10 Ways to Rethink Your Kitchen Storage for a Less Cluttered Look

Instead of Open Shelves, Opt for Closed Cabinets

Open kitchen shelves have been one of the biggest design trends in recent years. While many people like the way it looks, these shelves can often be challenging to maintain and, despite your best intentions, end up looking more cluttered than chic. “Instead of open shelving, which can lead to disorganization, opt for cabinets with pull-out shelves, bins, and baskets,” says Jennifer Q. Williams, custom storage expert and organizer at Saint Louis Closet Co. “These give you accessibility to the back of the spaces without the chaos, and everything is tucked away.”

If you love the look of open shelves, opt for just one or two and decorate them with things you don’t need to use too often like China. Then, store everyday dishes behind closed doors. 

Instead of a Coffee Station, Opt for a Drawer

While practical, coffee stations can end up taking up a lot of space. So Williams advises choosing a different storage strategy. “If a cluttered coffee station spread across your counter is wasting precious space, designate a hidden pull-out drawer within a cabinet,” she says. “Here, you can keep mugs, K-Cups, and accessories out of sight so your morning routines are even better.”

Instead of Leaving out Small Appliances, Create a Custom Pantry

While your air fryer, espresso maker, and toaster may all be essential to your daily routine, small appliances can make countertops look messy. “Instead of keeping all your small appliances out on your countertops, install a custom pantry with deep adjustable shelving to accommodate even the large blender and bread maker,” says Williams. “By having these appliances close by and out of sight, they’re easy to access when needed, but won’t clutter your counters.”

On the other hand, if you’re doing a major kitchen renovation, you might want to consider installing an appliance garage. This keeps your appliances conveniently on the counter but out of sight.

Instead of a Visible Spice Rack, Use a Drawer or Pull-Out Tray

Spices can instantly jazz up any recipe, but also clutter up any countertop. However, getting rid of that big, bulky rack doesn’t have to mean throwing out your favorite spices.

“Visible spice racks often create visual clutter, especially if your spices are in mismatched containers,” says Maria Anderson, cleaning and organizing expert at Henfield Storage. “A pull-out drawer with labelled jars can hold a tidy, uniform collection of spices that are easier to access and organize.”

If you don’t have an available drawer, even putting your spice rack in your cabinets can free up valuable counter space.

Instead of Storing Cleaning Products Under the Sink, Use a Closet

Most of us have a lot of cleaning supplies, but storing them in that tiny spot under the sink often ends up being cramped and messy. So, a closet can be a fantastic alternative. “When you create a space in a pantry or closet for cleaning products and tools, you make everything easy to access and keep the area clutter-free,” Anderson.

Instead of Storing Water Bottles Freely, Use a Divider

Staying hydrated is essential, and many of us own more than one water bottle. Unfortunately, those bulky bottles and their lids can quickly take up valuable shelf space. But according to professional organizer Ashley Stewart of Organize. Create. Design., there’s a simple solution to this common problem. “Instead of putting your water bottles in upper cabinets, use drawer dividers to create sectioned rows to line up the bottles for easy grab-and-go,” she recommends.

Instead of Storing Oils and Vinegars Directly on the Countertop, Use a Turntable

Corey Pence, The Container Store’s senior manager of in-home organizing, says that bottles of olive oil, vinegar, and cooking sprays often end up huddled in a messy bunch on the counter, creating not just visual clutter, but also sticky spills.  “Swap the counter chaos for a turntable to keep your oils organized, accessible, and contained,” she recommends. “This simple and inexpensive upgrade adds style and function and makes the menagerie of bottles look purposeful.”

If you want to take your aesthetic to the next level, Pence recommends decanting your oils and vinegars into labeled dispensers.

Instead of a Block, Store Knives in a Drawer

“If you’re still storing your kitchen knives in a bulky countertop block, it might be time to rethink your setup,” explains Pence. “Opting for a knife drawer insert instead of a traditional knife block saves counter space and can be safer and more hygienic. Drawer inserts keep blades protected and organized and can reduce the risk of collecting bacteria in hard-to-clean crevices. Plus, it creates a sleeker, more minimalist-looking kitchen.”

However, if you don’t have extra drawer space available, a magnetic knife strip can also be a good option for clearing up counter space.

Instead of Putting Kids’ Art on the Fridge, Use a Display Board

Sure, that drawing by your first grader is precious, but overlapping of art on the fridge can lead to an overall cluttered look. Pence advises creating a designated photo or art board in a hallway, mudroom, or even a kitchen nook as an alternative display space. “It keeps sentimental touches front and center without overwhelming your kitchen, helping your space feel more intentional and less cluttered,” she says.

Instead of Letting Mail Pile up on the Counter, Create a Drop Zone

“Mail has a sneaky way of taking over kitchen counters, adding unnecessary stress to the heart of the home,” explains Pence. Instead of letting envelopes, flyers, and bills pile up, she suggests setting up a designated mail drop zone using either a tray or a wall organizer. “It keeps paper clutter contained, important items easy to find, and your kitchen feeling like a place to cook and connect, not sort through junk mail,” Pence says.