Minimal’s cool, but if you cook a lot, you need some stuff out. Otherwise, it’s just a showroom.
Totally relate. I once went full-on “nothing on the counters” and ended up digging through drawers for my spatula every single meal. Felt like I was on a scavenger hunt just to make toast. It looked gorgeous for about two days, then the compost bin and my reusable coffee filters crept back out. Minimal’s nice, but if it means hiding your daily stuff, it’s just not practical... unless you’re into eating takeout on a spotless counter.
Totally get where you’re coming from. A kitchen should work for you, not just look pretty in photos. There’s a sweet spot—clear enough to feel calm, but with your go-tos within arm’s reach. Sometimes a little organized chaos is just more honest.
I hear you on the “organized chaos” thing—sometimes I think the best kitchens are the ones that look a little lived-in. I’ve flipped a few houses where the buyers actually wanted to keep some open shelves or visible spice racks, even if it wasn’t the most “Pinterest-perfect” look. Curious, do you guys prefer everything tucked away, or do you like having your daily stuff out where you can grab it? I always end up with my coffee gear front and center, no matter how many cabinets I add...
I totally get what you mean about the coffee gear—mine always ends up out, too, no matter how much I plan for “clean lines.” I tried the whole minimalist thing, but honestly, it just made my mornings more annoying. I think a little visible clutter makes a kitchen feel like it’s actually used, not just staged for a magazine. Open shelves are great for stuff you grab all the time, even if they collect a bit of dust. It’s just more practical, at least for me.
Honestly, I’ve seen so many kitchens where people try to hide every appliance and it just ends up being a pain. If you use your coffee maker every day, why shove it in a cabinet? Open shelves can look great and make life easier, even if you have to dust a bit more. Kitchens are meant to be lived in, not just photographed.
