Healthy Home
Inside: You can keep simple, uncluttered kitchen counters. Here are 3 things I eave out on my kitchen counters, and 3 things I stash away in cabinets for an uncluttered kitchen look.
By Katie Bennett, of Embracing a Simpler Life
Over the past several years I’ve discovered the beauty and functionality of an uncluttered kitchen.
I find it liberating.
But an uncluttered kitchen–or home, for that matter–isn’t always easy to come by.
For some, clutter may simply be the result of your season of life. If you’re in a season of life with multiple young children who leave things all over your home, then it makes sense that you may struggle with more clutter now than you did as a single person in your 20s.
Clutter, in general, can cause mental and emotional distress. Some experts theorize that extreme clutter, in the case of hoarders, can be tied to mental illness.
Other causes of clutter include:
- Having too many possessions. The book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, seriously helped solve this issue for me, and I now freely get rid of items that are no longer “sparking joy” for me.
- Not having enough storage. If you live in a home with a small kitchen with little storage, for example, maintaining uncluttered kitchen counters may be more of a challenge for you (but not impossible!).
- A lack of time. If you are constantly on-the-go, it may be difficult to find the time to declutter. Before you know it, you will have accumulated more than you can manage.
While it can take time, creativity, and–sometimes–money to create a clutter-free kitchen, it can be incredibly rewarding.
Seeing clean kitchen countertops lifts a visual, mental and even emotional burden for me.
Related: 5 Ways to Organize a Small Home
A few advantages of clean kitchen countertops:
- They are easier to clean. Simply wipe and go!
- There is so much glorious work space. Cooking dinner, baking, and even the putting away of groceries gain fluidity.
- The few things allowed “out” are carefully predetermined, soI have a distinct goal when cleaning up, and I know when I’m done. When miscellaneous clutter is allowed on counter tops, it’s easy for them to become more and more cluttered over time.
- It looks better. No matter how clean my home actually is, people seem to perceive that it is at least somewhat clean when they see wiped-down and uncluttered kitchen counters.
There are those who go all out with the clean kitchen counter look, allowing absolutely nothing to stay out.
For me, there’s something a little too “stark” about that look and possibly less-than-practical.
So in the name of functionality and “homeyness,” I choose to leave a few things out on my counters.
Note from Erin:
The author of this post, Katie Bennett, is also the author of a fantastic devotional for moms–Heavenly-Minded Mom: A 90-Day Journey to Embracing What Matters Most. Check out her devotional here.
Related: Does the Kon-Mari Decluttering System Work for Moms?
3 Things I Leave Out On My Kitchen Counters
- My tea kettle. This is something I personally use daily. I often serve tea to guests, and I enjoy having it always queued up and ready. I view it as a symbol of hospitality, and I like the way it looks. However, if you’re not a tea drinker, you may prefer to trade out a tea kettle for something more practical. Perhaps you would prefer to keep a single-serve coffee maker on your uncluttered kitchen counter, so your guests can make themselves a cup of joe.
- My cutting board and knife block. These items are used from morning ’til night around our house. We eat lots of fresh foods and cook at home, so I’m constantly grabbing for these items. It is functional to have them at my fingertips.
- A pretty “odds-and-ends” bowl. Our kitchen is grand central station for our house. It is the central hub for our our entryway, family room, dining room, laundry room, office, and bedrooms. In order to reliably keep it uncluttered, I need a place to put random change, hair bows and half-eaten chocolate bars until they can be properly “dealt with.” Otherwise, they would be left out on the counter, which doesn’t make for an uncluttered kitchen look.
Related: How to Have a Clutter-Free Start to Spring Cleaning
3 Things I Don’t Leave Out on My Kitchen Counters
- The toaster. It takes up real estate, tends to look “crumby” and realistically is not used more than a few times per week. I opt to bring it out each time I want to use it, which takes no time at all.
- Canisters. For us, these are tucked away in a cabinet. Canisters are a bulky item, and while they may be decorative, they take up way too much workspace.
