How to Declutter Your Kitchen Fast Like a Pro

As a mom, one of the most challenging areas to keep tidy is the kitchen. It’s the hub of family gatherings, meals, and all-around activities that can sometimes lead to clutter.

With limited time and energy, decluttering your kitchen can feel like an impossible task – but it’s not. Today, I’m going to show you how to declutter your kitchen easily and without too much effort!

However, with a few practical steps and a can-do attitude, you can declutter your kitchen the easy way.

Having lived in an RV for over 5 years, I know how to live with a lot less in my house than I used to.

I know that I am never going to need several muffin tins when 1 will do! I also know that I need more than 1 cutting board, in fact I have a set of 5 different sized cutting boards that I use all the time!

So, I’m not asking you to get rid of all your favoite kitchen items, I’m just asking you to get rid of things you simply don’t use!

Is the chaos of your cluttered kitchen driving you crazy?

By focusing on key areas and implementing practical organization techniques, you’ll be on your way to a clutter-free, efficient, and sustainable kitchen that you’ll love spending time in.

So let’s dive in and start transforming your kitchen into the oasis it was always meant to be!

Key Takeaways:

Declutter your kitchen with counter space, cabinets and pantry makeover.
Maximize efficiency by organizing cooking utensils, creating a coffee station and tidying up cleaning supplies.

Decluttering Essential Tips

Make sure you have time for this task

When it comes to sharing my best tips for how to declutter your kitchen, I DO NOT recommend that you pull everything out of your cupboards, because it’s highly unlikely you will have time to put everything back in!

It is unlikely that you will be able to declutter your kitchen within 1 day! Especially if you have little kids, even without the kids, this can be extremely overwhelming !

I would recommend that you plan to do this over several days – maybe give yourself 5 days to accomplish this chore!

Realistically, you may only have 30 minutes a day to work on your kitchen, so plan accordingly.

Focus on these areas

To achieve your dream of a clutter-free kitchen, I’m going to guide you through the key areas to focus on: kitchen counters, kitchen cabinets, pantry, and your small appliances.

By decluttering and organizing these areas, you’ll create a functional and visually appealing space that makes cooking and entertaining a breeze.

So grab your cleaning supplies, and let’s get started on your kitchen decluttering journey!

Declutter your kitchen counters

Clear your counters of all the unnecessary clutter. Counters are often the place where items collect and can make your kitchen feel messy. Consider investing in hanging hooks, floating shelves, or a pegboard to free up space.

You can use these to store your most frequently used pans, utensils, or coffee mugs. This will free up counter space and make your kitchen feel a lot more spacious.

Having a clear and organized counter space is essential so your kitchen doesn’t feel cluttered all the time.

THINGS TO GET RID OF FROM YOUR COUNTERS:

If you can, get rid of the following things off your countertops:

Remove anything that doesn’t belong on your countertops such as keys, paper clutter, school information, backpacks.
Get rid of decor from your counters, relocate any cute knick knacks you have, or donate them. Your counter space is too precious for knick knacks.
Get rid of mail as soon as it comes in your door. Do not let piles of paperwork accumulate on your counters!
Remove all small appliances from your counters.

#1 Start with “easy picks”

Start small when decluttering your kitchen. Begin with items that you would consider ‘easy picks’ – things that you know you won’t need or use, or things that have no business being in your kitchen. This could be items that are expired, duplicate items such as utensils or pans, or appliances that you can donate or give away.

In a previous life, I would have numerous wooden spoons in my drawer, 3-4 spatulas, and umpteen can openers (just in case). When we moved into the RV – that all changed because of the lack of space (thankfully!)

Getting rid of duplicates is an easy task, and these can be donated. So take some time, to get rid of duplicates in your drawers that will give us more space for essential items.

The same goes for water glasses, water bottles, coffee cups. Don’t forget to get rid of chipped dishes and other kitchen items that are past their prime!

Unless you have a huge family and entertain every weekend, there really is no need to have lots more water glasses than you actually need!

Coffee cups are the same way.

Most of us drink from our water cups, so you really only need cups for your guests anyway!

This simplifies your tasks and leads to greater motivation since you are seeing instant results that you can build on.

#2 Utilize organizers and containers

Utilize organizers and containers to help you maximize your available kitchen space. Use drawer dividers to sort out utensils; place dishes and mugs on tiered stands to save space if you need to.

Utilizing organizers with a consistent label system or a visual labeling option can help make finding utensils and ingredients a breeze. Use a spice rack that will fit into your kitchen cabinet,

Use baskets or plastic bins to corral loose items such as baking sheets and skillets. Keeping everything in its designated spot and easy to grab will do wonders for your daily meal preparations.

#3 Go digital

Do you find yourself having recipe cards and cookbooks pile up on your kitchen counters or in your cabinets? Create a digital recipe binder to declutter your kitchen.

You can use software programs like Evernote, Google Keep, or Dropbox to compile recipes, converting physical copies to digital versions.

Rather than collecting dust on a shelf, a digital recipe binder can be accessed anytime when you need it – no more shuffling through pages or stacking books!

