Countertop Clutter Conquered!

After spending all the time in fixing up my kitchen, I like to keep it clean. Unfortunately, I am not the most organized person in the world. (We're working on it, though!) I tend to have a lot of clutter on my countertops. The way I decided to remedy this is by taking a serving tray and using it as the designated dumping grounds. Nothing is allowed on the counters except appliances (coffee pot, and espresso machine). Anything small must go on the tray. I have small jars to keep itty bitty items and a cup to hold pens. I also keep a small paper pad to jot down my grocery list. Besides keeping my counters clean, I don't spend nearly as much time searching for a pen, paper, or the fingernail clippers!



You could get one at most anywhere. I've seen them at Target, Pier One, Pottery Barn and many other places. I picked up mine from my basement! My sister in law gave it to me and I never really used it. It always seemed too big for anything useful. Seemed like more clutter to me, more junk. Exactly what I'm trying to get rid of!



My tray is a dark brown with a leather look to it. I could see a shiny brass one in a Victorian kitchen and a rustic wood one in a country style kitchen. Maybe a stainless steel one in a modern styled kitchen. Anyway, with this being the only place any items are allowed to be, my counters stay pretty neat. Well, except for the stray library book...(which belongs in the large basket in the living room...)

Containers

Open your drawer. yes, the one right next to you. Do you find it a cluttered mess? Pens, pencils, tape, package of portable tissue...That's ok. I understand. I have lots of messes too. I try to deal with them one at a time. That's really the only way to do it.

I have found that one of my favorite things to help organize is baskets. Any shape would do, but the best are rectangular or square. Any size would do. A person can always set a smaller one inside a larger one.

Silverware containers do alright as well to separate the chaos--that is what it is--chaos. Ok, you can take a deep breath and just admit it. My drawer is chaotic. I need to fix it. I can and I will.

Sometimes there are adorable containers at the thrift store or maybe even an antique shop if you're into that sort of thing. I personally prefer cheap. Maybe inexpensive is a better choice of word. Sounds better, doesn't it? Inexpensive.

I re-use boxes, too. I took a dryer sheet box and set my extra bars of soap in it. It was better than having them scattered on the shelf in my laundry room.

I have a three teired hanging basket hanging from the ceiling of my basement next to my elliptical machine to hold a towel, my bottled water, MP3 player and the remote to the VCR.

I use little plastic baskets from the dollar store to hold my mix packages in the kitchen. Oh, and the metal cans that held my espresso pods now hold the kids' Koolaid packages.