How to Declutter Kitchen Countertops — 9 Steps to Help Streamline Your Space

Countertop space is often compromised in our kitchens, especially if your home is on the smaller side. To make our kitchens as convenient as possible, we use these busy surfaces to house the utensils and appliances we want easy access to, but as a result, this functional space easily falls victim to clutter.

When it comes to how to declutter our kitchen countertops, the trick is to see beyond the clutter and envision a streamlined surface that's maximized to its full potential. Items you see as daily essentials like your air fryer and coffee machine might not deserve that premium space, after all.

As professional organizers are quick to point out, there's not always a need to take up an entire corner of your countertop with just one appliance, plus there are some clever solutions to disguise those you do. If you want a kitchen countertop that's tidy, streamlined, and free from clutter, here are nine ways to take back control of your surfaces once and for all.

1. Maximize use of your cabinets

A clutter-free kitchen countertop starts with adequate storage elsewhere. Cabinets are underutilized in so many homes, causing kitchenware and appliances to spill over onto our surfaces where they quickly become part of the furniture. If you want to keep your countertops clear, reassess how you're using your storage space behind closed doors.

"One of the simplest yet most effective changes you can make is to use your cabinets more efficiently," says Di Ter Avest, owner of Di is Organized and author of the book Organize Yourself Happy, available at Amazon). "It's easy to think you need everything out on the counters for convenience, but often, this is just a habit rather than a necessity. Take a moment to evaluate what actually gets used daily versus what can be stashed away."

To really maximize your cabinet space, Di recommends adding shelf risers like the ones from Amazon inside your cabinets to create additional levels. You could also try pull-out systems like this one, available at Walmart.

2. Purge your countertop

To declutter your countertops efficiently, start by removing everything from them and only putting back what's truly necessary. "We often assume that the items we've always stored on our countertops need to stay there, but if you're short on countertop real estate, you'll want to carefully evaluate what is worth keeping out," explains professional organizer Julianna Poplin, owner of The Simplicity Habit.

Apply this same ethos to all of your countertop appliances, as well as items like cutting boards and caddies. Are you really going to use that blender to make a smoothie this week, or is it just collecting dust? "Carefully consider each item and if it should have a prime place on the counter or if it should be relegated to a cupboard or drawer," says California-based organizer Melissa Gugni. "Traditionally a toaster goes on top, but if you don't use it daily it should be stored below."

3. Remove anything that doesn't belong in the kitchen

If you store a catchall on your kitchen countertop, send it back to your entryway where it belongs. The same goes for objet like vases or ornaments. We love decorative details in a kitchen, but they're better placed on shelving than on a countertop. While decluttering this space, make sure to remove any items that don't belong in the kitchen and return them to their rightful place.

"Make sure there's nothing on your kitchen counters that shouldn't be in your kitchen," says Lucy Milligan Wahl, owner of organizing company LMW Edits. "Do you have toys, homework, jackets, keys, and mail all over your counters? Time to put those where they belong!" It's a good rule to keep in mind when it comes to decluttering a room like the living room or bedroom, too.

Lucy adds that even things you've always had out on your counter should be up for discussion. "Many people have a crock of kitchen tools like tongs and spatulas on their countertops, but those items can easily live in a drawer next to the stovetop," she says.

4. Pair style and function with containers

If there's one thing we're strong advocates for, it's that style needn't be sacrificed for functionality. This mantra has never rung more true than when applied to kitchen countertops. If you do decide to keep items on your surfaces, make sure your kitchen storage ideas also contribute to your overall design.

"If you need to take up valuable real estate on the counter, make it beautiful," says Melissa. "I use a pretty ceramic bowl from a local artisan maker for my fruit, and it is so lovely I don't mind that it uses up counter space."

This could be as simple as a holder for utensils or a caddy for your instant coffee, but don't be tempted to add an extra item to your countertops just for aesthetic purposes. "In doing this, you still want to keep functionality at the forefront of your mind," Lucy warns. "Store items close to where they're most practical and according to how frequently you use of them."

