As someone with a small kitchen and a love for cooking most of my meals at home, I'm always looking for ways to keep my culinary space as clutter-free as possible. I need a clear space void of crowded counters and jam-packed drawers.
And while I know the basics of how to declutter a kitchen, there are some key differences to properly paring back a smaller space. For one, you have to be a little more strict with what you keep and what you forego. But there's plenty more to learn, too.
So if you're a small-space dweller with a dream of a totally tidy, clutter-free kitchen, here's everything you need to know to realize your wish.
1. Outline Your Priority Appliances by Frequency of Use
Courtney Cummings, founder of The Stylish Organizer, tells me that the best way to declutter a small kitchen is to start by decluttering your kitchen cabinets. She recommends determining what you use the most and making it easily accessible.
"If crockpots and air fryers are your means of survival, then keep those small appliances within reach. Create a cooking zone in your space with all of your essentials — favorite appliance, utensils, hot pads, etc," she says.
"Not a fan of extra appliances, or simply don’t use them much? Store them away in your pantry or in a lower cabinet. Outlining your priorities with clarity will help you use your kitchen safely and most effectively."
2. Find a New Home for Your Mail
"Today's mail is probably sitting on the kitchen counter, right? Maybe even yesterday's mail, too? Paper clutter in the kitchen is one of the things I see most often as a professional organizer," says Courtney.
"If your space is already on the smaller side, don’t let bills and junk mail take over precious counter space. Instead, hang a basket or two on a nearby wall and use that as your mail inbox. Your counters will thank me (and you will too)."
Safe to say I felt called out when Courtney (rightly) predicted the stack of mail sitting by my counter. And if this is true for you, now's your chance to get rid of paper clutter in your kitchen.
Color: Light Brown
I love the idea of sorting mail in this simple and efficient Bamboo Letter Holder, preferably beyond the walls of your small kitchen.
3. Seriously Streamline Your Culinary Accessories
It feels like every time I visit my family home, I come back with a new knife specialized for chopping, dicing, or even buttering. And so I'm now left with one knife too many.
And Courtney tells me that this is a common problem that needs to be resolved when decluttering a small kitchen. And it applies to every piece of cookware you've come to collect. From lemon juicers to dessert spoons and beyond.
"It's essential to evaluate what you actually use on a regular basis for meal prep. Chances are that you have some unused gadgets taking up valuable space and in turn, committing a popular kitchen drawer storage mistake," she notes. "And those seven wooden spoons? I think you can live with your favorite two." She's not wrong.
4. Go for Opaque Storage for Reduced Visual Clutter
According to Courtney, opaque storage equals less visual clutter. "If all of your spices are lined up near the stove, that’s great for function. But the visual may be overwhelming to your brain, especially in a small space," she notes.
"When our brains receive too much visual information at once, it can be draining. If this happens every day, it can feel incredibly taxing. Keep your spices within reach, but use an opaque bin or box to keep them contained and reduce the visual noise."
And she tells me that this same kitchen storage strategy goes for other items on your counters. But it's especially true for culinary accessories that are more functional than fashionable.
Material: Water Hyacinth
I think this charming storage basket by House Doctor is the perfect home for spice bottles and condiments, too.
5. Cherry-Pick Your Decor for Minimal Clutter
Decluttering your small kitchen isn't all about streamlining cookware and retiring old appliances. It has to do with the accessories dotted around your culinary space, too.
"The more you have, the more you have to keep track of. That's why, in a small kitchen, it's ideal to aim for minimal decor and use what you have to beautify your counters and shelves," Courtney adds.
"Jars with dried herbs and bowls of fresh fruit are great ways to increase the gorgeous factor in a small kitchen. Lose the tchotchkes and knick-knacks. They will just collect dust (and potentially cooking grease)."
Color: Sky
Stylish storage can double as decor and this Catania Glass Olive Oil Cruet is proof.
Color: Seashell
I have had my eye on this Vita Salt and Pepper Mill and so should you.
Quantity: Set of 2
I love the look of Lobster & 'Bon Appetit' Cotton Tea Towels neatly draped as decor.
6. Maximize Your Cabinet Space for Less Open Clutter
When peeking into any kitchen, Courtney tells me that she often finds some amount of unused space in a cabinet. "Certain products like shelf risers can help use those vertical inches, but I also like to remind clients that you can adjust the shelves to fit your items," she advises.
