For many of us the kitchen is the heart of the home but also a collection point for clutter and random stuff. In this article I’m sharing 10 tips to declutter your kitchen and keep it clutter-free. Easier to use, simpler to clean and more enjoyable to cook in and prepare food.
IS YOUR KITCHEN THE HEART OF THE HOME OR A CLUTTER MAGNET?
The kitchen may be the heart of the home, but I wonder how your kitchen’s looking these days? If it’s anything like mine used to be, it might feel more like a dumping ground for stuff rather than a place to enjoy culinary creativity.
More than that though, my kitchen wasn’t functioning as I needed it to, every day of the week for easy, quick, nourishing family mealtimes that were equally quick to clean up afterwards.
Our kitchens work hard for us and we demand a lot in return, but they are magnets for clutter, stuff and random objects dumped on countertops or hidden clutter lurking in cupboards and drawers.
You know the drill – gadgets you never use, Tupperware with no lids, a drawer full of “just in case” items… It all adds up, doesn’t it?
Today I’d like to help you tackle the clutter, reclaim your kitchen, and keep it that way for good. It’s easier than you think, and I think you’ll feel much better once it’s done.
And it’ll be much more convenient and enjoyable to use and spend time in too!
10 TIPS TO HELP DECLUTTER YOUR KITCHEN FOR EASE AND FUNCTIONALITY
Here are 10 tips to help you declutter your kitchen and create a space that works for you and your home.
1. Visualise Your Dream Kitchen
Before we start pulling everything out of the cupboards, let’s think about what you want your kitchen to feel like. Is it a calm, functional space where you can easily find what you need? Or maybe you’re dreaming of clean counters and plenty of room to cook without knocking over a pile of bills or random paperwork.
Keeping this vision in mind will help you stay motivated when you’re mid-declutter and wondering why on earth you started this in the first place.
2. Declutter by Category, Not Location
A common mistake is to tackle your kitchen one cupboard at a time, but I’ve found it’s much more effective to sort by category. For example:
- Food (tins, spices, snacks, etc.)
- Utensils and gadgets
- Plates, bowls, and glasses
- Tupperware
- Cleaning supplies
This way, you can see just how much you have of each type of item – and in my experience, it’s often a lot more than you think!
3. The Four-Box Method
Now, it’s time to declutter. Grab four boxes or bags and label them:
- Keep – For the items you use regularly and truly love and want to keep.
- Donate – For things in good condition that someone else might find useful.
- Bin/Recycle – For anything broken, expired, or past its prime.
- Unsure – For those items you’re on the fence about (more on these later).
As you go through each category, ask yourself:
- “Do I use this often?”
- “Would I buy this again today?”
- “Is this taking up valuable space without adding value to my life?”
If the answer is no, you probably know what to do.
4. Ditch the Duplicates
Do you really need six bottle openers, three vegetable peelers, or four wooden spoons? Keeping one or two of each essential item is more than enough for most households.
When it comes to crockery, think about how many people you regularly cook for. If you’re a family of four, you probably don’t need 20 plates and 15 mugs. Keep what you need, plus a few extras for guests, and let the rest go.
Put in place some regular routines such as rinsing and washing dishes straight after use so they’re ready for your next meal. This stops you reaching for yet another clean plate which will add to the existing pile of dirty dishes waiting for you at the end of the day.
5. Say Goodbye to “Just in Case” Items
Many of us have that ‘just in case’ item. That smoothie blender you bought during a brief health-kick phase, the fondue set you haven’t touched since 2012, or the waffle maker you used exactly once… sound familiar?
If you haven’t used it in the past year (or two!), it’s time to let it go. If you ever really need a waffle maker again, you can always borrow one from a friend or neighbour.
6. Check Expiry Dates
When it comes to food, spices, and sauces, be ruthless with expiry dates. Those tins of beans lurking at the back of the cupboard since your last house move? If they’re expired, out they go.
