Countertop Chaos? 10 Simple Solutions for a Clutter-Free Kitchen

Are your kitchen countertops messy and cluttered? You’re not alone! We all know the struggle of keeping our everyday items within easy access while still maintaining a tidy space. That’s why I’ve rounded up my 10 favourite kitchen countertop organizer ideas that are stylish and super easy to implement and keep up. Whether you’re dealing with a small space or just want to maximize efficiency, these tips will help you create a more organized and inviting kitchen environment.  Let’s check them out!

My kitchen is probably one of the busiest places in my home, and keeping it organized can be challenging! Countertop space is limited, and it can be tough to find the perfect spot for everything. Keeping my kitchen counters organized is essential, especially for food prep. I don’t want cluttered surfaces when I’m making dinner!

Utilize a tray

Consider using a tray to bring order to your countertop space. By using a tray as a landing space for frequently used items, you can keep your countertop free from unnecessary clutter. Place your cutting board, cooking oils, salt and pepper shakers, and other frequently used items on the tray, and then store the tray in a cabinet when not in use.

You can also place decorative items in your tray, like my mom did in the photo above! Flowers are always a beautiful addition. They can be real or high-quality, zero maintenance faux. Choose your tray to coordinate with your kitchen’s design style.

(Don’t know your home decor style? No worries! Click here to take my simple 2-minute quiz that will help you determine what your style is and guide you on how to start creating a home that truly brings you joy. In just a few clicks, you’ll gain clarity and inspiration to transform your space into a reflection of who you are.)

Workstation sink

A workstation sink with multiple attachments like a cutting board and draining rack can save a lot of counter space. Instead of having to use a cutting board on a counter, you can fit one right into the ledges of a workstation sink. Same with a drying rack! The workstation sink we used at our Tiny Lake House renovation saves a lot of counter space in the small kitchen. It has a cutting board, a rolling drying rack and a strainer that sits right inside the sink.

Any double-duty item you can include in your kitchen is a benefit when you’re living in a small space. In the case of this workstation sink – it has MULTIPLE functions! I’ve also seen similar sinks at places like Costco and Wayfair. You can find a workstation sink in almost any size to suit your kitchen layout.

Hang your cutlery or mugs

Instead of stacking mugs or cutlery on your counters, why not free up your countertop and hang them instead? You can do this by installing a rail with hooks beneath your cabinetry or on your backsplash. My favourite rail system is the HULTARP Rail with matching accessories from IKEA.

I’ve used this idea in both of our RV makeovers (check out my latest one here). RV kitchens are incredibly small, so moving as many items up & off the countertops as possible is essential. I have an IKEA rail in our newest RV coffee station area to hang mugs, and I had one in our old RV kitchen to hang cooking utensils. I’ve also used a HULTARP rail in my home kitchen by our coffee machine to hang even more mugs!

I haven’t used one in any of my kitchen renovations yet, but you can also find magnetic knife holders to help get these essential items off your counters but still within reach. They can be mounted to the wall and are a clever way to store knives so that you can have more counter space.

Rolling cart

A rolling cart is the perfect solution if you need more counter space but don’t have the budget for a full kitchen renovation. You can use it as an extra prep area, storage for small appliances, or even as a mobile bar cart.

IKEA has a few of these to choose from if you’re on a budget, or you can do something like my sister did with the bar cart pictured above. She wanted to keep her countertops clear, so she thrifted this rolling cart and gave it new life with some spray paint! On top, she placed her espresso machine, a kettle, some mugs, and some tea. It’s such a cute little statement piece in her kitchen, and adds some extra storage space too!

Utensil holders

Utensil holders are excellent for organizing spoons, spatulas, and other cooking tools while keeping them within reach. They can also add a decorative touch to your countertop. I love this wooden utensil set that comes with a holder. It adds a natural vibe to my kitchen while keeping all my wooden spoons and spatulas near my stove.

You could also DIY your own utensil holder on a budget! How about upcycling a large mason jar into a holder? You could leave it as-is, or give it a fun spray paint finish. Or, consider using a unique vase as a utensil holder. No one will ever know! The thrift store is always a wonderful place to find vases and containers you can turn into utensil holders.

