Kitchen counters are one of the most used surfaces in your home. The space serves as meal preparation, mail sorting or a place to entertain family and friends.
Because it serves so many purposes, we feel we don’t have enough space, or, could it be that we have too much stuff?
So, keeping your kitchen clean and organized can be a constant struggle. But with a few simple strategies, you can manage the clutter and keep your counters clear and usable.
Create workable areas
Think about how you use your counters and divide them into zones. For example, one corner can be used for meal prep, another for coffee or tea supplies and one near the fridge for unloading groceries.
Once you designate a zone for each activity, keeping only what you need in that space is easier. Creating a permanent home for all your kitchen supplies can make cooking and cleaning a breeze. I have a couple of small shelves in my kitchen where I keep all my spices and cooking oils.
Control countertop clutter
With so many small appliances in your kitchen, it’s tempting to keep that blender, toaster, air fryer, slow cooker and coffee maker. However, if you don’t use some of them daily, keep them elsewhere.
The fewer things you have on display, the more counter space you will have to enjoy cooking or baking. I store my mixer away and only pull it out on baking days. It made such a big difference.
Contain small things
Baskets or containers can be lifesavers for those little items that seem to land on your counters. Daily mail, newspapers, keys, random pens, et cetera. Just make sure the basket is emptied at least once a week. At that time find a permanent home for misplaced items.
For example, I have an attractive container on my coffee table where I unload all my small and useful gadgets. Because I use them daily, they need to be accessible.
Once the basket fills up, I take five minutes to empty it. Keep one near the door for mail, and when it’s time to sort through it, take a few minutes after dinner to toss or file what’s needed.
End of day tidy-up
Before you go to bed, take a few minutes to clear your counters. This isn’t about perfection, but planning for the next day. If you are anything like me, you love to wake up to a clean and organized kitchen.
The way you start the day will likely end that way. An enjoyable and productive day begins with a little preparation.
Be aware of what comes in
Be mindful of what you bring into your kitchen. It doesn’t matter if it’s a new kitchen gadget or yesterday’s mail, make it a habit to put things in their rightful places. This small habit helps keep clutter at bay.
Remember, if you find something on your counter that you haven’t used in a while, it might be time to let it go. You’ll find that by setting up a few simple systems, your counters will stay organized and clear. I believe you can do it.
Transformational life coach Ranka Burzan owns a professional organizing company in the qathet region and has written several books on reducing clutter. For more information, email [email protected] or call 604.578.8954.
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