Of course, you can always just look up a recipe on your phone too – that’s what I do!

#4 Small Appliances: Keep or Toss?

When it comes to small appliances, it’s essential to evaluate which ones you actually use and which ones are taking up some much needed space.

To make the best decision, consider how often you use the appliance and whether it has a multi-purpose function. If you find that you rarely use a particular appliance or it only serves one purpose, it might be time to say goodbye.

After deciding which appliances to keep, categorize them based on the frequency of use and store them accordingly. If you bake once a month, store your cake mixer in the back, keep kitchen gadgets you use regularly near the front.

If you have a ninja and a magic bullet, do you need both? Probably not, so get rid of the magic bullet.

You have to do what makes sense for you! Wouldn’t life be easier if you were able to get your hands on what you need, when you need it instead of having to pull out your entiire kitchen cupboard trying to find something!

An uncluttered kitchen is a dream kitchen in my opinion!

Place heavy appliances on the lowest shelves for easy access, and consider repurposing or donating any single-use appliances.

By doing so, you’ll free up valuable kitchen space and make your cooking experience more efficient and enjoyable.

#5 Get your kitchen cabinets organized

Kitchen cabinets are notorious for becoming cluttered with unused items and mismatched pieces.

How many times have you picked up your plastic container only to find it has no lid!

Get rid of items in your cabinets that you haven’t used in the last three months. Donate these items to a local food pantry, doing this will free up a lot of space in even just one cabinet.

Next, organize your cabinets by category, such as water bottles, dishes, and food storage containers.

Group like items together that make sense. I store all our water bottles with our travel cups for our tea and coffee.

I have one shelf for all my storage containers that are easily accessible by everyone. I store the same size lids together – small, medium and large. These are the storage containers I use.

Consider the frequency of use when putting the items back. For example, items that you use daily should be stored at eye level, while items that are used less frequently should be stored higher or lower. Place your plates and bowls in the easy-to-reach shelves, so the kids can easily access them.

Keep your cookie sheets near your muffin tins, store all your pots and pans together – you get the jist.

By following these tips, you’ll create a well-organized and functional kitchen cabinet system that makes sense for you.

#6 Use your space well

Take a moment to look around your kitchen for any wasted space. Identify any preexisting areas in your kitchen where you can take advantage of more storage. Utilize your vertical space by installing hooks or rods for storing pots and pans or attaching a magnetic strip for storing knives and other metallics.

Add shelving racks inside cabinets to utilize space vertically. Use tension rods to increase your under the sink storage and hang baskets on a blank wall for small pantry items. Maximize the space by using trays, baskets, and jars for smaller pantry items.

Use drawer dividers or storage solutions to keep these categories separated and easy to access. Remember to store plates and bowls in a lower deep drawer or on open shelving for easy access by each family member.

Store your k cups in this handy storage idea under your coffee maker, instead of taking up prime counterspace.

Pantry Makeover: Food Storage and Organization

A well-organized pantry can save you time, money, and food waste. Start by taking inventory of your pantry items and getting rid of any expired or unwanted items. If you don’t have a big pantry, it’s important to constantly check on expired food items, so they are not taking up precious space.

Next, organize your pantry by separating food items into categories, such as baking supplies, canned goods, and snacks.

Use clear storage containers or baskets to keep these categories organized and visible. Labeling your containers will also make it easier to find and access the items you need when you are cooking.

My food pantry is smaller than I would like, so I had to find storage solutions that would work for me.

This stackable can organizer has been a life changer. It sits on the floor and keeps all my cans neatly organized.
I needed a place for the kids snacks and I really couldn’t afford to give up a shelf, so I found these baskets and attached them to the pantry door, and I absolutely love them.
I have a smaller basket that I attached to the wall in my pantry and I use it for storing seasonings.
I use these food storage containers for things like flour, sugar, pasta etc and I love them, they make my cupboad look neat and tidy. They are also great for organizing the freezer or refrigerator.

By following these steps, you’ll transform your pantry into an efficient and organized space that makes meal planning and grocery shopping a breeze.

Maximizing Efficiency: Tips for a Well-Organized Kitchen

Now that you’ve decluttered the main areas of your kitchen, let’s focus on maximizing efficiency by organizing cooking utensils, creating a functional coffee station, and tidying up your cleaning supplies.

These tips will help you maintain a well-organized kitchen that makes cooking and cleaning a breeze, giving you more time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Coffee Station: Organizing Coffee Mugs and Supplies

Myself and my husband are tea drinkers, we both get up early to work before we get the kids up.

I always fill up my tea maker at nighttime, and put a couple of mugs by the tea machine.

We don’t have room for a tea station, but boy would I like one!

Just think what a well-organized coffee station could do to get your morning routine more enjoyable and efficient.

So, if this is something you want to do, then designate a specific area in your kitchen for your coffee maker, mugs, and supplies. This could be a shelf, countertop, or cabinet close to an electrical outlet.

