Small kitchens create a variety of problems for homeowners and renters. Often, this space will become cluttered because of the lack of space. Your cabinets may not be the most spacious, or you may have limited counter space. Regardless of the problem, there are steps you can take to reduce the clutter in your kitchen without having to remodel. A neat and clean kitchen provides a variety of benefits. Firstly, you’ll enjoy the space more while you are cooking. Instead of fumbling around the crowded space, you can work more efficiently. That leads us to our second benefit; secondly, a decluttered kitchen creates a safer space. You can expect fewer accidents due to the fewer obstructions in the kitchen. Finally, clean kitchens are just easier to use. To start reaping the benefits of a clean and neat kitchen, follow the tips below!

1. Put Away Unused Appliances

When is the last time you used that toaster? Have you made a smoothie with the blender recently? If you have a variety of appliances on your countertop you rarely use, then find a place in the cabinets for them. This gives you more room on the countertops. You have more space to prepare food, and it instantly makes your kitchen look neater. You should also rid your kitchen of the knife block. This isn’t an appliance, but it takes up about the same amount of space as one. A great alternative to a knife block is a magnetic knife strip on the wall.

2. Get Rid of Unused Kitchen Items

You can play the backward hangar trick with kitchen utensils. Wrap a piece of tape around the handles of your kitchen items to determine how frequently you use them. For example, you may have one too many pots in your cabinet—maybe you prefer your cast iron pot over your stainless steel pot. Once you use the kitchen item, remove the tape. After a month or a few weeks, see what items have tape on them. Consider donating them or selling them in order to make space for other items.

3. Give Everything a Home

Each kitchen utensil and item should have a home in your kitchen. Nothing should be homeless, or it creates a problem for the operation of your kitchen. Having to move around said item could create issues for the cooking process. It may also just annoy you to the point where you don’t want to be in your kitchen. Giving items a home allows the kitchen to stay neat and clean at all times of the day.

4. Remove Items That Don’t Belong

Rid your kitchen of shoes, car keys, wallets, books, and anything else that doesn’t belong in the kitchen. In some cases, we enter our homes near the kitchen, so we place our belongings there before moving about the house. Limit this as these items create clutter in the kitchen. Find a place for your shoes, keys, wallet, purse, or other belongings you may place in the kitchen.

5. Utilize the Dishwasher While Cooking

Before you start cooking, ensure the dishwasher is empty. That way, you can use it to store dirty dishes rather than the counter or sink. If the dishwasher is full, then you’ll have to find a place for your dirty dishes as you cook. In turn, your kitchen becomes more cluttered, and there is more work to be done after the cooking is complete. Following the tips above will effectively help you reduce the clutter in your kitchen. You shouldn’t have to spend a lot of money to make your kitchen a happier place. Rather, you just have to spend a little more time caring for your kitchen.