Enjoy these great kitchen counter organization tips from our friends at OXO!
Whether you have two feet of countertop space or 20, chances are it doesn't feel like nearly enough. And that's probably because of your kitchen counter organization (or, well, the lack thereof). It's easy to fall into the habit of piling tons of stuff on the counters, while crowding out the stuff that needs to be there most. Sound familiar? Here are 8 kitchen counter organization tips that will help you figure out what to keep in that coveted spot--and what to get rid of.
Banish: Appliances You Rarely Use
Find another spot besides the countertop for appliances you don't use on a regular basis. Sure, if you drink coffee every day, your coffee maker can stay out on your counters. If you rarely make toast, though, your toaster should probably find a home in a cabinet or in your pantry. Same for that juicer, your slow cooker, and any other once-in-a-while small appliance that's currently taking up space on your counter.
Banish: Mail and Other Paper Clutter
There's something about the kitchen that attracts piles and piles of paper. Tell your family there's a new rule: No paper allowed on the counters or kitchen table. The most important, must-deal-with-now papers—bills, permission slips and reminders—can go in our all-purpose clips and get hung on the fridge so you'll see them. Everything else should get sorted in another easy-to-grab spot besides the counter--or better yet, it gets dealt with, tossed, or filed immediately!
Keep: Canisters of Pantry Staples
You don't want to go overboard here, but a few canisters (say, three to five) on your counter can do several things.
- Add a little decorative touch.
- Give you a place to store your most-used pantry ingredients.
- Free up pantry shelves for other things that definitely do need to be stored there.
Our iconic POP Containers do all of the above--plus they just got a super-smart redesign!
Banish: Wine Bottles
Your kitchen counter is actually the worst spot to store bottles of wine. Why? Because your kitchen's temperature tends to fluctuate, and that's not good for the vino. Steal space from your dining room to set up a little cart or shelf with all your extra bottles and your favorite wine opener.
Keep: Utensil Crock
Fill a crock with all your favorite tools and let it live next to your stove. This way, you'll be able to grab what you need at a moment's notice. If you'd rather not assemble your own arsenal, we've got a great set that'll help you get started!
Banish: Spices and Olive Oil
Heat and light are the two worst things for your spices since they can degrade the flavors. (They can also make your olive oil turn.) You're better off storing spices and olive oil in a cabinet or drawer where it's cooler and darker.
Banish: Cookbooks
We understand the impulse to want to keep your favorite cookbooks within reach, but storing them on your counter is just asking for trouble. Even the most careful cooks end up getting spills, splatters, and stains all over the pages, so you're better off keeping your go-to tomes on a shelf where they're safe.
Keep: Sinkware Organizer
Cramming a bunch of stuff on the counter can look junky—but that same stuff corralled on a tray or in a caddy? Suddenly it looks like a purposeful vignette! Get an in-sink organizer, a caddy, or even a cute tray to hold your dish soaps, sponge, scrub brush, ring dish and anything else you need for a dishwashing session.
