Follow these simple tips to keep your kitchen counters clutter-free. Not only will your kitchen be tidy and beautiful, but you’ll also save time on cleaning and meal prep!
Why should I keep my counters clutter-free?
Taking a few minutes now to declutter your countertops will save you a lot of time and energy in the long run. Plus, it’s so much easier to relax in a clutter-free home! Clearing a little clutter from your kitchen counters can completely transform the space and will make cleaning and meal preparation so much easier. Give it a try and see what a difference it can make!
It’s amazing how quickly countertops and other flat surfaces can accumulate clutter. Papers, keys, random kids’ toys, and those little odds and ends that you just don’t know what to do with can easily take over your counter spaces. Not only does it look chaotic, but it also feels chaotic. All of that extra clutter makes it difficult to find what you need and clogs up your valuable work space.
How to Keep your Kitchen Counters Clutter-Free
Ready to clear off those counters? Here’s how to keep your counters clutter-free…
Create designated storage for non-kitchen items.
If it seems like you’re constantly clearing the same clutter off of your counters every day, it’s time to do a little investigating. Take a look at what tends to accumulate and find {or create!} a designated place for them. Don’t let those clutter piles just move from one counter or table to another. If paper clutter is your biggest issue, create a kitchen command center or even just a simple filing system to quickly store important papers away. Create a small drop zone near your entryway for keys, sunglasses, wallets, etc. so they don’t even have to come near the counters. Have a small box or basket that you can put kids toys in for them to put away. And, of course, donate those items that you no longer love, use, or have room for.
Maximize storage.
Once you’ve cleared all of the clutter out of your space that’s not supposed to be there, it’s time to take a look at how you can maximize your storage space for those items that you have left. Be sure to evaluate everything you’re keeping to make sure that they’re truly needed. {You can find 20+ items to declutter from your kitchen here}. Try to keep only items out on the counter if you use them every day. Smaller appliances and other items that you use on a weekly basis should ideally be stored towards the front of cabinets for easy access. Those items that you use only occasionally {such as seasonal items} can be stored at the back of cupboards or on the higher shelves. You can find some great ideas for organizing the kitchen here.
Use the inside of cabinet doors.
My favorite place to add storage is the inside of cupboard doors. It’s amazing how much they can actually hold! You can use Command hooks, add a bar and ‘S’ hooks, use adhesive bins, or add chalkboard vinyl for notes or grocery lists. Almost all of my kitchen cupboards have some form of storage on the inside of the doors and I have hooks on my bathroom cupboard doors for cleaning cloths and supplies. The items are still really easy to access but are hidden away so they don’t add to the visual clutter. I think I might need to do a whole post on this! lol!
Corral similar items together.
Keeping similar items grouped together on trays makes them appear less cluttered and provides easy access to those items that you use regularly. You can use anything that you may already have – trays, cake stands, cutting boards. Not only do the trays catch any drips and messes, but they also make it really easy to remove a bulk load of items for cleaning the counter underneath.
Add pretty yet functional items to add interest and personality.
Having clutter-free counters doesn’t mean that you can’t have anything on them. Adding your own touch and items that you love is always the best part. Try to keep items stored on your counters confined to the back 1/3rd of the counter. This will still allow room for you to do any work and doesn’t make everything looked jammed in. Try to pick items that are pretty but still add to the function of your space.
Fresh flowers are always my favorite thing to add to the kitchen and I’ve been having fun matching my flowers to our cleaning products. I thought the yellow Mrs. Meyer’s honeysuckle bottles would be perfect for the summer sun! 🙂
Tidy as you go.
Get in the habit of putting those little things away directly rather than putting them first on the counter. It will likely take a bit more time for your family to follow suit, but if you’ve created easy storage it should just take a little bit of encouragement. Most items can be put away in less than a minute so if you’re chatting on the phone, try wandering around and tidying as you talk. Just a few minutes each day clearing your counter and table tops should allow you to maintain your clutter-free surfaces!
I hope you find these tips helpful to keep your counters clutter-free! Let me know if you give them a try! Happy Organizing!
More Kitchen Organization Ideas
For more kitchen organization ideas, check out these posts….
The Household Organization Diet – Room by Room Organization Plan
Many ideas for me to use here! Nicely done! I absolutely LOVE the clock hanging near your task station. Can you tell me where that is from?
I got it from Jysk. If you’re from the States, I’m not sure if they have them down there?
Love the orchid and Meyers photo. So soothing. In Florida, orchids are everywhere and last so long. Love them and how they thrive with neglect!-Laurel
lol! Yes, I couldn’t believe how long it lasted with such little care. I had three months of beautiful blooms.
Your site is so inspiring! So many wonderful ideas to try! I love the clipboard stand next to the jars? Can you tell me where you got it? I can just see an old recipe clipped to it. Have a blessed day!
That would be perfect for a recipe! I got mine at Michaels. I’ve been looking for another white one and have just been seeing other colors. They’re usually in the photo frame section but sometimes they’re located in the home decor area.
I love your wooden handle cleaning brushes…can you tell me where you got those? Thanks!
They’re from Grove Co. I believe they are Family Circle brand so you could likely find them at Bed, Bath, and Beyond too. I think Walmart carries that brand too?
Lots of good ideas here, Jenn. Thanks for the inspiration!
Amazing tips!!! Where did you get the wood-lined plate from that you have your soap on?
I got that at Target in the bath section. 🙂
awesome ideas!!! Where did you get the white cake plate?
I got it at HomeSense (or Home Goods in the States). They always seem to have pretty white cake stands in stock in different sizes.