Even spices don’t last forever – they lose their flavour over time. If you’ve got a jar of paprika from 3 years ago, it’s probably time to replace it.
7. Find Homes for Everything
Now that you’ve streamlined your kitchen, it’s time to put everything away – but not just anywhere. The key to keeping your kitchen clutter-free is to give each item a proper home.
Store frequently used items within easy reach. For example, keep your go-to utensils in a jar by the stove, or a drawer that’s nearby and your everyday plates in an accessible cupboard.
Group similar items together. All your baking supplies in one spot, all your teas and coffees in another – you get the idea.
Make use of vertical space with hooks, racks, or stackable storage.
8. The Tupperware Test
My kitchen is pretty simplified and organised but Tupperware grows arms and legs. I don’t know where it all comes from and where the lids go so that I have more containers than lids (or vice versa)!
First, match up all your containers with their lids. Anything that doesn’t have a match goes straight in the recycle bin.
Next, decide how many containers you actually need. A good rule of thumb is to keep enough for one week’s worth of leftovers or packed lunches. Store them with the lids on to avoid that annoying chaotic avalanche every time you open the cupboard.
9. Keep Counters Clear
A clutter-free kitchen starts with clean, open countertops. Not only is it easier to keep clean and prepare and cook food on, but it gives the illusion of more space and a clearer line of sight.
Try to keep only the essentials out – think kettle, toaster, and maybe a fruit bowl.
Everything else should have a home in a cupboard, drawer, or shelf so long as the size of your kitchen allows that. As with all decluttering advice, use the tips and strategies that work for you and adapt them to suit yourself and your home.
If your counter is currently a magnet for post, keys, and other random bits, designate a “catch-all” basket or drawer elsewhere for those items.
10. Create Habits to Stay Clutter-Free
Now that your kitchen is looking spick and span, let’s keep it that way. Here are a few easy habits to maintain your clutter-free haven:
One in, one out: For every new item you bring into the kitchen, let go of an old one.
The 5-minute rule: At the end of each day, spend five minutes tidying up. Put away dishes, wipe down surfaces, and pop anything out of place back where it belongs.
Do a monthly audit: Every few weeks, take a quick look around your kitchen and see if anything’s creeping back in that doesn’t belong.
A CLUTTER-FREE KITCHEN = A CLUTTER-FREE MIND
Decluttering your kitchen isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about creating a space that works for you, makes cooking more enjoyable, and reduces stress. Trust me, once you’ve done it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed with all that “stuff” in the way.
So, when are you going to start? Pick a day, pop on your favourite music and dive in. Maybe once you’ve tackled the kitchen, who’s to say you can’t move on to the rest of the house? One step at a time!
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
What does your kitchen look like now? Is it a clutter magnet or streamlined and clutter-free? What sort of clutter builds up and what steps have you taken to keep the clutter away? How does clutter affect your enjoyment and use of your kitchen space?
Leave a comment at the end of the article as I’d love to hear from you!
Here are some resources and articles on this topic which you may find helpful:
- Decluttering Kitchen Counters and Keep Them Clutter-Free
- How Batch Cooking Can Save You Time, Stress and Money in the Kitchen
- 18 Ways to Enjoy Making Dinner More
- How To Simplify Meal Planning to Save Time & Stress
- Simple Tips for Healthy Eating and Meal Prep
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GRAB YOUR FREE PRINTABLE
If you’d like to get started decluttering your kitchen, you might like this free printable I’ve created to help you declutter your kitchen and any other room in your home.
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Antonia Colins is the creator of Balance Through Simplicity, helping busy people declutter, simplify and live more intentionally. She has over 20 years of personal and professional experience in juggling work and family life and supporting individuals to remain independent and enjoy their home more. In her spare time, you can find Antonia walking, gardening or planning her next travel adventure! She lives in the UK with her husband and teenage kids. Read more about Antonia.