The 15 Best Minimalist Kitchen Items to Keep Your Space Clutter-Free

Our Place Walnut Cutting Board

View on Our Place

Part of the key to crafting a minimalist kitchen aesthetic lies in shopping for beautiful items that can do double or even triple duty in your space, ultimately cutting down on the amount of clutter you'll need to get dinner on the table each evening. This versatile walnut cutting board from Our Place does just that, seamlessly flexing between a stunning serving piece for cheese and charcuterie and functional prep space. We also love that this wooden cutting board is easy to store and clean after a big dinner party.

Made from American black walnut wood, this cutting board has a helpful juice groove to prevent messes and is durable enough to hold up to anything you can cut, serve, slice, or dice on it.

Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Tumblers

$47 at Williams Sonoma

Some items are better when simple and streamlined, and glassware is typically one of them. While we can all appreciate the beauty of an intricate, hand-blown wine glass, day-to-day use calls for something a bit more utilitarian. These minimalist drinking glasses from Williams Sonoma look like something you’d find at a chic bistro, with clean lines and a generous capacity that make them well-suited to sipping water, soda, cocktails, and more. 

In fact, we love these glasses so much that we named them a top pick in our quest for the best drinking glasses. During testing, we were immediately taken by how lightweight in thin they were, with a delicate feel in the hand that made any drink feel more elegant. Daintiness aside, they proved to be quite durable, and are dishwasher-friendly, so they’ll always stay sparkling. Choose from 12-ounce tumblers or an 18-ounce version — both come in a set of six, helping you stock your cabinets.

Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle

$165 at Amazon $166 at Target $165 at Williams Sonoma

This sleek kettle may look minimalistic, but what it lacks in embellishments, it more than makes up for with functionality. Designed with pour-over coffee and tea drinkers in mind, Fellow's electric kettle heats up in under three minutes, then holds your desired temperature (between 104 and 212°F) for up to an hour. It's the ideal option if you're always returning for a second cup before your morning meeting.

In our tests, this gooseneck kettle won us over with its user-friendly features, clean aesthetics, and consistent results. We particularly appreciate its ergonomic handle that prevents slippage and the clever built-in stopwatch which helps monitor your pour rate.

Stasher 4-Pack Storage Starter Bundle

$66 at Amazon $55 at Target

One thing that can add chaos to your kitchen is an excess of boxes in your pantry or mix-and-match food storage containers in your fridge. Invest in a few sets of silicone food storage bags to streamline both spaces — and reduce your single-use plastic usage. Stasher is the biggest name in the biz, and their versatile and durable bags have won high marks with our team, earning a spot on our list of the best food storage containers. 

During testing, we found that Stasher’s food-safe silicone bags were just as versatile as more traditional storage containers, with the added benefit of flexibility, thanks to their soft, pliable shape. Even better, Stasher’s silicone bags can be used all over your kitchen, from the fridge and freezer to the pantry. While they can take a bit of care to keep clean, they’re a worthwhile investment in a sustainable and minimalistic kitchen.

Hudson Essentials Premium Stainless Steel Measuring Cups

$30 $21 at Amazon

Save space in your drawer or cabinet with this sleek set of measuring cups and spoons that nest seamlessly within one another. In our recent test of the best measuring cups, we named this Hudson Essentials set our best overall dry measuring cup. We like its space-saving nesting design, sturdy stainless steel construction, and clear, embossed measuring etchings on the exterior. The slightly wider lip on the handles makes these measuring cups easy to grab, even with flour-covered hands.

West Elm Kaloh Stoneware Pasta Bowl Sets

$52 at West Elm

Minimalism can take many shapes, but it almost always has clean lines and a no-frills silhouette that is timeless and clean. These West Elm bowls — which won a spot on our list of the best pasta bowls — take that ethos to heart, with a creamy white stoneware body matte on the outside and glazed on the inside for quiet elegance. 

