- Keep Those Countertops Clear
Of course! But how do we actually achieve this? “Move small appliances out of sight,” the article cheerfully suggests. To where? Outer space? Even though I’m not standing in my kitchen right now, I can easily recall the gadgets cluttering my counters: a microwave, mini food processor, blender, coffee maker, toaster, and toaster oven. If I knew where to place them, I wouldn’t be reading advice like this. - Store Items in Cabinets
Clearly, the writer has never encountered my jam-packed cabinets. This isn’t decluttering; it’s creating more chaos. - Adopt the “One In, One Out” Principle
For every new item you bring into the kitchen, the article advises removing something old. But do frozen waffles count? If yes, then I’ve mastered this concept! - Embrace the “Don’t Put It Down, Put It Away” Philosophy
This sounds wonderful in theory, and I make a sincere effort to follow it. If something belongs in the dishwasher or the trash, I place it there. So why does my kitchen still look chaotic? Because I don’t live alone! My kids think everything needs a temporary staging area before it finds its final destination—lids, wrappers, half-eaten bagels, and more. Legos, socks, soccer balls, snack bowls… the list goes on! - Skip the Refrigerator Art Gallery
Come on! I don’t want to remove our cherished photos, field trip notices, and quirky magnets from various travels. They add character! - Avoid the Pile-Up
It’s true, piles aren’t aesthetically pleasing. Yet, I still find myself stacking things. Enter “pile panic.” If I start hanging pots on the wall, I’m convinced it will just heighten my sense of clutter. Someone once offered me a stylish stainless steel pot rack that hangs from the ceiling, but the thought alone makes me feel claustrophobic! - Opt for Daily Chores Instead of Major Clean-Ups
This strategy doesn’t work in our household. The idea is to do a little cleaning each day, which sounds great—until someone bursts in with muddy shoes right after I’ve cleaned! The minute I wipe down the counters, my kids decide it’s snack time. When the entire kitchen is spotless, they usually respect it for all of an hour. - Create Morning and Evening Kitchen Routines
My evening routine consists of cramming everything into the dishwasher, while my morning includes emptying it. And I always give a little nod of gratitude to the dishwasher for its unwavering support—does that count? - Allow Yourself One Disorganized Drawer
I’d prefer four, thank you very much! - Always Leave the Kitchen in Better Shape Than You Found It
Easy enough! I’m pretty sure I’m the only one who wipes down counters or shakes crumbs out of placemats, so it’s an accomplishment I can easily claim. Bonus: If I step away for just ten minutes and return, I get to start all over again!
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In summary, keeping a clutter-free kitchen is a noble goal, but life and family often get in the way. While these ten rules provide a solid foundation, the reality is that maintaining an organized kitchen is a continuous challenge filled with obstacles.