I know we've discussed kitchen counters before, but I thought I'll bring it up again. I am finding it a challenge to keep mine clear and uncluttered!

My kitchen counter is L-shaped, along 2 walls. I have approx. 8 feet of counter space, when measured from the front; a little more if measured along the back, because of the corner. 4 1/2 feet of it is one long, unbroken counter; the rest is broken up by the stove and sink. I don't have an "island" or a kitchen table, as the kitchen is too narrow.

On the long counter, I keep my toaster and the microwave. I thought it was a good place for the microwave, since the fridge is directly across. I also keep a circular glass tray holding daily used condiments such as the salt & pepper, bottle of chutney, chili sauce, etc., and a mug with flatware. This counter gets a lot of use since it is the first counter when one comes in - it is the landing pad for groceries, lunch bags, things taken out from the fridge, items that get taken out from the dish washer (directly under the counter), or the dish drainer (the sink is next to this counter), etc. It is also where I prepare our lunches (sandwiches, etc.) to take to work/campus.

Between the sink and the stove, the counter takes the corner - there is about 1 foot of counter space immediately next to the sink, and then, at right angles to it, there is another 2 feet of counter space, ending with the stove. I keep my rice cooker here (the container of rice is in the cabinet directly above) and the pan of boiled water, as well as the stone mortar and pestle I use to grind my spices and sambols, dish washing soap and scrubbie, the banana holder (a gift from DD), the container for kitchen scraps (to be taken to the compost pile at the end of the day), etc. I got rid of the set of 4 copper canisters I used to also keep here, in an attempt to declutter. The majority of my food preparation is done at this counter, since it is between the sink and the stove and I find that convenient.

After the stove, I have approx. 17 inches of counter space - this is where I keep my copper kettle holding the wooden spoons and such. Since the coffee/tea making supplies are in the cabinet directly above this counter, this is also where I make my coffee/tea, so, everything, I set out the coffee mugs on this counter, ready for the morning.

I think I still have too many things out on my counters, but I don't know where else to store things (microwave is used daily, rice cooker is used almost daily, toaster is not used as frequently, but I've no convenient cabinet space to house it).

What do you keep out on your counters? How do you keep them cleared? What do you do to keep them from getting cluttered? Any tips/suggestions/words of advice for me?

Bless, who is struggling to not be quite so messy...

Bless:
I don't have a lot of workspace by the sink or stove, but do have an island I could use to bake. What I have on my countertop: Left of the sink (coffee thermos I make coffee andthen put it into the thermos, and put the pot away. On the right side of the sink is the microwave, on the counter.
Then there is the stove, (built in stove top),electric can opener next to the stove(only about 6" of counter) and the frig next to that counter.

On the island, under the above cabinets, is a small TV and my toaster oven. Don't like to have the cooking utensils out in jars anymore, dust and all. Keep the condiments in two little cabinets along side the stove, and use as I need. They are in little basket type holers, so I can pull them out like a drawer to see what I need.

I would suggest you remove some of the utensil holders, and maybe place them in a drawer, or cabinet , or lessen the amount to only have one holder.

Not seeing your space and your not seeing mine it is difficult to make suggestions....hope it helped you get some ideas or different ways to look at your kitchen...

Forgot to add, that the double oven is next to the area counter that holds the tv and toaster oven. It is in a cabinet by itself, and the desk is next to the oven.

Diana, thanks for the ideas. You are right - it is difficult to make suggestions when you don't know the set up. Right now, the cabinets are rather full, as are the drawers. But I will continue to look for ways to declutter my counters a bit more.

It was a reality check to downsize to a condo with a 'U' shaped galley style kitchen.[two counters, 3 ft. apart]. The wall side is dissected by fridge, range [micro above] and toaster oven. Only an electric can opener & coffee pot stay on the 2nd long expanse of counter; a ceramic milk jug next to the range holds daily use utensils.

It's helpful to quickly review cupboard contents each time Kitchen comes up on Branches to confirm the items given the most accessible space are the items used the most. I was surprised to realize I had a lot of items I use primarily seasonally and switching items out of the kitchen and into deep storage makes meal prep and clean up much easier.

I'm still dumping all the hand appliances into a shoe box each spring and only returning to the drawer those items that are used within the month. Anytime I replace an item, the old item goes to the 'donate' box as I am determined to avoid adding to the volume of stuff.

The kitchen counters are beginning to look much better! I have been trying to find other homes for some of the items I store on the counters and have had some success. The new homes have to be accessible, and that can be a problem, as I have limited storage space. I have shifted some things about to make room for the items and that makes it a little hard to access things, and some items might migrate back to the counters because of it. I guess, like most things, it's a work in progress.

I also have a ceramic pot with cooking utensils on the left of the stove on the 8-10 inches of counter space along with the vinegar and oil in matching bottles, salt and pepper shakers and a resting spoon plate. Nothing else goes there 'cause nothing else fits! On the other side is the 4 slice toaster with an inch left on either side of it; next are the refrigerator and a tall pantry.

Opposite of this is the sink with drying dish rack and electric kettle on the left. Over these is the microwave; it's on a built-in shelf so I can use the counter space underneath (mostly for drying dishes or making coffee). On the other side is the paper towel dispenser, the smallish fish tank I own and a fruit bowl. This part is L shaped and open onto the dining area so larger than normal counters about 5’ long. It can also serve as a lunch counter because it has the space underneath for 2 stools but I have my garbage can, recycling container and kitty's food and water bowls.

The larger space is where I do all of my food preparation, when in front of it i can access all the appliances and the sink by pivoting! At my back is a 5' patio glass door. Works great when I take the time to wash dishes as I go...

Speaking of dishes, above the sink is a small rod with metal rack hanging for dispensers; hand soap, hand cream, dish washing soap and a plastic container for the sponge. I bought it at ikea.

Bless do you think you could use vertical space with similar devices or shelves to make more space on your counters? Hooks underneath for cups, a shelf or different unit for micro wave?

Bubblegum: You have to remember that, at under 5' in height, I am a bit vertically challenged. So there's a limit to how vertical I can go, especially since I did something to my shoulder which limits how high I can reach. Which is why everything needs to be well under 6' to be within easy reach for me.

i only have 2 ft on ea side of the sink and about 1ft on ea side of the stove.

i have a shelflike table that goes from just to the left of the sink all the way to the right side (in other words the shelf cont' above the sink

on it sits my microwave, 2 3# coffee cans 3 coffee pots (2 are in front of the coffee cans) a stack of coffee filters and a napkin holder. there is also about an extra unused ft on the shelf

my phone sits on the counter to the right of my sink along w a microwave safe dish cover which i put over anything that i microwave

to the right of the leg of the table is my dish soap (just to the left of my sink)
to the left of the leg of the table is my sugar canister, there is about a ft of empty space and then in the corner is my serving spoon caddy
in front of the caddy near the edge sits my coffee maker

the 1 ft to the left of the stove holds drying ash trays. i plug in the toaster or cpot here when i take them out of the cabinets

the 1 ft to the right of the stove holds my knife block near the stove and then drying dishware

mary