Pedestals

Any sort of pedestal is a handy addition to a kitchen counter. This sweet wooden pedestal is from Amazon, but you could even use a small thrifted cake stand for the same effect.

The benefit of adding a pedestal is that it adds another surface on top of your counter. Now you can place things both on top of the surface AND underneath! Here, I’ve used this one to display my cleaning brush and a candle by the sink. Underneath the pedestal, I’ll usually place some more cleaning brushes and a sponge. You can also place items like dish soap, spices, and any of your smaller kitchen accessories on top of a pedestal.

Acrylic risers or tiered trays are similar items that have the same benefit. Same with this super cute DIY wood stand that I made from scrap lumber. They all create an extra vertical surface that can be so helpful when you have limited counter space!

Hang pots & pans

Just like hanging mugs and utensils, getting your pots and pans up and off your kitchen surfaces is a clever kitchen countertop organization idea. Here in my sister’s condo kitchen, she used IKEA rails on her backsplash to hold all of her cookware, and there are even some caddies for utensils on there too.

This is also a great solution if you suffer from a lack of drawers in your kitchen. Rather than placing your pots & pans in cabinets that are hard to organize, having them on the wall makes them much more accessible.

Cricut Joy Labels

The Cricut Joy is one of my favourite ways to keep kitchen countertops tidy and organized. I label everything with this handy tool! You can turn chaos into order by creating custom labels for all your kitchen essentials: jars, containers, storage bins, baskets, you name it! Labels make it easy to give everything a designated spot, ensuring that your countertops stay clutter-free. Plus, they add a sweet, personalized touch to your kitchen decor. Win-win!

For more Cricut kitchen inspo, check out 5 ways to get your kitchen organized with Cricut Joy.

Baskets

Use baskets to corral like items together so they take up less room on your kitchen counters. You can find a colour and style that matches your aesthetic. I love this copper wire basket by our stove to keep all of my recipe books together! It looks so cute by my stand mixer, and it keeps my books accessible when I’m ready to bake something.

If you want a place to store mail before you have a chance to sort it, an opaque basket might be a better choice. A beautiful rattan basket in the corner of your kitchen can hide paperwork and electronics while keeping your countertops clutter free!

Clear countertop canisters

Investing in clear countertop canisters is an ideal way of keeping your countertop organized while at the same time showcasing your most-used ingredients like flour, sugar, coffee, and more. I have these gold-lidded canisters in my kitchen to store my favourite snack (nuts!), and one on my coffee station to store my Nespresso pods.

I’m a fan of clear containers when the contents are pleasant to look at, but if you’re storing something uglier (sorry, bags of snacks!) use an opaque canister.

This is also a good chance to make a decor statement. Choose a canister with a lid that highlights your decor style. You can find ones with gold lids, silver lids, copper, or wood… there are so many options!

Floating shelves

Last but not least, why not utilize that empty wall space to create more storage? Wall-mounted floating shelves are perfect for storing small items like measuring cups, cutting boards, glassware, bowls, and other kitchen essentials that would otherwise clutter your countertop.

We installed a couple of floating shelves in the kitchen at our Tiny Lake House renovation. We had to be smart with the storage in this kitchen since it’s only 6 by 9 feet and there’s no pantry. There wasn’t much room for any upper cabinetry, so installing two floating shelves from Home Depot was an easy and handy way to add more storage. This keeps the countertops clear, and I also love displaying cute mugs on the shelves!

To install floating shelves:

1. Decide where you want the floating shelves to hang on your kitchen wall.
2. Locate the studs in the walls where you want your shelf to hang and mark them.
3. Attach the bracket that comes with the shelf to the wall using a drill and the supplied hardware. Ensure the screws go into the marked studs.
4. Slide the shelf casing onto the mounted bracket. Secure in place by tightening the screws underneath each shelf.

I hope you enjoyed my opinion about the best kitchen countertop organization ideas! Let me know which one is your favourite in the comments below. If you have any other clever tricks for keeping your kitchen counters tidy, I’d love to hear them as well. Let’s share tips and inspire each other. Cheers to a beautifully organized kitchen!

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