Use baskets, bins, or labeled containers to store your coffee supplies and keep them organized. This will make it easy to find and access your coffee items when you need them, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable coffee-making experience.

By following these tips, you’ll create a convenient and organized coffee station in your house that makes your life easier and helps you start your day on the right foot.

Cleaning Supplies: Under the Kitchen Sink

Keeping your cleaning supplies organized and easily accessible is essential for maintaining a clean and clutter-free kitchen.

To achieve this, store your cleaning supplies in a designated area, such as under the kitchen sink. Using bins or baskets to keep your items organized will make it easy to find and grab the supplies you need when it’s time to clean.

If you can fit a cleaning caddy under your sink, create one of those, as they are genius when you are in a rush!

If you can’t fit one, always make sure to have the cleaning supplies you use the most in the front and put the others in the back.

In addition to organizing your cleaning supplies, consider using eco-friendly and non-toxic products like baking soda that are safe for your family and the environment. This will help you maintain a clean and healthy kitchen while also reducing your environmental impact.

By following these tips, you’ll create an efficient and organized system for storing your cleaning supplies, making it easier to keep your kitchen looking its best.

What should be on your countertops?

Now decide what you need to have sitting on your countertops, obviously you don’t want to keep pulling out a heavy coffee maker each morning, or an air fryer. But your toaster can be stored in a cabinet and taken out as needed, as can your ninja machine for your morning smoothie!

Only store things on your counters that you cannot store anywhere else because they don’t make sense!

Did you know that most things can be removed from your kitchen counters.

Instead of having a fruit basket on your countertops, you can use a hanging basket or this can be put on the side of your cabinets, or hang your fruit under your cabinet, or this could work in a pantry.
Get your soap and dishwashing soap away from the sink area, I keep it underneath on a tray so I can pull it out when I need to use it.
If your coffee cups won’t fit in a cupboard, you could look at adding some hooks to get them off your counter space.
Most kitchens have a skinny cupboard that fits most cutting boards, there is no reason for a cutting board to be on the counter.
Get your knives off your counter space and into a drawer by doing this instead. If you don’t have the drawer space, try using a magnetic knife strip along the wall – we did this in our RV, and it worked brilliantly.
Get your paper towels off your counter by doing this.
We use a retractable dish drying rack, so when I am done with it, I can put it away. We used a roll up dish rack in the RV for over the sink. Don’t even use a dish drying rack, use your dish towels and throw them in the wash when you’re done!

What to do with unwanted items?

As you declutter your kitchen, you’ll likely come across items that you no longer need or use. Instead of simply throwing these items in the trash, consider donating them to your local food pantry, who would be thrilled to have them.

If you are getting rid of appliances or items that are still quite new, think about selling them. Maybe your community has a facebook page where you can sell items (mine does).Or maybe you could drop off items you no longer need or want to Goodwill or your local church

Get Rid of These Items In Your Kitchen

There are certain things you can get rid of in your kitchen today, items that will make a huge difference!

When decluttering your kitchen, make room for stuff your actually need, and get rid of items you no longer need.

Dish towels that are past their prime.
Wooden spoons – 1 is all you need.
Cookbooks – everything can be found online so ditch the book and clean up some much needed space.
Water cups, coffee mugs, to go travel mugs – be firm with yourself and keep a couple of extras but that’s it!
Anything that is chipped.
Old bakeware.
Excess kitchen cutlery.
Sippy cups no longer used.
Empty cleaning supplies.
Expired spices, food items no one eats anymore, expired food items.

Tips for Maintaining a Clutter Free Kitchen

Once you get your decluttered kitchen loooking awesome, I am going to share my best tips for keeping it that way.

At the end of each day, take 5 minutes and make sure everything that should be off your kitchen counter is off it!
Stop buying new kitchen gadgets just because. So the next time you go to buy something, ask yourself if you really need the item.
Do a quick decluttering session every couple of weeks to make sure your kitchen stays decluttered.
Involve the family. Let them know what you are trying to achieve and let them know how they can help.

Storage containers for pasta, olive opil in cabinet

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 20 20 rule for decluttering?

The 20/20 rule for decluttering suggests that if you can replace an item for less than $20 and in under 20 minutes, it’s a good idea to let it go. This rule can be applied to many areas of life, from clothing to kitchenware to books. It’s a great way to keep your home organized and free of clutter. By following the 20/20 rule, you can make sure that you only keep the items that you need.

What are some effective ways to declutter my kitchen quickly?

Get motivated and work quickly by setting a timer, focusing on key areas of the kitchen, and making quick decisions about various kitchen items.

Start by setting a timer for a specific amount of time. This will help you stay focused and motivated to get the job done. Then focus on key areas of the kitchen that need the most attention.

In conclusion, decluttering and organizing your kitchen can not only improve its functionality and appearance, but also make a positive impact on the environment. By focusing on key areas like counter space, cabinets, pantry, and small appliances, and implementing sustainable solutions, you’ll create a clutter-free, efficient, and eco-friendly kitchen that you’ll love spending time in.

So embrace these tips and start transforming your kitchen into the organized oasis it was always meant to be!