30 Ways to Declutter Your Kitchen in Just One Hour or Less

Kitchens often become clutter hotspots in the home, with countertops gathering everything from mail to appliances rarely used. However, with a bit of time management and strategic planning, you can declutter your kitchen efficiently, making it a more functional and pleasant space to cook and spend time in. Here are 30 quick decluttering tips that can help you achieve a tidier kitchen in just one hour or less.

1. Clear Off Countertops

Remove everything from countertops and only keep the essentials. This immediately makes your kitchen look cleaner and more spacious.

2. Toss Out Expired Food

Check the pantry and fridge for expired items and dispose of them. This frees up space and improves kitchen hygiene.

3. Donate Unused Appliances

If you haven’t used an appliance in the past year, consider donating it to clear up space.

4. Organize Your Utensils

Sort through your utensils, keeping only those you frequently use in easy-to-reach places.

5. Declutter Tupperware

Match all containers to their lids and recycle any that are missing their counterparts.

6. Reassess Decorations

Limit kitchen decorations to a few items that you truly love; store or donate the rest.

7. Sort Through Spices

Organize your spice rack and discard any spices that have lost their flavor.

8. Handle the Junk Drawer

Empty out the junk drawer entirely, then only put back items you actually need.

9. Reorganize the Pantry

Group pantry items by category, making them easier to find and reducing overbuying.

10. Clean Out the Freezer

Discard old or unidentifiable items in the freezer to make room for new groceries.

11. Hang Pots and Pans

Use wall space or ceiling racks to hang pots and pans, freeing up cabinet space.

12. Digitalize Recipes

Convert paper recipes to digital formats to reduce physical clutter.

13. Minimize Dishware

Keep enough dishware for regular use and special occasions, and store or donate the rest.

14. Downsize Cleaning Supplies

Keep only the cleaning supplies you use regularly and store them neatly under the sink.

15. Streamline Your Coffee Station

Organize your coffee station, keeping only the essentials out on the counter.

16. Organize Plastic Bags

Store plastic bags neatly in a dispenser or dedicate a small drawer to them.

17. Edit Your Cooking Books

Keep only the cookbooks you use; donate or gift the others.

18. Sort Baking Supplies

Keep all baking items together and dispose of old or stale ingredients.

19. Use Drawer Dividers

Install dividers in drawers to keep cooking tools neatly organized.

20. Label Everything

Use labels on jars and containers for easy identification and to maintain organization.

21. Declutter the Medicine Cabinet

Remove any outdated or unused items from the kitchen medicine cabinet.

22. Optimize Under-Sink Storage

Install organizers under the sink to efficiently store cleaning products and supplies.

23. Prioritize Everyday Items

Keep everyday items at eye level and less frequently used items in harder-to-reach places.

24. Clear Out Paper Clutter

Remove old bills, receipts, and papers that tend to accumulate on countertops.

25. Simplify Linens

Keep only the kitchen towels and table linens you use; donate the rest.

26. Reevaluate Serving Pieces

Keep only the serving pieces you use regularly.

27. Install Lid Organizers

Use door-mounted lid organizers to keep pot and pan lids orderly and accessible.

28. Categorize Snacks

Use baskets or bins to organize snacks, making them easy to grab and go.

29. Declutter Kitchen Gadgets

Evaluate kitchen gadgets, keeping only those that serve a purpose or enhance convenience.

30. Refresh Herb and Plant Pots

Reorganize or trim kitchen herbs and decorative plants to maintain a tidy appearance.

In conclusion, decluttering your kitchen doesn’t need to be an all-day affair. By following these 30 simple tips, you can significantly enhance the functionality and appeal of your kitchen space in an hour or less, making it a more enjoyable part of your home.