- Small appliances. These are things like an electric can opener, bread machine, mixer, food processor, etc. We don’t use any one small appliance very often (less than once per week). And even if we did, they don’t look nice enough for me to leave out on my kitchen counters.
If you’re looking to simplify things in your kitchen (or home in general!) even more, then you may want to consider these 9 ways to get cash for your clutter. While I personally prefer to donate items as soon as we don’t need them anymore, when we were struggling to make ends meet, selling our unneeded items was a great way to score some much-needed cash. I made a lot of money by decluttering my kids’ toys and baby items when they were little. My colleague Shannon was even able to help pay off debt by decluttering her home!
Related: How Decluttering My Home Changed the Way I Spend
Want to go a bit deeper on the topic of uncluttered kitchen counters? Check out this article on that lists eight tips for keeping clutter off your kitchen countertops.
Want to go a step further? Check out my posts on simplifying your Refrigerator/Freezer and Utensil Drawer.
For more motivation to simplify your home, click HERE.
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Non-toxic cleaning goes beyond the bedroom. While it’s great to have a non-toxic way to remove pee from mattresses, I can help you detox your cleaning products in every single room! Use this free chart as a step-by-step guide to begin detoxing your laundry room today.
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What are some ways you’ve been able to maintain uncluttered kitchen counters?
Hi! I’m Katie. I’m a stay-at-home mom of four adorably-fun kids, and I live a life devoted to Jesus. I love to write, and I focus my energy on living simply and well. I’m fairly new to the blogging world, recently launching a blog called Embracing a Simpler Life, where I write about eternal perspective, being a wife and mama for the glory of God, and simple, intentional living. Come check it out! Check out my devotional for moms, Heavenly Minded Mom.
Heather-Joan
Hi, Katie. I went to go check out your other posts through your links and all I got was 404 error messages. Just wanted to give you a headsup. Thanks 🙂
Elsie
Thanks for pointing that out, Heather-Joan! I believe all the links are fixed now!
– Elsie, Site Editor
Deb
Dining has one n. LOVE your post, will check out your blog.
libby
I leave my coffee pot!!!
Terri
I see salt and pepper and butter too……so 5 things out….still very neat and tidy.
Terri
I mean 6 things…..lol
Katie Bennett
So true! I was more trying to be cute with my title… but I do leave those out too! 🙂
Christy
I believe I see paper towels on your counter too. 😉
tinkaMumma
I have alot on my counter, and use most of it daily. My food processor is a very large heavy magimix and I use it daily, the kettle and coffee machine get used 2-3x a day. The toaster has to stay on the counter because if I put it in the cupboard or pantry it attracts the mice. The stand mixer I dont use every day but it is SO heavy its not worth putting away and it also looks great so I leave it out. I also leave out the detergent, handwash, cleaning spray and disinfecting wipes as I use them all day long. Not to mention the mortar and pestle that is made of heavy stone and looks nice so just sits there…. the knife block and 3x cutting boards on a stand…
I have stuff everywhere!! But I still find I have enough bench space. I prefer everything at my finger tips over a neat bare countertop. The kitchen doesnt go by 2 hrs without being used in our home and I make everything from scratch so I guess thats why
TheRepurposedFamily
You must live in my kitchen! Other than the cutting boards in a rack, you just described my kitchen!
Sue
I have made custom appliance covers as a business for over 40 years
What needs to be on counter looks lovely w your choice of fabrics for your covers
I get so many compliments on our kitchen!
Evelyn
I am one who leaves things out. We all should do what makes us happy.
Sherri
I agre with you. I do the same
Farzana Rasheed
Same here…i ve tried 2 minimize the items on my countertop…somehow the hassle of getting them from wherever i ve stored them…makes me frustrated….so they stay on my countertop…
Sara
Espresso machine, napkin holder, paper towels, toaster oven, knife block and electric tea kettle. But they all match the brushed stainless and black big appliances and I have a ton of counter space. I refuse to get things out multiple times a day – which would happen with ALL of these items as they are used a few times a day each, minimum.
