We're super excited to continue with our Minimalist Montessori Home Tour! Welcome to our kitchen!
Transitioning to a smaller home when we moved to Virginia years ago, meant transitioning to a much smaller kitchen.
It definitely took some getting used to. But once we found a place for everything, and made sure that the kitchen included all of the Montessori components wanted, we fell in love.
At this point I can't imagine having to maintain a bigger kitchen. There are so many benefits to smaller spaces.
A Minimalist Montessori Home Tour: The Kitchen
Our kitchen can be seen as you enter our home. To get there from the front entrance, you pass through the front entry way and tiny hallway.
One side of the hallway is home to our coats and other personal belongings, all hanging on hooks. The other side includes a door that leads to our cellar.
Safety in the Kitchen
In the image above, the one thing that may stand out is the
locked tool box stored on one side of the island.
This toolbox is home to all sharp objects that are stored in our home. These include scissors, four sharp knives, a pizza cutter, carrot peeler, cheese grater, melon baller, apple cutter, pastry cutter, and sewing needles.
These items are locked up when not in use to ensure that all of our children, including those who struggle with a history or trauma, attachment, and mood disorders stay safe at all times.
All prescription medications in our home are stored in the cupboard under the kitchen sink in a
medical lock box. This provides peace of mind in knowing that none of our children can get into anything they shouldn't.
You'll notice that our counter tops stay clear at all times, unless there are dirty dishes about to be done or we're serving food.
In the cupboard above the dishwasher, all of our glass storage containers are stored. Above the cupboard, we store our blender, out of the children's reach.
You may notice candy jars above the sink. They are explained
HERE.
Water Bottle Storage
One of my favorite additions to our kitchen is the beautiful set of hooks that store our water bottles. I purchased this beautiful piece at Pottery Barn a few years back. It is no longer available.
What I love about this set of six hooks is that each person in the family has their own hook for their water bottle.
Water bottles are available at all times for the kids to use anywhere in the house. All water bottles are spill proof.
The kids can always reach their water bottles. When they need filling, the kids can fill them independently.
When we go somewhere, or the kids go outside to play, they always bring their water bottles with them.
If water bottles are left out in other rooms in the house, all of the kids know how to put them away. There is no need to worry about asking an adult for a drink of water at any time.
The top drawer next to the stove is home to silverware, including child sized knives for spreading and chop sticks which aren't visible in the picture.
In the middle drawer are all of our cooking utensils.
Lids for pots and pans are stored in the bottom drawer.
The drawer under the stove stores cookie sheets, cooling racks, and cupcake pans.
Above the stove, in the cupboard, the cake pans reside.
On top of the cupboard we store our waffle maker, bread pans, and crock pot.
Storage Station
Across from the dishwasher is our storage station. This was also purchased at Potter Barn, but is no longer available.
The two cubbies on the sides are where my husband and I store our keys and other important items.
The four shelves store lanterns that the kids use when we go outside at night for campfires and more.
The silver box stores our bills and other important papers that need tending to.
The chalk board is for writing down our grocery list as we notice we run out of things.
The hooks on the bottom store everyone's aprons used for working in the kitchen.
We absolutely love this storage station!
Next to our storage station is the entrance to our Montessori learning time room, then comes another cupboard.
You can see our fruit bowls hanging with the vacuum underneath.
Lunch boxes are stored above the storage unit.
On the other side of the cupboard the broom, mop, and dust pan are stored.
Easy Accessible Tableware in the Kitchen
Inside the bottom part of the cupboard we store all of our plates, bowls, cups, and napkins.
All of the kids can reach everything they may need when emptying the dishwasher, setting the table, or preparing a meal for themselves.
None of our tableware is breakable, to ensure the kids the utmost independence.
The top cupboard stores lunch box food containers, mixing bowls, and baking supplies such as flour and sugar. Our kiddos must ask to use these ingredients, to ensure no unsupervised baking goes on in the kitchen.
Kids' Kitchen Work Station
If you turn to the left and go past the entrance to the kitchen, you will see even more storage and the kids' work station.
The work station was originally designed to be an island. We took the wheels off so that it would be low enough for the kids to use with ease. Side storage components were removed in order to fit the space.
On top of the cupboards in baskets we store things like cookie cutters, cake decorating supplies, light bulbs, our tape supply, and first aid supplies.
In the cupboards above the kids' work space, we store all of our nonperishable foods.
The cupboard above the refrigerator stores platters, pie plates, and our S'mores supplies.
Under the kids' work station, in the cupboard, we store cereal, medicine cups, our toaster, pots, pans, and colander.
The drawers are filled with all of the kids' kitchen tools.
They can cut through carrots with ease, but are safe for kids to use without the worry of them cutting themselves or harming others.
The same goes for the pizza cutter.
This is one option that can be used when a child isn't quite coordinated enough or doesn't have enough hand strength to use a real knife to cut.
The second drawer houses all of the kids' cooking utensils. All are child sized or designed for child independence so the kids can cook with ease.
The bottom drawer is home to the kids' oven mits. These work great when they're using the stove.
Next to the kids' work station is our refrigerator. One might not think a refrigerator is any big deal, but to the kids, the way it's set up, means everything. It allows them to be as independent as possible.
All snacks for the kids are stored on the second shelf from the top. The kids know they have access to the fruit and vegetable drawers as well.
On the bottom of the door, you'll notice
child size containers for milk and juices.
These allow all of the kids to pour their own milk for cereal, and pour their own juice for breakfast.
Another fun aspect of our kitchen is the island extension that we use when there are multiple people working in the kitchen.
On the other side of the island there are four more drawers and a pull out garbage can.
The top drawer stores all of our spices. When baking and cooking, the kids love being able to find exactly what they need so easily.
The second drawer stores measuring cups and spoons. Again, this provides easy access for the kids when they're working in the kitchen.
The bottom two drawers store washcloths and dishcloths.
Around the corner facing the window, we store all of our foil, wax paper, plastic wrap, and plastic bags. It's takes a bit of coordination to pull out the items in the top storage basket, so the kids don't really get into them.
If they do need a plastic bag to store their latest art project, they can easily access items in the bottom basket.
And there you have it! You've now had a tour of our Minimalist Montessori Kitchen!
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It's so charming and lovely. My favorite part is that you guys did this all yourselves! Totally unique. how long does it take to install kitchen countertops
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