Kitchen Counter Organization

Countertops can be magnets for collecting clutter but with these simple kitchen counter organization tips you can keep them clean and clutter free!

This year let’s create a haven at home with the 52-week home project. Small, managable weekly tasks and challenges to create a space that promotes peace, inspires creativity, nurtures your family and is not only more organized but also runs with more purpose and intention.

To catch up on all the previous projects, head here. 

Last Week’s Project

We are spending a few weeks really hitting the kitchen hard through purging and deep cleaning. This week we will clear off, organize and clean the kitchen counters and sink area.

I don’t know about your house but our kitchen counters are a magnet for all. the. things! School papers, random toys, coupons, and other odds and ends just naturally accumulate for some reason on our counters. On top of that, between a few small appliances, decorative plates and food, I’m a little tired of all the clutter!

Are you in the same boat?

Well the good news is this week we are hitting those counters hard! So roll those sleeves up, gather a box (or two) and get ready to purge, clean and clear off those counters!

Project #9: Kitchen Counters & Sink Area

• Gather your materials. For items you are getting rid of, you will want some cardboard boxes so you can easily transfer them to the donation center after your clear the counters. You will also want some rags, soap and cleaner safe for your counters and sink.
• Clear off everything. Remove every single item from your counter and sink area. Store those items on your kitchen or dining room table while you clean the counters.
• Clean, clean, clean. With empty counter tops, give them the deep cleaning they desperatly need. Using a cleaner safe for your counter tops (each material requires different care so double check your manufacturer warranty), scrub off all the gunk and grime. If it’s time to reseal your countertops, this would be the perfect time to do it while they are empty. Don’t forget to tackle the backsplash too!
• Clean the sink. You would think the sink (which cleans our dishes) would be pretty clean but upon deeper inspection you will find a fine layer of grime just ready to be cleaned. Just like your counter tops, use a cleaner that is safe for your sink, Most sinks are usually stainless steel or ceramic but do check. To clean the garbage disposal and sink drain I like to pour a bit of vinegar over baking soda flushed with hot water. My kids LOVE watching the fizz!
• Purge, Purge, Purge! After the counters are clean, go through the items you removed from the countertops. Are their items you can get rid off? Items that need to be returned to their proper home? Kitchen appliances and dishes that can be stored away instead of on the counter? Carefully examine every item and be super selective about what you place back on your counters.
• Clean again. Once you have sorted through your items, give them a quick cleaning before you put them away. Dust and food easily collect on items left out on counters, coffee pots usually have some spare coffee grounds collecting in the crevices and toasters are notorious for bread crumbs. Give them a good cleaning.
• Evaluate your counter space. What do you really need out on your counters? Unless you have a spacious kitchen, counter space is precious so be really selective about what you keep out.
• Don’t forget the table area. After you have cleaned and organized your counters, don’t forget to give your kitchen table another quick clean. I know we set the table a few weeks ago but just like counters, kitchen tables are magnets for collecting stuff too.

Kitchen Counter Organization Tips

•  Only keep out small appliances you use frequently. Store the rest in your cabinets.
• Use decorative canisters to store small items you use frequently but don’t want to add to the visual clutter. For example I have 3 stacking canisters out on my counters. The large one holds my K-Cups, the middle one holds tea bags and the smaller one holds candy.
• Use a small cake stand to house and organize the items around your sink like dish and hand soap bottles. Use a small decorative bowl to store dish scrubbers.
• Don’t place papers on your containers. File them as soon as you touch them.
• Keep a small basket next to the stove with the cooking oils and spices you use most often.
• If you can, store fruit and foods in the refrigerator or pantry/cabinets so they are out of view.

My Progress and Results

Before

My counters look like this at any given time. Newspapers, random rags hanging over the sink, and stuff on the counters.

That little area next to the stove is number one space where the clutter gathers since it’s hidden behind the refrigerator.

In retrospect my counters aren’t that bad but there is definetly an accumulation of some clutter.

