1. START WITH A CLEAR-OUT
When organizing your countertops, start with a good clear-out, removing any old or unnecessary items. Aaron says, “I like to advocate the less is more approach to decluttering, starting with getting rid of things. Go through each item on your countertops to decide if it is an item you want to keep, toss, or donate.
2. PRIORITIZE WHAT’S KEPT ON THE COUNTERTOP
In order to best maximize countertop space, you'll need to decide what appliances and other kitchen items have a permanent home there. Amélie Saint-Jacques professional organizer, says, “Only items that are used on a daily basis should be kept on countertops." Though, it's worth noting Amélie sometimes makes exceptions to this rule for heavy items, such as a blender or stand mixer, which would be too troublesome to move on and off of the countertop regularly. If you’re going to be able to make the most of the countertop space that you have, keeping only those essential items on your counters is a must.
3. BE CLEAR ON WHERE TO STORE OTHER ITEMS
It’s easy for clutter to build up on your countertops if you don’t have homes for everything in your kitchen, so it’s vital you know where best to stash your items. Amélie says, “Pots and pans should be stored close to the stovetop; wooden spoons and spatulas can go either in a canister (such as a stainless steel canister from Amazon) near the stovetop, or in a nearby drawer. She also advises to avoid the temptation to have your essentials cluttering up countertops near the kitchen sink for convenience.
4. DON’T KEEP DECOR ON COUNTERTOPS
It’s tempting to add pretty decorative items to your countertops but placing too many pieces in this area will make it look messy. Amélie says, “Avoid storing décor on the countertop if at all possible. Not only will it come across as clutter visually, but it will get in your way. You will have more usable space with clear counters, and they will be so much easier to keep clean, too,” If you want to add a little aesthetic appeal to your countertop area, consider installing shelves (highly-rated acrylic peel-and-stick shelves from Amazon are ideal) on the walls above for displaying a few key pieces of decor.
5. AVOID USING COUNTERTOPS AS A ‘DROP ZONE’
It’s easy to see your countertops as a dumping ground when you get home and have your hands full, are in the process of completing tasks nearby, or for items that don't have a proper home.