How to Declutter Kitchen Counters in 5 Steps
Without knowing how to declutter kitchen counters, you won’t be able to enjoy a clean and organized cooking space, prepare meals with ease, or maintain a stress-free environment. Instead, you will continue to feel overwhelmed by the clutter, struggle to find the tools you need, and feel frustrated by the lack of space.
You’re in the right place! Here’s a quick, 5-step process to help you declutter your kitchen counters based on my experience as a clutter free mom of 5 for the last decade. Plus creating hundreds of decluttering podcasts, decluttering challenges and decluttering checklists, courses and guides.
We’ll cover everything from identifying what really belongs on your counters to establishing a routine that keeps them clutter-free. I’ll also give you some things to look out for along the way, mistakes I made before I worked out this system, and ones I still see other moms making.
Just follow the steps, and by the time you finish Step 5, you’ll feel like a pro and enjoy more counter space, easier meal prep, and a kitchen that feels calm and welcoming.
Ready? Let’s go!
Step #1: Identify What Truly Belongs on Your Kitchen Counters
Before you can start removing items, you’ll want to take your time with this critical first step.
The things on your counters are almost always the things you need and use regularly. So you’ll need to do some drawer or storage space decluttering as well. But first steps first.
The first thing you need to do is:
- List the essentials: Think about the items you use every single day, like the coffee maker, toaster, or a bowl of fruit. These are the things that deserve a spot on your counters.
- Consider functionality: Is the item something you use frequently, or is it more of a once-in-a-while thing? If it’s not something you use regularly, it likely doesn’t need to stay on the counter.
- Assess the visual impact: Even if something is used frequently, does it look good out in the open? Sometimes, relocating an item to a drawer or cabinet can instantly make your kitchen feel more spacious.
- Decluttering the things like papers, toys, random items that need a home, but have landed on the kitchen counters.
For example: You might love your stand mixer, but if you only use it once a month, it’s probably better off stored in a cabinet or pantry, freeing up valuable counter space.
What to look out for: Many people skip this foundational step and then wonder why their counters are still cluttered. Don’t let that be you! This is a crucial foundational step that will set you up for success later on. And each step is a building block for the next, so don’t even try to jump ahead! 🙂
All done? Great job! Let’s move on to Step 2.
Step #2: Create Dedicated Storage Spaces
At this point, you’re probably thinking that this is going to be time-consuming or that your kitchen lacks the space to store everything. You may even be wondering, “Where am I supposed to put all this stuff?”
If you hang in there, it will get easier, promise. What we’re doing is pulling this all together into a functional kitchen that works for you.
Start by ONLY using the spaces you have before adding in things like baskets, or bins, or additional cabinets.
Now it’s time to:
- Designate homes for non-essential items: Find a spot in a cabinet or pantry for items you don’t use daily but still want to keep.
- Use vertical space: Install a shelf or two where you can place things like cookbooks or a decorative jar, keeping them off the counter but still accessible.
- Utilize organizers: Drawer dividers, lazy Susans, and under-cabinet hooks can help keep your items organized and easy to find.
- Be weird about how you use your spaces. Our lazy susan holds bread, most people probably think that’s unusual but it works for us based on how our kitchen is set up AND the fact that as a large family we eat a lot of bread.
The reason this step is important is that it will help you create a system that makes it easy to keep your counters clear. Plus, you’ll have a method for storing your kitchen tools that will make cooking and cleaning up much quicker.
What to look out for: When I first started trying to complete this process, I thought I could just shove everything into any available space. But that only made things harder to find later on.
I’ve also seen common mistakes people make that hold them back from achieving a clutter-free kitchen:
- Overcrowding cabinets. Instead of just filling every cabinet to the brim, you should leave some breathing room for easy access. Which means you will be decluttering the storage areas of your kitchen in order to have clear counters like I mentioned at the beginning. Things like tupperware, too many glasses, unused items, etc.
- Ignoring vertical space. You’ll get better results if you use wall-mounted storage to keep counters clear.
- Not labeling. If you find it hard to remember where things go, try labeling shelves or containers.
Just keep focusing on what works best for you, and you’ll be on the right track.
Step #3: Establish a Daily Reset Routine
Next, make it a habit to clear your counters at the end of each day. This step is all about maintaining the progress you’ve made. This episode explains this in a bit more depth, enjoy!
While you’re doing this, make a note of how your kitchen feels when the counters are clear. Notice the difference in your stress levels and how much easier it is to prepare meals.
For example: Every night, take five minutes to put away any stray items and wipe down your counters. This small daily action will prevent clutter from building up again. I call this the Nightly Reset, and I do it all the main areas of our home.
If you want, you can get my 11 decluttering course bundle where this and so much more is included. I created it to help you declutter and create routines and habits to stay clutter free.
What to look out for: It may be hard to zero in on what should stay on the counters and what shouldn’t. What you can do is set a reminder on your phone to do a quick check each evening, ensuring everything is in its place before you call it a day.
Step #4: Involve Your Family
We’re just about done. There are just two more steps.
Here’s what to do next:
- Teach your family the new system: Explain where things belong and encourage everyone to follow the plan.
- Make it fun: Turn tidying up the kitchen into a game or a quick family activity after dinner.
- Assign tasks: Give each family member a specific responsibility to help keep the kitchen clutter-free.
What to look out for: No matter what you do, don’t forget to set clear expectations with your family. If you don’t, you’ll only risk falling back into old habits, and the clutter will return. So just keep communication open and gentle reminders in place. As the saying goes, “Teamwork makes the dream work.”
Keep going! You’re nearly there.
Step #5: Celebrate Your Success
This is the last step. Get ready to celebrate!
Now that you’ve followed the steps, it’s time to enjoy your clutter-free kitchen. Take a moment to appreciate the clean, organized space you’ve created.
Here’s how to get the best results with this:
- Keep up with your daily reset: This is key to maintaining your progress.
- Reward yourself: Treat yourself to something nice, like a bouquet of flowers for your new clean counters.
- Reflect on your journey: Take a moment to recognize how far you’ve come and the benefits of having a clutter-free kitchen.
What to look out for: The first time I did this to declutter my kitchen counters, I wasn’t sure if it would last. But I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to keep up with once I established a routine. The biggest lesson for me in all that was to be consistent with the daily reset and to involve my family.
It just shows you there’s more than one way to achieve a clutter-free kitchen. So more than anything else, do what works for you.
Bonus! Here’s a Bonus Tip just for you!
This is something I started doing after years of trial and error, and it has been a total time-saver for me. I designate one corner of the kitchen counter for items that don’t belong there but need to be put away later. At the end of the day, I go through the basket and put everything in its proper place. It keeps the counters clear without adding stress.
Key Takeaways
Congratulations! You just learned how to declutter your kitchen counters in 5 simple steps. Follow the steps above to create a clean, organized kitchen instead of feeling overwhelmed by clutter and wondering where to start.
I’ve given you all my best tips, tools, and techniques to help ensure your success. Just knowing them isn’t enough, though. It’s time to act and get the results you’ve been dreaming about!
