Clear your counters and stay more organized
The kitchen is the hub of the home, and since we live in it then daily, it also has the most traffic. Use these quick decluttering ideas to declutter your kitchen counters in 15 minutes.
First, quickly scan your counters to see what sticks out to you. Do you have a corner that gathers papers? I know I do, and I even have a paper system, but during hectic days or crazy seasons of life, it’s usually the first spot to gather clutter.
We recently redid our kitchen due to water damage. But the first thing I wanted to do was to make sure that I did not clutter my new counters.
My organizing style prefers less visual clutter, but I don’t micro-organize many areas in my home.
Here are my best decluttering ideas if you are feeling overwhelmed.
Redesign or change the location of your countertop appliances
First, I removed three of my appliances from the counter. Now granted, I had space that I preselected for them after I decluttered other items we were no longer using.
I have a corner lazy suzan and made extra space inside after I decluttered, and I could place my kettle and toaster inside.



I then moved my square toaster oven to the basement because it was the least used.
But after living with the counters free of these three things, I discovered I could get rid of the toaster oven because the air fryer replaced it.
So, for now, it’s in storage.
Add levels to your counter
Often clutter finds its way onto our counters because we are trying to fit it all on this one small surface area.
But think about adding small caddies with levels or tiered shelves that are decorative to help remove the clutter and contain it.


You will be amazed at what a difference it can make.
I found a round piece at the Target dollar section for three dollars and painted it the same as my kitchen island.
Then I changed my sugar container from plastic to a glass lid with stainless steel to upgrade the look. I also plan to upgrade the creamers, but I haven’t done it yet.
Create a weekly counter-declutter routine
No matter how much storage you have, nothing beats eliminating what you don’t use or need.
But we also need to make sure we reset our space regularly.
Once a week, gather papers or items off the counters. Tidy up the counter space that collects things with no permanent homes.
Make it a routine you do at least weekly to reduce the counter clutter.
Use vertical space
Before the kitchen upgrade, I hung my measuring cups and spoons on the inside cabinet with command hooks.
It worked great on the wood grain cabinets. But the cabinets are painted now, so I haven’t created a new home just yet except inside the drawer now.
But using vertical space inside your cabinets adds easy-to-reach storage.
Some vertical space ideas include using these clear adhesive bins to store items.
Or use Dollar Tree towel hangers to hang things inside your cabinet as I do with my towels.

Use command hooks for anything.
Use the power of magnets
Magnets can add storage to things you didn’t think you had. For example, you can hang a metal sheet from Dollar Tree inside your cabinet to create a mini command center.
Or it can be a place to hang papers and notes.
You can also use magnets inside your cabinet using magnet dots inside cabinet doors.
If you have metal measuring spoons, you can hang them on the magnets.
Create extra shelf storage using the bottom of the inside of your shelf
Inside your cabinet is usually a couple of inches of space that can be used for storage. Freeing up the actual counter space.
These fun under-cabinet systems can add character to your kitchen while leaving your counters free of junk.
Discover hidden storage underneath your cabinets inside
You can add additional storage to your cabinets with these neat drawer systems. They easily convert your shelf inside to a mini pull-out drawer.
Allowing you to store all kinds of things but, most importantly, remove those small items off the counter that you need with an easy-to-reach solution.
Free up your counter from bulky spice racks
Spice racks on the counters look dated, and the spice jars collect dust and grime. Leaving you to have to add to your cleaning task.
But two fun solutions exist to create a new home for your spices.
These hanging spices holders inside your cabinet can help, especially if you have a small kitchen. Plus, it’s easy to grab what you need.
Add pullout drawers to your inside cabinet shelf, as I mentioned above. This underrated space can also create a unique spice rack.

Wrangle those pesky cords from your appliances
When not in use, the cords from our appliances on the counter create visual clutter.
And you may find yourself moving the cords when looking for space to prep.
Instead, grab these Amazon adhesive cord wraps.
Add an over-the-door hanging storage inside your pantry door
In 2022 I went to Bed Bath and Beyond’s clearance section to find what I could find.
I found a door-hanging system for under ten bucks and was in heaven. It was just what I needed to add to my pantry.
My pantry is a tiny closet pantry, and I was always leaving baked goodies or bread on the counter to avoid them from getting squished.
After adding the over-the-door storage, I had the perfect place to store all these items, and my bread was no longer squished. Nobody likes squished bread.

