Does your kitchen feel too packed? This post will show you how to de-clutter your kitchen counters, so you can get cooking!

How to De-Clutter Your Kitchen Counters

People often ask me what they can do in a few minutes to get a big organizational bang for their buck. Do you know what I suggest? A quick de-clutter. You can apply this tip to any counter space in your home.

Are you ready? Let’s head to your kitchen where I want you to look at it like a complete stranger. One who also happens to be kind, but honest.

What do you see? Do you see cereal boxes on the counter? Boxes of tea? A juicer you haven’t used since last January? Maybe there’s a stack of papers, or six sippy cups with almond butter all over the straws (that would be my kitchen!). No judgement.

First, Take Everything Off the Counter

Now, I want you take everything off of the counter and put it somewhere that isn’t the kitchen. Take a good look at your kitchen now. Doesn’t it look ten times bigger?

Give it a Quick Clean

Wipe down those counters with something that smells amazing. I like Mrs. Meyers Lemongrass Multi-Purpose Cleaner. Then light your favorite candle and put on some music you like. Who knew you had all that counter space! If you feel like you have no counter space, this is the best way to get more real estate without remodeling your kitchen.

Selectively Re-Introduce

Here’s what I want you to do now, go to your pile of kitchen stuff that is somewhere else, and take back one thing. It must pass this test: do I use it every morning or every evening? (I ask this because these are the tired times. During the tired times, people want easy access). So take back your coffee pot, for example, and put it directly under the cupboard where you store your mugs. Maybe it was there before. High five! It’s in the right place.

Here’s what I want you to do next: go to your kitchen pile and pick one thing that is really pretty, and in the words of Marie Kondo, “sparks joy.” I feel sparky about my Kitchen-aid mixer which is the perfect shade of lemongrass. Do I use it everyday? Hell no. Do I use it when I’m tired? No. But it looks so pretty and it is a bright pop of color for my otherwise white kitchen. I give you permission to do the same. Pick one thing you really love, and put it somewhere where it can sparkle!

Zone for Function

You’re almost done! Go to your pile and take back one thing that is functional any time of day. For me this is my knife block. I like having knives where I can see ’em. I use them for everything under the sun, including unorthodox purposes like cutting tags from new dishtowels from Target, and other such things. Also my kids like apples and they want them, like, now! If you have a pretty cutting board, then you might put it next to your knives. Otherwise, place your knife block directly below, or above, where you store your cutting boards. Are you on to me? There’s a pattern here.

Face what is left and ask yourself if you can put it somewhere else. The pantry? Your credenza? Maybe just back in the cupboard where it was meant to go? I’ll leave that to you. Just don’t put it back on the counter. You will love your kitchen so much more!

Look around at your de-cluttered kitchen and pat yourself on the back. It looks awesome, and you didn’t spend a penny! Pour yourself a glass of wine.

Cheers!
Lauren

P.s. If you want to offload some items into a side-bar or credenza read my post, How to Organize a Credenza.