During testing, we were taken by the organic yet elevated aesthetic of these dishes, which felt durable and substantial even though they were handmade. While they’re perfectly suited for serving up a comforting bowl of pasta, they’re also equally geared toward plating a vegetable stir fry, breakfast potato hash, or even a bowl of your favorite cereal.

W&P Peak Silicone Everyday Ice Tray

$16 at Amazon $32 at Walmart $48 at Food52

If at first glance, you look at W&P’s Everyday Ice Cube Tray and see just an ice cube tray, think again. This handy mold is much more useful than it first appears, making it a beneficial addition to any kitchen where multifaceted functionality is at the forefront. W&P’s ice tray is made from thick silicone, with a reinforced steel frame that makes for easy, spill-free transporting of water, smoothies, and more.

While testing this ice cube tray, we fell hard for its convenient design features and silicone body, which made it easy to pop out individual cubes without dumping the whole tray. Because the cubes made from this tray are on the larger side (about 1.25 inches square), they can also be a great way to freeze other things, like smoothie ingredients, pureed herbs, and soup stock.

Caraway Fry Pan

$95 $85 at Amazon $96 $86 at Target $95 $86 at Nordstrom

When shopping for cookware, one of the most important pieces you can invest in is a quality frying pan. No other piece can do so much — searing steaks, cooking up eggs, sauteíng vegetables — while taking up such little room in your cabinets. This Caraway pan holds its own in the kitchen, whether you’re a seasoned cook or an occasional chef who makes one or two dinners in between takeout orders.  

The secret to its success lies in the pan’s superior nonstick coating, which is so good, that we named it to our list of the best nonstick pans. The PTFE-free coating is safe to use on all cooktops and in the oven, which isn’t always the case with nonstick cookware. it stays slick even through regular use, comes with a tight-fitting lid (great for braising meat), and is available in a selection of chic hues, including minimalist-friendly cream.

Frieling Double Wall French Press

$160 $140 at Amazon $140 at Target $140 at Williams Sonoma

Futuristic and sleek in all the right ways, this Frieling French press coffee maker is the perfect accent to a minimalistic coffee bar. The stainless steel exterior feels fresh and modern, while the clean lines disguise a dual filtration system that delivers a strong cup of cold or hot coffee. While a French press coffee maker may feel like a back-to-basic approach to brewing, it’s the ideal return to simplicity for someone who appreciates a minimalistic approach to their kitchen gear and brewing technique. This model earned a spot on our list of the best French presses due to its low-profile design and consistent stellar performance.

Fellow Carter Everywhere Mug

$35 at Amazon $30 at Nordstrom $27 at Fellowproducts.com

Preference for a minimalistic aesthetic doesn’t cease to exist outside your home. We’d go as far as to say that you should — and can! — seek minimalist-leaning accessories for any food-related tasks outside your kitchen, too. Take this sleek travel mug for example. Designed by the folks at Fellow (aka the makers of some of our favorite coffee gear), its simple exterior disguises a world of functionality, which rightfully landed it on our list of the best travel coffee mugs. 

While testing this mug, we were immediately impressed by its ability to maintain both hot and cold temperatures (the ice didn’t even melt at all when we checked the following day). Additionally, the interior of this vessel is coated with ceramic, which prevents it from absorbing the flavor of any liquids, soap, or dish detergent. The exterior is coated in smooth silicone, providing a slip-free hold while channeling a clean, minimalistic vibe.

Get It Right 10 Piece Silicone Utensil Set

$91 at Amazon $91 at Walmart $91 at Food52

Silicone cooking utensils are one of the most versatile things you can splurge on for your kitchen. They're sleek, easy to clean, and — best of all — friendly to any pot, pan, or skillet in your collection so that they won't scratch or damage your nonstick cookware. No one does silicone cooking tools better than GIR, and this 10-piece set aced our tests of the best utensil sets. Made from pharmaceutical-grade silicone that is BPA and BPS-free, GIR's 10-piece collection includes a ladle, spatula, flip, spoon, spoonula, and more to carry you from breakfast to dinner to dessert with ease.

