How to organise kitchen counters: 8 common problems solved
Transform your kitchen from chaotic to calm with these practical storage solutions. Whether you're tackling kitchen counter organisation or maximising cabinet space, these tips will help you create a more functional and beautiful cooking space.
1. Create a calm look with kitchen countertop organisation
Visual clutter makes your kitchen feel chaotic. These solutions help you organise kitchen counters for a calmer space:
- Only keep daily-use items on the countertop: Be ruthless. If you don't use it every day, it doesn't earn counter space. Store occasional-use appliances in cupboards or on high shelves.
- Use trays and containers to group and organise: This is key to how to organise kitchen counters effectively. Grouping creates visual order. A tray corrals oils, salt and pepper, whilst a container holds wooden spoons and spatulas.
- Regularly declutter and reset zones: A quick five-minute tidy each evening keeps chaos from building up. Wipe surfaces, return items to their homes and start tomorrow fresh.
- Choose closed storage over open shelving: Cupboards with doors hide everyday clutter and create a streamlined look. If you love open shelves, style them with matching containers and a few decorative pieces.
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2. Group items by task and keep your essentials close
When your tools live where you use them, you'll move through recipes faster with less frustration:
- Keep frequently used tools within reach: Wall-mounted rails with hooks save countertop space and let you hang several utensils on the same hook. KUNGSFORS stainless steel systems are inspired by professional restaurant kitchens and work in high-humidity areas too.
- Organise drawers so you stop searching: Cutlery trays keep utensils tidy and easy to find, saving time when you're setting the table. UPPDATERA trays are available in bamboo or white plastic, fit perfectly in MAXIMERA drawers and combine with other UPPDATERA organisers.
- Add mobile storage that moves with you: Trolleys work as prep stations, coffee bars or breakfast spots and roll wherever you need them. NISSAFORS is the little hero that fits wherever it's needed, whilst RÅSKOG comes in two sizes with the smaller one fitting under most tables.
Tip: Skip the junk drawer
Ditch the junk drawer and put your tools on display. Wall-mounted rails with hooks and containers give you a clear overview of what you have, keep worktops clear and make everything easy to grab when you need it. Practical storage that looks good too.
3. Match storage to look good and work hard
A visually tidy kitchen feels calmer and is easier to maintain. When everything looks coordinated, you're more likely to keep it that way:
- Store dry goods in jars for a uniform look: Clear glass jars create visual order and let you see what's inside at a glance. KORKEN or IKEA 365+ stack neatly and keep ingredients fresh.
- Group items on trays for functional decoration: A tray corrals oils, salt and pepper whilst creating a styled focal point. It makes cleaning easier too.
- Use open shelving units to combine beauty and practicality: ENHET shelving keeps everyday items within reach whilst displaying your favourite pieces. The modular design adapts to your space and storage needs.
- Fill boxes with everyday use items to keep it tidy: CHOKLADHAJ boxes corral small items and create visual order on shelves or countertops. They're perfect for tea bags, coffee pods or baking supplies.
- Create multi-level storage with storage racks: NÅLBLECKA rack keeps jars, spice grinders and bottles in their own place, so you always know where to find them. Vertical storage maximises counter space whilst maintaining order and style.
4. Unlock hidden spaces inside cabinet doors
The inside of your cabinet doors is doing nothing whilst you're running out of space for spices, wraps and cutting boards. These solutions turn wasted space into smart storage:
- Mount spice racks inside cabinet doors: Keep spices visible and accessible without taking up shelf space. Door-mounted racks transform unused vertical space into organised storage.
- Store wraps, boards or tools on door-mounted racks: Vertical storage on doors is brilliant for flat items that otherwise stack awkwardly. Cling film, foil and chopping boards stay tidy and within reach.
- Customise drawers with organisers: The UPPDATERA series includes adjustable drawer organisers, sliding organisers and storage boxes that help you make the most of every drawer. Mix and match to fit your exact needs.
- Add hooks for tea towels and utensils: Simple hooks on the inside of cabinet doors keep frequently used items handy whilst clearing counter space.
Tip: Hang baskets under shelves for instant storage
Easily add more storage under your wall cabinets by attaching the hanging basket PÅLYCKE. No drilling is required and the basket fits most shelves thanks to its flexible clips. It has just the right depth to give a good overview. Add matching hooks from the same series for even more easily accessible storage.
5. Stay flexible with mobile kitchen solutions
Fixed storage doesn't adapt to your changing needs. These movable solutions give you flexibility when you need extra prep space:
- Add a portable trolley for multiple uses: The NISSAFORS trolley works brilliantly in kitchens, bathrooms or as a bedside table, with three shelves and castors for easy movement.
- Choose a freestanding kitchen island: More workspace when you need it, and you can move it if you rearrange. Freestanding islands often include storage drawers and shelves underneath.
- Try modular shelving units: Freestanding shelves can be repositioned as your storage needs change, making them perfect for renters or anyone who likes to refresh their space. BROR is a heavy-duty shelving unit when you have lots of heavy cookware or need robust storage.
6. Keep everyday items handy
Your most-used items keep getting buried at the back of cabinets. These solutions put essentials exactly where you need them:
- Use boxes or baskets to group tools by purpose: Keep baking tools together, coffee supplies together and breakfast items together. Clear containers let you see what's inside at a glance.
- Add a plate rack for organised dish storage: Store plates vertically to keep them accessible and prevent chips. The RINNIG rack holds up to 20 plates, making it easy to grab one without unstacking.
- Hang towels or tools on hooks: Use SUNNERSTA hooks to store your kitchenware on the wall and fit more into your cabinets and drawers. Simple, functional and keeps daily items visible.
- Store frequently used spices in a container: Easy to bring with you when cooking and easy to store away.
Tip: Landing space for groceries
Have a countertop or landing space next to the fridge to make it easier to unload groceries after a big shopping trip.
7. Make cleaning and sorting simple
These solutions turn waste sorting into a quick and efficient task:
- Install a waste sorting system inside cabinets: Designed to meet all your waste sorting needs, HÅLLBAR bins help you sort different materials into different bins. The pull-out frame gives you quick access and a good overview whilst keeping bins stable.
- Label bins for food waste, plastics, paper and glass: Clear labels mean everyone in the household knows where things go. Each waste type gets its own spot for effortless sorting.
- Use a dish mat for quick drying: The flexible silicone mat NYSKÖLJD protects your worktop and drains water efficiently. It rolls up for easy storage when not in use.
8. Think vertically and make every centimetre count
These solutions help you use every centimetre of your kitchen, making it feel larger and more functional:
- Create levels and stack smarter: Use shelf inserts to add extra layers for glasses, bowls, and spice jars. For example, VARIERA shelf inserts can be placed on existing shelves and connected for a custom fit.
- Organise deep drawers efficiently: Choose drawers that pull out fully for easy access and can be organised with custom interiors. MAXIMERA drawers fit METOD kitchen cabinets and come in low, medium and high options to suit your storage needs.
- Make corner cabinets accessible: A carousel fitting transforms awkward corner cabinets from annoying black holes into easy-to-reach storage. The UTRUSTA carousel lets you spin to find what you need.
- Hang glasses to free up shelf space: Clip-on racks underneath shelves hold wine glasses or kitchen rolls without drilling, reclaiming valuable cupboard space. PÅLYCKE wine glass racks hold at least three glasses safely on stable metal construction.
You know your kitchen counter organisation is working when:
- You find what you need in 30 seconds.
- You clear your worktop in under 5 minutes.
- Everything has a home that makes sense.
- Your storage looks intentional, not accidental.
- You adapt your setup as your needs change.
