If your kitchen counters are a permanent storage spot for everything but actual cooking, you’re not alone. It’s time to get that stuff sorted so your kitchen can actually work for you, not against you. This list of 30 suggestions will help you clear the decks and make your space usable again, from your coffee maker to your keys.

Match Your Appliances for a Streamlined Countertop Look

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Line up your small appliances in a neat row. Their matching white finish unifies these kettles and toaster against the soft gray cabinetry.

Open Shelving With Glass Jars for Pantry Staples

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Clear glass jars line open wooden shelves. They hold staples such as pasta, grains, and spices.

Group Decorative Items on a Tray for Easy Access

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Group smaller decorative items on a wooden serving tray. This one holds a vintage copper kettle and decorative bunny statues. It’s a simple way to keep them contained on the countertop.

Utilize Hanging Baskets for Vertical Storage

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Hang a round, woven basket from the underside of a cabinet for vertical storage. It’s a convenient spot for fruit or other kitchen essentials.

Mount Tiered Shelving for Spices and Utensils

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Mount narrow wooden shelves vertically on your backsplash to hold spice jars and cooking utensils. You’ll have frequently used items right at hand.

Keep Cooking Essentials Accessible with a Tiered Shelf

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When you need spices and small jars close to the stove, a narrow, two-tiered black metal shelf can organize them. It keeps frequently used items right beside your cooking area.

Contain Coffee and Sugar in Ceramic Canisters on a Tray

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Small white ceramic canisters with wooden lids sit on a dark wood tray. These hold your coffee and sugar.

White Utensil Holder With Wood Tools

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A tall white ceramic crock holds wooden spoons, whisks, and spatulas upright.

Show Pitchers and Mugs in Open Cubbies

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Use open cubbies built into your backsplash to display white pitchers and mugs. These ceramic pieces are then handy on the counter.

Lean Cutting Boards Against the Backsplash

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Wooden cutting boards can lean upright against the backsplash. This places a natural wood element right on the counter.

Place Pitcher and Sugar Pot on a Woven Mat

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On a dark countertop, a round woven mat can define a small spot. This one holds a pale cream pitcher and its matching sugar pot. It’s a nice way to keep them together.

Pots and Pans Hung on a Rail Keep the Counter Clear

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Install a simple metal rail with S-hooks for frequently used pots and pans. This frees up counter space, letting you keep cooking essentials nearby.

Wooden Dresser with Floral Cover Offers Unexpected Kitchen Storage

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You can repurpose a vintage wooden dresser, draped with a floral fabric cover, for kitchen essentials. On its surface, a woven basket collects glass bottles and jars.

Maximize Prep Space with a Gray Kitchen Island

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The gray kitchen island, with its white countertop, becomes a central spot for meals and prep work. Metal stools can be tucked neatly under the edge. That keeps the floor clear, so you’ll have more room to move around.

White Soap Dispensers and Brush on a Wooden Tray

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On a wooden tray by the sink, matching white dispensers hold dish and hand soap. A small wooden-handled brush also sits there, keeping everything contained.

Arched Niche with White Subway Tile and Wood Vent Hood

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Behind the island, a large arched niche features white subway tile and a wood vent hood.

Ladder shelf displays cookbooks and decor

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For extra vertical storage, introduce a narrow, tiered ladder shelf. This piece holds cookbooks, jars, and decorative items, moving them from the work surface and keeping them handy for food preparation.

Warm Up Your Countertop with a Wooden Utensil Holder

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Essential cooking tools remain upright and within easy reach thanks to a simple wood block with slots. This item rests next to a ceramic vase filled with more wood spoons, contributing natural wood grain to your counter.

Round woven placemats define table settings

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Woven placemats with a lace-like border create a round base for each place setting. Their neutral tones are easy to pair with most dinnerware.

Keep Pantry Staples Visible in Clear Glass Canisters

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Use clear glass canisters to easily identify ingredients at a glance. You can fill three large jars with rice, flour, and sugar, keeping them near the stove.

Soften Your Window with a Bamboo Roman Shade

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If the kitchen window above your sink needs a softening touch, consider a woven bamboo Roman shade. This natural material adds warmth and texture. It sits against the glossy tile backsplash.

Hanging Copper Pots Free Up Stove Top Space

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Copper pots and pans hung on a rail above the stove are always visible and within reach. This clears up valuable counter space, especially around the stove itself. You no longer have to dig through cabinets for your most-used cookware.

Clear Countertops with Wall-Mounted Wooden Shelving

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Open wooden shelves on the wall hold jars and bottles, keeping the countertops clear.

Brass Lamp Base With Plaid Shade Adds Vintage Charm

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Place a vintage brass lamp on your counter if you want old-world style. Its black and white plaid pleated shade adds distinct character. It doesn’t take up excessive room.

Incorporate Rustic Charm with Wooden ‘EAT’ Signs

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Three wood blocks, carved with the letters ‘EAT’, create a rustic theme for your food preparation area. Arrange them on your main work surface.

Black Island with Leather Stools Creates Casual Seating

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This kitchen has a long, dark island with generous counter space. It’s a spot that invites casual meals or conversations while cooking. Leather-topped stools tuck neatly underneath, keeping the area clear.

Two-Tone Ceramic Lamp Adds Soft Ambiance to Countertop

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A rounded ceramic lamp with a white top and deep forest green base sits on the countertop.