A clean and organized kitchen is the dream for many homeowners. While it’s easy to keep countertops looking spotless, maintaining that organization is another story. Kitchen counters tend to attract clutter and become disorganized if you don’t have a system in place. Implement these essential tips to keep your kitchen counters clutter-free and ready for meal prep.
Store Appliances When Not in Use
Kitchen appliances like stand mixers, coffee makers, and toasters can take up precious real estate on your counters. Make sure these appliances have a home in your cabinets or pantry when not in use. Store them out of sight to free up counter space.
For small appliances like a coffee maker, carve out space in a corner cabinet near an outlet they can easily be plugged into. Install hooks or shelving on the inside of the cabinet door to conveniently store items while hiding the cords.
For larger stand mixers and food processors, you may need to dedicate a shelf or area inside your pantry to store them. Keep the attachments and bowls with the appliance so everything is in one place when you need to use it. Having dedicated storage spots for appliances ensures they won’t end up cluttering the counters.
Invest in a Knife Block
Loose knives lying around on the counters are an accident waiting to happen. Protect your cutlery and fingers by storing knives in a knife block or drawer organizer. Choose one large enough to hold all your knives so none get left out on the counters.
Look for a knife block that fits your decor style. Wood, acrylic, marble, and metal knife blocks are available to match any kitchen aesthetic. Place the knife block close to where you prep ingredients for easy access. Or install a magnetic knife strip on the wall to clear up space. Wherever you decide to store them, keeping knives off the counters prevents clutter.
Use Decorative Canisters for Bulk Food Items
Pasta, rice, flour, sugar—bulk food staples tend to create clutter on kitchen counters when left in their original packaging. Make these pantry essentials look nice by decanting them into matching canisters or jars.
Look for airtight containers in materials like stainless steel, glass, or ceramic. Measure your cabinet space first to find sizes that will neatly stack and store. Use a permanent marker to label each jar with the contents so you always know what’s inside.
Transferring bulk items into canisters clears off counters and creates uniformity in your kitchen’s aesthetic. For a really cohesive look, choose canisters that match your overall kitchen decor style.
Install Spice Racks
Like bulk foods, spices tend to come in mismatched jars and bottles that look messy lined up on counters. Give your spices a home by installing racks or organizing them in a drawer.
Spice racks free up space and make your collection look cohesive. Mount them inside a cabinet door or on the wall for easy access while cooking. Or use a turntable inside a cabinet or drawer to neatly arrange them. Group spices however you like—alphabetically, by cuisine, by frequency of use. Just get them up off the counters and into a dedicated storage space.
Use a Countertop Caddy for Handy Items
Even the most organized kitchens will have some small items frequently left out on the counters. Make it easy to corral these handy items without cluttering up your space.
A countertop caddy or tray corral is the perfect catchall spot for things like keys, mail, reusable shopping bags, and other little items that seem to migrate to the counters. Look for caddies in materials like wood, metal, or ceramic that fit your decor. Use bins and trays to divide up items within the caddy.
Having a dedicated spot to toss these handy items will keep them from spreading out and cluttering counters. Place caddies out of the main workspace but easy to access, like near the phone or grocery list. A tidy catchall means no more tracking down your keys!
Maintain Counter Organization
Setting up storage systems and decluttering your counters is only half the battle. Maintaining that organization long-term is key for clutter-free counters. Make organizing part of your regular kitchen cleaning routine.
Each night before bed, take a quick pass of the kitchen and put everything back in its place. Put appliances away, clear personal items into your caddy, wipe down counters. Establishing these habits makes it second nature.
Do a deep clean every week or two to tidy shelving, wipe down canisters, and reorganize drawers. Do a thorough countertop decluttering. Donate or toss anything you haven’t used in awhile. Organizing will be quick if you stay on top of it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Organizing Kitchen Counters
Kitchen counters seem to attract clutter no matter how hard you try to keep them clean. Use these tips to troubleshoot your organization systems.
How can I find storage solutions for my small kitchen?
The biggest challenge with small kitchens is lack of storage space. Get creative with stacking, hanging, and nesting storage to maximize every inch. Install shelves inside cabinets, use wall space for narrow spice racks or knife strips. Opt for stackable, nesting, or multi-level storage containers. A few organizational tweaks can even make the smallest kitchen more functional.
What’s the best way to organize my cluttered drawer?
Start by taking everything out so you have a blank slate. Clean the drawer then add adjustable dividers appropriate for the items—silverware, utensils, etc. Use trays or bins to corral like items. Frequently used items should go in the front. Only put back what you regularly use. Keeping drawers organized prevents overflow onto the counters.
How do I stop the mail pile-up on my counters?
Piles of mail are common countertop clutter culprits. Get an attractive wall-mounted mailbox or sorter so you have a designated spot for the mail. Or get a desk sorter and store it when not in use. File away bills and important papers. Toss junk mail immediately. Deal with mail as it arrives rather than letting it pile up.
How often should I clean my kitchen counters?
For sanitary counters, clean high traffic areas like meal prep zones daily. Use a disinfecting cleaner to kill bacteria. Clean the entire counter space at least once a week. Remove everything from counters and sanitize the surfaces. Tackle hidden grime buildup in corners and along backsplashes. Establish a routine and your counters will sparkle.
What’s the secret to staying motivated to keep counters clutter-free?
Like any habit, it takes time to train yourself to put items away and maintain organization. Make it easy on yourself by setting up efficient, accessible storage solutions for everything. Have dedicated homes for appliances, utensils, and clutter-prone items. Stick to the routine for 3-4 weeks to cement the habits. You’ll get motivated by the decluttered look.
Keep Your Kitchen Counters Clutter-Free
Clean, open counters make spending time in the kitchen so much more enjoyable. Hopefully these essential tips give you the knowledge and inspiration to get your kitchen counters organized and keep them that way.
Implement clever storage solutions to corral appliances, spices, food staples, cutlery, and other items. Dedicate catchall spots for inevitable clutter magnets like mail, keys, and bags. Establish daily and weekly cleaning routines to stay on top of organization.
With a bit of effort upfront to set up systems, maintaining organization becomes a breeze. Your kitchen will function more efficiently and you’ll love spending time in your fresh, clutter-free space. Take back your counters today!