13 Kitchen Items That Are Wasting Counter Space

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The kitchen is usually the heart of the home and it’s easy for this busy space to become cluttered. Some kitchen items are absolute lifesavers, others are just taking up room and hardly used. Here is an article to help you take back your kitchen counters.

We’re going to take a look at some common items that are more decorative than functional and what it is that’s hogging up space without earning its keep.

Spice Rack

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Cooking is all about spices, but do they have to stay out on the counter? Most spice racks are big, and if you’re not using them all the time, they can be more of a pain than a help. Things can be kept organized without taking over the counter, a drawer or wall mounted rack might do the trick.

Stand Mixer

We all dream of being bakers who create fresh bread and cakes on a daily basis but the reality is that most of us only use the stand mixer a few times a year. It’s a very big, very heavy appliance that sits on the counter, rarely used. If you don’t bake often, you may want to put this a bit out of the way.

Blender

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Smoothies, sauces, and soups are great uses for a blender, but they don’t always get the everyday love they deserve. But if your blender is out for that rare green juice, it’s probably taking up space. If you aren’t a smoothie fanatic, it might be smarter to store it in a cabinet and pull it out only when needed.

Paper Towel Holder

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I like paper towels, but do they really need to be front and center all the time? If you want to save some space but don’t want to sacrifice convenience, a wall mounted or under the cabinet holder will do the trick. It’s just a switch, but it does make a difference.

Fruit Bowl

It’s cute: that big, decorative fruit bowl, but let’s face it, how often does it actually contain fresh fruit? It is often a catch all for random kitchen items or browning bananas. If it doesn’t serve its original purpose, then it’s time to rethink it. Move the fruit to the fridge and fill that space with something more practical.

Coffee Maker

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A coffee maker is non negotiable for those who can’t start their day without coffee. If you’re going to the local coffee shop more than brewing at home though, this machine might be taking up space you don’t need. If it’s more of a decoration, not really a necessity, then keep it in a cabinet and free up your counter.

Toaster Oven

If you already have a full sized oven and a microwave, you may not need a toaster oven as well, as they are great for small meals, but can be a bit of a double up. If you have them, they tend to sit on counters and take up a lot of space that isn’t getting enough daily use. If you aren’t making mini pizzas every other day, then this might be a good one to stash away or think about whether you really need it at all.

Knife Block

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That knife block is so sleek, but how many of those knives do you actually use? Most people only use a couple of two or three knives and the rest just sit there gathering dust. Rather than that big block taking over your counter, try a magnetic strip on the wall or a drawer organizer to stash your stuff out of sight.

Bread Box

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Once, bread boxes were essential, but with modern packaging and storage methods the bread box is often redundant, as this choice.community article attests. In general, most bread will stay fresh just as long in the pantry or the freezer. If your bread box is rarely used but taking up real estate, it’s time to retire it or find a more space efficient solution.

Extra Cutting Boards

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For daily cooking, you only need one or two cutting boards on hand. However, somehow, we tend to have a variety of different sizes and styles crowding the counter. If you have a stack of boards that never see a knife, it’s time to put them in a cabinet and only keep one out.

Dish Rack

A dish rack is helpful, but you don’t need one if you have a dishwasher or very little hand washables. Even when they aren’t full, they can take up a surprising amount of space. If you find that you rarely have dishes in your dish rack, fold it up and put it away under the sink when it is not in use.

Microwave

Kitchens have microwaves as a staple, but not everyone uses them enough to warrant the space they take up. If you only reheat leftovers once in a blue moon, then it might be worth looking at alternatives. It can be freed up by storing it elsewhere or by using built in options.

Decorative Appliances

Finally, there’s the decorative appliances category—those cool gadgets you bought on a whim (waffle makers, ice cream machines, fancy juicers, etc.). At first, they were a great idea, but if they’re not getting used daily, they’re just counter hogs. Store these items in a cupboard until the next time you really want to whip up a homemade waffle.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.