How To Keep Your Kitchen Counter Clutter Free For Good

To declutter your kitchen counter is key to an efficient and productive kitchen. In this post, I give you steps to keep kitchen counter clutter to a minimum.

Keeping your kitchen counter clutter free is a challenge we all feel on a daily basis. That is unless you have a system to keep the kitchen counter clutter at a minimum.

How do you know what to keep on the kitchen counter and what not to? Are your kitchen counters a dumping ground for everyone’s stuff?

Keeping your kitchen counter clutter free is of utmost importance. Clutter free kitchen counters will encourage you to stay home and make dinner rather than grabbing some take out.

It is nearly impossible to have a completely clear kitchen counter. Some items just need to stay on the kitchen counter because of daily use. Because keeping them on your counter just makes sense. After all, your kitchen is a working kitchen. Just like mine.

This is the cost of clutter. It will take away your productivity.

This is where you prep your meals. I can’t work with a lot of stuff in my way. I’m sure you’re the same. Kitchen counter space is limited and valuable real estate. Let’s make the most of it!

It’s time to take control! Here are my practical solutions to keeping your kitchen counter clutter free. To conquer your kitchen counter clutter for good!

How To Declutter Countertops

Decide what to keep on your kitchen counter.

These are the appliances that I feel are a necessity on the kitchen counter:

• Heavy stand mixer: I don’t use my stand mixer every day but weekly. It is heavy. Lifting it out of a cabinet each time I wanted to use it would be too much of a hassle. By leaving it on the counter, I will use it more often. I can stick into a corner of the counter out of the way. And I think it is pretty.
• Appliances that see daily use: I use my Keurig coffee maker each morning. Plus the toaster. So, it’s just easier to leave these two appliances out in plain view.

Meal Prep Items Are Necessary

Kitchen counter organization is key to ridding yourself of kitchen clutter.

• Cooking utensils: Spoons, spatulas, whisks and such are kept in two crocks on my counter for easy access. All I have to do is reach over and grab what I need. With limited drawer space this is a much better option than storing in a drawer.
• Cutting boards: Leaving a cutting board out leaning against a wall or in a bin, serves two purposes. Decoration and function. By keeping these out, they are more accessible. It is so much better to use a cutting board than the counter top to chop vegetables.
• Knife block: This is kind of iffy. I think if you have room for a knife block, this is a great item to store next to your cutting boards. Personally, I would rather keep the knives in a drawer knife holder. I do have both. I just can’t part with any knives.
• Hand soap and dish soap: Placing hand soap and dish soap on a small dish or tray would be ideal. I just set mine next to the faucet till I can find a tray I like. Keep a dish scrubbing brush next to the dish soap for quick clean up. I believe in seasonal scented soaps. Anything to help with dishwashing.
• Paper towels: We use paper towels when cooking and for quick clean ups. It makes sense for us to keep them on the counter tops. Paper towels could be mounted on a wall or the inside of a cabinet. Do what works for your family.

The Number One Item To Keep Off The Kitchen Counter

Mail and paperwork.

If you never deal with mail, it  will multiply. And it multiplies fast! Leave mail unattended for a week, spells disaster. Mail becomes piles of clutter.

The more you leave it, the less you want to deal with it. Daily is the best way to deal with incoming mail. Hard to even think about, I know. Let’s get to work!

You need a system for kitchen counter mail organization. Reduce paper clutter!

Organize that paper clutter so it doesn’t become overwhelming.

The easiest way to deal with daily mail is to go through it immediately once it is brought into the house. Set up a couple of file folders and store them in basket or bin that is mounted on a kitchen wall.

1. Shred junk mail
2. File bills in a file folder with the due date written across the top of the statement in bright marker.
3. Toss any flyers except grocery store flyers. Store grocery flyers along with your menu plan for the following week.
4. Coupons should go directly into your purse or wallet.
5. School papers should also have file folder with due dates in plain view.
6. If at all possible, try to have most of your bills paid electronically. Less paper to hassle with. Plus as soon as a bill arrives in your email box, go ahead and schedule the payment. Less stress.

What Not To Keep

• Too many decorative pieces: Decorating my kitchen is a favorite of mine but I limit the number of items I use. This is an area you need to use restraint on. Having too many decorative pieces can leave little room for meal prep. I know this only too well. Home decor in the kitchen should be minimal at best.
• Canisters: Flour and sugar canisters are best stored in the pantry. They take up a lot of valuable counter space. If you use these daily then keep them on the counter.
• Dish rack: Not a pretty thing at all. Keep this under the sink when not in use.
• Cookbooks: Collecting cookbooks is a weakness for me. One I have had to rein in. When we remodeled our kitchen, I only kept a few of my favorites. Keeping them on the kitchen counter would take up too much space. I store them  in the cabinet above my stove. Still accessible but out of sight.
• Spice rack: Spices should be kept in a drawer or a rack mounted on a wall or cabinet door. I recently organized my spices that helps keep them neat and easy to find.
• Cookie jar: Keep the cookie jar in the pantry unless it is filled with delicious, homemade cookies.

Related article: Organize Your Kitchen With Baskets

Uncluttered counter tops are easier to clean and maintain. A quick wipe down happens in minutes without having to move unnecessary items. Then once a week, take everything off, to do a more thorough wipe down.

This post has lots of tips on how to clean your home in minutes which includes some kitchen cleaning hacks.

It’s time to clear off those counter tops. Determine what is necessary to you every day and what is only used occasionally. You will love the difference in having a kitchen counter clutter free.

Do you need help on decluttering your kitchen? Check out this post on How To DECLUTTER Your Kitchen (20 Items To Toss).

What things do you keep on your kitchen counter? What things are an absolute no no? I’d love to hear.

An organized kitchen, in particular, an organized kitchen counter that is clutter free is simply beautiful.