Tired of dealing with clutter in your kitchen? I can show you how to declutter and then decorate your kitchen counter with functional items you use daily!
Counters don’t have to be bare to function well! There is no reason you can’t have a beautifully decorated and productive workspace.
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
Let me show you how!
how to Declutter your kitchen counter
Our Winter Home Organization Challenge continues today with a focus on kitchen counters! Click the blue link if you’d like to know how the challenge works! We’d love for you to join us!
Let’s dig right in!
1)Remove small appliances
The easiest way to remove clutter from your counter is to remove the small appliances.
Only keep the ones you use daily.
Having appliances lined up along the counter makes your kitchen look cluttered.
It also makes it more difficult to wipe your counters clean each evening.
Instead, store small appliances in a cabinet or pantry.
All of our small appliances are stored in a cabinet except for our coffee pot!
2)Do not use the counter as a drop zone
One of the fastest ways counters can become cluttered is if you allow people to sit things on them that don’t belong in the kitchen.
Make a rule that family members can not “drop” their purses, wallet, sunglasses, backpack, school papers, or mail on the counter.
Instead, designate a place to store those items someplace else in your house.
We can show you how to organize your entryway to store your purse, wallets, sunglasses, and backpack.
If you have a problem with paper clutter on your counters, we can show you how to manage it.
3)remove the drying rack
A drying rack can take up a lot of space on your kitchen counter. Instead, consider switching to a microfiber drying mat.
It folds and can be tucked away, under the sink, when you are not using it.
4)Find a place for everything
Another way clutter can build up on counters is if you don’t have a designated space for the items that do belong in the kitchen.
Read this post to see the best way to organize items in your kitchen cabinets and drawers.
how to Decorate counters without adding clutter
Now you know how to declutter, let’s talk about ways to decorate the kitchen counter with functional items that look great too!
I think it’s fun to add seasonal decor touches to the space, but you don’t have to!
It’s Winter, so you’ll notice I have added some evergreens, pinecones, and white velvet ribbon.
Create stations for everyday items
Coffee station
If you drink coffee, you probably have it every day, so you should keep the coffee pot on your counter!
Use a tiered tray to hold items like sugar, creamer, and coffee cups.
Store your coffee in an attractive canister!
Cleaning station
Store your hand soap and dishwashing liquid in matching pump bottles and set them on a tray!
Use a decorative paper towel holder and scrub brush next to your sink.
If you don’t want to see the paper towels, attach a hanger to the back of your cabinet door.
Cooking station
Most days of the week we cook, so I like to keep the items we use most within easy reach.
I purchased attractive containers for olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Then, set them on a decorative tray or cake plate.
Get creative with your utensil holder
Store the cooking utensils you use daily in a pretty container.
This is a tissue box without a lid.
I also like to use pitchers and canisters to hold utensils.
If you cook and use sharp knives daily, store them in a beautiful wood block on the countertop.
If you don’t use knives often, keep them in a drawer instead.
Decorate your backsplash
wreaths
Decorate the space above your stove with a wreath, picture, mirror, or large cutting boards.
cutting boards
You can also use cutting boards in a group, leaning against the backsplash.
cookbooks
Use a cookbook stand to display a favorite cookbook.
It’s so much easier to follow a recipe when your cookbook is being held up and open for you to see it.
Display flowers, plants, or Food
Add a bit of seasonal decor with faux or real plants.
Display your fruit in a beautiful wooden bowl.
Incorporate pretty dishtowels
Display dishtowels on your oven door, microwave, dishwasher, or over the edge of the kitchen sink.
Add a lamp for a cozy touch
Winter is the perfect time to add a bit of cozy lighting to the kitchen.
If you don’t have a large island to display a full-size lamp. tuck a miniature one in the corner of your counter.
I hope you were able to get some tips on how to declutter and decorate your kitchen counter!
Let me know in the comments below if you have other ideas or suggestions!
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Blessings, Donna and Rich
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More Kitchen Inspiration
- The Best Storage Solutions for Your Kitchen
- Halloween Decor for Your Kitchen
- Christmas Decor for Your Kitchen
- Easy Ideas to Organize a Refrigerator and Freezer
- Clever Ways to Organize Your Pantry
Get The Look
USB Table Lamp * Vintage Cast Iron Cookbook Stand * 1 Gallon Heritage Hill Glass Jar
French Countryside Pitcher * Glass Soap Dispensers * Super Absorbent Soft Dish Towels
Microfiber Dish Drying Mat * Canister Sets For The Kitchen * White Cupcake Stand Set
Cotton Kitchen Dish Cloths * Olive Oil Dispenser Bottle Set * Paper Towel Holder Under Cabinet
Hardwood Knife Block * Ceramic Dispenser & Bamboo Handle Brush * Marble Paper Towel Holder
Round Paddle Cutting Board * Artificial Plants * Stainless Steel Salt and Pepper Grinder
Acacia Wood Cutting Board * In-drawer Knife Block * Beaded Wood Pedestal Bowl
**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
Love how beautiful and practical these tips are, Donna, thank you! Not using the counter space as a drop zone is critical. The minute we instituted that policy it was a total game changer. We don’t have any small appliances save for our stand mixer out on the countertops either. It makes cleaning super simple and we just started using a microfiber drying mat as well. Off to check out those beautiful lamps. We don’t have any space in the kitchen but they’d be beautiful in one of the guest rooms. Hugs, CoCo
Thank you, my friend! I appreciate your kind words so much! I think those lamps are so pretty, and they would be perfect in the guest bedroom! Hugs to you, Donna
It’s really interesting how happy order makes me because just looking at your calming clean kitchen feels good! I really like the idea of the microfiber drying rack, and a place for everything makes a big difference in keeping things tidy with kids. If they listen that is. lol
Hi Maria! One of the biggest challenges to staying organized is getting your family on board! It might take a while, but they eventually learn where everything goes, lol!
Thanks for sharing all these decorating and decluttering ideas! Worth following!
Thank you for your kind comment! Hope you have a great day!
I am obsessed with the utensil holder and the tray used to keep the olive oil and vinegar! Where did you find those??
Those are two of my favorite pieces as well!! I’m sorry to tell you I’ve had them for many years and I can not remember where I bought them (boy I’m getting old). They were bathroom accessories, the utensil holder is actually a tissue box with the lid removed! Thanks for the question! Wish I had a better answer!