Beth
I recently started to de clutter my kitchen too. I have very little counter space so I need what space I have. It’s still a work in progress but I plan to leave out only my toaster (to keep bugs at bay), knife block and a small utensil holder out. I just need to buy a few things to fully organize my spices to get them gone 🙂 love the way your kitchen looks, I completely agree that it makes your house feel clean even if it isn’t 😉
Danielle Spears
I love it. I have been thinking I need to invest in a good cutting board and leave it out.
I need to find a way to get rid of my drying rack. I hate it. At my dad’s house we used large cloth and dried immediately. Maybe I should start that again. Oh a good chore for kids.
Has anyone seen a wall mounted butcher/knife set? I have limited counters and would love to hang it.
Sheila
Hi!
I love my magnetic knife bars/strips!
I have two that I attached to the side walls of cabinets, so they are out of the way.
I only put up the 3-4 knives that I use on a daily/weekly basis.
I would definitely recommend to go with a mid to high quality brand; you sure don’t want an issue with falling knives!
Here is a link to Amazon’s listing of magnetic knife strips.
http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=dp_brw_link?ie=UTF8&node=13840861
Good luck and I hope this helps!
~Sheila
heidi
I have had a cutco knife set for 30+ yrs that has a wall hanging rack. These are outstanding knives with a lifetime guarantee but very expensive. I bet you could find a hanging rack on amazon.
Kamila
IKEA for the wall knife hanger thingy
Maryanne
I use a wall mounted magnetic strip (or 2) for my knives – up high so kids can’t reach it. Love it.
And instead of a drying rack, I got a few of those thick dish drying pads from Target. They’re just microfiber-ish pads, super absorbent, and you can just hang dry or toss them in the dryer after washing. I keep them out of sight in my kitchen’s towel drawer. Mine are the dark gray ones. Best idea ever.
Shelise
Cutco has a nice hanging one for small spaces, can also be used on the counter or in a drawer. Best knives, too. All American made on top of great quality. Can’t beat that!
Mamabear
My mom just gifted s her old Cutco block that can be a stand or hung on the wall. I love it! I hated having my knives on the counter so they had been in a drawers for months. Now the are easier to access.
As for the rest of my counter I have my toaster and mixer tucked in a corner of my counter in a space I can’t use as work space anyway and three canisters for my flour, sugar and brown sugar out because I use them too much to put them away every time. I have a rolling cart for my beverage stand but the rest of my counter is clean and clear.
Ana
Hi mamabear if it helps i too dont like to have my drying rack out so i wash dry and put away dishes when im completely done i dry the rack and bottom piece and i stand it under the sink against the sidewall on the right and it has worked very well over the years i have about 3ft of counterspace to my right of the sink it includes the corner
glenda
MAGNETIC BAR FOR KNIVES IN KITCHEN OR TOOLSECTION ABOUT TWENTY DOLLARS TARGET OR WALMART . INSTALLS WITH 2 SCREWS. LOVE MINE
Amanda
I love this idea! I try not to keep much out, but the one thing that drives me crazy is the drying mat where all of my for kids stainless steel cups need to air dry everyday. My coffee maker must stay out too 🙂
Susan
I use a bottle drying rack for sippy cups and other cups that need to air dry. It actually fits perfectly in my cabinet next to all the cups, so everything can air dry but it’s not sitting on the counter. It has a lip so water stays in it and doesn’t get in the cabinet at all. I used to have 2 racks of bottles, pumping supplies, etc, and it drove me crazy on the counter, now it is tucked away and can still air dry (and I’ve gotten to downsize to one rack, thank goodness!)
Amanda
*four kid’s
Melia
four kids’ 😀
Emily
yessssss
Brittany at Equipping Godly Women
I’m the same way. I hate cluttered countertops. They always look messy! And I need room to work.
Cheryl
We downsized earlier this year to get caught up and save money for our next house, so my kitchen is much smaller counter space wise. I’m absolutely grateful we have a huge pantry that’s actually bigger than our old one. 🙂 I’ve been working on trying to continue to declutter my kitchen counters. This reminds me to keep going.
