When I first set up my kitchen, I planned everything belonged on the countertop. It made sense at the time, which is easy to access to my essentials, right? But over time, I discovered my counters were a chaotic mess, and worse, I was destroying food and creating unnecessary clutter. In this article we’ll share 10 things you shouldn’t be storing on your kitchen countertop!
1. Don’t Store Bread on Kitchen Countertops
Bread may seem like it belongs on the counter, but this is a mistake. Left exposed to the open air, bread dries out faster or, relying on the humidity, can mold quickly. The solution? Store it in a bread box or the fridge.
2. Knives on Kitchen Countertops
Keeping my knife block on the countertop takes up valuable space and aren’t always the most sanitary option. Over time, crumbs and grease can expand in the slots. Instead, examine magnetic knife strips on the wall or a drawer insert to maintain your knives organized and off the counter.
3. Small Appliances You Rarely Use
Toasters, blenders, air fryers, oh my! If you don’t apply these daily, they shouldn’t live on your countertop. Storing them in a cabinet will instantly make your kitchen look tidier. I keep countertop space for my coffee maker because it gets daily use—everything else goes away.
4. Fruits and Vegetables That Spoil Easily
Many fruits and vegetables spoil faster at room temperature. For instance, avocados mellow too quickly, and potatoes sprout when exposed to light. Maintain produce like this in a cool, dark pantry or the fridge. Only display items like bananas or apples that grow outside the fridge.
5. Spices
I love cooking with spices, so for a long time, I maintained them all in a little rack on the counter. But did you know exposure to heat and light can diminish the flavor of spices? To preserve their potency, maintain them in a drawer or cabinet away from the stove.
6. Paperwork and Mail
Guilty as charged—my kitchen counter was once my go-to dumping ground for mail, bills, and random papers. But this creates visual clutter and makes it harder to find what you need when you need it. A better approach is to set up a dedicated mail organizer in another room or a designated drawer.
7. Cutting Boards
I thought stacking cutting boards in the corner was practical. But this not only wastes space but also looks messy. Cutting boards are better stored vertically in a cabinet or slid into a drawer.
8. Pet Food and Bowls
Pet food containers and bowls can strew your space and welcome pests if not cleaned regularly. Examine storing their kibble in an airtight container in the pantry and maintaining bowls on a mat in a designated spot.
9. Coffee Pods or Beans in Clear Containers
I used to show my beans and pods in cute glass jars. But here’s the thing: light and air can destr0y coffee’s freshness. Store beans in an opaque, airtight container and maintain your pods in a drawer or cabinet.
10. Don’t Store Cookbooks on Countertops
I love flipping through cookbooks while I cook, but leaving them on the counter occupies space and risks splatters or spills. A better option? Store them on a nearby shelf or even a drawer. For regularly used recipes, pop a picture or use a tablet to save counter space.
