30 Minimalist Kitchen Essentials For Daily Living {What You Actually Need}

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Do you want to create a minimalist kitchen that is beautiful and functions properly? Today I’m sharing the top 30 minimalist kitchen essentials that you actually need for daily living! Keep reading for my ultimate guide to creating a minimalist kitchen.

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Minimalist Kitchen Essentials: What You Actually Need

Let me start this article with the preface that purchasing quality over quantity is of utmost importance for minimalist kitchen essentials.

This ensures that what you buy will last and be effective for your daily needs.

I also like to ensure that what I’m buying is functional, but also aesthetically pleasing and cohesive with the rest of the kitchen. This way, I can keep items I use frequently on the countertop for easy access and enjoy seeing them each day too.

What Does a Minimalist Have in Their Kitchen?

We all have different needs in the kitchen depending on the size of our family, how often we entertain, if we cook or bake a lot at home, and how much we make food from scratch.

However, most minimalists have the mindset that if something doesn’t get used frequently, then it isn’t necessary.

That cuts out a lot of items that most people have in their kitchen. Things like cake stands, bundt pans, oversized tupperware, many fancy serving dishes, and multiples of the same item are seen as unnecessary.

But what does a minimalist need in their kitchen? Turns out, not much.

The Absolute Basics for a Minimalist Kitchen

Here are the top kitchen essentials for a minimalist kitchen. I’ve linked my personal favorites which will go with many design styles.

Many come in sets to cut down on the number of varieties you need to buy separately.

1. Set of dishes: plates, bowls, mugs
2. Set of drinking glasses
3. Cutlery
4. Kitchen knives
5. Set of cooking utensils
6. Spatulas
7. Cutting board set
8. Bread board (use for cutting, charcuterie, cheeses, and more)
9. Measuring cups and spoons
10. Pot and pan set (read more about my favorite non toxic bakeware)
11. Mixing bowls
12. Glass bowls (used for food prep, storage containers or serving bowls)
13. Kitchen towels (the hooks on these are my all time favorite)
14. Microfiber cleaning cloths
15. 9×13 Baking dish
16. Sheet pan
17. Dutch oven (serves as a baking dish, soup pot and more)
18. Pot holders
19. Glass food storage containers
20. Kitchen scissors
21. Personal blender
22. Can opener
23. Strainer/colander

While some people could get by with even less, this list is fairly all inclusive of minimalist kitchen essentials for daily living.

Small Kitchen Appliances

In addition to the basics that most people will use on a daily basis, many also choose to add small kitchen appliances for ease and convenience.

These are the most often used items.

1. Hand mixer
2. Coffee maker
3. Choose what best meets your personal needs:
   • Air fryer (Crisps, Roasts, Reheats, & Dehydrates, for Quick, Easy Meals)
   • Toaster or toaster oven (bake, broil and toast with two slot traditional toaster included)
   • Instant pot (Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer)
   • Crock pot
   • Microwave

For the Baker, Canner, From Scratch Maker

If you love to bake, you’ll need a few more essentials, depending on your craft.

1. Loaf pan, cake pan, cookie sheet, cooling rack set
2. Rolling pin
3. Kitchen scale
4. Mason jars

I love to bake bread and have found it is most convenient to store my pantry staples with easy access. If you’re the same way, consider adding some glass storage containers to your list.

And, for pantry organization, you can check out this article.

How Do I Make My Kitchen Look Minimalist?

Chances are, you not only want to keep the clutter down in your kitchen, but you also want it to look minimalistic.

Make sure to hop over to my full article on the Ultimate Guide to Creating a Minimalist Kitchen for more details!

While most would not call me a minimalist, I take joy in using everything that I have displayed on my kitchen countertops and shelves for practical purposes.

Bowls hold onions, jars have daily used pantry staples, cutting boards and kitchen utensils are used for daily cooking and the artwork, well that simply makes me smile.

More Kitchen Resources

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today! I hope this article sharing the top 30 minimalist kitchen essentials was helpful to you.

What would you add or take away from this list to meet your own personal needs?

If you’re looking for more information on kitchen design, decor, or remodeling, check out the articles below.

• Where to Splurge v. Save in Your Kitchen Remodel
• Kitchen Countertop FAQs
• My Kitchen Design Sources

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~Sarah