10 Ways To Simplify Your Kitchen That Make a Big Difference

Since so much of life is lived in the kitchen, paring things down so that it’s completely manageable simplifies life on pretty much all levels.

When we get the kitchen under control, everything feels more manageable and we can simplify the rest of the home so much easier - because the "hub" is streamlined.

Video about my paper filing system:

⏰ Timestamps ⏰
0:00 Intro
0:45 #1
2:32 #2
3:44 #4
5:47 #4
7:19 #5
9:19 #6
11:09 #7
11:39 #8
12:32 #9
13:44 #10
15:00 Conclusion

#declutterthekitchen #nourishingminimalism #minimalism

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[Nourishingminimalism]

She is super helpful, so you can ask whatever questions you have.

[lynnfendlason]

The best advice my mom ever gave me was, "Clean as you cook." Use a spatula--wash/dry put away while your food cooks. Spill some sauce--wipe it up immediately. Clean the extra dishes, the sink, the countertops, the stove as you cook. After the meal, you'll only have the dishes you ate on to load into the dishwasher.

[SimplyBeautiful]

I noticed that when I rid my kitchen of the decor on top of the cabinets, it looked very empty and lifeless. So I put strands of twinkle lights up there that were on all the time and voila! Life!!

[marysisak]

My car was always filled with trash - food wrappers, junk mail, straws, straw papers, soda cups. One of my dogs threw up in the car and I had to clean it up. I started taking all the trash out of it as well. I was astounded by the amount of trash I found under the front seats. I decided to make a concerted effort to keep my car free of trash. I got in the habit of stopping at the trash can whenever I get a diet coke or after my morning walk and dispose of any trash that was in my car and depositing the garbage even if it was only a soda cup and straw paper. I have kept it up for a few weeks and I am amazed at how much better I feel when I get in my car.

[dotsyjmaher]

Your " minimalism" still leaves a warm home...
Most others are simply too stark...
I tend to be mildly hoarding due to severe child abuse where I had to make EVERY penny scream...I also suffered serious losses from family thefts and natural disasters..but I am OK now and I have to stop catastrophizing...and make my life workable again

[sct]

Some decorations are easy to put in the dishwasher, others are too much work to keep clean. I find a clear empty wall is so mind clearing.

[chrisz]

I totally agree with every point you made and the reasoning behind them. My only difference is about junk mail. Ihave a PO Box and used to just pull evrerything out and bring it home. I stopped this about two years ago and go through my mail at the Post Office. They have locked recycling cans there and I am always surprised at how little mail I actually bring home. I love your ideas and look at you as a source of encouragement. Thank You for your efforts.

[naDu]

About a month ago I decided to purge my kitchen of all the stuff I didn’t need, or use any more. In some cases, I found THREE of the same item, shoved in the back of a cabinet, lost and forgotten about. I was AMAZED that I had so much useless clutter. I threw it all away! I have so much more space in my cabinets now. It’s unbelievable. When I go to the stores now, and I look at all the kitchen stuff, I really think twice about what I actually need. Yes, indeed, the new stuff if pretty, and shinny. But, thinking about those 3 contractor sized trash bags of junk I threw away, makes me realize I don’t need *new and shinny.* I already have what I need and use. It saves me money and space for sure. And, yes, it does feel so much cleaner to not have all that unused junk laying around.

[Telcomvic]

I use sour cream containers and chip dip containers to put plant pots in so they don't leak onto tables/shelves. I also use the clear plastic deli containers as measuring devices for garden chemicals. I mark the sides with a permanent marker for the number of ounces it takes to mix with water. I also use them to store dry plant fertilizer. There are so many more things you can do with those types of containers than just put food in them.

[Waiting_with_oil_lamp_full]

I actually reuse spaghetti jars and so forth for my leftovers. I can still see what is inside it. If we can't get to leftovers in time, I can just toss the whole jar since we cannot recycle glass where I live.

[marysusa]

I love how real you are. Thank you for sharing your learnings openly to help us find a more happy peaceful life. You're a treasure.

[kelseyd]

The food storage containers one really resonated with me! We recently purged all the types of "reused" containers and mismatching pieces. I was SO intentional with what I bought next. So many sets are HUGE! 30 pieces...40 pieces! I did NOT want to have to take care of that many anymore! So I ended up getting 4 round ones and 4 square ones. S, M and L sizes. My husband was really skeptical about having so few. But it's working out great! And I can't WAIT to share with him your quote of, "If there are no storage containers left in the drawer...we need to eat up the leftovers"!!! Man, I love that! And Like Dawn (The Minimal Mom) says, "Things that hold stuff will HOLD STUFF"! She's so spot on! It's actually been really freeing retraining my brain with that one!

[Nyx]

Summary:
A) 7:19 #5 Sort and deal with all paper
B) 2:32 #2 Decorations. Only keep what you really love and are willing to clean on a regular basis.
C) Only keep what you really need and actually use. Get rid of excess:
0:45 #1 Storage Containers
3:44 #3 Dishes
5:47 #4 Pots and Pans
9:19 #6 Cooking utensils
11:09 #7 Coffee mugs
11:39 #8 Large kitchen equipment
12:32 #9 Serving and entertainment items
13:44 #10 Cleaning supplies

[RD-vovq]

I recently found your channel. I’ve been decluttering 3 generations of stuff for almost 2 years now. I’ve had some luck selling stuff on line but I’ve reached a point where I can’t really enjoy my house with all this stuff I know I should just give away. I admit that I’m overwhelmed. I know what I have to do and I just need to do it! Thanks for the motivation! I’m 46 and I want to live a simpler life. I want to do more things rather then have more things.

[zanbudd]

The blue glass collection on top of the refrigerator in my first appartement when I moved to Austin - history now - the dust was overwhelming. Thank you for reminding me. Commitments to Collections of stuff are not to be entered into lightly.

[marriedyears]

Rachel, you are my absolute favorite minimalist youtuber. Your videos inspire me to keep at it and I am giving myself permission to let things go and let the items hopefully bring some joy to others. You are so genuine and your joy with your life and your family bubble over in all your videos. I’ve learned through your videos to accept myself better and to discern my “fantasy” self from the real me. Best of all I am learning to accept the real me, finally at 62. Thanks for all your hard work bringing us these videos. You are making a wonderful difference in the world. 😊

[jennygibbons]

Yes, yes, Thank you ❤. Now all I have to do is start😂

[filla]

Listening to you while decluttering some drawers was motivational. Thanks for giving me permission— that’s what my mom used to say to me when I would come to help her go through closets and drawers. I just realized I don’t have someone in my life to do the same for me, but your videos are a great substitute. Thank you.

[AM-brix]

I had my Airpods on listening as I was decluttering my kitchen! thanks for the inspiration!!

[barbaravoneitzen]

I decluttered what you said and it is so easy now to put stuff away. Thank you….