I thought it made the most sense to keep things close by when I set up my kitchen years ago.
The spices, bread, fruit, knife block, and blender all fit nicely on the counter. I thought it was reasonable. I all, the more I can see something, the more I’ll use it, right?
No, not really.
What started out as “easy” turned into chaos. My kitchen, which used to be neat, got untidy and, to my surprise, less tidy. I felt a lot worse when I realized I was ruining some of my food.
If you’ve thought of painting the cabinets or rebuilding the kitchen to make it look new, listen up: the problem is typically just too much clutter, and you don’t need to completely redesign it to fix it. Sometimes it’s about what you leave out.
Here are 10 things I identified that don’t belong on your countertop. I’ll explain why removing them can make cooking easier for good.
1. Bread
Bread is a basic food that we should begin with.
It may not seem like a huge problem to have a loaf of bread on the counter, but it is quite sensitive to air, moisture, and temperature. It turns moldy fast when it’s hot and wet. The bread gets stale and dry in locations that are cooler and drier.
Put it in a bread box with holes in the fridge if you don’t plan to eat it for a few days.
2. Knife Stand
Yes, the knife block that I can always count on.
I thought it looked good at first. It was constructed of solid wood, had a sleek design, and all of my knives stood up straight like little soldiers. But the problem is that those little places by the stove collect grease, crumbs, and dust.
Over time, it became a problem for cleanliness and took up a lot of room.
What would be a better way to solve this? You might want to put in a flat drawer insert or connect a knife strip to the wall using magnets. This choice makes sure that everything is safe, clean, and easy to see.
3. Small appliances that you don’t use very often
Like me, you probably have more appliances than you need.
I was proud to show off my waffle maker, smoothie blender, air fryer, and sandwich press. But what is the truth? I just used one or two of them a lot.
Instead of putting appliances you don’t use often on the counters, put them in a closet or pantry. Put away things you don’t use every day, like your coffee maker, but keep things you do use every day where you can see them.
What went wrong? You don’t have to remodel your kitchen; it looks better right away.
4. Fruits and vegetables that spoil rapidly
You might think that the bright pile of tomatoes and avocados on Pinterest looks great, but a lot of fruits and vegetables don’t thrive well in light and heat.
Avocados ripen too soon. Potatoes grow. Tomatoes lose their flavor. Onions rot when they come into contact with potatoes. There are more items on the list.
Only show apples or bananas. Put the rest in the fridge or a cool pantry, depending on what it is.
5. Seasonings
I used to proudly keep my spice rack next to the stove so I could use it right away. But I learned later that heat and light make spices taste worse.
Is the basil that has dried out still OK to eat? Not good. Is that cinnamon? Not too strong.
It’s better to put spices in a drawer or cupboard where they won’t get too hot. It retains the taste and makes your counter look neater.
6. Letters and documents
Raise your hand if you keep all of your bills, coupons, doctor’s notes, and grocery lists on your kitchen counter.
(I am too.)
It’s not only a mess; it’s also stress. Your kitchen looks messy when there are a lot of papers in it, and it’s easy to lose important paperwork.
Set up a command center in a new spot, like a drawer, a wall basket, or a little office corner. Your kitchen shouldn’t feel like a miniature post office; it should seem warm and welcoming.
7. Cutting boards
Cutting boards piled up in the corner may appear beneficial, but they usually slide around, gather crumbs, and make the area look messy.
You can keep them vertically in a cabinet by using a file sorter-style rack or a simple divider. It looks better and keeps your boards clean.
8. Food and dishes for pets
This one surprised me, but it makes sense.
It could seem easier to keep pet food or treats on the counter, especially if your pets are family. But pests are attracted to open bags or containers of kibble, and they leave a smell behind.
Put it in an airtight container in a drawer or cabinet to fix it. Place bowls on a mat in a different part of the floor, away from where food is made.
9. Glass jars full with coffee beans or pods
I have to say that glass jars full of beans and coffee pods look great. until your coffee tastes stale.
When coffee beans are in light, air, and water, they break down swiftly. Put tasty beans in a container that is sealed and not see-through.
A drawer or a container with a lid is the best place to store coffee pods. Keep the looks, but protect the taste.
10. Recipe books
Cookbooks look nice until they get oil on them or become wet with a dishcloth.
Even if you use them a lot, cookbooks shouldn’t be on the counter. They take up room and potentially break.
Put them on a shelf or in a drawer instead. You can take a picture or put a tablet on a stand to get daily recipes.
Little Changes Make a Big Difference
If you take a few things off your counter, your kitchen might feel bigger.
More space to clean
Not as stressful
It’s easy to clean.
And the best part is? You don’t need to pay a lot of money for a quote to paint your kitchen cabinets or thousands of dollars to completely remodel your home. There is no cost. Sometimes, the best approach to make a design better is to make it less complicated.