5. Disguise unsightly outlets and cables

Visual clutter is common in small kitchens, especially on kitchen countertops. Besides the multitude of appliances and storage jars we often keep out on display, there are some more unavoidable items that we can't simply store away in cabinets. Tangles of cables or rows of outlets can be one of those unsightly elements that contribute to a cluttered-looking kitchen countertop, but the good news is they can easily be disguised.

"Use cable management solutions like adhesive clips or cord wraps to keep wires tidy and out of sight," suggests Di. "There are even stylish outlet covers available that can blend in with your backsplash, minimizing that cluttered feel." Alternatively, she recommends using cookbooks, cutting boards, or even a houseplant to style the countertop and hide power outlets.

6. Make use of vertical space with hooks

If you're wanting a more minimalist kitchen this point probably isn't for you, but for those with smaller kitchens, vertical space can be a fantastic space saver.

"If you can, use your wall and under cabinet space," Lucy says. "You can hang a paper towel holder from the bottom of a cabinet and use a magnetic strip mounted on the wall to store knives." For a vintage aesthetic, you could try a brass utensil rail to hand pans on (as pictured above) and to free up even more space on your countertop, try hanging towels or mugs on hooks underneath your upper cabinets.

If you want to keep a few contained food items on your countertop, Melissa suggests using stackable wire bins like these ones from Amazon for vegetables like onions, garlic, and potatoes. You could also invest in some hanging wire shelves like these, also from Amazon, inside your cabinets if you need to maximize storage space behind closed doors.

7. Implement a "Daily Reset" Rule

If you're looking for small habits to keep your countertops clean and clutter-free, Di suggests the "daily reset rule". "Each night before you head to bed, take a minute to put away anything that doesn't belong on the counters," she says. "This can be as simple as wiping down the surface and storing away those stray coffee mugs or mail. It's a small task that, when done consistently, makes a huge difference."

8. And take heed of the "one in, one out" rule

Don't let the decluttering tips end there, though. There are plenty of rules out there to try, the challenge is finding one that works for you and your whole family.

Another principle Di suggests for clearing your countertops is the "one in, one out" rule, a great mantra to live by when decluttering any space. "If you're adding a new appliance or decorative piece, find something that can be put away or removed entirely to keep things balanced," Di says. "This way, your counters stay functional without becoming overly cluttered."

9. Consider installing an appliance garage 

With coffee machines, air fryers, and stand mixers now common kitchen staples, it's easy for the number of appliances to build up and clutter your countertops these days. "Thankfully, there are always solutions to maximizing kitchen space by utilizing modern design techniques and devices," says Julianna.

One of those is building an appliance garage into your kitchen units. These clever storage solutions promise to house bulkier items like your toaster or espresso machine behind a nifty little door for a truly streamlined kitchen design. You could also use a kitchen pedestal to raise your appliances off your countertop to gain some extra space for the likes of cutting boards.

FAQs

Why is it important to declutter kitchen countertops?

Decluttering your kitchen countertops not only makes for a minimalist, clutter-free aesthetic, but it also helps streamline your space and make cooking meals far less stressful.

"It seems obvious but if our kitchen counters are cluttered we can't use them," says Ben Soreff of House to Home Organizing. "When our counter space is gone we can't use the kitchen efficiently as intended. That goes for meal prep, cooking, baking, and entertaining."

What items are fine to leave out on countertops?

Of course, completely ridding your countertops of everything isn't easy. There are a few items worth keeping on display no matter how much you want a minimalist kitchen. Predominantly, these should be appliances or utensils that we use daily.

"Think about your lifestyle and the storage possibilities in your kitchen. What do you use daily? Is there a very easy way to store it that's not on your counter?," asks Lucy. "If not, this might be a good candidate for countertop storage. Coffee makers, toasters, and tea kettles often tend to fit these criteria."

The key, says Di, is to be intentional about what lives on your countertops. "A neatly organized tray with cooking essentials like oil, salt, and pepper next to the stove is practical," she says. "The trick is to keep it limited to daily-use items and make sure everything else has a home in a cabinet, drawer, or pantry. This way, your counters remain both functional and visually appealing."