No matter how neat and clean you may try to keep your home, there’s always a chance you could leave something on your kitchen countertop…and never find it again. Most of the time, whatever you left there and can’t find is actually still there, right where you left it, but you can’t actually see it because it’s hanging out with 37 other things on the same countertop. This article from BrightNest offers a few long-term solutions to help you de-clutter your countertops for good, and create more permanent space.
De-cluttering your countertops temporarily is a pretty easy task. Clear the errant items off, wipe down the surface. Done.
But how do things look a week later? Cluttered again?
If you’re stuck in a seemingly endless cycle of cluttered kitchen countertops, you need to try more long-term solutions.
Chances are, you have items in your kitchen you rarely use. If a toaster, blender or superfluous microwave is taking up space on your counter, consider selling or donating it to clear out space for what you do use.
A good purging rule: If you haven’t used an item in the last three months, you probably don’t need it.
Haven’t used your microwave all summer, but can’t bear to part with it? Consider storing big, space-hogging appliances outside of the kitchen. That way, you can grab them from the bottom of your storage closet in a pinch.
Take at a look at your kitchen walls. If there is nary a hook or hanging shelf in sight, you’re underusing them! For example, a knife block can be a huge space hog, so try hanging a magnetic strip instead.
Carts are great ways to store extra kitchen gadgets you rarely use, like a drink mixers, blenders or coffee makers. Carts are versatile and make everything stored within easily visible. Plus, you can wheel it back and forth depending on when and where you need it.
If you have an island, add extra storage. Fasten hooks on all sides of the island to hang things like towels and pans, and use the space underneath to store a stool.
You can also consolidate your utensils. No kitchen needs five spatulas. Go through your drawers and purge copycat utensils.
And move your cookbooks out of the kitchen. Not only are cookbooks huge space hogs, but they are also at risk for damage from grease or water in the kitchen. Designate a stack or shelf outside of the kitchen for your cookbooks, and enjoy the extra space.
