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23 Ideas for Kitchen Counter Organization

Do you dream of a kitchen that is both beautiful and useful? But maintaining clean counters between cooking and dishwashing may be a never-ending struggle. Besides being aesthetically pleasing, a well-organized countertop facilitates safer and easier cooking. Today, we’ll cover perfect kitchen countertop organization. It will help you design a neat, useful kitchen.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @tatianasidiukova

How should kitchen counters be organized?

Countertop organization is mostly dependent on grouping related objects into zones based on function—that is, a cooking area, a prep area, a cleaning station. This will enable you to spot certain objects in every space, therefore facilitating the maintenance of cleanliness and reachability of every object.

Maximize your drawer and cabinet space as well. To guarantee that every thing has a place, you may make investments in clever storage options such cabinet shelves, spice racks and drawer organizers. This will stop objects from piling ugly on the countertop and spreading onto other surfaces.

When at all feasible, show just the basics. Although having all of your preferred cooking tools and equipment on show is appealing, it may cause great clutter in your kitchen. Choose the things you use most carefully; then, find imaginative methods to hide the ones you don’t need right now. Consider vertical storage, pull-out shelves, and understated nooks and crannies.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @Kristen Prahl

How do you declutter kitchen countertops quickly?

Counter sweep at the end of the day to help your cleanup go more quickly. It just takes five minutes to quickly put anything that has strayed back where it belongs! This will help to avoid clutter building up and overpowering effect.

Approach every area one by one, considering your kitchen as a grid. Clean the countertop nearest to the sink first; next, work your cooking area, prep area, and so on. This thorough strategy will guarantee that you won’t overlook any area. It will also help you stay alert.

Another option is to approach family members for assistance. Make cleaning up a group effort! You may even turn cleaning into a game by assigning each family member their own cleaning area.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @Max Vakhtbovycn

Kitchen counter organization for cooking ingredients

For ease of cooking, oils, spices, and other food tools tend to pile up on countertops. However, these things can really make your countertops look dirty. For this reason, set aside a space for cooking.

Also, organize your supplies often. Putting spices, dry goods, and other food items in matching containers looks nice. It also keeps everything fresh and easy to reach. Label packages to be easy to find.

If you want to maximize your table area, consider using a tiered or stacking system. Set aside space on the counter to store the items, tools, and utensils you use the most. Put cutting boards, oils, salt and pepper shakers, and other often-used things on a tray. This keeps things neat.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @AnikaSalsera

Corral your cookbooks

Heavy cookbooks are known to take up a lot of space on your table. But for many home cooks, they’re also a must. Most people who cook at home have a lot of cookbooks that they want to keep on their table but don’t always have room for. Then a shelf for cookbooks is the best choice. Your best recipes will be at eye level with a strong, adjustable cookbook shelf, making them easy to reach while you cook.

Don’t forget to use our wall space if your desk doesn’t have enough room. You can keep your recipe books on the table by putting up a simple bookshelf or hanging shelves. Not only does this make more space available, but it also makes your kitchen look better.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @mammamaart

Get organized using countertop shelving

Shelves on top of the counter are a great way to save space and add vertical storage. Many individuals prefer adjustable tiered racks or shelf units for optimal space utilization.

Open shelves are another popular choice. These shelves can help you show off your most-used items, such as cooking tools, spices, and oils, in a visually appealing way. Just make sure that the shelves stay clean and well-organized.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @pixelshot

Use trays to corral countertop accessories

When it comes to maintaining cleanliness on your kitchen counters, trays may literally save lives. They are useful for holding things that are simple to lose, like oil sprayers, salt and pepper shakers, small jars or vases, and so on. Here is one more tip. Alternate seasonal or seldom-used items. If you don’t use certain cooking tools or decorations very often, put them out of sight and switch them out as needed. This will keep things you don’t use very often from taking over your counters.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @gettyimages

Hang knives from a magnetic knife rack

A knife rack that is full of knives takes up a lot of space on the table. Take it out and put a sleek magnetic strip on the wall in its place. That way, you can always get to your knives quickly.

When picking out a rack, it’s best to pick one that goes with the style of your kitchen. Make sure the knife rack goes well with the rest of your kitchen’s style.

For your own ease, make sure to order your knives based on how often you use them. Knives that you use most often, like chef’s and cutting knives, should be close at hand. Extra blades that you don’t use often should be put away.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @Ekspansio

Use the top of the fridge

You can store things you don’t need to use every day on top of your fridge, like small tools, recipes you don’t use very often, or even decorations.

