7 Types of Clutter Designers Hate Seeing in Kitchens

Interior designers have some pretty strong feelings when it comes to kitchen organization (after all, a messy space just doesn’t look pretty!), so we asked them to share their biggest clutter pet peeves—things that prevent a cook space from feeling airy and welcoming. Work your way down this list one category at a time, and you’ll be well on your way to a neater (not chaotic), more stylish-looking space. Here are seven types of clutter designers really don’t love to see in kitchens.

Too Many Small Appliances

Designers agree that keeping too many small appliances on the countertop—even those you use daily—will lead to a sense of clutter in the kitchen. “Countertop appliances often disrupt the clean lines and visual harmony of the space,” says Callie Rippolone, the founder of By Callie Rippolone Design.

Not to mention, appliances aren’t all too exciting to look at either. “While I think the kitchen should be the most functional space in your home, let’s face it—small appliances aren’t attractive,” says Letecia Haywood, the founder of Letecia Ellis Haywood Interior Design. In her projects, she will implement streamlined storage solutions for small gadgets. “We like to design coffee stations or appliance garages behind doors, or if space permits, a small working pantry off the main kitchen to store such items,” she says.

Interior designer Andrea Sinkin offers a few tips on how to determine what to keep accessible on the countertop at all times. “You don’t need to have a coffee maker on the counter plus an espresso machine, so pick one or the other,” she says. “The KitchenAid mixer is heavy, but you don’t need it on the counter; put it underneath and take it out when you need it.”  Same goes for your blender!

Photos All Over the Fridge

While displaying photos on the fridge may seem convenient and cheerful, it can also lead to a feeling of clutter, notes interior designer Jennifer Weisberg. “Unframed photos, thrown together in a busy and unstructured manner, overwhelm the gaze and make the space feel tumultuous,” she says.

Instead, she suggests, grab a hammer and some nails. “A bespoke gallery wall of (less than 10) special photos, framed uniformly, is a much better solution for highlighting family photos,” Weisberg explains.

Chaotic Open Shelf Displays

If your kitchen does feature open or glass shelving, be mindful as to what you’re putting on display, Weisberg advises. “Given the frenzied pace of everyday life, dishes frequently get piled atop one another and miscellaneous cooking items end up buried,” she says. “This makes a kitchen feel chaotic and can significantly increase anxiety.”

She encourages people to be intentional about what they’re keeping visible—use open shelving as a means to feature special glassware from your travels or a sentimental piece, the designer advises.

Spice Jars Everywhere

While everyone needs to be able to reach for spices while cooking, these do not need to sit out in the open. Instead, Linda Gerace-Skinner, founder of Interior Designs Atelier, suggests incorporating a built-in spice drawer to keep jars contained.

In one home Gerace-Skinner worked on, “we made a storage drawer for small spices, a storage drawer underneath for larger spices, and a large drawer for pans and lids,” she says.

Knife Blocks

Knife blocks, a fixture in many kitchens, aren’t truly necessary, notes Lori Miller, the founder of LCG Interior Design. She recommends opting for an in-drawer cutlery organizer instead, keeping knives nearby yet out of sight.

Callie Windle agrees that hiding a knife block is a game-changer. “One day I had an epiphany: My knife block fits inside a kitchen cabinet,” says the designer. “While the knife block itself is practical and useful, it gathers dust and takes up so much counter space.” She adds that she doesn’t mind the extra step of opening a cabinet door in exchange for a less-cluttered countertop.

Paper Towel Holders

Miller also recommends keeping that paper towel holder off your kitchen countertop to reduce clutter. “A pull-out paper towel holder inside a cabinet maintains accessibility without visual clutter,” she says.

Medicine Bottles

Take these off your countertops once and for all, Sinkin encourages. “Whatever you need in the kitchen can go in the cabinet; you don’t need to have an entire drugstore,” she says.