How to Arrange a Kitchen Counter
Because of constant use, a kitchen counter can easily become messy and chaotic. A cluttered counter will discourage you from cooking and fully enjoying your kitchen. If you have this issue, set aside a day to properly organize the space. The final arrangement of your kitchen counter will largely depend upon its shape and size. But if you want it to be an efficient working area, there are a few concepts you should keep in mind no matter how your counter is shaped.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Remove all items from the counter so that you have a full, clean view of your counter space. Wipe it down thoroughly with a disinfectant cleaner.
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2
Limit the items on your counter to a toaster or toaster oven (one not both), microwave, coffee machine, bread box, blender, container for your cooking utensils (as well as your knife holder), and dish washing tools. Anything that you don't use at least once per week should be stored in a cabinet or drawer.
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3
Leave about one and a half to two feet of space clear directly next to one side of your stove top. This is where you will chop up your food and transfer it to your pots and pans.
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4
Set your container full of cooking utensils and knife holder in the area directly next to your food preparation area. This way you can quickly access these cooking tools without having to walk or reach across your counter.
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5
Set your blender directly next to your sink. When you're pouring the liquids from the blender, it's best to do so over the sink to avoid spillage.
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6
Place your coffee machine on the opposite side of your sink, so that you can easily fill it up with water. Put your bread box next to the coffee machine, since you will likely need to access both of these items in the morning (toast and coffee).
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Locate your microwave and toaster oven closest to the refrigerator. This is because items from the freezer like frozen dinners and meats will likely need to go into one of these ovens to defrost or cook first. Set your counter so that the toaster or toaster oven is as close to the bread box as possible. If there is vertical space, place the toaster oven or toaster on top of the microwave to save room on the counter.
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8
Place all of your items for your dishes in the area behind the faucet, including sponges, soap pads, and dishwashing liquid. If you don't have much room there, hang a suction basket (see "Resources" for an example) above the sink to hold these items.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider adding an island to your kitchen if you have space issues. There are portable kitchen islands that can be rolled into the middle of the room and locked into place with kickstands.
Have your microwave mounted to a wall in your kitchen if you need more space.
Hang a damp rag from the faucet or your hanging basket for dish items so that you can quickly wipe up your counter. Rinse it and place it in the microwave for 20 seconds to kill bacteria after each use.
