Picture your dream kitchen. Maybe it’s a well-lit space with luxurious lighting, a farmhouse sink, a range hood, and spacious marble countertops fully equipped with all the kitchen appliances you can imagine.
Sounds dreamy, right?
Regardless of what your dream kitchen looks like, it probably doesn’t include piles of countertop clutter, which not only make your space chaotic but uninviting as well. Kitchen clutter is a rookie mistake many of us are guilty of and you can start addressing this problem with intentional styling and decluttering.
Make your kitchen look a hundred times better with this organizing guide.
What to Store on the Kitchen Counter & What Not To
Your kitchen items fall into the following categories: store on your countertops and don’t store on your countertops.
In general, you’d want to reserve your kitchen counter space for items you use frequently. These include small appliances you use every day and other kitchen staples such as cooking utensils, a dish rack, and a salt and pepper shaker. This is where kitchen storage ideas come into play, as you would like someplace to store and contain small items in a functional yet stylish way. You can also visit Chefs’ Warehouse.
What to Store on the Counter
Everyday Kitchen Appliances – If you drink coffee every day, a coffee maker on the counter is non-negotiable. The same goes for the items you use to make coffee such as mugs, coffee, creamer, sugar, and coffee filters and any other appliances you use daily—toaster, blender, food processor, microwave, fryer, rice cooker, etc.
Canisters – Canisters are a decorative way to store snacks, and other small odds and ends to keep clutter off your counters. You might want to invest in canisters and jars that are airtight, stackable, and pleasant to the eyes. Glass jars, on the other hand, are made of sturdy materials that last longer, thus making them a better investment.
Dish Rack – A dish rack is a quite convenient place to dry your dishes, utensils, and pots and pans. It also is a more sanitary option than towel drying—you don’t know how dirty your towels can be. Plus, they are often sturdy and dishwasher-safe, which is helpful whenever you don’t feel like washing your dishes by hand.
Cooking Utensils – The best place to store your frequently used utensils—spoons, spatulas, ladles, tongs, etc.—is next to your stove. It’s handy to have them within reach whenever you’re cooking. You can also hang them close to your cooking area or invest in a utensil holder that fits your kitchen decor.
Fruit Basket – Placing your fruit bowl in a visible location can serve as a reminder for your family to have a healthy snack whenever they are in the kitchen. To keep fruit flies away from your produce, make sure to wash them as soon as you get home to remove any potential eggs and larvae and throw out overripe ones.
What Not to Store on the Counter
Aside from the messy look, kitchen clutter also makes cleaning harder and more time-consuming. Therefore, you’d rather want to keep items you don’t use often inside the cabinet. You can also permanently free up space by donating or selling them.
Rarely Used Appliances – Any appliances that you don’t use on a daily basis store away inside the cabinet or your shelves. You might also want to get rid of any duplicate or broken items to free up space.
Collections – Anything like mugs, figurines, dinnerware, or photographs should be kept away from where most of the cooking takes place. Mount them on a wall or anywhere they can be safely adored.
Papers – Don’t let your kitchen counter become a dumping ground for any mail, newspaper, or documents you’re not sure what to do with.
Serveware – There’s no good reason to let the fancy china you only use on special occasions sit on your counter day in and day out. As said earlier, it’s a nightmare to keep them clean.
Knives – Knife blocks sure look nice, But, if you have kids at home, the countertop may not be the safest place to display them.
Oils & Spices – Spices lose potency over time and they go bad more quickly when stored in direct light and heat. The same is true for some types of oil, including sesame and olive oil. They will last longer if you keep them in a cool, dark place like inside the cabinet.
Cleaning Products – Food and chemicals don’t mix and you don’t want to risk spilling any chemicals onto your food or the areas where you prepare them. Store products like dish soap and disinfectants in a cabinet or underneath the sink.
Electronics – The rise of home devices like Amazon Alexa has helped us greatly in cooking. But, while it’s handy to keep them on your kitchen counter, you’d also want to keep them safe from the accidental spills that could damage them.
Takeaway
Realizing your dream kitchen takes more than just investing in the right appliances and decorating it in a way that reflects your style and taste. It takes constant effort to keep it clutter-free, most of the time: find an alternative spot for things that don’t belong in the kitchen, clean dirty dishes right away, and tidy up the kitchen before bed every night. We hope this article helps you out in organizing your kitchen.
Do you have any more tips to add to the list? Let us know by leaving a comment!