After

A cleared space feels so refreshing. I moved the extra Keurig off the counter since it only gets used once or twice a week where as we use the coffee pot every day. I also moved the fruit bowls. I plan on moving the fruit into the refrigerator (not the bananas) next week when I clear out the refrigerator.

I also removed all the paper clutter over here. I feel motivated to cook!

The sink area will remain to feel a little but cluttered until we are done with the bottle station (which will hopefully be soon!)

I found this little cake stand in the Target Dollar spot which is perfect for housing the soaps and scrubbers.

How do your kitchen counters look?

A New Project for a New Week

Each week I’ll share a new challenge to help us tackle one small area of our homes.

Some weeks it might be a deep cleaning task, some weeks it might be a decluttering task, some weeks it might be a challenge to help you create a space you love, and some weeks it might be a combination of a few different challenges.

The goal for the 52-Week Home Project is to have a home that is not only more organized but also runs with more purpose and intention and just feels more peaceful and calm.

The Next Project

The refrigerator is the main workhorse in the kitchen keeping all the perishable food chilled and frozen. It comes in contact with a lot of raw meats, fresh produce, leftovers and condiment bottles all carrying their own bacteria and germs. It’s best to keep a refrigerator clean by wiping out any spills as soon as they occur and giving it weekly or monthly quick cleanings, I try to do this when meal planning and making a grocery list.

When your refrigerator is cleaned and organized correctly, food keeps fresh and doesn’t spoil because you know what you need to use up.

Project #10: Refrigerator & Freezer Deep Cleaning

If you have more than one refrigerator or freezer, start with the main one you use (probably located in the kitchen). If time allows you can tackle the other one or you can wait for later on in the year during one of our grace weeks.

• Start with the refrigerator first. Remove everything from the refrigerator. As you are taking the food out, check for expiration dates, rotting food or anything you know your family just won’t finish and throw it out.
• Clean the inside. Starting from the top shelf working down, use warm, soapy water to wipe down all the shelves, walls, drawers and door compartments. If the shelves and drawers are removable, it might be easier to take them out to clean.
• Before you place the food back inside, arrange your shelves so they are at the right height for you to organize your foods. (I have a refrigerator cheat sheet included in the Complete Simplified {Meal Planner} that explains the best shelves to store certain foods.) 
• Place everything back in the refrigerator. Make note of any new foods or storage containers you need to purchase.
• Move on the freezer. Once a year or so you should unplug the freezer so it has a chance to defrost but to be perfectly honest I rarely do this 😉 I just pull everything out to organize and wipe up any spills or messes.
• Remove all the food. Place everything on the counter to survey and inventory. Make a list of everything you have and by what date you need to use it by.
• Throw out any food that is freezer burnt, not correctly labeled or is past it’s prime.
• Wipe out the inside of the freezer to remove any food messes or crumbs.
• Place the food back into the freezer. I personally like to organize each shelf by food types – meats together, frozen vegetables and fruits together, breakfast items together, etc.
• Clean the outside of the refrigerator. Don’t forget to give the outside of the fridge a cleaning. Remove all the papers, art projects, magnets or anything else sticking to the front or side of the refrigerator.
• Wipe down the doors and handles. Using a cleaner safe the finish of your refrigerator, wipe down the outside of the doors, the handles (use a disinfectant to regularly wipe down the handles, they get so yucky!), the sides (if they are exposed) and the top. Remove the vent on the bottom to vacuum and wipe out the refrigerator coils. If you can, move the refrigerator out so you can clean behind the refrigerator and the floor underneath.

Next Sunday I’ll share my progress as well as give our next challenge in the 52-Week Home Project so be sure to stay tuned.

Missed a project in the 52-Week Home Project? Head here to see the complete list of all 52 projects!

How did you do with your 52-Week Home Project this wee? Share your results in the comments below, including a link to your blog post or photo you shared on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with the hashtags #The52WeekHomeProject