Brienne
I have some plants out and the coffee pot.That’s it I like clutter free too!
Cindy
After 3 1/2 days with a handyman, I must say things are shaping up around here. I have nothing in my kitchen because tomorrow we paint inside the cabinets and all the doors are off awaiting their turn to be painted.
After 5 hours of taking things out of cabinets and putting it all in boxes, I came to the conclusion that I will be downsizing my stuff. I will no longer have a junk drawer either.
I now have a real pantry closet, with shelves. For 11 years I have used a bookcase, but the shelves were not big enough to hold much food. I am really excited about that.
Today he finished my laundry room…I know this post is about kitchens…but I now have the laundry room of my dreams!
Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life
I completely agree that less stuff on my counters makes the whole kitchen seem much more neat and clean. I have significantly pared down what I leave out. Though right now, with the busyness of the past few weeks, it seems I can’t keep up with having things put away. It definitely affects my desire to get into my kitchen and start cooking :-/
As far as what we leave out, I have made a “coffee corner” with the coffee pot and grinder. They are used every morning. I did put away other coffee things though, like the french presses and the stovetop moka pot. I also leave out my Vitamix and grain mill. They are tucked away in another corner and are used daily as well. I got rid of my toaster and toaster oven a while ago since I can just toast in the oven with the broil setting. And when I need my stand mixer or food processor, they can be easily pulled out and used, then returned to out of the way.
Thanks for giving me new inspiration to fight the clutter!
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup
I love how open and spacious your kitchen is! I’m sure it would look less that way if it was cluttered. My kitchen is cluttered because I live in a manufactured home and I don’t have a lot of space to store my items so they sit out. I have a countertop convection oven (which I love so much that I don’t mind the space it takes up). My toaster stays out even though I use it pretty rarely. In my dining room, I keep my large appliances out on the cabinets near the table, but both rooms are so small, they are practically one. My kitchen/dining area don’t look clear and spacious, but I make do. It’s functional and it’s home, so I love it. I do appreciate your post, though, because it has made me think about what I can do to simplify my kitchen space. Thanks, Katie. Heading over to your blog now. 🙂
Joni
When we moved I decluttered a little b/c I hated cleaning around EVERYTHING that was sitting out. Now we have fresh fruit (apples, bananas, and oranges when we have them), keurig, canisters b/c they are my grandmothers (who passed 11 yrs ago) and they match my kitchen perfectly! and I don’t have enough cabinet space, paper towel roll b/c I haven’t bought one to put under the cabinet yet, and my tea kettle sits on my stovetop in the same spot it sat on my grandmother’s stove. 🙂
So….we have a little more than you 😉 but it still leaves me a good space to work with.
Debbie fox
I would love to have less things out, but have limited cupboard space! I use every inch for dishes, pans, serving bowls, etc.
Christy
Where is your microwave? That takes up the most space in my kitchen, by far. Other than that, I have 3 large fruit baskets, a knife block, and my dish-drying rack.
Kristin P.
I am much like you – I definitely prefer the look of a clean countertop (in my house and others!) and don’t keep much out regularly. Now – the dishes tend to pile up a bit during the day (homeschooling woes), but if those are done I have plenty of counterspace. I keep my coffee pot out, use it daily, but there isn’t room in the cupboards for it (beans and grinder are in cupboard). The toaster is sort of built into our pantry cabinet, so once my hubby finishes the doors for it, it won’t be seen. The large Kitchenaid is under my sink – it’s heavy to get out, but not impossible, and I don’t use it daily. It takes up WAY too much space on the counter to leave there. So for me – butter dish, coffeepot, 2 small cutting boards against the wall, utensil holder by the stove (I don’t have drawers yet), ceramic bottle of olive oil, and dish soap in a nice container. I have a single basin sink and we don’t have a dishrack – instead dish drying mats so we put things away immediately.
