8 tips to keep clutter off your kitchen countertops
 © 2018 Christopher Testany
Our kitchen counters can be used for a number of different tasks and items. Aside from food preparation, it can also become a destination for junk mail, excess garnishes, barely used appliances, and even homework sessions. All that extra activity can lead to chaos, and make time spent in the kitchen less enjoyable. So, follow our tips below to simplify the heart of your home and enjoy faster meal prep and easier cleanup.
Related: Declutter Kitchen Countertops—6 Things You Can Declutter Right Now
Consider your cooking routine
Home cooks approach meal preparation in many different ways. Give countertop space to any tool
You use it at least once a week. Everything else can go into hard-to-reach places.
Consider the devices you have used recently
In order for a toaster, blender or coffee maker to find a place on your counter, you need to use it every day. It almost certainly and unnecessarily takes up valuable kitchen real estate.
Cut down on your tools
Collect all hand tools and sort them by type. Do you really need 2 tablespoons (or more)? Many chefs work efficiently with one preferred version of each tool. To begin the disinfection, throw out broken, hard plastic, or all-metal utensils (which conduct heat and can burn you). Keep only cutting tools that are sharp or can be sharpened.
Streamline work surfaces by placing as many tools as possible in the divided drawers. Apply a no-nonsense approach to the pieces of seasoning, oil, and vinegar that often accumulate on countertops.
Clear your landing zones
Stand in front of your group, sink, and refrigerator. You should have at least one clear place available at all times to cool a pan, dishes waiting to be washed, or a bag of groceries to be unpacked. Carefully edit these areas. Move utensils and spices into drawers and cabinets. Replace your traditional countertop dish drainer with a sink or drying mat version.
Find alternative methods for notes
Stop using kitchen countertops as your family’s message center. Make a sign advertising the countertop a no-drop zone and focus on adding vertical organizers—memo board, wall pockets, wall-mounted clips for each family member—as ways to share papers and reminders with one another.
Install a useful shelf
Says professional organizer Jamie Novak, “The slim floating shelf allows you to slide smaller items off the counter. The collapsible version is a great option because when not in use, you can fold it up against the wall or backsplash.”
Hang your utensils
“Wall-mounted magnetic strips, available in several widths, are a clever way to keep frequently used knives and other utensils out of drawers or bulky countertops,” says professional organizer Kate Martin.
Make it easy to clean your countertop
You should be able to quickly wipe down or dust kitchen surfaces. Keep editing until you can complete the task in 1 minute or less.
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Read the original article on Real Simple.
Originally published
