Kitchen counters can be one of the most difficult parts of your home to keep organized. The kitchen is the hub of the house so everything gets dropped on the counters.
Take a moment to look at your counters. What’s on them? Chances are you have some small appliances, paperwork/mail, electronics, food, some kids’ stuff and maybe a canister set.
I’m sure we all agree that the primary purpose of the kitchen counter is meal preparation but in reality it also functions as a charging station, a mail stop and in some cases a catch all for things that don’t have a home.
We want to maximize this valuable space while keeping the essential meal prep items within easy reach.
Here’s what I suggest:
First, look at all the items on your counters. Which items do you use daily, weekly or occasionally? Only the things you use daily should be on your counters. The rest can be stored in a kitchen cabinet, pantry or, in the some cases, in another room.
Consider the utility of each item. The smaller and more versatile it is the better, for instance, replace your slice toaster with a toaster oven which can toast and bake or broil.
Beware of items that have large foot prints and only one use. An ice cream maker comes to mind. Whatever the item is, will you use it often enough to warrant the space it will take up in your kitchen or storage space?
Kitchen utensils that are used only at Thanksgiving or just when serving lobsters for example, can be bagged or boxed and stored elsewhere giving you easier access to the things you use daily.
A few canisters on the counter are useful. But too much food stored on your counters can really reduce work space.
If food has overflowed from your cabinets to your counter tops it’s time to reorganize the cabinets. My experience tells me that you’re most likely storing items in your cabinets that you seldom use.
Buying in large quantities has its benefits but often causes a storage dilemma. Limit how much you buy to only what you have room to store.
Does the mail have to land on the counter? What door do you enter when you bring the mail in the house? Is it possible to put a receptacle on a nearby table to catch the mail until you have time to sort through it?
Look around to see if the other items that land on the counter NEED to be there. If they do then provide them with a home but if they don’t’ think about where they are used and try to place them close to that spot. Remember, usually clutter collects because the items don’t have a home.
I’ve given you very general tips about how to maximize counter space. Every kitchen is laid out differently and every cook has different needs. Make the space your own!
If you’d like help organizing your kitchen counters to suit your individual needs just give me a call. We can make cooking more fun and clean up easier.
Lorraine
Copyrighted Naturally Organized L.L.C. 2020
Photo by Alyson McPhee on Unsplas