In our tests, these utensils quickly rose to the top of the pack due to their functionality and durability. The tools come in beautiful shades (think: light blue, summer pastels, and trendy blush), so you can seamlessly coordinate with your kitchen or pick the hue that whispers best for your minimalist kitchen decor needs.

Yamazaki Steel and Wood Bread Box

$128 at Amazon $128 at Williams Sonoma $128 at Wayfair

A lot of people take minimalism to mean wiping your kitchen clean of unnecessary gadgets or accessories — and in many instances, that can be true. However, it can also mean streamlining what you do have (and use!) in a way that minimizes visual clutter and simplifies your routine. This countertop bread box from Yamazaki Home, one of our favorite minimalistic and functional brands, can help you do just that, with a clean white exterior and roomy interior befitting several loaves of bread, muffins, bagels, jam, and more.  

This handy bin made our list of the best bread boxes, proving that, while it may seem like a quirky accessory, a sleek and simple storage box like this can be a welcome addition to a minimalistic kitchen. While testing this bin, we gave high marks to its streamlined aesthetic and very roomy interior. It kept bread and other baked goods fresher longer (we never saw mold!) and the smooth flat top proved to be the perfect place to stash cookies and other treats.

W&P Clean Kitchen Storage Set 8-piece

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There’s just something so “adult” about having a set of food storage containers where all the pieces match. Gone are the days of repurposed takeout containers, bowls without lids, and Tupperware you stole from Mom during last Christmas. With this comprehensive starter set from W&P (you can also upgrade to a 13-piece or 20-piece set, depending on your needs), you’ll have all the makings of a truly envious (and organized) meal-prepped refrigerator. The set includes a mix of food storage containers and reusable food storage bags.

The collection of storage containers can cater to whatever you’re cooking that week, whether steamed veggies and salads or roast chicken and pasta. Included are W&P’s signature silicone storage bags, which have a flat base to help them stand at attention in the fridge. There’s also the brand’s Seal Tight Glass Bowls, which make storing bulk ingredients or taking lunch on the go a breeze. To round the collection off, you’ll find a selection of reusable stretch lids, which can be placed over almost any piece in your kitchen (think: a can of beans or bowl of half-eaten salad) to turn it into a storage container on the fly. 

Sabatier Olivewood Corner Spoon & Scraper

$25 at Amazon $25 at Wayfair View on Birchlane.com

Chaos in the kitchen can have a negative impact on your day-to-day habits, and there’s nothing worse than an overflowing, jumbled utensil crock. While certain tools are necessary to make recipes successfully, any time you can find a piece that tackles more than one task, you’re better off. Not only will it save you space, but you’ll have to do less swapping between tools while cooking.  

Such is the case with this olivewood corner spoon and scraper from Sabatier. The brand — which we named to our list of the best wooden spoons — is known for its durable, quality olivewood goods, which have a unique grain and natural oil finish. Wood utensils are particularly useful in the kitchen, as they can be used on cookware of any type, and won’t scratch items that have a delicate nonstick finish. Even better, this spoon’s unique angled shape means it can get into the corner reaches of your pan or bowl, ensuring no bit of sauce or batter remains unincorporated.

Bamboozle Stationary Composter

$40 at Amazon $50 at Wayfair $35 at Food52

One of the best compost bins we've tested, this handy little bucket is so beautiful that it's hard to believe it's got a dirty job. You can stash it on the countertop or below your sink as a place to house food scraps until you're ready to add them to your compost pile. It can also go in the freezer for safekeeping in case you can't make it to your local composting site in a timely enough fashion. Made from biodegradable bamboo fibers, it fits 1.15 gallons of waste and forgoes any messy extras (like liners or filters) in place of an odor-masking charcoal filter and dishwasher-safe body.