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How To Save Space on Kitchen Countertops

We ask a lot of the kitchen counter. Obviously, food prep and kitchen storage are the main purposes. But the counter can also be a coffee station, meal serving area, and all too often a clutter trap.

A kitchen looks and functions best with clear counters. So how do you free up space? Here are the most effective solutions for getting the most out of your kitchen counters, even if you don’t have a lot of surface to begin with.

Be a minimalist

First and foremost, edit what you display on your kitchen counter. Keep only the things you use every day out on the counter, and tuck everything else away.

A coffee maker? Yes. The pile of junk mail that you sort through once or twice a month? No. If there’s an appliance or item that always seems to be in the way, re-evaluate if it really needs to be on the counter at all times. Most likely you can find another home for it.

Go vertical

Look up! Chances are some of the items on your counter can instead live on the wall, backsplash, or even hanging from the ceiling (you’re going to love the hanging fruit basket we found!) Clever wall storage solutions like knife strips, hooks and shelf racks can clear up counter space but still provide easy access to your most-used items.

Find unexpected surfaces

Besides wall space, get creative with other surfaces that might function as storage space. A few locations you might not have considered include the side of the refrigerator, the side of a cabinet or over the sink. Of course, you should avoid covering every surface with kitchen essentials or it will look just as cluttered as a messy counter. Try to choose just a few strategic locations for good-looking storage products.

Utilize drawer and cabinet space

Professional organizer Michele Vig of Neat Little Nest says the best way to keep your kitchen counters clear of clutter is to use every inch of your drawers and cabinets. She suggests drawer dividers to fit more items and make it easier to find what you’re looking for.

“To maximize space in a cupboard add or move shelves to fit your exact items,” says Vig, “Then, use smaller bins or spinners to store like items together efficiently.”

Now that you’re armed with our favorite counter-clearing tips, check out the best storage products to help you keep your counters clutter free.

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Best Dish Drying Rack

This two-tier drying rack is a great space-saving alternative to a traditional bulky dish rack. It can hold more dishes while taking up less space. It includes a plate rack, cutlery racks, cutting board holder and a handy removable drain tray.

Here’s an option that takes the drying rack off the countertop altogether: This roll-up model mounts on top of your sink, saving precious counter space. The roll-up feature also ensures you can easily store it when the dishes are dry and put away.

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