Heather
Where do you keep your bananas? Tomatoes? Cooking utensils? (the flipper and wooden spoons especially)
Personally, I don’t mind some clutter in my kitchen, makes it feel lived in 😉
Haleigh
I live in a 525 sp ft studio apartment with my husband! Counter and storage space is VERY limited. I just can’t win because I don’t have a place for everything and I can’t leave stuff on the counter. Grrr. I love this post though. When we finally move I can’t wait to implement your organization tips.
Sandra
I absolutely despise a dish drainer on the counter. I leave out the Keurig, 3 small decorative plates….one for keys, one for glasses and shades, and one for miscellaneous items that need to be returned to their proper home…., and a small plastic kidded container for any mail or paperwork. I cannot think with cluttered counters.
Laura Weymouth
LOVE this! It inspired me to clear about half the stuff off my own kitchen counters this week. I have a lot of counter space but there was quite a bit out that wasn’t being regularly used, and everything looks super tidy now!
Debra
Generally, we have the paper towel roll on the counter. There is also a sentimental bowl that used to live on a shelf, but doesn’t have a home since we moved (It’s on the honey do list!). And a knife block that I wish I could get rid of. I would rather hide them in a drawer, but hubby likes being able to just grab a knife, so the block stays. In reality, I’d love to not have anything at all on my counters. I think it comes from growing up with lots of things on the counters and it always drove me nuts because I was the one who had to move everything, clean the counters and then put everything back.
Kris
My coffee pot, for the same reason you leave out your teapot; my knife block, because it’s storing my tools that I don’t want in reach of small hands; a basket filled with a variety of Keurig thingies (what on earth do you call those things?) because it’s cute and decorative; my good processor, because it won’t fit anywhere else–the thing is even taller than my Kitchen Aid mixer!; and my utensil crock for the told I use nearly every meal. Um … does a pretty glass dish on the sink holding a scrubber and soap count as on the counter?
Becky Milstead
If I had somewhere to put the items on my counter, I would LOVE to. Unfortunately, we live in a small 2 bedroom apartment with very little cabinet or storage space. My pantry is basically non-existent. We’ve already purged to our basics, so everything we have is because we actually use it. I dream of having enough space to be able to have clean counter-tops.
Jayne Kucewicz
I always struggle with clutter, your picture is very inspiring! I guess the biggest problem is lack of cupboard space for things like a big mixer and many boxes of tea (different flavors). We have a peninsula and it seems like EVERYTHING ends up on the end of it. I try to clean it down to one potted plant, next thing I know its a pile of stuff…. and we have three adults who should be able to put stuff away…. but where? I would love to have one small bowl or basket that could hold stuff needing to be put away, but it overflows all over. It is frustrating when trying to cook or prepare food. I could use some ideas for better organizing of drawers and cupboards.
Kate @KateMovingForward
I leave my KitchenAid mixer (both practical & pretty), my knife block, and an odds and ends basket, plus maybe a candle. I guess I’m pretty simplistic too, but I don’t have much counter space either!
Laurel
What do you do with fresh fruit? Our family eats a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables. Some fruit shouldn’t be refrigerated because they lose some nutritional value and bananas turn black.
Shannon
I’m with you. We have lots of vegetables and bananas sitting out. I’d love to find a different spot for them…………….
Rachel
I recently took everything off my counters and boy does it feel great! Only thing I leave is a roll of paper towels, the microwave (of course), and a cookie jar cause my husband has a sweet tooth. Other than that, I have so much space to work with and I feel so much happier when I walk into my kitchen.
Celena
I like leaving my counters pretty bare too. I leave out my grain mill and stand mixer, a utensil crock next to the stove, a hand soap by the sink, a knife block and cutting boards (they lean against the wall and are held up by the knife block), and a bowl of fruit. Other than that I try to keep everything else put away. My husband has recently started drinking coffee at home so we now have a small 1 cup coffee pot. I hate the darn thing being out, even though he uses it twice a day most days. I’m always putting it away. 🙂 A couple years ago I heard about stowing the toaster in a cupboard… I’d never even HEARD of doing that! lol. I thought it just had to be out because well, it just always WAS out. I make sure to dump the crumbs out once a week or so and wipe the shelf it’s on as needed. I haven’t had an issue with bugs (yet anyway).
