October 19, 2016
4 Simple Steps to Clutter-Free Kitchen Counters
Counter clutter can be overwhelming and it can also freeze you from moving forward. Cluttered counters can create ’noise’ in a space, making it difficult to relax and enjoy the space, not to mention taking up extra space. Make it a goal this week to keep your kitchen counters clear in between meals. You’ll be surprised how keeping your counters clear can help eliminate that disorganized and cluttered feeling.
Here are a couple simple steps to tackle that counter clutter:
- Completely clear your counters. Remove everything and place it on your kitchen or dining room table.
- Wipe your counters with your favorite cleaner and cloth or with a sponge and warm, soapy water. Here’s my favorite granite cleaning recipe – it’ll change your counter cleaning forever 🙂
- Evaluate your counter items – is there anything that you don’t use daily that can be put in a different place or in a cupboard or cabinet? Is there anything that you can donate or give away? Before you move everything back, take a minute to edit your counters a bit. If you only use your toaster or blender once or twice a week and you have limited counter space maybe it would be better stored elsewhere. A little space on the counters is a good thing – you don’t need to fill it up!
- Put the remaining items back on your counters and think about zones as you return the items. If you keep baking goods (flour, sugar) on the counter, put them back by where you store your mixer or measuring cups. Put your coffee pot back by the coffee mugs. And so on…
Once you’ve returned your items to the counters, keep them cleared off this week. After every meal put things back where they belong, don’t pile dishes on the counters, and empty your sink and dishwasher as soon as you are able. If you’re a mail stacker, sort your mail right away and don’t leave it on the counters. If you really work at this this whole week, you’ll see how easy it is to keep it up, it’s when you let it go that it becomes a chore and a nuisance.
HOW ABOUT YOU? WHAT’S YOUR BEST TIP FOR GETTING RID OF DIGITAL CLUTTER?
This post is part of a CLUTTER MINI CHALLENGE – go here to check it out and follow along on Instagram.
Christina Says
I cannot figure out what to do with the dish drain; it ALWAYS has drying dishes so it’s ALWAYS out. Also always out: bananas and tomatoes, which can’t be refrigerated.
Becky Says
Post authorDo you have a two-sided sink? I have a rack in one side of the sink and let dishes dry in there. It doesn’t seem quite as clutter-y since it’s hiding under the counter. Don’t worry about keeping fruit out – put them in a colander or a pretty bowl and keep them on the counter.
Renie Handler Says
I have a double sink and I bought a small inside the sink strainer. At first look you don’t see anything on the counters, but there is a place to put clean dishes after they have been washed. I try really hard to keep the dishes dried and put away when I can. But life does march on.
Fran Gibson Says
I recently had my home staged by professional stagers (who bring in minimal furniture, art and other objects) for an upcoming house sale and was simply amazed by how serene and grounded it felt in each room to jettison all the unnecessary clutter we leave out habitually because “I might need it later.” Exactly as you state in today’s posting, remove everything that is used only occasionally and break living spaces into zones delineated for specific functions. If we are really ruthlessly honest with ourselves, there are very few objects in any room or zone that we use all the time. The rest can be positioned out of sight leaving our surroundings peaceful and neat. It makes a real difference in how we feel and operate in each room of our homes.
Elle Emm Says
I hang my dish drainer inside my door under the sink on command hooks. Easy to put away and if you put most things in the dishwasher you rarely need the dish drainer out. I also have a dish draining cloth (made from towlette but you could easily use a small towel) for the one-off items during the day … easily hung over the oven door/cupboard to dry when not in use but doesn’t seem to have the same visual clutter as the drainer.
Becky Says
Post authorGreat tip!
Janice Stafek Says
I use my dishwasher as a drainer – and yes – I use my dish washer too.
Linnea Says
How do you NOT have dishes on the counter? Either waiting to be washed, or drying in the dish drainer. I do have a 2 sided sink, but need the second side for rinsing. We cook from scratch, and use a LOT of dishes and pans. (No dishwasher)
I don’t like to stack them in the sink, they just have to be removed and sorted for washing.
Becky Says
Post authorIt’s probably mostly because we have a dishwasher and I use the dish drainer in the sink for anything that’s hand washed or needing to drip dry. I cook most nights from scratch and use lots of pots and pans – lots of cleaning as I go 🙂
Debra Says
Exactly, clean as you go. My grandma used to say, “ There’s a place for everything, and everything in its place. Good advice. It helps you to always be able to find everything. Take the few extra steps to put things away I’m there home. It makes life so much easier.
Virginia Says
My Father would get angry if we washed the dishes and left them in the dish drainer to dry. He said, if you
have not dried and put away the dishes, you have not ‘DONE’ the dishes. My Mom said when we were
a bit impertinent and said we were “letting GOD dry them” but that did not help…she would reply
‘What, GOD owes you a favor’ ! I timed the job…average time to wash dinner dishes is just 10 minutes,
drying them takes an average of 5 to 10 minutes. And of course, it depends on whether you are slow
and enjoying the work, or fast and doing a good job but wanting time to read, do some craft/needlework,
or go to a movie too.
Tammy Shorna Says
Is your ‘recipe’ for cleaning granite countertops safe for Quartz?
Becky Says
Post authorYes!
Kristi Says
Can you tell me where your dish rack on the sink is from? I like the flat design and rubber feet!
Becky Says
Post authorIt’s from Kohler – I bought it with the sink 🙂