The kitchen counter is arguably the busiest space in the home. There’s food being prepped and dished up with every meal, and then there’s all the household clutter that goes along with it – the junk mail that gets tossed on the side each day and the empty plates that never quite make the dishwasher. In short, space is limited and precious here, so it needs to be managed.
To help, we’ve pulled together seven things that really don’t belong on the kitchen counter. You may have had some of these on display for years, but if they’re covered in dust, you know they’re not serving a purpose. Here’s what you can declutter in seconds to create an open kitchen counter.
1. Unused appliances
Most kitchen counters are filled with abandoned appliances – the type that make our kitchens seem more sophisticated but are ultimately pointless. You may have had good intentions with the purchase, but if it’s not being used, it’s got to go.
The types of appliances we’re talking about tend to be those used for baking or from scratch recipes, such as stand mixers and food processors. But it could be anything from slow cookers to bread makers, juicers or ice cream makers (although that last one will be popular right now!). What you need to remove depends entirely on what you’re using – your kitchen counter should reflect that.
Check out 5 appliances you’ll buy and most likely never use for more guidance.
2. Appliance accessories
We mentioned appliances, but we didn’t talk about the accessories that come with them. This could be the sandwich cage for your toaster or the trivet and skewers for your air fryer or even the alternate filter baskets for your coffee machine. We leave all kinds of accessories out on display so we don’t lose them, or because we never know if we will need them, but the truth is these are just getting in the way.
Take stock of these parts and make a conscious decision on whether you will ever use them. If you decide to let them go, they might sell for a good price online, but if you’re determined to keep them, move them to dedicated labelled containers, so you don’t forget what they’re for.
3. Excess tea towels
Tea towels serve a purpose, so you’re unlikely to feel the need to declutter them. But, if you’re building up a large stack, that’s when things get out of hand. They end up chucked over the dishwasher door, draped on top of one another on the rail and even piled up on the counter itself.
This happens as tea towels are routinely washed, and additional ones are pulled out of the cupboard in the interim, only to be joined by those originals. Or it might be that a towel is damp and you need a fresh one right away. In any case, you only need enough tea towels to suit your household. We generally recommend keeping two out – one for hands and one for dishes. The rest should be stored away and rotated.
Tea towels should be washed more regularly than you think; aim to wash every 3-7 days and change once a week. But if it’s dirty, wash immediately!
4. Protein powder pots
Bulky protein powder pots are an eyesore. Due to the size, weight and the need for easy access, these often end up out on display on the kitchen counter. But these should be decluttered, too.
Protein powder can be decanted into sealed glass containers or jars (much nicer to look at). And you can label it to show the name, serving size and expiration date. The protein pot itself can be moved to a cool, dark and ventilated space, such as the pantry or at the back of a kitchen cupboard. Then, you just need to top up the jar as and when.
5. Extra knives that don’t get used
Knife blocks are ideal for keeping the blades sheaved and the handles easy to grab. They look great on display, too, and can contain other useful tools like scissors and sharpeners. But how many of those knives are you really using? Do some of them go untouched?
A knife holder may look good, but it has a large footprint; the length – when knives are in place – can be substantial (up to 40cm). So consider if it’s use is worth that sacrifice. There are alternative, space-efficient ways to store knives, such as magnetic racks or drawer organisers.
6. Spare chopping boards
Chopping boards can also turn into clutter if we’re not careful. We buy a set with multiple boards to suit all sorts of foods: everything from meat, to vegetables, to fish, you name it. We might even buy a decorative one just for the fun of it. Long story short, we easily end up with lots of chopping boards.
Take stock of your chopping boards and consider how many you’re using. Do some from the set never see daylight? Is your wooden more of a nuisance than anything? Easily done, seeing that they’re often chunky and are not suited for the dishwasher! Remove any boards that don’t see regular use and upcycle them where you can – or just move them to a drawer if you occasionally use them.
Unwanted chopping boards can come in handy for your greenhouse potting station or for arts and crafts – wooden ones can even be displayed elsewhere in the home.
7. Household cleaners
Household cleaners quickly amass on the kitchen counter, particularly next to the sink. It’s only natural with so many spills and stains popping up nearby. Unless you’re using premium, eco-friendly household cleaners, these don’t look great on display. And you don’t really want chemical cleaners sitting so close to where you prep food either. So make an effort to find each item a better, permanent home – one where they’re still accessible.
You may need to declutter the space where you store household cleaners to make some room. Give away those you never use or see if your local council offers a hazardous waste collection service if it’s expired – you can check the bottle for a manufacture date and judge by consistency and performance (they can last anywhere from a few months to a few years!). Then group your cleaners by room, with those you use most often at the front for easy access. Tiered racks that slide out are handy for under sink storage.
Kitchen food organisers