Fill up the space on top of your fridge with steps or small shelves. This will let you stack things and make a better-organized, more appealing show.

Keep things you only need to get to often out of the way on top of your fridge. For example, your favorite holiday baking pans or an extra-large baking sheet you only use once a year should be kept there.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @Curtis Adams

Use the sides of your cabinets for storage

Those unused spaces around the edges of your cabinets may serve as secret storage for your kitchen counters! Put in a towel bar or hanging rod for cups, jars, and tools that you use often. You could also use sticky hooks to hang things from the sides to neatly show off and store your most-used cooking tools and dishes.

Get creative with your wall space

Don’t let the bare walls go to waste! Rather, use the ability of wall-mounted storage systems. To hang your preferred tea towels, install a peg board, a magnetic strip for knives, or even a set of hooks. Cutlery should be hung. It’s a simple approach to free up useful tabletop space and arrange your most often used objects within reach.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @vanitjanthraphotos

Install open-shelving on an open wall

One excellent use of vertical space is open shelf. On an open wall, set up a few shelves to house cutlery, glasses, or even cookbooks. It also allows you to exhibit your preferred kitchenware. Still, it’s crucial to keep it neat always as messy shelves may soon turn into an ugly sight.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @tataks

Streamline your decoration

Less is more, especially for kitchen counters. Choose a couple beloved important pieces to simplify your décor. Perhaps a nice vase, a chic utensil holder, or a little plant. Group related objects and stay to a uniform color scheme or theme. The intention is to present a neat, uncluttered appearance and enable simple access to what you need.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @seventyfour

Reimagine corner space

Often, those odd kitchen areas become home for junk. With some little shelves, put them to use rather than allowing them go to waste! One effective way to arrange items in a corner is with Lazy Susans. To optimize storage, you may alternatively build a tiny cabinet or a corner shelf. This allows you to save less often used spices or even little devices.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @Sisoje

Organize your fruit

Any kitchen would benefit from the lovely and nutritious addition of a fruit dish on the counter. However, do not leave them spread on your counter. Play with a hanging fruit hammock or a tiered fruit basket. These choices free up vital counter space and keep your fruit accessible. A nice fruit basket will also accentuate your kitchen with country appeal.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @cocoparisienne

Add hooks to your backsplash

Kitchen backsplash ideas provide a chance for style and storage space addition. Hang often used utensils, oven mitts, even lightweight cookware by running a series of hooks from your backsplash. This keeps your counters clutter-free for food prep and lets your most often accessed objects be right at your hands.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @pixelshot

Hang a storage rod on the wall

Still another great use of wall space are storage rods. Store pots, pans, and other cooking tools that have nowhere else to put above your counter. It’s like having a tiny kitchen shelf exactly where you need it.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @GMVozd

Store cutting boards upright

Laying your cutting boards flat on your countertop might occupy a lot of area. So think about keeping them straight on a shelf or in a designated area, say the midway gap between two shelves. Apart from saving space, this keeps them from twisting or breaking.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @rimmabondarenko

Enlist the help of a tiered dessert stand

Need a solution for all those little things floating around in your kitchen? A tiered dessert stand is the ideal answer! Not just is it perfect for desserts, but it’s also a fantastic way to organize spices, condiments, and even coffee supplies. All those little things will be neatly stored and within easy reach.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @pixelshot

Use a Lazy Susan to stay organized

For keeping like objects together, Lazy Susans are excellent. Stow circular objects in a cabinet or corner. Just spin it to uncover objects on deep counters or in corners without having to rumm through messy shelves while you’re working.

Reenvision the space around your kitchen sink

The sink’s area might quickly turn into a mess. Organization of counter shelves above the sink will maximize your space for storage. We may therefore keep sponges, dishwashing solutions, and other cleaning agents on the little shelves. Hooks on the sink’s side allow you to hang dish towels or even little hand towels.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @Kerkez

Line storage canisters along the countertop

For dry items, storage jars are ideal since they keep them fresh and can be lined up along the countertop for quick access. Pick clear jars so you can see what’s inside, or pick similar jars to keep everything looking nice. Don’t forget to clear label them.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @vanitjanthraphotos

Add a shelving unit for a more efficient cooking zone

We can make better use of the vertical space on the table by adding shelving units. It can hold oil, spices, and other things you need for cooking. In this way, it’s simple to get the spices you need for cooking.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @ksomsak

Store extra scrubbers and sponges on the inside of cabinet doors

Inside the cabinet door, keep additional brushes and sponges. Let them mess your sink area no more. Small baskets or adhesive hooks will help you keep them within the cabinet door. This is a quick fix for neat counters.

