10 Things Making Your Kitchen Counter Messier, According to Pro Organizers

Bulky Knife Blocks

“Having knives accessible is helpful for any chef, but knife blocks are bulky and can harbor bacteria,” shares professional organizer Heidi Ganser Lang. (The narrow slots trap moisture and crumbs, creating a dark, damp space for mold or mildew to grow.) Knife blocks also take up valuable prep space, adding to visual clutter on your kitchen counter. 

To keep your counters clear and knives handy during food prep, Pence recommends swapping out your knife blocks for drawer organizers or inserts. “Organizing knives in a drawer frees up space, keeps blades protected, and reduces the risk of bacteria buildup,” Pence explains. Installing magnetic knife strips on your wall is also an effective option.

Too Many Small Appliances

An abundance of small kitchen appliances can gobble up counter space. “Overcrowding the counter with appliances makes the space feel smaller and more chaotic,” says Pence. “Keep only daily-use items like a coffee maker or kettle on the counter, while stowing the rest in cabinets or a pantry to grab when needed.”

Drying Racks

As convenient as they are, drying racks can also be cumbersome and visually chaotic. “Yes, they work,” admits cleaning expert Scott Shrader, “but they are messy when they are out 24/7 and cause water spots or mildew where they sit.”

If you can't do without a drying rack, Schrader recommends a wall-mounted rack that'll clear surface space via vertical storage. Also, hand-dry your delicate dinnerware, crystal wine glasses, and pots and pans and store immediately to cut down on crowding on the rack.

Visible Cords

Not only do exposed cords look messy on counters, but they could be hazardous if met with water, according to Schrader. Using cord clips or managing cables behind the appliances eliminates visual clutter and prevents any tangling or knotting.

Cutting Boards

Cutting boards have a way of lingering on the countertop far beyond prep time, as well as a tendency to multiply. "Multiple boards left out eat up precious prep space," says tidying coach Meera Sharma. "Ask yourself, 'How many do I really need? Do they really need to be out on the counter all the time?'"

Cleaning Supplies

It’s tempting to leave your cleaning supplies out, due to their frequency of use. However, "dish soap, sponges, [and] scrubbing pads contribute to visual noise," says Sharma. Keep these items out of sight between uses for a more peaceful kitchen.

Sharma recommends corralling these cleaning supplies under the sink or displaying them in a more thoughtful fashion. "Upgrade them by investing in a pump dispenser," she suggests, "to combine both form and function."

Mail, Keys, and Paper Clutter

"Mail has a sneaky way of taking over kitchen counters, adding unnecessary stress to the heart of the home," notes Pence. Add keys, receipts, and odds and ends, and the clutter can add up quickly.

To prevent your kitchen counter from becoming a drop place for all of this debris, Schrader recommends moving the command station. "Create a drop zone by the entry door [for] bulky mail, keys, or other daily clutter, [and] keep the mess out of the kitchen," he says.

Oil and Vingear Bottles, Condiments, and Spices

No matter how pretty the bottle or display, oil, vinegar, spices, and spice racks are all making your countertop look messier—and exposing ingredients to heat and light, both of which degrade flavor over time. They are also dust and grease magnets, especially when placed near the stove.

Pence recommends relocating spices to a drawer or cabinet. “Opt for a spice drawer insert or tiered shelf to keep them organized, fresh, and out of direct sunlight,” he says. “Corral your bottles in one spot, or decant them into matching labeled dispensers for a cleaner, more intentional look.”

Cooking Utensils

“Having cooking tools within reach is helpful for a home chef,” says Lang. “However, keeping them on the countertop where they can get splattered with grease is not ideal.” Lang recommends designating a drawer close to the stove to keep the most frequently used utensils. (Use drawer dividers to keep things from getting buried.)

Fruit Bowls

That fruit bowl on your counter could be subtracting from the charm of your kitchen rather than adding to it. "Big fruit bowls look either cluttered and overflowing or half-empty and sad," according to Schrader. 

Utilize vertical space for storing room-temperature fruit. "If having produce at easy reach is the goal, a cute fruit hammock or wall-mounted basket is a functional and aesthetically pleasing look," Lang suggests.