A clean, tidy kitchen can be a welcoming space in which to cook and socialize. It’s all too easy to fall into the trap of overstuffed cabinets and countertops cluttered with appliances. Here are a few tips to help you eliminate the clutter and create a minimalist kitchen that is both functional and inviting.

1. Perform an audit
The first step in remodeling your kitchen is to weed out items you don’t use regularly. Find another place for them in a separate storage room or do without them altogether.

2. Store items behind closed doors
Open shelving is great for a rustic country kitchen, but if you’re going for a minimalist design without clutter, forgo the open space in favor of cabinets with closed doors. Opt for cabinets in a sleek metallic hue, bright white, or dark wood for an extra clean finish.

3. Install a kitchen island
A freestanding island can be an attractive solution to a lack of cabinet space. With its clean, geometric lines, this type of fixture fits easily into a minimalist kitchen design. It also offers built-in storage in the form of pull-out shelves and drawers.

4. Choose multitasking appliances
An all-in-one oven can provide microwave, convection and steam functions, freeing up space for a cleaner kitchen design. Save kitchen space with modern, sleek appliances that perform multiple functions at once.

5. Find alternatives to the counter
Instead of using countertops as storage surfaces, install hooks or magnetic strips for knives or pots and pans. Arrange hanging items according to their shape for a clean aesthetic.

6. Let clutter live in a single spot
Even in the cleanest kitchen, it can be difficult to eliminate clutter altogether, but the secret is to keep it in a specific place. Designate a drawer as the official repository for loose items, and you’ll know where to keep those stray notepads and spare batteries.

7. Create a focal point
A simple, monochromatic decorating style benefits from a single splash of color, whether it’s in the form of artwork in a bold hue or an eye-catching ceramic tile backsplash. Draw the eye away from your workspace by accentuating your sleek kitchen décor with a carefully chosen focal point.

8. Accentuate natural lighting sources
Consider large windows in your kitchen to flood industrial interiors with sunlight for an effortlessly chic, modern look. Contemporary light fixtures or pendant lights look right at home in a minimalist space, but nothing is cleaner than the airy atmosphere created by abundant natural light. With our five principles for a modern, minimalist living room, it will be easier to implement the same aesthetic in your living room.