In this blog post you’ll find all the answers on the topic kitchen counter organization.

Okay, so imagine this: Your coffee maker is basically buried under yesterday’s mail and dirty dishes, you’ve got spice jars spread out everywhere and good luck finding space to actually cut anything without shuffling stuff around for five minutes.

Does this sound like your kitchen? But listen, it doesn’t have to stay that way.

You can fix this with some pretty straightforward changes. Turn that mess into a counter you actually want to use instead of avoid.

So what I’m gonna do in this blog post is start with some basic information about organizing your workspace (nothing fancy, just the foundation). Then we’ll jump into over 15 different ways to organize your counter that actually make sense in real life.

When we’re through all this, you’ll know exactly how to set up your kitchen counter so it works for you. Not just looks nice in theory, but actually functions when you’re trying to make dinner on a Tuesday night.

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Basics Of Workspace Organization: My Favorite Tips

When your counter’s organized, even a tiny kitchen starts to feel bigger and less chaotic.

It’s really about keeping what you actually use and putting it where it makes sense. That way you’ve got a workspace that works with how you cook, not against it.

Here’s what I’ve learned works best:

Get rid of the things you don’t need
Seriously, if you’re not using it every day, it shouldn’t be on your counter. That bread maker you used once last year? Put it away. You’ll have more room and cleaning won’t be such a pain.

Set up different areas
Think about how you actually use your kitchen. Maybe one spot for your coffee station, another for prepping food, somewhere else for cooking. When everything has its zone, you’re not constantly searching for things or getting in your own way.

Go up, not out
Hooks, shelves, those magnetic knife strips: Use your walls. That gets items off the counter but keeps them right there when you need them. Total game changer for small spaces.

Get containers that match
I know it sounds picky, but when your jars and containers all look similar, your counter instantly looks cleaner. Plus you can find what you’re looking for faster instead of digging through boxes and bags.

Kitchen Counter Organization Hacks

When your counter isn’t covered in random things, your whole kitchen just works better. It’s easier to clean, easier to use and honestly just nicer to be in.

The goal isn’t to hide everything away, you still want the things you actually need close by. You just don’t want it to look like a mess.

So here are 15+ ways I’ve found to keep your counter organized. Some are about storage, some are just clever tricks, but all of them help you use your space better.

1. Hang Up Your Kitchen Utensils On A Ray

I think mounting a rail to hang your kitchen utensils is great because it reduces countertop clutter and makes your most-used items instantly accessible.

My tip: Choose a rail that matches your kitchen’s style and hang utensils in a neat, balanced way, maybe even mixing in a small plant or decorative piece for a touch of your personal style.

2. Declutter Your Kitchen Counter

A clear kitchen counter, with just a few essentials neatly arranged, can make the whole space feel brighter and more open.

I love love looove this very effective kitchen counter organization hack because it creates more room to work and highlights the pieces you actually use and enjoy.

I think it works best when you keep only a few essentials, like a cutting board, a small utensil holder and maybe a plant or decorative bowl, so the counter stays practical without feeling empty.

3. Use Clear Jars – Kitchen Counter Organization

Clear jars are one of those things that just make sense. You can see what’s inside and they make your counter look way more organized than a bunch of mismatched bags and boxes.

I usually fill mine with stuff I use all the time, e.g. pasta, coffee, oats, whatever. And yes, I put labels on them because otherwise I end up forgetting what’s what after a week.

You can line them up on a shelf if you’ve got one or stick them in a box together or honestly just leave them sitting on the counter. They look fine either way.

4. Install Floating Shelves Over Your Kitchen Counter For Storage

Floating shelves above your counter are perfect when you need more storage but can’t afford to lose any workspace.

I like putting everyday things up there (e.g. mugs, jars, spices, things like that). Then maybe put on something that looks nice so it doesn’t feel too utilitarian.

Just don’t cram everything you own onto them. If the shelf’s packed full, it’s gonna look messy. Sometimes less really is more here.

Oh and organizing things by height or color actually helps. That way you can make it look like you did it on purpose and with a concept.

5. Group Utensils On A Tray

So I do this thing with a tray where I just toss all the things I’m always using on it: Spatulas, wooden spoons, you name it.

Sounds basic but it works. Everything’s in one spot instead of everywhere and I’m not hunting around when I need something.

Sometimes I’ll stick a little plant on there or my salt and pepper just to make it less boring. Not necessary but it helps.

6. Attach Your Knives To Magnets On The Wall

My favorite three advantages of this hack: Mounting knives on a magnetic strip keeps them visible, within reach and frees up precious counter or drawer space.

