Declutter Your Kitchen Counters: How to Stop Living in Appliance Jenga

Ah yes, the kitchen counter: home to your blender, coffee machine, a stack of unread mail, a half-eaten banana (maybe?), and a mysterious plastic lid with no known mate. If your kitchen counters are more Instagram disaster reel than Pinterest dream board, breathe easy—you’re not alone.

At some point, many of us accepted that chaos was part of the kitchen decor. But I’m here to stage an intervention (with love, of course). Let’s declutter your counters one crumb, appliance, and knick-knack at a time. Appliance Jenga ends today.

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Why Are Our Counters So Dang Cluttered?

Because they’re flat. And convenient. And seem to scream, “Just leave it right here. I’ll take care of it.”

Until, 3 months later, you’re dodging avalanches of air fryers and unopened coupons.

Common countertop clutter culprits:

• Small appliances you swear you’ll use (but don’t).
• A mail pile now taller than your toaster.
• Decorative bowls… filled with expired gift cards.
• That random screwdriver that’s “here just for a second.”

Sound familiar? Same. Been there. Cried there.

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Step 1: The 10-Minute Counter Sweep

Set a timer for 10 minutes and clear everything off those counters. Yes, EVERYTHING. Including the salt. Including the cat (gently). You’re not deciding what stays yet—just give yourself a clean slate.

Take a photo once it’s empty. Trust me, you’ll want this for the triumphant before-and-after moment.

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Step 2: Ruthlessly Review What Belongs on the Counter

Now go through the cleared items one by one and ask:

1. Do I use this daily?
2. Does it deserve counter real estate?

If the answer is “once a week” or “well, someday”—congrats, it doesn’t make the cut.

Here’s a handy cheat sheet:

Keep on your counter if you use daily:

• Coffee maker (but NOT three coffee makers 👀)
• Electric kettle
• Toaster (daily toast = toaster can stay)
• Fruit bowl (as long as it’s not a fruit fly trap)

Relocate or let go of:

• Rice cooker (unless you’re training to be a sushi chef)
• That soda stream you forgot how to use
• Knife blocks with missing knives
• Duplicates of anything

And yes, those Tupperware lids looking for a soulmate? It’s time.

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Step 3: Create Zones, Not Chaos

Time to bring some adult-ish structure into your kitchen. Organizing by zone stops clutter-creep like magic.

Suggested Counter Zones:

• Beverage Station – Coffee machine, mugs, maybe a canister of sugar if you’re feeling fancy.
• Prep Zone – Keep this as clear as possible! Reserve it for chopping and active cooking prep.
• Cooking Zone – Salt, olive oil, and utensils in a small crock (one, not five), near the stove.

If you’re constantly opening random drawers during dinner, your zones need a glow-up.

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Step 4: Hide It (Stylishly)

Let’s be honest—some things you need close enough, but not constantly in your face.

Here are my favorite stylish storage saviors:

• Lazy Susans for oils and spices near the stove
• Clear stackable containers for tea bags, vitamins, and random kitchen aliens
• Mail organizers with labeled slots (“To pay”, “To shred”, “To pretend doesn’t exist”)
• Appliance garages – Yup, it’s a real thing. Built-in, counter-level cupboards to hide toasters/blenders. Worth every dollar.

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Step 5: Don’t Let the Counters Re-Clutter Themselves

Decluttering is like dating: the hard part isn’t saying goodbye—it’s not sliding back into bad habits.

To avoid recluttering, try these:

• Adopt the “One In, One Out” Rule: Got a new gadget? Something else gets donated.
• Countertop Reset Every Night: Before bed, do a 2-minute scan. Clear the flyers. Wipe the crumbs. Remind your blender it’s not a centerpiece.

And if clutter does creep in again (it will), come back to Declutter Like a Pro: The 20-Minute Whole-House Speed Sweep. It’s your secret weapon.

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But What About Small Kitchens?

Small space? Big potential.

Here are a few mini miracles:

• Wall-mounted shelves to free up surface space.
• Magnetic knife racks instead of bulky blocks.
• Under-cabinet hooks for mugs or utensils.
• Foldable dish racks you can stash when not in use.

Just because your square footage is small doesn’t mean your sanity has to be.

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Real Talk: Are You Using Your Counter as a Storage Unit?

Some of y’all are gonna clutch your pearls when I say this, but your counter isn’t where your life should go to nap.

Ask yourself:

“Am I using this surface because it’s easy… or because I’m avoiding the real issue?”

Unopened mail? Maybe it’s time to conquer digital & paper clutter.

Crumbs and yesterday’s chaos? Try a tiny micro-habit—like cleaning as you go.

The real flex isn’t having a spotless kitchen. It’s having a kitchen you can move through. Cook in. Enjoy without sighing dramatically every 5 minutes.

Outer order contributes to inner calm.

Gretchen Rubin

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One Final Kick in the Pants (With Love)

You deserve counters that work for you—not ones that make you apologize to guests and question your entire adulting journey.

So here’s today’s challenge:

1. Clear one zone of your counter.
2. Put back only what you use daily.
3. Snap a before/after photo and tag us on Instagram @mysimple.life.official.

Then pour yourself a coffee (from that clean coffee station, naturally) and give yourself a standing ovation.

The clutter might fight back tomorrow—but baby, today you win.