10 Items You Can Easily Declutter From Your Kitchen Right Now
Updated on September 22, 2024
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Use this easy kitchen decluttering list to simplify your space.
If you’re looking at this list, that probably means you’re not happy with your kitchen clutter in one way or another. The good news is that you can easily declutter your kitchen right now! The kitchen is one of the most-used rooms of your home, so you should love being in your kitchen, not feel weighed down by excess clutter everywhere.
Having a kitchen free from clutter makes cooking more enjoyable, your days less stressful, and gives you a space that’s easier to maintain. This means you’ll spend less time cleaning and more time doing the things you truly enjoy.
Decluttering can often feel overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure about what to keep and what to toss. This indecision can easily stall your progress. To help you get started, I’ve put together a list of 10 items you can declutter from your kitchen right away. These are things you likely won’t feel indecisive about, making the decision process quick and straightforward. By focusing on these easy-to-remove items, you’ll find it simpler to take those initial steps towards a more organized kitchen.
It’s important to do a quick kitchen decluttering each year in order to make sure you only have items in your home that serve a purpose for you and your family. There’s no reason to keep expired, unusable, or unnecessary items in your kitchen. These things only take up valuable space and can make future tasks, like moving, renovating, or tackling a bigger organization project, much more challenging and overwhelming. Clearing out these items now will save you time and stress in the long run, creating a more functional and efficient kitchen.
You should be able to move through this list relatively quickly. Decluttering your kitchen is typically a quicker process because it doesn’t usually involve many sentimental items that cause you to pause and reflect. Unlike cleaning out your bedroom closet, kitchen decluttering can be done swiftly and efficiently. If you do happen to feel yourself getting stuck on certain items, it’s okay to pause and skip ahead to the next thing. It’s better to declutter as much as you can in the time that you have than to get stuck on a category and not make much progress overall.
With that in mind, here are some kitchen items you can easily declutter to streamline your space.
10 Things to Easily Declutter From Your Kitchen
Below are some specific kitchen items you can quickly clear out to make your space more efficient. Use your best judgement as to what you can donate and what should be thrown in the garbage.
1. Plates and bowls you never use
Do you have extras that are gathering dust in your cabinets? If you never use these items anymore, there’s no reason to hold onto them. You can likely donate these items so they can be given a new life.
2. Expired food in your pantry
You’re most likely not going to eat expired food, so don’t let it take up valuable pantry space. Use this opportunity to throw out old condiments from takeout restaurants, as well. If you come across any shelf-stable food items that haven’t yet expired but you no longer plan to eat, set them aside for donation. You can usually find food donation bins in grocery stores, churches, or schools, or ask around if anyone knows of a place accepting these donations.
3. Medication, vitamins, and supplements that are expired or you no longer take
Not only are these items taking up space, but they’re potentially a hazard if someone were to take them by mistake, or if they were to get in the hands of children or pets. You can dispose of unused pills at a drug take-back program at most local pharmacies, where there may even be a drop box available for these items. If you don’t have a local take-back program you can pour the pills out into a plastic bag that’s also filled with something gross, like kitty litter or coffee grounds, and throw them in the garbage. You shouldn’t flush pills.
4. Food storage containers that don’t have a match or are old and gross
It’s frustrating when you’re trying to put away leftovers or pack your lunch for work and you can’t find a matching set. You also probably don’t want to take an old stained container to work. It’s time to get rid of these items so you’re only reaching for matching sets that you want to use.
5. Mugs and reusable water bottles that you don’t use anymore
Everyone ends up with more mugs and water bottles than they need at some point. We tend to develop “favorites” and stop reaching for the others. If you have mugs or water bottles that you no longer use, now is a good time to clear them out. You can check with your local donation center to see if they’re currently accepting these items.
Related: 2 Easy Ways to Tidy Your Home When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed or Unmotivated
6. Old mail, coupons, takeout menus and other papers that have been sitting around too long
Paper clutter can take over your home if you don’t keep it under control. Recycle anything that you no longer need, like expired coupons, old flyers, and takeout menus that you can read online instead.
7. Cleaning supplies that you don’t like or use
If you tried a new cleaning product that just isn’t for you, or you’ve switched over to natural cleaners and still have others under your sink that you don’t want to use, now is a good time to get rid of them. Check your local waste management website for disposal instructions.
8. Pens that don’t work
There’s nothing worse than reaching for a pen only to discover that it doesn’t work. Give your kitchen collection of writing utensils a quick test and toss the ones that have dried up.
9. Items in your junk drawer that you no longer need
The dreaded junk drawer, a catchall for random items that you don’t know what to do with. It’s like a black hole. Empty it out and only put back items that will still serve a purpose, and get rid of those that won’t.
10. Cookbooks you never reach for
Maybe it was a gift, maybe you don’t like the recipes as much as you thought you would, maybe you were feeling ambitious when you bought it but have now accepted reality. Whatever the reason, unwanted cookbooks take up a lot of space and are better off being donated so someone else can enjoy them.
Deciding What to Keep and What to Toss
The process of kitchen decluttering doesn’t need to be overwhelming. This list is a guide to what you can easily declutter in your kitchen without requiring you to make too many difficult decisions. If you’re still feeling torn about certain items, try asking yourself:
- Do I have a similar item that I like better that serves the same purpose?
- Do I have more of this item than I can possibly use?
- When was the last time I used this item?
- Does this item have sentimental value?
Your answers to these questions should help you decide what you want to do with your items. It’s perfectly okay to keep sentimental items if they hold special meaning for you; these cherished belongings can add warmth and personal significance to your space.
Save This Kitchen Decluttering List for Later
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By maintaining a low-clutter kitchen you can use your space to its full potential. Spending time in your kitchen will feel more enjoyable and you’ll be able to access the things you use and love more easily.
When tackling these easy-to-declutter kitchen items, you’ll quickly create a more organized and functional space. The process of clearing out expired, unusable, or unnecessary items can significantly simplify your kitchen, making everyday tasks smoother and less stressful. Plus, starting with these simple steps can motivate you to continue decluttering other areas of your home. Embrace the fresh start you’re creating and enjoy the benefits of a cleaner, more efficient kitchen.
You’ll soon be able to enjoy the satisfaction and ease that comes with a clutter-free kitchen, where everything serves a purpose and spending time in your kitchen becomes a joy again for you and your family.
Do any of these items sound like something you can declutter from your kitchen? What are some other items you’re planning to declutter from your kitchen? Let us know in the comments.