But you can turn this into anything from a spice rack to a kid’s snack holder.
Or even to hold ziplock bags.
Stop using a bulky dish rack
Bulky dish racks on your counters are a thing of the past and no longer needed.
Even if you have an older sink, you can toss that big’ol thang out and buy this roll-up dish rack.
I love mine. It’s a huge space saver. It’s so easy to clean and toss in the dishwasher.

It can be used for multiple functions besides dishes. It’s also super strong and can hold hot pots as a trivet.
Add a tip-out tray to your sink
This is on my to-do list. As some of the finishing touches, I will make to the kitchen. Most kitchens have a fake font plate on their sink.
It’s made to look like the cabinet, but it comes off, and you can add a tip-out tray that transforms it into a usable mini tray.
Most people will use it to add their sponges in there.
Add a toe-kick drawer
This one is something I want to do as well. These toe kick drawers use that underneath space where your toes land under the cabinets.
There is nothing there, but space, and this smart idea opens up a new world of options.
I don’t have these, but they are on my wish list of things for the kitchen. I included a video of what I am referring to so you can get an idea.
I<iframe width="1080" height="608" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XF8Fi3lTiWk" title="Hidden Toe Kick Drawer" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Switch out your bulky utensils for space-saving ones
Maybe there is no way to add space to your kitchen, but you need to declutter the mess by simplifying your own things..
This company called Joseph and Joseph has come out with some unique designs of utensils that intend to save space and create a sleeker kitchen.
Nesting spoons to nesting bowls. You might want to try to replace some of your bulky utensils for these.
My favorite collection is the space-saving drawer utensil holder.
Currently, I have these wooden expanding organizers, but I still need a little more room inside my drawers.
The way the spoons, forks, and knives stack nicely on top without compromising space and functionality is what I like most. You can find them in my favorites inside my Amazon shop.
YOU MIGHT LIKE: Reimagine Organization in Your Home March 15th at 2 PM Eastern

Add a hanging rod to your backsplash
I love walking around Ikea for space-saving ideas. One of the items they always have on display is a kitchen hanging rod.
Once you get the rod now comes the fun part of picking the accessories for it.
You can choose cups, bins, S hooks, and even shelves. Customize it to your liking.
Then create that extra space for you to be able to get things off the counter.
Add a stove top shelf
This shelf won’t make a huge dent in space but for those with smaller kitchens, it adds storage space for sure.
You can put everyday spices or even salt and pepper shakers. Small items that you use every day would probably work best.
Add a wall Mount kitchen organizer
Got wall next to your kitchen you can spare? Add a small organizer there to make space on your counters.
Having counter space is vital for food prep. So get some of those items on the wall and save the counter space for making yummy dinners.
Hang your fruit
For those fruits and veggies that stay on the counter, consider hanging them from underneath the counter.
Create a DIY ladder organizer

Using items from Dollar tree, you can create a ladder and add baskets.
Store items that aren’t too heavy to create more counter space, and organize baskets for easy-to-reach storage.
Having a cluttered kitchen counter can be one of the most annoying things in life. It can make cooking, meal preparation, and cleaning up so much more difficult.
Why a Decluttered Kitchen Counter is Important for Efficiency & Functionality
A decluttered kitchen counter is essential for both efficiency and functionality. It allows you to find the items that you need easily, and it helps to keep your workspace organized and free from clutter.
By keeping your kitchen counter organized, you can save time when cooking meals or preparing snacks. A decluttered kitchen counter also provides a more inviting atmosphere for family members or guests who come over to enjoy your food. With a clean and organized workspace, you can be sure that everyone will have an enjoyable experience in the kitchen.
What items to leave on the kitchen counter?
Leaving items on your countertop depends on their use and your space limitations. Ideally, we want a home for all the items so we can leave our countertops as free as possible.
But often, this isn’t the case for a lot of homes.
When deciding what to leave on your counters, think about the things you use daily and those larger items that don’t fit inside cabinets.
- Coffee maker
- Dish racks
- Coffee supplies
- Decorative cooking oils
- Paper towels
- Napkins
- Fruits and veggies
This is a basic list. But depends on your home and the counter space you have.
I also have a magazine file folder where I keep my papers weekly for sorting, reference, and filing.

Kitchen counters are always cluttered, and finding a place to put things can be hard. But with these genius storage ideas, you can declutter your counters and add more storage! Be sure to check out some of the other decluttering posts.