6 Steps to Organize the Kitchen Counter, and a Little Video!

A messy kitchen counter can make cooking miserable when it should be a pleasure. If you're weary of digging through an endless stream of ingredients stacked atop the mail on your counters, of pulling appliances in and out every time you cook dinner, of never quite getting things back in order when you walk in the door, you're not alone. The good news? You don't have to do a total kitchen remodel to address this issue.

Smart small adjustments can turn your counter space from chaotic to calm in a matter of hours. Not only will these simple changes make your kitchen look better, they can also save you time, ease stress and make cooking more enjoyable. Whether you're dealing with a little apartment kitchen or a sprawling family space, these half-dozen tweaks will help you carve out a counter that works harder and looks cleaner.

Kitchen Counter Organization Is More Important Than You Think

The command post of your home's food prep is your kitchen counter. Everything flows easily when it's organized. When it's messy, everything becomes harder, even the simplest tasks. Studies have found that people who cook in orderly kitchens tend to eat healthier, save money on takeout and enjoy hanging out in their kitchen.

A good counter is also psychological warfare. Visual clutter leads to mental clutter, which can be very distracting and stressful. By making these six changes, you will have a space that encourages efficient cooking as well as peace of mind.

Change #1: Establish Work Areas for Maximum Productivity

The key to a decluttered kitchen counter begins with developing zones for different tasks. Rather than randomly stuffing anything where it will fit, designate each section of your counter for a different use.

The Coffee and Beverage Zone

Pick a corner near your coffee maker or kettle. It should be a good place to have all your coffee things, maybe some tea bags, some sweetener, and your favorite mugs. Everything should be adjacent to your brewing equipment. And have a tray or basket handy for things like sugar packets and stirrers.

The Prep Zone

Design the space next to your sink as your main prep zone. This is the area where you're going to be doing most of your chopping, mixing, and food prep. Store cutting boards vertically in a slot or holder and place here your knife block. It's handy to keep prep tools near the sink for easy cleaning and a clutter-free prep station.

The Appliance Zone

Organize small appliances by how often you use them. Daily-use items (hello, coffee maker and toaster) deserve permanent counter space, too. Weekly use appliances such as blenders or food processors or a toaster grilling pan or coffee maker can get a spot on counter if you have the space; just make sure they're pushed back or to the sides.

The Landing Zone

Every kitchen must have a place right near the entry for keys, mail, and things that are still looking for their right homes. Keeping this area so small, and cleaning it out daily, will prevent it from overflowing.

Change #2: Get Vertical With Your Storage

When work space on the counter is tight, go up. Vertical storage systems can help you store more without hogging extra counter space.

Wall-Mounted Solutions

Mount a magnetic strip on the wall behind your prep zone to keep knives secure and out of the way. This leaves your most used tools visible and accessible. Magnetic spice containers can also adhere to the side of your refrigerator or a metal backsplash.

Stackable Containers and Risers

Choose stackable containers for dry goods, such as flour, sugar and pasta. Clear containers make contents easy to see and help find things easily. Also you can arrange items in an organizer and keep your desk clean. Put your money towards airtight containers to keep food fresh for longer.

Cabinet risers or shelf inserts double your storage space inside cabinets - more storage for you up and away off of the counter. These are particularly great for dishes, mugs and canned goods.

Hanging Rack Systems

Attach a rail system underneath upper cabinets to keep frequently used utensils. Or it can hold small pots or kitchen towels. This system holds tools in view and within easy reach without taking up counter space or filling a drawer.

Tower Storage

Make vertical storage towers with skinny rolling carts, which can be hidden between appliances or in narrow gaps. These little carts just sit at the side of a fridge and can accommodate spices, seasonings, cleaners or mini-appliances. If you need those items you can roll the cart out. When you don't, tuck it away.

Change #3: Invest in Smart Storage Solutions

The wrong storage tools can be the death of your organization system. Intelligent storage solutions cater to your personal needs and kitchen layout, allowing you to become more efficient when using your space.

Clear, Airtight Containers

Swap out the cardboard boxes or bags for clear, airtight containers for pantry items. This does a few things: Food stays fresher for longer, you quickly know when a supply is running low and your counter looks a lot more organized. Select containers that nest and that will fit the width of your cabinet.

