In most homes, kitchen counters are the accumulation area for items that do not have a fixed place, which often results in wasted preparation and cooking space.
Our meal preparation then became challenging due to the cluttered countertops and the accumulated clutter, which decreased our kitchen’s functionality.
The chaotic start and overwhelming finish also affected our daily activities.
This article will introduce 10 simple tips to declutter your kitchen counters.
The tips will help you reclaim space and transform your kitchen into a more inviting and functional space.
1. Clear Everything That Is On The Kitchen Countertop
The first essential tip is to clear everything on the kitchen counter.
With an empty countertop, you will be able to gauge the amount of space that you have.
Not forgetting that the cleaning time for the kitchen countertop will also be reduced when you have an empty countertop, increasing the efficiency of decluttering.
After clearing the countertop, first place the clutter on a large surface away from the kitchen island.
It will be good to thoroughly clean the kitchen island’s surface, sides, corners, and drawers, assess the items among the clutter, and decide which items you will need to use daily.
These daily items should be placed on the kitchen countertop for convenience and easy reach.
Sort out the rest of the items by organizing them by categories and placing them in the respective bins and baskets.
Always remember to keep the bins and baskets in designated places and organize them so they do not become another clutter over time.
2. Downsize The Assortment Of Kitchen Appliances.
You may need to use a coffee machine daily but will not need two units to make your coffee.
Likewise, you will require a cup for pouring the coffee in but do not necessarily need 2 or 3 cups on the kitchen counters as a backup.
The critical point here is to decide the number of pieces of items to stay on your kitchen counter.
Choose the items you use frequently and assess their size to decide if they will take up a lot of space on the kitchen counter.
After all, you do not wish to see your kitchen counter being cluttered again.
It is important to remember that there must be a balance of aesthetics and functionality in the kitchen to allow your kitchen to be inviting and practical.
Therefore, the selection of kitchen appliances is important for your kitchen counter.
Take one week to try out the different arrangements of appliances and decide what works best for your preference on the kitchen counter.
3. Utilize The Wall Space
Instead of accumulating all the items needed for usage on the kitchen counters, consider using the vertical space of your kitchen by installing floating shelves, hanging systems, and hooks.
Floating shelves are one of the great storage systems that can be installed in the kitchen.
They can be used to keep or display items such as spice jars, cooking oils, dishes, and decorative items.
Floating shelves offer many benefits, such as being easy to clean, providing an illusion of space expansion in your kitchen, and increasing storage space.
One of the most recognized benefits of the floating shelves is enhancing the aesthetic appeal in the kitchen.
They provide a modern and sleek look, turning your kitchen into a showcase of design and functionality.
If you want a minimalist look for your kitchen, floating shelves are the best solution.
However, one thing to consider is the weight of the floating shelves you use.
Carefully assess the weight needed to support your items and position them at an appropriate height for accessibility.
4. Use Hanging Racks
Like the floating shelves, installing hanging racks utilizes the kitchen’s vertical space and frees up the kitchen counter space.
Hanging racks also provide a clear view of identifying and retrieving your needs.
Items such as utensils, pots, pans, and mugs should be hung onto the rack to keep your kitchen tools within easy reach and to reduce the possibility of losing them in the back of the kitchen cabinets.
Alternatively, hanging racks can display your attractive kitchen tools and maintain a clutter-free kitchen space.
5. Organize Your Kitchen Counter With Trays And Baskets
Trays and baskets can be a simple storage solution for an organized kitchen counter.
Not only do they enhance the aesthetic appeal of the kitchen, but they also add functionality.
Take your time to slowly explore the various materials, shapes, and sizes of trays and choose the one that best suits the vibes of your kitchen.
Materials such as wood and ceramic are better options if you want to add color and texture to your kitchen’s design elements.
If you dislike displaying trays in your kitchen, baskets are another great option for decluttering kitchen counters.
Alternatively, you can try a combination of basket and tray on your kitchen counter.
Integrating the tray and basket arrangement will help arrange the items on the kitchen counter strategically and harmoniously blend with their function.
6. Be Selective On The Decorations To Be Displayed
One of the ways to declutter kitchen counters is to be selective about the decorations you place on the kitchen counter.
The decorations on the kitchen counter usually serve two purposes: functional or aesthetic.
We often choose decorations such as fresh flowers in a vase, fruit bowls, or decorative trays.
Choose decorations that complement your kitchen’s color and design theme to boost its aesthetic appeal.
Be mindful not to place too many decorations on your kitchen counter to avoid clutter.
The aim here is to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your kitchen counter by including decorations.
7. Make Full Use Of The Corner Space On The Kitchen Counter
The corner space of the kitchen counter is where we usually dump miscellaneous kitchen items as we do not know what to do with the awkward space.
Effective use of the corner space helps to maximize the space on the kitchen counter and provides an organized kitchen counter.
One way to utilize the corner space of the kitchen counter is to create a beverage station.
Having a beverage station at the corner of the kitchen counter centralizes all the beverage-mixing essentials at that location, which is clearly differentiated from the main cooking area.
Consider adding decorative items on the kitchen counter, such as artwork or small plants, to enhance the overall aesthetics of the kitchen.
8. Maximize The Space Using A Refrigerator Magnet
We often use refrigerator magnets as decorative items for our kitchen and overlook that they can serve functional purposes.
Refrigerator magnets can clear the kitchen counter space by utilizing the refrigerator’s vertical space and providing easy accessibility for everyday items previously displayed on the counter.
One example of refrigerator magnets you can use is a magnetic towel holder or a combination of two refrigerator magnets, such as a magnetic towel holder and a magnetic spice rack.
Using the refrigerator magnets lets you have more space on your kitchen counter and kitchen activities are streamlined.
9. Install A Dish-Drying Cabinet
A dish-drying cabinet is a space-saving solution for many people, especially people with relatively small kitchen space.
The dish-drying cabinet is best positioned above the kitchen sink to reduce the clutter on the kitchen counter and for hygiene purposes.
By placing it directly above the kitchen sink, the water from the dishes drips directly into the sink, minimizing mess.
One advantage of a dish-drying cabinet is that wet utensils and dishes can be immediately stacked, eliminating the need for a drying mat.
As a result, the space on the kitchen counter will be available for meal preparation and other kitchen activities, boosting the kitchen’s functionality.
10. Declutter Everyday
Finally, daily decluttering is an effective way to keep your kitchen counter organized.
Try to integrate decluttering into part of your daily routine to improve your kitchen’s atmosphere and functionality.
Setting aside a few minutes daily to remove unnecessary clutter will transform the task into a satisfying habit.
You will soon realize that every small step in decluttering your kitchen counter will improve your well-being and daily life.