5 Items You Can Declutter From Your Kitchen Cupboard Today
Spend 15 minutes making much-needed space in your kitchen by decluttering these 5 items you probably don’t need to keep
How many novelty or excess appliances do you have in your kitchen? Are they regularly used, or sitting at the back of the cupboard because you don’t need them anymore (if you ever did)? Here are five items you can easily get rid of today, to give your kitchen the decluttering it’s crying out for. Your reward will be more space and a happier home.
1. Novelty appliances
I’ve seen so many (mostly unused) kitchen appliances hidden away at the back of cupboards around the country. Appliances that can boil six eggs at once, waffle presses, ice-cream, pancake, and pie makers… items that are used for about a month then are often left neglected, yet they take up precious space in our cupboards.
I’ve seen so many (mostly unused) kitchen appliances hidden away at the back of cupboards around the country. Appliances that can boil six eggs at once, waffle presses, ice-cream, pancake, and pie makers… items that are used for about a month then are often left neglected, yet they take up precious space in our cupboards.
Take out all your appliances and place them on the kitchen bench. Then be honest and only keep ones that you need and use. The rest can be donated to charity or friends in order to make space in your cupboards.
2. Duplicate appliances
If you have an appliance such as a Thermomix or multi-purpose food processor, you don’t also need to keep individual items that perform the same function, for example a blender, beater, and processor. The purpose of an all-in-one appliance is that you can get rid of smaller appliances that are crowding your cupboards, as they are replaced by your more elaborate machine.
If you have an appliance such as a Thermomix or multi-purpose food processor, you don’t also need to keep individual items that perform the same function, for example a blender, beater, and processor. The purpose of an all-in-one appliance is that you can get rid of smaller appliances that are crowding your cupboards, as they are replaced by your more elaborate machine.
Also consider how you make dishes and beverages such as rice and coffee. Do you have a coffee machine but still keep a drip percolator? Do you use a microwave rice cooker, but have an electric one in the cupboard as backup? Don’t be afraid to throw out duplicates; you’ll still be able to perform necessary tasks, and you’ll have the added benefit of space.
3. Rarely used implements
When I was growing up every home had a white plastic urn for when our parents had friends over. Even though I’ve not seen one used since the ’90s, so many people have one kept under the sink just in case. I challenge you to think carefully about any items you keep, even though you rarely – if ever – use them. Large urns, electric frypans, pasta makers… if you haven’t used it in the past year, consider getting rid of it.
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When I was growing up every home had a white plastic urn for when our parents had friends over. Even though I’ve not seen one used since the ’90s, so many people have one kept under the sink just in case. I challenge you to think carefully about any items you keep, even though you rarely – if ever – use them. Large urns, electric frypans, pasta makers… if you haven’t used it in the past year, consider getting rid of it.
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4. Multiple platters and serving dishes
Most homes have more platters than they’ll ever need at any one time. Rather than keeping all the platters and serving dishes you have, reduce them to the quantity that you’d need on a day when you host guests in your home.
Most homes have more platters than they’ll ever need at any one time. Rather than keeping all the platters and serving dishes you have, reduce them to the quantity that you’d need on a day when you host guests in your home.
Have you ever heard yourself saying “We might need these platters/bowls/serving dishes for when we throw parties”? Before you feel you need to keep six salad bowls and a dozen white platters, ask yourself a couple of questions:
- When was the last time I threw a party and needed all these items?
- If I did need more serving dishes/bowls or platters than I own, could I borrow them from a friend, family member or neighbour?
Answer these questions honestly and I’m sure you’ll be able to reduce the quantity in your cupboards.
5. Crockery orphans
Have a think about all the crockery pieces you have in your kitchen. How many of them are part of a set that has a few pieces missing? If you started off with a full crockery set of four or six, but along the way half have broken, the rest are crockery orphans and can be donated.
Have a think about all the crockery pieces you have in your kitchen. How many of them are part of a set that has a few pieces missing? If you started off with a full crockery set of four or six, but along the way half have broken, the rest are crockery orphans and can be donated.
As well as looking nice when you’re using them, there are other benefits to having full sets too. Having just one style of crockery makes stacking the dishwasher, putting dishes and setting the table easier. And anything that makes all those things easier is a winner in my book.
Your kitchen cupboards are prime real estate in your home, so make more space today by decluttering items you just don’t need any longer.
Your turn
How have you conjured up extra space in your kitchen? Spill your secrets in the Comments below, and if you found this helpful, like, bookmark or share this story.
More
Browse more decluttering and storage stories on Houzz
Your turn
How have you conjured up extra space in your kitchen? Spill your secrets in the Comments below, and if you found this helpful, like, bookmark or share this story.
More
Browse more decluttering and storage stories on Houzz
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