We spend so much time in our kitchens. For extra space, it’s helpful to declutter kitchen things that tend to build up over time. There are plenty of ways to declutter kitchen things but these no-nonsense decluttering tips will make it easier.
It’s so easy to justify kitchen purchases and gifts because we think we will use them. We eat everyday after all! In most cases, we hold on to way too much and need to declutter things on a regular basis. I’m going to share a few kitchen things to declutter and how to declutter those kitchen things.
If you are just setting up a new kitchen, consignment and second hand stores are full of cookie sheets, mixing bowls and small appliances. Resist buying things you don’t need even when they are second hand. That way you won’t need to declutter kitchen things frequently.
1. Consider how you want to enjoy your kitchen space.
Before you declutter kitchen things, think about your kitchen space and your kitchen habits. Do you gather in the kitchen, bake, cook for a big family or creating meals for one? I start my day in the kitchen making coffee and I want that to be a peaceful time. I don’t want to have move things around to get to what I need. Identifying how you want to enjoy your kitchen space will serve as motivation to declutter kitchen things. It will also inform your decisions about what to keep, what you’ll use and what’s important to you. It looks different for everyone.
2. Declutter kitchen duplicates first.
The kitchen is a duplicate magnet. Most of us have owned multiple sets of measuring spoons and cups, pots, pans, bowls and coffee cups. Don’t get me started on water bottles and all the little cute ramekins and fancy glasses. You may also give some attention to the wire whisks, wooden spoons and spatulas (oh, the spatulas). While you may not want to declutter your kitchen things down to one, maybe a few is more than enough. If you want to enjoy your favorite things, only own your favorite things.
3. Clear all kitchen surfaces.
I recommend being ruthless about this step (at first). Try to clear all of your kitchen counters, the kitchen table, island and any other surface that invites you to declutter kitchen things. Find a place for the kitchen things you want to keep.
If there is no space for them, put them in a bag or box and move the bag or box into another room. Give yourself a week or two with completely clutter-free kitchen surfaces before you decide what stays and what goes. I keep a few things on my counters, but as soon as it feels too cluttery, I clear it all and give myself time to understand what really needs to live on the counters. For instance I kept a mixer on the counter but when I realized I didn’t use it regularly, I put it in a cabinet.
4. Declutter kitchen pantry items.
I can almost guarantee that if you go through your pantry or that cabinet or drawer where you keep spices, sauces and other things you only use occasionally you will find things to declutter. There will be expired items (I’m sorry), things you never opened even though you had the best of intentions and other things that you simply don’t need anymore. Keep what you actually use and dump the rest. Donate unopened, unexpired items to a local food pantry.
If you want to use up what you have, try a decluttering challenge like the 21-day Use it or Lose it challenge or this money saving pantry challenge. Make sure the pantry items you like using are easy to access, meaning you don’t have to sort through a bunch of stuff you don’t use to get to the good stuff.
5. Get rid of your junk drawers.
I used to have multiple junk drawers in my kitchen before and you know what was inside of them? Junk … stuff that had no place to live, things that I didn’t know what to do with or what it was even used for. Who has a weird key in their junk drawer or a few nails that you will never use? The junk drawer is really just a space for procrastinating. “I don’t know where this goes or what it is so I’ll put it here.” A better approach is, “I don’t know where this goes or what it is so I will get rid of it.” I used to suggest organizing junk drawers but this is wasted time because junk drawers don’t stay organized. They only collect more junk.
6. Swap your everyday dishes for the fancy dishes.
If you have everyday dishes or glasses or kitchen things for entertaining and save the good stuff for a special occasion, I suggest a swap. I’ve heard that life is a special occasion so perhaps we can use the good stuff every single day. What are we saving it for? Declutter the things you feel like you are supposed to use and keep what you really want to use. This will help you create a minimalist mindset and declutter kitchen things with more ease.
7. Celebrate and romanticize your decluttered kitchen.
I always recommend celebrating your decluttering accomplishments. Celebrate and romanticize your decluttered kitchen with your favorite candle and a great playlist, like Nancy Meyer’s Kitchen. Have breakfast for dinner, invite a friend over or have a solo dance party. Enjoy your space and it’s less likely that you will clutter it up again.
8. Join the Kitchen Declutter Hour.
During the Kitchen Declutter Hour, I share my best Kitchen decluttering tips, including what to do with food (pantry, refrigerator, freezer), kitchen duplicates (I’m looking at you wooden spoons, wire whisks and spatulas) plus all the things that live in your kitchen because you thought they were supposed to. With my support and the collective decluttering energy and accountability you experience during the Declutter Hour, you’ll declutter more in an hour than you could have imagined. Join here!
For more kitchen decluttering inspiration, here are 10 kitchen spaces to declutter.
