The kitchen is one the hardest areas of the home to keep tidy and decluttered.
First of all there are only so many things that can be stored in the kitchen. Many times, our drawers and cabinets have an overflow of junk.
Secondly, if you cook at home it is a room that is used frequently, so you're constantly creating a mess that needs to be cleaned.
Finally the kitchen table and kitchen drawers often become a magnetic receptacle for all sort of junk. Mail. Keys. Newspapers. All these things you have in your hands when entering the home, often end up in the kitchen.
In our new book, 10-Minute Declutter, Barrie Davenport and I (Steve Scott) go over a strategy for keeping your house decluttered that only requires a short time investment every day.
This kitchen declutter checklist will give you some ideas of the different products that can help keep your kitchen organized and clutter free.
17 Kitchen Decluttering Items
Food Storage Containers
Stackable food containers will help you organize and save space when decluttering your kitchen and fridge. Choose clear containers with easy-to-find lids that are safe for using in your refrigerator, freezer, microwave and dishwasher.
This specific set includes: (2) 0.5 Cup easy find lid containers, (2) 1.25 Cup easy find lid containers, (2) 2.0 Cup easy find lid containers, (2) 3.0 Cup easy find lid containers, (2) 5.0 Cup easy find lid containers, and (2) 7.0 Cup easy find lid containers.
Hanging Cup Rack
Save space in your kitchen cabinets by hanging your cups. The Spectrum Diversified White Sliding Cup Rack mounts easily under or inside cabinets to organize mugs and cups. It slides out for easy access. It’s made of ABS plastic with screws included for mounting.
Pull-Out Organizers
Pull-out organizers in your kitchen can make organizing, decluttering, and everyday cooking easier. With these installed, you’ll never have to struggle to access cookware ever again.
The Glideware Pull-out Cabinet Organizer for Pots and Pans is designed to fit any standard depth base cabinet. It has fully adjustable/removable hooks that accommodate any size and shape of cookware.
Stemware Rack
Consider hanging stemware on a stemware rack under a counter for sturdier everyday stemware to help save space on your kitchen tops and cabinets.
This Fox Run Wooden Wine Glass Holder can be mounted under your top kitchen cabinet to keep wine glasses in sight and on hand. It holds up to 6 wine glasses and may be painted to match cabinets or wall color, or may be left in their natural finish.
This is not only an attractive option for your stemware, but helps to conserve counter and drawer space if that is at a premium.
Magnetic Spice Rack
Save cabinet space by getting a magnetic spice rack that mounts on the wall above or next to your stove. The Kamenstein Magnetic Spice Rack holds canisters securely in place so they are easy to get to, put away, and always convenient and organized.
It’s perfect for spices, but also great as a storage solution any time you need to organize a variety of small materials and keep them handy, like craft, sewing, or workshop supplies.
Airtight Food Containers
Airtight food containers are great for storing soups, sandwiches, favorite nuts, fruits, chips, pet food, and anything else you have on hand.
You can also store remaining medications in an airtight plastic container on the top shelf, out-of-reach from small children.
Oil and Vinegar Cruets
Get decorative oil and vinegar cruets that take up less space in your cabinet and store larger refill bottles in the pantry to use when the cruets are empty.
The Chef's Planet 8-Ounce Glass Cruet is made from break-resistant Pyrex glass and has a convenient drip-less pour spout that makes it great for drizzling directly onto pastas, salads, soups, or fresh baked breads.
Dish Cloths
If you use sponges or dish clothes, buy them a few months’ worth at a time so you are reminded to replace them frequently.
The Liliane Collection Kitchen Dish Towels are thin and light, highly absorbent, fast drying, and produce minimal lint. This set includes 13 pieces of classic white towels with blue stripes complement any kitchen decor.
Kitchen Scrub Brushes
Just like dishcloths and sponges scrub brushes need to be replaced on a regular basis. Replace your brush if it’s discolored, has a sour smell, or has warped bristles.
This multipurpose cleaning scrub brush is the ideal solution for all of your wet and dry scrubbing needs.
Small Plastic Bins
Use several small plastic or metal bins to group cleaning items together by category (i.e.: floor cleaners, disinfectants or detergents) for easier organization and access.
The Rubbermaid Commercial Plastic 7-Gallon Trash Can has an all-plastic construction that won't chip, rust or dent and the rolled rim adds strength and is easy to clean.
Stick-On Hooks
Install stick-on hooks on the side of the cabinet or on the cabinet door for hanging brushes, rags and rubber gloves.
The InterDesign Utility Hooks includes 4 made from durable white plastic. The hooks are easy to install and the adhesive is strong and reliable.
Clear Glass Jars
This item is great for keeping your junk cabinet organized, use clear glass jars for small loose items like change, bottle stoppers, matchbooks.
Clear glass jars can also help keep other miscellaneous items you need but that seem to get lost in the back of the cabinet.
File Sorter
You may wonder why a file sorter is part of kitchen decluttering when it might seem more natural in an office or bedroom desk.
Many people tend to deposit things they carry into the home, specifically mail and newspapers, on their kitchen table. Rather than leaving a mess, having this file sorter handy means you create a habit of instantly sorting and filing these papers rather than having a massive stack of junk.
Another junk cabinet tip is to use a napkin holder or file sorter to hold notepads, menus and other loose papers.
The DecoBros Desk Stacking File Sorter includes 7 sorter compartments and can be used on desk for active files or inside drawer.
Magnetic Knife Holder
A magnetic knife holder that attaches to the wall is a convenient and safe solution for your knives and frees up even more drawer space.
The Powerful Magnetic Knife Strip has a continuous magnetic field that will hold your knifes securely.
Kitchen Drawer Organizers
Save space and organize your kitchen drawers using drawer organizers such as the Totally Bamboo Expandable Utility Drawer Organizer.
Rather than having a “junk” drawer that fills up with stuff you do not need and stuff you cannot find when you do need it, this drawer not only looks good but store those odd kitchen tools in a way they can be found and used.
It measures 18-inch long, 12 3/4-inch wide and 2-inch high and expands to 17 1/2-inch wide, and can expand or contract to fit most drawers.
Drying Rack
If you keep a drying rack on your counter for hand-washed dishes, consider putting the dryer rack in the sink instead.
The Rubbermaid Antimicrobial Dish Drainer neatly organizes dishes after they have been washed. It has coated wire construction is sturdy enough to hold stoneware plates securely, but cushions and protects dishes and sinks from scratches.
Dust Broom
An extendable duster or dust broom can help you clean hard-to-reach spaces such as top shelves and the top of your refrigerator.
The Swiffer 360 Dusters Extender Kit extends up to three feet and rotates.