11 things that always make your kitchen look cluttered – and what to do with them instead

Your kitchen is the heart of your home – a space for cooking, entertaining and spending time with your loved ones. But, with so much use, it's no surprise that it can quickly slide into being messy and cluttered.

If this is a problem you feel yourself regularly contending with, it could be down to the things you keep in your kitchen, and particularly, the ones you keep on display. From appliances to overflowing dish racks, professional cleaners and organizers share their advice on the things that always make your kitchen look cluttered – and what to do about it.

So, if you're dealing with a chaotic kitchen, these decluttering tips from our experts will help you streamline your space with ease.

11 things that always make your kitchen look cluttered

1. Small appliances left on the counter

While you may love displaying your retro small appliances, they may be one of the things making your kitchen look cluttered, warns Karina Toner, operations manager at Spekless.

'Small appliances, like best toasters, best blenders and best coffee makers often take up valuable counter space, making the kitchen look busy and unorganized,' she says. 'Instead, store these appliances in cabinets or pantry shelves when not in use.

'If space is tight, consider creating a dedicated appliance corner, where everything is neatly arranged, but avoid letting them spread across the kitchen.'

Electrical appliances are items never to store on top of the refrigerator, so bear this in mind when choosing where to keep yours.

2. Excessive utensil holders

Utensils and utensil holders are a kitchen necessity, but it's important to take stock of what you have and decide whether you can declutter some.

'Having too many utensils in jars or canisters on the counter can create visual chaos,' says cleaning expert Toner. 'A large assortment of spatulas, spoons, and whisks can make the space feel cluttered, even if they are neatly grouped together.'

Instead, Toner recommends keeping only your most frequently used utensils in a single container on the counter. Then, store the rest in a drawer organizer, such as the Pipishell Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizer for Utensils Holder available at Amazon, or keep them accessible but out of sight in a cabinet, if you're wondering how to organize kitchen utensils or where to put utensils in a kitchen without drawers.

3. Open shelving full of mismatched items

While you might love open shelving for an eclectic look in your kitchen, and I know I definitely do, if maximalist decor ideas aren't the look you're going for, these things could be making your kitchen appear cluttered. To avoid this, follow the golden rules of organizing open shelving in a kitchen.

'While open shelving is trendy, it can make a kitchen look messy when filled with mismatched items or things that aren't neatly arranged,' says cleaning expert Toner. 'This creates visual clutter.'

Instead, curate the items, and only display items that are both cohesive and visually pleasing, such as matching dishes or decorative glass jars, advises Toner.

'Keep functional but unattractive items stored away in cabinets,' she adds.

4. Mail

Want to know how to organize mail? Mail is a household item which often piles up, leading to a scattered and chaotic look that makes your kitchen look disorganized.

'Set up a designated mail sorting station with trays or folders, or immediately process the mail by tossing junk, filing important documents, and paying bills,' says professional organizer and founder of Diisorganized Di Ter Avest. 'A wall-mounted command center can also keep papers off surfaces, further enhancing the organized feel of your kitchen.'

5. Refrigerator magnets

'A refrigerator covered in magnets, papers, and coupons is a classic clutter culprit,' warns cleaning expert Toner. 'It can make the whole kitchen feel chaotic, even if the counters are spotless.'

While you may wish to display magnet souvenirs or photos on your fridge, limit what you choose to put up, to keep your space looking streamline.

'Create a designated space elsewhere in the kitchen, like a bulletin board or a family command center, for important papers, menus, and lists.'

6. Overflowing dish racks

We're all guilty of delaying putting away dishes, either from our best dishwasher or after using some expert tips for washing dishes, but professional cleaner Toner urges that you tidy these away as soon as possible.

She says, 'A dish rack piled high with dishes can give the impression that the kitchen is constantly in use and untidy, even if it's just a matter of drying the dishes. Try to put away dishes as soon as they are dry, and avoid letting them accumulate. If possible, tuck the dish rack away under the sink or in a cabinet when not in use.'

If your dishes are usually wet after running your dishwasher, use a tea towel, such as the Mainstays Woven Kitchen Towel Set available at Walmart to quickly dry them off.

7. Jars and containers of food

'Counters crowded with jars of pasta, spices, or other dry goods can create a cluttered look,' says cleaning expert Toner. 'Even if neatly arranged, too many jars or food containers on display can overwhelm the space.'

Instead, store food items in pantry shelves or cabinets, and use shelf risers, such as the Kusmil Expandable Cabinet Space Riser available at Walmart to maximise your space, which are one of the kitchen organizing products our editors can't live without.

'If you prefer displaying some jars, limit it to a few cohesive, decorative containers, and keep the rest out of sight,' adds Toner.

8. Random items on top of the fridge or cabinets

There are items never to store on top of the refrigerator, and professional organizer Ter Avest warns against putting most things up there – they're one of the things pro organizers immediately notice in a messy home.

'Storing random or bulky items like cereal boxes, small appliances, or decor on top of the fridge or cabinets gives the kitchen a cluttered, unfinished look,' she says.

For a curated look, Ter Avest recommends clearing the top of your fridge and cabinets, or using the space for decorative items, or for practical storage with baskets, such as the Honey-Can-Do STO-02882 Nesting Banana Leaf Baskets available at Amazon, that match the kitchen's style.

'Avoid using this space for everyday items, and keep it limited to what adds value to the kitchen's overall aesthetic,' she says.

9. Too many decorative items

Just like covering your fridge in magnets, while decorative items can add a touch of flair and personality to your kitchen, it's important not to overdo it.

'Decorative touches like vases, candles, or figurines are lovely, but too many of them can make the kitchen feel overcrowded and cluttered,' says cleaning expert Toner.

'Keep decorative items minimal and functional. For example, opt for a single vase of flowers or a stylish fruit bowl, and remove any non-essential decorative pieces.'

For examples, our decorative kitchen ideas showcase how you can tastefully add character, not clutter, to your space.

10. Bulk buying overflow

While bulk buying is a great way to save money at home, excess products which don't fit in your cabinets can create visual clutter.

'Bulk purchases like large bags of flour, rice, or snacks that can’t fit into cabinets often end up piled on counters or tucked into corners, creating an unsightly mess,' says cleaning expert Toner. 'Invest in proper storage containers that fit in your pantry or cabinets to break down bulk items.' Make use of pantry storage ideas and pantry organization ideas to get on top of the latest pantry trends.

'Alternatively, store overflow items in a secondary storage space, like a garage or basement,' adds Toner, using air-tight plastic boxes such as IRIS USA 13 Qt Stackable Plastic Storage Bins with Lids available at Amazon to keep your food safe from pests.

11. Mismatched or overcrowded countertop storage

When organizing kitchen countertops it can be difficult to know where to start, and you may need to rethink your kitchen countertop ideas.

'Cluttering the countertop with various storage solutions like baskets, trays, or bowls – especially if they don't match – can create visual disarray,' warns cleaning expert Toner.

'Stick to a few streamlined, matching containers for storing items on the counters, and keep them grouped together in one area.' We recommend the JoyJolt 12-Piece Glass Storage Jars with Airtight Lids available at Wayfair, which are available in six sizes for curated countertops.

'Avoid letting them spread across the entire kitchen,' advises Toner.

These cozy kitchen ideas are perfect for creating a warm and welcoming kitchen, even in winter.