Eliminate Kitchen Clutter Once and For All

Starting the day with a cluttered kitchen counter can often leave us feeling overwhelmed. Whether it's a multitude of small appliances, food items, or stacks of envelopes and books, these surfaces quickly become catch-alls, resulting in an inefficient and stressful environment.

Knowing how to manage such clutter, especially when it includes seemingly indispensable items like a mixer or toaster, can be quite challenging. To address this dilemma, we sought the insights of Ashley La Fond, founder of the organizing initiative, Of Space and Mind.

La Fond shares that the key to a clutter-free kitchen is applying the principle of daily use. "If an item isn't in daily use or absolutely needs to be easily accessible, then it should have a different home," she advises. Notably, she includes kitchen fixtures like knife blocks or oversized utensil holders in this list, urging to stow them away if not necessary.

Assigning specific places for each item is not just an organizational strategy - it's also a way to manage stress. "When everything has its own place, you're eliminating the frequent frustration of deciding where things should go or what should be done with them," explains La Fond.

As it happens, kitchen counters can collect clutter now and again. The key to coping with this situation is consistency in tidying up and creating practical solutions that align with your lifestyle. Revamping your kitchen routine entirely is not needed.

In the eyes of La Fond, small and incremental adjustments can effectively manage the clutter, making it appear less daunting. She suggests using simple tools to limit disorder. "Compact solution like designating a tray or basket for miscellaneous items can make a significant difference," recommends La Fond.