Drawer Organizers and Dividers

Even if you're all about that counter organization, well-organized drawers bolster your efforts by giving all of the little stuff logical homes. To sort utensils, gadgets and small tools, rely on adjustable drawer dividers to make custom spots for each.

Under-Cabinet Storage

Make the space under your upper cabinets work harder with hooks, small shelves or magnetic strips. This space is frequently unused but is prime real estate for things you use daily.

Multi-Level Lazy Susans

Round rotating trays do wonders in corners, and can help store products at the back where you can actually reach them. Fill them with oils, vinegars, spices or cleaning supplies.

Rolling Kitchen Carts

A mobile cart would provide additional counter space for cooking that could be rolled away when more space was needed. Opt for one with multiple shelves and think about those with butcher block tops, which can also double as extra prep space.

Change #4: Use the "One In, One Out" Rule

Sustainable organization requires ongoing maintenance. The one in, one out rule will keep clutter from piling in, and your newly organized counter from becoming a mess once more.

How the Rule Works

Get rid of one item for every new item that comes in. Buy a new gadget? Donate one to charity that you rarely use. Get a new set of containers? Recycle the ones cluttering up space.

Apply It to Daily Items

The same is true for everyday items as well. Bring in mail? Sort it out right away and throw away what you don't need. Buy groceries? Put them away completely before multitasking.

Regular Decluttering Sessions

Schedule monthly 15-minute decluttering sessions. Go through your counter items and put away anything that doesn't belong, isn't a daily necessity, or is broken. This makes it difficult for clutter to build up.

The 24-Hour Test

If you're not sure whether an object should be on the counter, try the 24-hour test. If it's going to sit for longer than a day, give it a home in a cabinet or drawer.

Change #5: Create a Daily Reset Routine

Organization systems are only as good as their upkeep. Establishing a few simple daily habits can keep your neat counter looking organized.

The Two-Minute Tidy

Before you go to bed each night, just take two minutes to put everything back into the designated zones. Load the dishwasher or hand wash the dishes, wipe down all the surfaces, and stash things that have strayed from their rightful places.

Morning Prep Routine

Begin each day by clearing your landing zone and coffee spot. This little gesture is a good way to get everyone started on the right foot and in organized, clean spaces.

The "Clean as You Cook" Approach

Clean as you go when cooking. Put away ingredients after you've used them, pop dirty dishes into the dishwasher right after you're done with them, and wipe spills right away. This means there is no mess to scrub off after cooking.

Weekly Deep Organization

Deep organize your counter space for 10-15 minutes once a week. Make sure things are in the right zones, wipe down containers, see what your system needs to work best.

Family Involvement

Involve all members of the household in maintaining that system. Assign appropriate tasks by age and let it be known that the kitchen will work better if you all chip in.

Change #6: Make the Most Use of Your Most-Used Items - It's All About Accessibility

You should be closest to things you use most often. This concept, known as "prime real estate placement," will help ensure your organization system reflects how you cook day-to-day.

Analyze Your Cooking Patterns

For a few days, pay attention to which things you find yourself reaching for most. This might be salt and pepper, olive oil, your favorite knife, or a specific cutting board. These deserve prime space on your counter.

Create a "Daily Essentials" Station

Designate a spot on your counter for everything you use every day. This may be salt, pepper, a bottle of olive oil, your most-used knife. Store these in a small tray or on a lazy Susan for easy access and a neater finish.

Organize by How Often You Use Items

Use this hierarchy for placement:

• Daily stuff: At the front and close by.

• Weekly items: Still easy to get, but perhaps less accessible than daily items.

• Monthly stuff: You can store these in your cabinets or on less prime counter space.

• Rarely used: Store in upper cabinets or pantry

Consider Your Height and Reach

Store commonly used objects at an arm's reach level for the person doing most of the cooking. The height is OK for the average user, if more than one person will be using the kitchen, choose a height that will accommodate most users.

Group Related Items

Store similar things together with each other. Keep measuring cups with mixing bowls, for instance, or place spices near your main prep area.