"If you have shorter glasses, adjust the shelf above them down a notch or two and give your taller glasses above some more breathing room. Another option is to purchase additional shelves for your cabinets."
However, she recommends measuring your kitchen cabinets and shelves beforehand, so you know what size will fit. And then you can use these extra shelves to optimize your cabinet space and make a more organized room.
7. Designate a Home for Absolutely Everything and Rethink What's Left
Courtney tells me that one of the best ways to ensure a clear and uncluttered kitchen is to have a home for each and every item. And especially when it comes to decluttering a small kitchen, this is one tip I definitely stand by.
"When you don’t know where something goes, it often gets tossed randomly into a drawer or is left on the counter. Over time, this creates kitchen countertop clutter and makes it difficult to find what you are looking for," she explains.
"Think about what you use in your kitchen and where you use it. Make a space for each item in a logical place and maybe label that area so everyone is accountable." And as for any appliances and items that don't have a space and barely come into culinary contact, it might be a sign to rethink those items. Consider recycling, rehoming, or donating, too.
8. Lift Your Cookbooks Off the Kitchen Counter and Onto a Shelf
When it comes to cheffing up new dishes, I'm a recipe follower through and through. And while this almost always ends up in immaculate plates, it does cause for a bit of a trafficked small kitchen.
As much as I enjoy having my cookbooks at arm's reach, professional home organizer Barbara Brock tells me that this is one of the biggest kitchen clutter mistakes out there. But that doesn't mean you need to put more than a room's space between you and your cooking library.
"Instead, I recommend organizing your cookbooks on a dedicated cookbook shelf on a wall," she says. "Or, you can even consider removing them from your kitchen and organizing them away in a pantry closet."
Color: Gold
If you must have one book on display, let it stand on this Deco Style Cook Book Stand for ease of use.
9. Keep All Counter Space Culinary Appliance-Free
There are plenty of habit switch-ups to adopt for clear kitchen countertops. But if you must pick one when decluttering a small kitchen, let it be an appliance-free countertop. Trust me, this rule will make a world of a difference.
I made the mistake of keeping my toaster, smoothie blender, and rice cooker on my kitchen countertop year-round. And since I tend to run meal prep fairly regularly, this practice makes no sense.
So I've since found a space for all my cooking appliances, and I'm no longer bumping into my toaster or having to wipe off my kettle at the end of every day. Sure, it might mean reaching into a cabinet to retrieve your appliances, but I'll take the fresh look of a tidy, small kitchen over an appliance-busy space any day.
10. Banish Countertop Clutter With Aid from Vertical Storage
"Clear, clean kitchen counters are visually more pleasing and far more efficient than a counter packed with cooking items. Which is why I swear by using a magnetic knife block attached to a wall in place of a bulky knife block," says Barbara.
Going back to my collection of cooking knives, which I have since pared back, this is a genius way of removing them from the counter and freeing up precious kitchen real estate. Especially since knives are one of the worst things to keep on your counter.
However, the beauty of this tip is that it does not involve popping your knives in a far-away drawer or in a cabinet somewhere. Instead, it utilizes blank vertical wall space and gives off the impression of a pro-cook.
On that note, I also recommend bringing in DIY-able hanging rods for pans and mini floating shelves for mugs and more. Not to forget hanging kitchen baskets for fruit displays that look effortlessly cool.
Color: Beige / White
This minimalist Three-Tier Wall Shelf from H&M is perfect for open kitchen storage.
Color: Natural
Fashion your fruit of the week in this rustic Palm Hanging Basket from TOAST.
Color: Wine
Hear me out, a couple of these Espen Hooks for a wall-bound mug display.
FAQs
How Often Should You Declutter a Small Kitchen?
"Small resets of your small kitchen can happen on a daily basis, but I recommend doing a more in-depth assessment each quarter. Take the time to go through your spices and check expiration dates," says Courtney. "Ask yourself what utensils, appliances, and gadgets you are using regularly. Donate ones you are not using. Doing the work of decluttering will help free your mind to focus on the important things in life."
Small kitchens do not have to look unkempt at all. A touch of serious decluttering and proper organization can take your compact kitchen from cluttered to curated in no time. So once you're done paring back the space, take on the task of organizing your kitchen next.