It combines safety and accessibility in one simple upgrade.

I recommend to place the strip at a comfortable height and to arrange the knives neatly by size to create an organized look.

7. Use Stackable Boxes – Kitchen Counter Organization

You are looking for a simple way to store more in less space while keeping your counter neat and organized? Stackable boxes might me the answer for you.

I like them so much because you can customize the height and arrangement to fit your needs.

You could choose matching styles and label them clearly, so the setup looks like it belongs together. That way makes it also easy to find what you need.

8. Attach Hooks Under Your Floating Shelf

Sticking hooks underneath a floating shelf is such an easy win for extra storage.

You can hang mugs, utensils and whatever small tools you’ve got. Everything stays off the counter but it’s right there when you need it.

If your hooks kind of match the shelf and you’re not just throwing things up there randomly, it ends up looking pretty decent.

9. Create Sections On Your Kitchen Counter

Have you ever thought about dividing your kitchen counter into sections?

That can make the space more functional and visually organized.

If you ask me, this works hand in hand with a good kitchen cabinet organization layout, as each section can be dedicated to a specific task like prepping, cooking or making coffee.

You could use trays, small baskets or cutting boards to define these areas.

10. Install Spice Racks On The Wall

Installing spice racks on the wall is a practical way to free up counter space while keeping seasonings easy to find.

I think they look best when the jars are uniform and labeled and arranging them by color or size can turn your spice collection into a small decorative feature.

11. Keep Your Knives In A Knife Block

When I’m cooking and need a knife, I don’t want to go searching for it. That’s why I keep my knife block right next to my cutting board.

Everything’s there when you need it.

And it makes that spot look neater too. As long as the block doesn’t look totally out of place with the rest of your things.

12. Create A Coffee Station

Okay, coffee people, where you at? This one’s definitely for us.

You know what makes mornings actually bearable? Having all your coffee stuff right there, ready to go. No digging through cabinets half-asleep.

Here’s what I recommend: Grab a tray or clear off a little corner of the counter. Toss your coffee maker there, keep your favorite mugs nearby, maybe a jar for your beans or pods. I also throw in a spoon holder (life-changing, honestly) and sometimes a little plant or candle just to make it feel less… functional? More cozy, you know?

It sounds extra, but trust me, having your own little coffee corner is equal parts practical and self-care. Plus it just makes that first cup hit different when everything looks nice.

13. Add An Additional Kitchen Cabinet For Extra Storage

Adding an extra kitchen cabinet can be a clever solution for more storage space.

The additional kitchen cabinet matches your kitchen best when it matches your existing style and is topped with a few decorative items, so it blends seamlessly into the room.

14. Use The Top Of Your Fridge For Storage

Can we talk about the top of the fridge for a second? I feel like everyone just forgets it exists. But if you’ve got a tiny kitchen, that’s prime real estate up there.

The best part? You get your counter space back for actual cooking instead of having it cluttered with that waffle maker you use twice a year or whatever bulky stuff is just sitting around taking up room.

My advice: Put some matching baskets or bins up there. That keeps everything from getting gross and dusty, plus it actually looks intentional instead of like you just started stacking random things on top of your fridge.

15. Stow Your Cleaning Tools

I don’t know about you, but when my counters are a mess, my brain feels like a mess too.

So here’s what actually works: Hide things like cleaning bottles and sponges. Stick it in a cabinet under the sink, put it in a closet or if you’re tight on space, one of those skinny caddies works great.

The point is just getting it out of sight but still easy to grab when you need it.

If you’re feeling very organized, you can get some matching bins to keep it all organized. But even just shoving it in a cabinet makes such a difference. Your kitchen instantly feels more peaceful and less chaotic for sure.

16. Store Things On A Pegboard

Okay, so pegboards. I’m kind of obsessed, to be honest.

There’s just something ridiculously satisfying about taking a boring blank wall and turning it into this whole organized system.

What I love most is how you can hang literally everything (measuring cups, spatulas, even those smaller pots) and suddenly your counters are empty.

But watch out: Don’t just make it purely functional or it’ll look like a hardware store on your wall. Mix it up a bit. Hang a little plant between your utensils, throw up a nice cutting board that’s too pretty to actually use. That way it looks more like an intentional design choice.

Wrapping Up: A Counter You’ll Love

In the end, kitchen counter organization hacks aren’t just about creating more space, they’re about making your kitchen work better for you.

With a few thoughtful changes even the smallest kitchen can feel open, tidy and inviting.

You’ve finished furnishing and organizing your kitchen and are now looking for the perfect kitchen appliances? I’ve picked out the 18 best small kitchen appliances you absolutely need.