Creating Your Action Plan

Now that you're aware of the six major shifts, this is how to make them work effectively:

Week 1: Making Room and Decluttering

• Remove everything from your counters

• Clean all surfaces thoroughly

• Decide on your zone locations

• Put items in order of usage frequency

• Donate or throw out what you don't need

Week 2: Storage Solutions

• Take measurements and buy storage solutions for your storage areas

• Install wall-mounted storage systems

• Set up your containers and organizers

• Build your own prime real estate placement system

Week 3: Routine Development

• Practice your daily reset routine

• Refine your zone assignments according to your real habits

• Get your family on board with the new system

• Address any issues or inefficiencies that you uncover

Week 4: System Refinement

• Assess what is and isn't working

• Make any necessary adjustments

• Set up your weekly deep organization routine

• Celebrate your success!

Measuring Your Success

Keep track of how well your changes are working by checking:

• Time saved: How much time does it save you when you are cooking?

• Stress levels: Do you feel calmer when cooking?

• Usage patterns: Do you find yourself cooking more at home?

• Ease of maintenance: How fast can you clean your kitchen?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over-Organizing

Don't make systems so complex that they're difficult to maintain. A simple solution is often better than a complex one.

Ignoring Your Lifestyle

Your organization should reflect how you cook and live in reality, not idealized versions.

Buying Solutions Before Decluttering

Declutter first, buy storage second. You may need less than you think.

Setting Unrealistic Expectations

The aim is not perfect organization, but functional organization. Build in a little bit of flexibility to your system.

FAQ Section

Q: How long does it take to declutter a kitchen counter?
A: This can be done in most cases over 2-4 weekends at an average of 2-3 hours per week. It can be a bit of a time investment to get set up, but the daily maintenance becomes super quick.

Q: What if I only have a very tiny kitchen counter?
A: Small ones stand to gain even more from these tactics. Pay a lot of attention to vertical storage and have only daily use items on the counter. Be creative with walls, cabinet ends and under-cabinet space.

Q: Are all appliances meant to be kept on the counter?
A: Keep only devices you cook with every day or several times a week. Coffee makers and toasters usually make the cut, while food processors and specialty gadgets can usually be tucked away in cabinets.

Q: How do I stay organized with kids at home?
A: Develop simple, visual systems that children can relate to. Use picture labels for younger ones and give organization tasks that are age appropriate. Create a kid-friendly landing zone for school papers and lunch boxes.

Q: What is the greatest error people make when they're organizing their kitchen counters?
A: Attempting to organize without first decluttering. You can't effectively organize chaos — you have to reduce clutter before you can organize it.

Q: How often should I declutter my kitchen counter?
A: Reset daily, deep clean weekly, assess monthly. Major reorganizing should be a seasonal (or when-your-cooking-habits-radically-shift) thing.

Q: What if my family will not cooperate with the new system?
A: Begin with systems that are so easily understood that you can't avoid them. Place more energy into putting things where they belong and less energy into complaining about where they don't. Have patience, and model the behavior you want to see.

Q: Should I spend a lot on fancy storage systems?
A: I would begin by testing your systems with simple, inexpensive solutions. Once you figure out what works, you can invest in higher-quality pieces. Successful organization is less about expensive products and more about good systems.

Your Organized Kitchen Counter Awaits

There's no need for a complete renovation or an extravagant expense to turn your kitchen counter from chaotic to functional. These six tweaks — setting up zones, making the most of vertical storage, investing in smart tools, adhering to the one in/one out principle, creating daily routines and making the most of what you have — can transform the way you approach cooking.

Feel free to organize things in a way that works best for you, just keep the system one that you will actually use. Take baby steps, be kind to yourself, and modify as necessary. An organized kitchen counter helps you save time, reduce stress, and enjoy cooking! And, best of all, it'll help you toward your goal of making nutritious, tasty meals for yourself and your loved ones.

It's a few hours of investment and next to zero cost. It pays EVERY SINGLE DAY. Try just one change this weekend, and you'll be surprised how much of a difference it can make. Each time you walk into your perfectly arranged kitchen, your future self will thank you.