Rona
You would shutdown if you saw my counters!!
Theresa
Great post! I love a decluttered counter as well! We have a diffuser (essential oils), weather radio, photo frame with kids, hand soap, and a fruit basket. Oh, and let’s not forget the tea kettle! All my appliances are tucked away as well. I got rid of canisters about three years ago after I began buying baking products in bulk and switched to cupboard friendly containers. Canisters are cute, but for me, not practical. Works so well and I don’t have that bogging down my workspace. Thanks for sharing!
Beth
Nothing makes me happier than looking at a clean, clutter free kitchen! Even when we had a teeny tiny kitchen in an apartment my counters were always clear expect for a decorative candle. Before you can clear your counters, you may have to clear the cupboards!
Jenetta Penner
Nice tips! I also keep a small basket for putting everything on my kitchen counter. Make things look a lot less messy, I just make sure to check them before day end for anything I can keep, or for anything I can throw away.
Erin
What a great tip! Thanks for sharing!
Carole
I am curious what everyone does with their fruit? Bananas, avocados and other non refrigerator fruit.
Erin
I personally keep mine on my kitchen island in a bowl.
Julie
I am SO with you on this one! I feel SO much better when my counters are clear. (Even if the sink is full of dishes lol) I keep my coffee maker (I don’t drink coffee but the hubs does all throughout the day), cutting boards (knives are in the drawer), fruit and veggie bowl (a two tier serving platter used as fruit/veggie storage), and my paper towels.
Christine
Love it
I took a 21 day challenge and that was in november and still love it clear and uncluttered
I found that I really don’t need those (have to items)
I did create a coffee bar in the dining room which helped alot
Jane
I used to be like this but/every day we use four different appliances. A toaster oven and coffee maker and T pot and a can opener three times a week. Oh and a coffee grinder.
My kitchen functions continually… it is how we eat. We have a very tiny kitchen.
There is no way I would have the cabinet space or the perseverance to constantly be moving appliances in and out from hiding spaces.
Robyn
Trying to reduce clutter and make better use of storage. We make all things from scratch (food allergies) and I use various small appliances daily. I do not have much cupboard, pantry or storage space. Really trying to thoughtfully downsize so I don’t get rid of things that I might actually use. I personally would LOVE to see a post about how you best utilize you cupboard and pantry space. I notice that my current space does not seem to offer space to hide what I’ d want to hide. But I would welcome some more ideas. Thanks for this post it is helpful……..just want to see more reality inside your cabinets……….and storage inspiration!!!
Erin
sounds like a great post idea! Thanks!
Cathy Lange
I have very little on my countertop too. Coffeepot and grinder, paper towels, larger jar filled with most used utensils, fruit bowl and electric tea kettle. I use all these things daily. Love how clean and tidy it looks.
Erin
It sounds like you have a nice kitchen!
Jenn from Simply Moms
Way more than I want is left out. The husband and I tend to disagree. Currently there are two Kitchen-aid mixers, large coffee maker, knife block, microwave, sugar bowl, dish drainer, phone cradle, two dish soaps, candles, and more. If it were just my choice, coffee maker, microwave, 1 mixer and knife block.
Erin
Wow!
Donna
Currently I have my coffee maker (use everyday); kitchenAid mixer; knife bock; ceramic holder for utensils; vegetable bowl; toaster over (use more than my oven); you have caused me to rethink my counters. Have a ton of counter space but the kitchen always seems cluttered. Use to blame my husband for the messy kitchen, however since he died recently I realize that the culprit must be ME. Am going to retire the toaster (never really use it) and try to figure out a convenient place for convection toaster oven. It is a start.
Erin
My husband finally convinced me to get rid of the toaster and just use the toaster oven. I have never looked back and can’t believe I ever insisted on having both when we first got married!