Get the most out of your bread box

Bread boxes are a classic way to store bread and keep it fresh for longer. Also, they’re great for putting bags of food, blankets, or anything else that makes your counter look cluttered. If you want to try something new, you can also store other cooking tools, drinks, and dry food in bread boxes. Even small things you don’t use very often.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @ozgurkeser

Don’t allow certain items to stay out on display

If you want to keep your kitchen looking clean and organized, don’t leave your favorite decorations and gadgets out all the time. It can be easy to do so; however, remember that less is more.

Look closely at your tables and write down the things that tend to pile up and make them look messy. For instance, stacks of paper, small tools, or too much decor.

Remember, if you bring something new into your kitchen, make an effort to clear existing items. Thus, your countertops will always have a balanced, well-designed look.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @ready made

Final Words

To sum up, the most important thing about organizing your kitchen countertops is making a place that works for you. You can turn a cluttered tabletop into a useful and stylish space by dividing it up into zones, regularly clearing it out, and using smart storage solutions. Remember that clean tables not only look nice, but they also make it easier to cook and clean every day.

kitchen counter organization
Image credit: @t_kimura

FAQs

How do I arrange my kitchen counter?

Corral Items Onto a Tray.
Choose a Tiered Basket.
Utilize Floating Shelves.
Hang Some Hooks.
Consider a Magnetic Knife Rack.
Be Smart with Appliances.
Add an Island.
Sneak Storage Inside Cabinets.

How to hide kitchen counter clutter?

Add a Few Trays.
Use a Roll-Up Dish Rack.
Keep Only Big Items on Display.
Avoid Decorating Your Countertops.
Consider Pullout Drawers.
Invest in Cabinet Add-Ons.
Upgrade Your Everyday Items.
Match Your Finish.

How to utilize kitchen counter space?

Add some shelf risers.
And a cake stand.
Optimize your drawers.
Add storage above — and below — your cabinets.
Use your windowsill for storage.
Turn your stovetop into a workspace.
And your sink.
Add a cart.

How to organize a kitchen island counter?

Think about what you want from your kitchen island.
Decide where to put appliances.
Group items according to purpose.
Create sensible storage zones.
Customize storage to suit your needs.
Style open storage beautifully (and with practically in mind)
Be sensible with seating.

How can I make my kitchen counter look nice?

By simply clearing out the clutter, making sure your everyday items are also pretty, and adding texture with bread boards, flowers, and branches, your kitchen counters will stop being an eyesore and become one of your favorite things.

Sources:

  • Simple Ideas for Easy Kitchen Countertop Organization
  • Kitchen Counter Organization: Pretty Ways to Keep Your Counters Clear
  • Kitchen Countertop
  • 31 Genius Tips for Organized Kitchen Counters
  • 23 Ideas for Kitchen Countertop Organization
  • 22 Kitchen Counter Organization Ideas from the Pros
  • 35 Styling Ideas for Organized Kitchen Counters
  • Declutter Your Kitchen Counters With These Baskets, Bowls, and Bread Boxes
  • 20 Smart Storage Ideas to Declutter Countertops Around Your House
  • Kitchen Organization
  • 10 Best Kitchen Countertop Organization Ideas (Easy!)
  • How to Organize Kitchen Counters
  • Cabinet and Kitchen Organizers
  • How to Organize a Small Kitchen
  • Cabinet Giant

For more organizing tips, hacks, and advice:

  • Maximize Every Inch: Smart Storage for Loft Apartments
  • The 7 Worst Types of Clutter and How to Get Rid of Them
  • Storing Sweater Ideas and Organization Tips
  • 10 Best Small Garage Storage Ideas 2023 – How to Organize a Garage Step by Step
  • How To Do Marie Kondo folding Towels? KONMARI Folding Towels Step by Step Tutorial 2023
  • How To Fold Shirts Fast? Konmari Folding Shirts Method
  • KonMari Folding Method – Marie Kondo Folding Guide For Clothes
  • Best Free Interior Design Software and Tools Online
  • Maximize Your Mudroom: Clever Built-In Ideas

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