Cluttered and messy kitchen counters make me a little crazy! They can quickly become a source of stress, affecting the flow of my day, making my kitchen feel chaotic. Can you relate?
Thankfully, you and I don’t have to overhaul our entire kitchens to create a fresh, clear space!
Here’s how to declutter your kitchen counters, so you can make them more functional and, most importantly, keep them clear in the long term.
In this post, I’ll walk you through a simple, step-by-step guide on how to declutter kitchen counters so they stay clean and organized, without any overwhelm. (If you’re looking for ways to organize your kitchen more comprehensively, be sure to check out my post on how to organize your kitchen for a more functional space.)
How to Declutter Your Kitchen Counters
Step 1: Empty Your Counters
The first step in the decluttering process is easy: take everything off your counters. Yes, everything. Take everything off, including appliances, paper, and any random items you might have collected over the days. This helps you start with a blank slate, making it easier to decide what to keep.
Step 2: Evaluate What You Really Need
Once your counters are clear, it’s time to evaluate what belongs back on them. As you go through each item, ask yourself:
- Do I use this daily?
- Is it essential for the kitchen’s function?
- Does it add visual clutter?
Items you rarely use (like seasonal appliances or gadgets) should be stored away, and things you don’t use at all can be donated or discarded. This is your chance to let go of anything that no longer serves you or your kitchen’s daily flow.
Step 3: Create a Daily Use and Infrequent Use System
Not everything on your counter has to go into storage. The goal is to designate what stays based on how often you use it.
- Daily-use items: Coffee maker, toaster, knife block, etc. These should have a designated spot on the counter for easy access.
- Infrequent-use items: Your blender, stand mixer, or other gadgets can be stored away to free up space on your counter.
This creates a more purposeful and functional counter space without having to sacrifice essential items.
Step 4: Tackle the Paper Clutter
One of the most common culprits of counter clutter is paper: bills, takeout menus, receipts, and school papers. Set up a paper management system in your kitchen to minimize the daily paper pileup. Use trays, folders, or even a mail sorter to keep papers organized in a dedicated space, not on the counters.
Step 5: Build Simple Habits to Keep It Clear
Decluttering your kitchen counters isn’t a one-time fix. To keep them clear over time, it’s important to build simple daily habits.
- Quick daily sweep: Every night, before you go to bed, take a few minutes to clear off anything that shouldn’t be on the counters.
- Designate a “clutter zone”: If you’re prone to leaving things on the counter throughout the day, create a specific area for temporary clutter, like a tray or a small bowl. At the end of the day, clear it.
Step 6: Be Mindful of the “Invisible” Clutter
Sometimes, the clutter we overlook is less obvious: dried-up sponges, bottle caps, crumbs, or things that should be in the trash. Be sure to check your counters for these “invisible” items every few days and dispose of them properly.
Step 7: Maintain Your Decluttered Space
To maintain your newly decluttered counters, consider establishing a regular weekly cleaning routine that includes wiping down surfaces, removing any unwanted items, and reassessing your counter space. Remember, keeping things clear is easier when it’s part of your regular routine.
One other thing…
It is super important to remember that everything that sits out is decor!
If you can see it, it becomes part of the decor whether you want it to or not. That’s why I love to decant kitchen things into pretty containers:
- soaps and sprays
- spices and herbs
- coffee and syrups
- flours and sugars
- crackers, chips, etc.
The list could go on. Just remember that if it sits out, it’s decor!
FAQs
Try to do a quick sweep of your counters daily to keep clutter from piling up. A deeper decluttering session (like the one we just covered) can be done once a month or when you feel your counters are getting overwhelmed.
Only keep items that you use daily or frequently in your kitchen, such as coffee makers, dish soap, or your knife block. Items you use less often should be stored away.
Set up a designated space for papers (like a small filing tray or mail organizer) to prevent them from piling up on the counter. Stay on top of it daily by sorting through the papers and tossing unnecessary items.
Appliances that you use every day, like a coffee maker or toaster, can stay on the counter. Items you use less frequently, like a blender or slow cooker, should be stored away to free up space.
Decluttering your kitchen counters can be a game changer for your space. By starting with a clean slate, evaluating what you really need, and building small, consistent habits, you’ll have a kitchen that feels calm, functional, and clutter-free.
Remember, this is about creating a kitchen that works for you, not about creating some perfect-to-look at space.
Stick with it, and you’ll find that keeping your kitchen counters clear is simpler than you think.
Have you decluttered your kitchen counters lately or are they a hot mess? Let me know in the comments below.
Want to see more content like this in your Google searches?
This button tells Google that Home Made Lovely is a source you like, so it can show you more of it.
