered my kitchen — and never looked back. To my surprise, I didn’t miss a single thing I got rid of. In fact, my kitchen became easier to use, easier to clean, and easier to enjoy.

In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly what I let go of — and why you might not miss these things either.

Why Simplifying the Kitchen Feels So Good

• Less clutter = less stress
• Fewer decisions = more ease while cooking
• Cleaner counters = faster cleanup
• More space = better flow and energy

And best of all? You don’t need fancy organizers — just fewer things.

Here’s What I Got Rid Of (And Never Missed)

🥄 1. Duplicate Utensils

Do I really need 5 wooden spoons, 4 spatulas, and 6 ladles? Nope. I kept the best version of each, and let go of the rest.

What I kept: One slotted spoon, one regular spoon, one spatula, one whisk, one tong.

🍳 2. Single-Purpose Gadgets

Avocado slicer. Banana saver. Egg separator. All clever… all unused.

What I use instead: A knife and a spoon. Turns out most tasks don’t need a gadget.

🧊 3. Extra Mugs and Glasses

I had over a dozen mugs. I used two. The rest were just taking up space and collecting dust.

Now: I keep 4 mugs and 4 glasses. That’s more than enough — even with guests.

🍽️ 4. Unmatched Food Containers

The drawer of chaos. Containers without lids. Lids without containers. Some stained. Some cracked.

I did a full reset: Kept only 6 matching glass containers. Recycled the rest. Zero regrets.

✅ Glass is also safer for storing food — it doesn’t leach chemicals like some plastics (source).

🥄 5. Serving Platters I Never Use

Big bowls, giant platters, decorative trays — all saved “just in case.” But they lived in the back of a cabinet and never saw daylight.

What I kept: One multipurpose large dish I actually use.

📦 6. Fancy Appliances That Weren’t Worth It

The bread maker. The juicer. The mini blender. The yogurt machine (yes, really).

I used them 2–3 times. Then they took up space and made me feel guilty. I sold or donated them all.

What I use daily: My regular blender and stovetop.

🔪 7. Knife Sets I Never Reached For

Those big wooden knife blocks look impressive — but I only used two blades regularly.

Now I have: One good chef’s knife and one paring knife. That’s it. Sharpened regularly, they do everything I need.

🧽 8. Cleaning Supplies I Don’t Like Using

I had sprays, sponges, gadgets, and mops I never reached for. They cluttered under the sink and smelled weird.

Now I keep: One all-purpose spray, one dish soap, and one microfiber cloth. Done.

✅ What I Actually Kept (And Use Daily)

This flips the decluttering narrative and gives readers positive reinforcement. You can list essential kitchen items that earned their keep, with mini-explanations for each.

Example items to include:

🔪 A sharp chef’s knife

🍳 One non-stick pan and one heavy-duty pot

☕ A reliable kettle or French press

🧽 One set of cleaning tools that actually get used

🔌 A microwave and why it’s worth keeping in a minimalist setup

🥣 2–3 multipurpose mixing bowls

🍽️ Just enough plates and cutlery for daily use + guests

🥤 One water bottle or tumbler per person

How I Decided What to Keep

I asked myself three questions for every item:

1. Do I use this regularly?
2. Would I buy this again today?
3. Does it make my kitchen easier to use?

If it didn’t pass those tests — out it went.

Why I Didn’t Miss a Microwave… Or Did I?

At first, I assumed I needed a microwave. It had always been there — heating leftovers, softening butter, melting chocolate. But when mine broke during my kitchen reset, I made a deliberate choice not to replace it right away. I wanted to see if I missed it… or if it was just habit.
Surprisingly, I adapted quickly. I reheated meals on the stove (often with better texture), defrosted things by planning ahead, and found joy in slowing down my routines. Research even suggests that intentional slowness in domestic tasks can boost mindfulness and reduce stress — something the microwave doesn’t exactly encourage.

That said, I don’t believe minimalism means deprivation. For some households, especially with busy schedules or young kids, the microwave is essential. So I’ll say this: if it makes your life easier and it gets used, keep it. Practical minimalism is about trimming the excess — not punishing convenience. In the end, I didn’t miss mine… but I also wouldn’t judge you for keeping yours.

Where All the “Extras” Went

• Donation: Usable items went to local shelters or charity shops
• Trash/recycle: Broken, stained, or warped items were let go
• Gifted: A few things went to friends who actually wanted them

It felt good to let go. Not wasteful — just honest.

Unexpected Benefits of a Minimalist Kitchen

• It’s easier to clean — nothing gets in the way
• Cooking feels less stressful and more enjoyable
• Decision fatigue went down
• I stopped “organizing clutter” — because I didn’t have extra stuff to manage
• I actually enjoy being in my kitchen again

Extra Unexpected Benefits

• 🧠 Cognitive clarity: Fewer items = fewer micro-decisions = less mental fatigue.
• 🧘 Emotional peace: Clutter creates visual stress, even subconsciously. Studies support this.
• 💰 Financial awareness: You stop buying duplicates or storage “solutions” you no longer need.

Tips to Start Simplifying Your Kitchen

• Declutter one drawer or shelf at a time
• Put “maybe” items in a box — if you don’t use them in 30 days, donate them
• Be honest about what you actually use — not what you wish you used
• Don’t organize until you’ve decluttered
• Start with duplicates — the easiest wins

Conclusion: Function Over Fancy

As someone who studies how our environments influence health and longevity, I can confidently say this: a simplified kitchen isn’t just easier on your eyes — it’s easier on your brain, your body, and your soul.

A minimalist kitchen isn’t about emptiness — it’s about ease. It’s about knowing where everything is, using what you love, and letting go of the rest without guilt.

If I could go back and tell my overwhelmed, clutter-dodging self one thing, it would be: You don’t have to organize your stuff — you just have to need less of it.

Your kitchen doesn’t need more tools — it needs fewer distractions.