How to Eliminate Kitchen Counter Clutter
But the kitchen is more than just a space for cooking—it’s the heart of the home where family memories are made, meals are shared, and life unfolds.
And with all that activity, it’s no wonder kitchen counters can quickly become a magnet for clutter.
Have you ever walked by your kitchen counter and thought, “What’s this doing here?”
Maybe it’s a magazine, a stray receipt, or that pile of mail you just grabbed from the mailbox.
I don’t know about you, but seeing random stuff left where it doesn’t belong frustrates me to no end.
And honestly, that’s how kitchen counter clutter sneaks up on us. When things don’t have a specific spot to go, they just end up wherever there’s space—and boom, chaos.
Sound familiar?
But here’s the thing: you can keep all of that clutter gone for good with two habits. First, give everything a home, and second, put things away when you are finished using them. It’s that simple.
How to Eliminate Kitchen Counter Clutter
Here are some simple tips to help you clear the chaos and keep your counters neat and organized.
Tip #1. Deal With What you Have
The first thing you will want to do is deal with the stuff you have lying out now. Break this down into simple steps and work your way through them one at a time.
If you have a big mess to tackel, break things down into sections. Be sure to finish one section completely before moving on to the next.
- Gather up any trash and toss it away.
- Look for any recyclables and put them in the bin.
- Put food in the pantry and dirty dishes in the sink.
- Find things that belong in the kitchen and put them all away.
- Gather up any items that belong in another room to deal with later.
- Set aside anything that will stay in the kitchen but does not yet have a home.
- Repeat steps 1-6 until your counters are clear.
Tip #2. Only Keep Out What You Actually Use
Counters are meant to be your kitchen workspace—a place to prep and cook meals. But when they’re covered in appliances like a coffee maker, toaster, air fryer, or crock pot, you lose that space pretty quickly. Here’s a simple fix you can try.
- If you use something every single day, like your coffee maker, keep it out where it’s easy to grab.
- If you only use it once a week, like a slow cooker, stash it in a cabinet nearby so it’s still accessible.
- For those gadgets you only pull out once in a while, go ahead and tuck them away in the pantry or a cabinet that’s out of the way.
The less you leave on your counters, the more space you’ll have to cook and bake, bringing some of the joy back to this important space.
Tip #3. Use Baskets for Clutter Control
It’s easy for small items like mail, office supplies, or random clutter to end up on your counters. Baskets are an easy fix, allowing you to toss things inside until you can put them away.
- Choose baskets that match the decor of your kitchen.
- Put the basket where you usually find the clutter. This will encourage everyone to use it.
- Set up a basket for each category of items, such as mail, kids’ papers, or keys and sunglasses.
- Label each basket to make it easier to find what you need.
By using baskets, you can easily control the clutter on your countertops and keep them looking clean and organized.
The more homes you can create, the less you will have lying out on your kitchen counter.
A little organization can go a long way in the kitchen. Check out these Real Simple Kitchen Organization Tips to maximize your space and love cooking even more.
Tip #4. Use Organizers to Hold Supplies
Countertop organizers can help keep your everyday kitchen supplies like cooking utensils, spices, and oils within easy reach while also keeping them organized.
- Use a caddy or crock to hold frequently used cooking utensils like spatulas and spoons. Keep it next to the stove for easy access.
- Use a spice rack or magnetic spice jars to keep your most commonly used spices within reach.
- Use a tray to hold oils, vinegar, and spices you tend to use often.
- Use slide-out trays for appliances you use often, allowing you to pull them out when needed and neatly push them back in for more space.
By utilizing countertop organizers, you can declutter your workspace while keeping important items close at hand for efficient meal preparation.
Tip #5. Find Hidden Storage for More Space
Sometimes, even with all the decluttering and organizing, your countertops may still feel cluttered. In these cases, it’s important to find hidden storage options in your kitchen for additional space.
- Use a magnetic bar to hold knives and scissors.
- Use magnetic shelves on your fridge to hold spices and oils.
- Place hooks near a window to hold fresh herbs that are great for cooking.
With these hidden storage options, you can maximize the space in your kitchen and keep your countertops clear of unnecessary clutter.
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Make the Most of Your Storage Space
Still struggling with clutter on your counters, maybe you need to rethink how you have other storage areas setup.
Cabinets
- Use vertical space: Add shelf risers or vertical dividers to double your storage space.
- Install hooks or racks: Hang mugs, measuring cups, or even lids for your pots and pans on the inside of cabinet doors.
- Double your space: Use shelf risers to hold plates, bowls, and serving dishes, doubling the space you have.
- Store based on how often you use them: Store everyday dishes at eye level, while special occasion items go on higher shelves or in a pantry.
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Drawers
- Divide and conquer: Use drawer dividers to keep utensils, tools, and gadgets neat and separated.
- Go shallow for small tools: Reserve shallow drawers for knives, peelers, and other small items.
- Utilize deep drawers for heavy items: Store pots, pans, or bulkier kitchen items in the deeper drawers for easier access. Use tension dividers to keep things in their place.
- Keep “junk” under control: Limit the infamous junk drawer to just a few essentials and organize it with small trays or bins.
Under the Sink
- Add stacking shelves: Make use of the vertical space under the sink with adjustable shelves.
- Keep cleaning supplies contained: Use baskets or bins to store cleaners and tools.
- Install a pull-out caddy: A pull-out system makes it easier to access items at the back.
- Use hooks: Hang dish gloves or brushes on adhesive hooks to keep the space neat.
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Walls and Backsplashes
- Install a pegboard: Hang pans, utensils, or even spice racks to free up cabinets.
- Use magnetic strips: Mount magnetic strips to hold knives or metal utensils securely.
- Add hooks: Hang kitchen towels, oven mitts, or even small pots to free up drawers.
- Try overhead racks: If space allows, an overhead pot rack can clear up a lot of room.
Using these tips, you can make the most of every inch of storage in your kitchen so you can keep less stuff out on your counters.
No more expired spices hiding in the back of the drawer. These Spice Organization Ideas will help you keep everything fresh and easy to grab.
Keep Your Decorations Minimal
Some people think that the more decoration you have, the better. But when decorating our kitchen counters, less is best.
#1. Hang Plants – Use Command Hooks to setup a kitchen garden. Hang potted plants near to a sunny window rather than keeping them on the counters.
#2. Install a shelf to hold a mix of tools and decor items and get them up off the counters. For example, a floating shelf can hold cookbooks, a family photo, and recipe boxes.
#3. Use organizers as art. A shelf works great to hold pots and pans, where as sturdy hooks can hold your collection of cutting boards decorating an entire wall.
#4. Use hooks on the side of a cabinet to hold your collection of aprons adding some color to the space.
#5. Frame an heirloom recipe and hang it on your wall. This is a great way to bring a memory into yoru kitchen without taking up counter space.
Less is more in decorating a kitchen counter. Display only what you love and save the other decorations for another space in your home.
It’s amazing how much better you feel when your kitchen has open space with a few basket here and there and almost no clutter lying out. It not only brings calm to a space but it is even inviting making the task of meal prep more enjoyable instead of a daily dreaded chore.
Use these tips to help you avoid kitchen counter clutter and create habits that will keep it away for good, not only in your kitchen but your entire home.
