Spring is finally here, and it's the perfect time to deep clean, declutter, and refresh our homes. Tackling my compact kitchen is always a real challenge, particularly when excess appliances tend to build up and clutter up my countertops and cabinets.
And while I’ve tried all the space-saving hacks to organize my kitchen cabinets — from shelf risers to cabinet dividers — it turns out that I’ve been decluttering my kitchen all wrong.
According to an appliance expert, many of us focus on simply organizing our cabinets to make space. However, there are a couple of common things we don’t consider when we're decluttering our kitchen.
What’s more, I've realized I'm guilty of making these same errors. So, before you begin your spring cleaning chores, keep these expert-approved tips in mind.
Don’t keep hold of single-use gadgets for ‘just in case’
We've all done it: bought a cool, specialized kitchen gadget, used it once, and then tucked it away in storage — never to be seen again. However, instead of cluttering valuable space with single-use gadgets, experts recommend investing in versatile tools.
“A common mistake is keeping appliances that only serve one purpose and are rarely used, rather than opting for more versatile alternatives,” says Caroline Ross David e Silva, Product Marketing Director at Cuisinart.
“These single-function items can quickly take up valuable storage space while gathering dust. When every appliance in your kitchen earns its place by doing more than one job, whether that’s an air fryer with dual cooking zones or an immersion blender with multiple speed settings and attachments, your space works much harder for you.”
If, like me, you have trouble deciding what you’ll actually need, what’s the best way to cull your favorite kitchen appliances or tools?
“A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: have I used this in the last year, and could another appliance do the same job?” adds e Silva. “Depending on your answers, it may be time to let it go or replace it with a more multi-functional solution.”
So rather than just finding ways to shift around and organize excess gadgets, get rid of some instead.
Don’t buy the latest appliances that are not fit for your space
Another mistake we often make is buying appliances that are simply too big and cumbersome for the space. For instance, I instantly regretted the purchase of a two-drawer air fryer. It was too big for my small countertop and was a complete eyesore, and has now taken over my dining table.
“One of the biggest pitfalls is investing in kitchen appliances without properly considering the size of your home,” agrees e Silva. “Oversized stand mixers, bulky air fryers, or multiple single-use gadgets can quickly dominate countertops and cupboards, particularly in smaller kitchens.
"It’s easy to be swayed by trends or impressive features, but if an appliance doesn’t suit the size of your kitchen or how you cook day-to-day, it can end up taking up valuable space.”
In addition, large appliances cluttering up the space can instantly make a small room look even smaller. So be sure to always think about the dimensions of items before buying.
“Instead, it’s worth measuring your space and thinking carefully about where each appliance will live before you buy. Compact, multi-functional designs can deliver the same performance without overwhelming your kitchen.”
Essentially, the key thing to remember when decluttering your kitchen is to ensure you stick to space-saving appliances and solutions. You should either choose multi-functional products to reduce the number of appliances you keep, or simply declutter by getting rid of or donating the extra gadgets you'll never use.
“Spring decluttering is the perfect opportunity to reassess not just what we own, but how we use our space, especially in the kitchen.”
