Does your kitchen sometimes feel more like a storage unit than a space for culinary magic? If every attempt at finding a spatula quickly turns into a clutter-themed escape game, it’s probably time for a ruthless—but liberating—declutter. Here are 15 things you can confidently toss out today for a more functional, more enjoyable kitchen (and fewer mystery objects falling on your toes).
Why Too Much Means Too Little: The Clutter Trap
We all have a soft spot for kitchen gadgets, homey decor, and, let’s face it, those mysterious utensils hiding in the back of drawers. But not everything that finds its way onto your counter or into your cupboards is pulling its weight. In fact, some so-called essentials are only making your life harder and your meal prep more stressful. Clearing out these culprits is your express ticket to a simpler, more pleasant kitchen experience.
The 15 Kitchen Clutter Culprits To Toss Now
- Candles: As lovely as they may be, candles have no business in your kitchen. Not only do they eat up valuable space, but they’re likely to get splattered by cooking oil or food. They belong in the living or dining room, bringing their cozy vibes without invading your workspace.
- Old Plastic Containers: Plastic boxes tend to yellow, warp, and absorb odors over time. Some older plastics can even contain harmful substances. Trade up for glass jars—they’re healthier and much easier on the eyes.
- Too Many Cookbooks: Having a few favorite cookbooks nearby is handy, but dust-laden stacks of unused titles need to go. Keep only those you really use and digitize your best-loved recipes for the rest.
- Decorative Trays: Decorative trays often become dumping grounds for mail, keys, and all sorts of random stuff. Unless you use them regularly, store them elsewhere or stick to just one functional tray.
- Excess Kitchen Towels: Do you really need a small army of kitchen towels? Any that are worn out, stained, or holey should be retired. Two or three well-kept towels cover you for daily needs.
- Single-Use Gadgets: The avocado slicer, grapefruit spoon, and animal-shaped timers: adorable in the shop, abandoned in your drawer. Swap these out for versatile kitchen tools you’ll actually use.
- Too Many Cleaning Products: You only need three: a natural degreaser, a multi-purpose disinfectant, and plain white vinegar. Everything else just crowds up the space under your sink.
- Sachets of Takeout Sauces: Ketchup, mayo, and soy sauce packets multiply but rarely get used. They have limited shelf life and clog up drawers. Buy larger jars instead and wave goodbye to sauce clutter.
- Poor-Quality Oven Mitts: If your silicone mitts sometimes let the heat slip through—ouch—it’s time for thick fabric mitts or sturdy kitchen gloves to keep those fingers burn-free.
- Garlic Press: Usually harder to clean than to use, the garlic press is not essential. A sharp knife and a sturdy cutting board get the job done, minus the drawer clutter and maintenance headaches.
- Too Many Tote Bags and Plastic Bags: Shopping bags accumulate fast. Keep only a handful of solid, reusable bags and recycle the rest before your cupboards resemble a bag convention.
- Excess Wooden Utensils: Those rustic wooden spoons, bowls, and boards are charming—but high-maintenance. With heat and moisture, they crack, trap odours, and may breed bacteria. Only keep as many as you care for properly.
- Medicine in the Kitchen: Medications should never be stored in the kitchen, where heat and humidity can reduce their effectiveness. Move them to a dedicated medicine cabinet in a cool, dry place.
- Nonfunctional Timers: Your phone already does timing better. If you’ve got a battered old timer that barely ticks, you won’t miss it when it’s gone.
- Too Many Baking Molds: Realistically, if you only bake once or twice a year, you don’t need a collection of ten different molds. Keep the ones you use; donate the rest to free up serious cabinet space.
The Big Payoff: Room for What Matters
Now, take a deep breath and enjoy that beautiful sense of space. Decluttering isn’t about sacrifice; it’s about rediscovering how enjoyable cooking (and cleaning up) can be when you’re not wrestling with a pile of unloved items. Every time you open a drawer and actually see what’s inside—or find what you need without a treasure hunt—you’ll thank yourself for being bold with the bin.
Practical Tip: Less Is More—And More Fun
Before buying the next kitchen item that promises to revolutionize your life, ask yourself: will it earn its place, or just become one more thing to toss during next year’s decluttering session? Stick to what you use, love, and can care for—and let the rest go. Your counters, cupboards, and peace of mind will thank you.
John is a curious mind who loves to write about diverse topics. Passionate about sharing his thoughts and perspectives, he enjoys sparking conversations and encouraging discovery. For him, every subject is an invitation to discuss and learn.
