How to Declutter Your Kitchen: 21 Items to Toss for a Minimalist Space

Let’s talk straight—your kitchen is a war zone. You open a drawer, and three mismatched spatulas attack you. Your cabinets? A graveyard for expired spices and that weird avocado slicer you used exactly once.

But what if I told you that a minimalist kitchen isn’t about living like a monk who only owns one wooden spoon? It’s about keeping what you actually use and ditching the rest. Less clutter = less stress, easier cleaning, and more room for the good stuff (like snacks).

So, grab a trash bag and let’s tackle 21 things on How to Declutter Your Kitchen for a minimalist look—because life’s too short to dig through a junk drawer every time you need a fork.

That Gigantic Collection of Plastic Containers (And Their Missing Lids)

We all have that one cabinet where Tupperware goes to die. You open it, and suddenly, it’s an avalanche of mismatched lids and stained containers.

Keep:

  • 2–3 matching sets (glass is best—no weird stains!)
  • A couple of small ones for snacks
  • ONE giant one for leftovers (be honest, how often do you need 10?)

Toss:

  • Anything warped, cracked, or missing a lid
  • Those mystery takeout containers you’ve been “saving” for years

The Spice Rack That Looks Like a Science Experiment

Raise your hand if you’ve got spices older than your relationship. 🙋♀️ Ground spices lose their flavor after 6–12 months, so unless you’re running a 2015 paprika museum, it’s time to let go.

Keep:

  • Frequently used spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.)
  • Fresh replacements for expired ones

Toss:

  • Anything clumpy, faded, or smelling like dust
  • That exotic spice you bought for one recipe in 2018

Single-Use Gadgets You Never Touch

Avocado slicer, strawberry huller, egg separator—why? Unless you’re a professional chef (or just really into perfectly sliced avocados), you don’t need these.

Keep:

  • Multi-functional tools (like a good chef’s knife)

Toss:

  • Anything that does one hyper-specific job
  • Gadgets you’ve used fewer than three times

The “Maybe I’ll Use This Someday” Pile

Freebie mugs, chipped plates, that weird melon baller—stop lying to yourself. If you haven’t used it in a year, you won’t.

Pro tip: If you’re hesitant, box it up. If you don’t reach for it in 3 months, donate it.

Expired Food (Yes, That Includes the Mystery Freezer Meat)

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Open your pantry and freezer. Be brave.

Toss:

  • Anything expired (check those canned goods!)
  • Freezer-burned meat that looks like it survived the Ice Age
  • That half-used bag of flour with suspicious clumps

Duplicate Utensils (How Many Spatulas Do You Really Need?)

Unless you’re running a 24/7 diner, you don’t need 5 wooden spoons.

Keep:

  • 1–2 of each essential utensil
  • The ones that are actually comfortable to use

Toss:

  • The flimsy ones that bend when you stir
  • That weird spork hybrid from a camping trip

Takeout Menus (You Order Online Now)

Let’s be honest—you just Google the menu or use an app. Those paper menus are just collecting grease stains.

Broken or Chipped Dishes

That mug with the tiny crack? It’s not “charming,” it’s a bacteria party.

Keep:

  • Only intact, matching(ish) sets

Toss:

  • Anything chipped, cracked, or held together by hope

Extra Coffee Mugs (Even the “Funny” Ones)

You only have two hands. You don’t need 20 mugs.

Keep:

  • 4–5 favorites (max)

Toss:

  • The ones from that conference in 2012
  • The “World’s Best Dad” mug (unless you are, in fact, the world’s best dad)

Plastic Bags “For Later” (That Just Explode Everywhere)

We’ve all been guilty of the plastic bag hoard. But unless you’re secretly running a grocery bag black market, recycle them.

Keep:

  • A small bag of bags (for actual reuse, like trash liners)

Toss:

  • The mountain living under your sink

Cookbooks You Never Open

If your go-to recipe is “Google it,” those dusty cookbooks can go.

Keep:

  • 1–2 favorites with sentimental value

Toss:

  • The ones you’ve never cooked from

Random Condiment Packets

Soy sauce, ketchup, that mystery hot sauce—why do we keep these?

Toss:

  • Anything expired
  • Packets you’ll never use (be honest)

Dull Knives (Because Life’s Too Short for Bad Slicing)

A dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one. If you’re not willing to sharpen it, toss it.

Keep:

  • 1 good chef’s knife
  • 1 paring knife
  • 1 serrated knife

Toss:

  • The dollar-store knife that can’t cut butter

The “Fancy” Dishes You Never Use

That china set for “special occasions”? If it’s been in the cabinet for 5+ years untouched, let it go.

Extra Water Bottles & Travel Mugs

You only need one good one. The rest? Just clutter.

Expired Coupons & Grocery Lists

That 2018 coupon for 10% off yogurt isn’t saving anyone.

Bulky Small Appliances You Never Use

Looking at you, bread machine.

Keep:

  • Daily-use appliances (blender, toaster, etc.)

Toss/Sell:

  • The ones collecting dust

Extra Dish Towels (You’re Not Running a B&B)

Keep:

  • 5–7 good ones

Toss:

  • The stained, frayed ones

That One Junk Drawer (You Know the One)

Band-Aids from 2007, random screws, and a single AAA battery? Time for a purge.

Unused Party Supplies

Birthday candles, paper plates, and that “Happy Birthday” banner from 2015? Unless you’re throwing a retro party, let them go.

Check Next: Fast DIY Decluttering Hacks: Get Your Home Organised in Just Minutes

Anything That Doesn’t Spark Joy (Yes, Marie Kondo Was Right)

If it stresses you out just looking at it—toss, donate, or sell it.

Final Thoughts: Less Stuff = More Sanity

Decluttering isn’t about deprivation—it’s about making room for what matters. A minimalist kitchen means:

  • Less stress
  • Easier cleaning
  • More cooking joy

So, what’s the first thing you’re tossing? (And be honest—how many spatulas did you actually keep?) 😉

Now go forth and conquer that clutter! Your future self (and your kitchen) will thank you. 🎯

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Meet Madison Brooks, a former tech professional turned kitchen design expert who discovered her passion while transforming her own cramped kitchen. With a focus on mindful minimalism, intuitive organization, and thoughtful tools, she helps others create serene, efficient kitchen spaces. Her practical wisdom makes kitchen transformation achievable for everyone.

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