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
Amy Revell
5 January 2018
Houzz Australia Contributor. Declutter Coach and Founder at The Art of Decluttering. I'm based in the leafy suburbs of Melbourne, Australia and work with women to help them create the beautiful homes they've always dreamed of. As an author, speaker and podcaster, I love all things decluttering and embrace the freedom that minimalism brings.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Declutter Coach and Founder at The Art of Decluttering.... More
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.
The kitchen is one of my favourite rooms in the house to declutter and reorganise, because it’s probably the most-used room in the home – it’s called the heart of the house for a reason after all.
The kitchen also has high demands placed on it: its storage is always full, and both accessibility and functionality are important.
The kitchen also has high demands placed on it: its storage is always full, and both accessibility and functionality are important.
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.
The Step-by-Step Plan to an Organised Kitchen Pantry
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.
The Step-by-Step Plan to an Organised Kitchen Pantry
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.
Browse kitchen designers and renovators on Houzz
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.
Browse kitchen designers and renovators on Houzz
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.
Corner Cabinets: The Jewel in Your Kitchen Storage Crown
Corner Cabinets: The Jewel in Your Kitchen Storage Crown
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.
Tell us
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
Tell us
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
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Lifestyle
5 New Year's Resolutions to Help You Get Organised
By Amy Revell
These simple habits and routines will help set you up for a successfully organised 2018
Full Story
Gardening
Five Plants for Fighting Mosquitoes
By Karla Rey
These plants do more than just photosynthesise, they also repel uninvited guests
Full Story
Popular Houzz Series
A Decluttering Expert Reveals: 3 Things I Wish My Clients Knew
A professional organiser shares three important things to know before embarking on a decluttering project
Full Story
Trending Now
The Golden Rules of Proportion: Decor Laws You Need to Know
An interior designer reveals the essential rules for achieving a perfectly balanced interior
Full Story
Decorating
10 Decorating Rules Interior Designers Swear By
By Laura Downie
Want to give your home professional polish? An expert reveals the top 10 decorating rules you need to know
Full Story
Storage
10 Chaos-Taming Tips to Organise Every Room
Feeling overwhelmed by all your stuff? Here’s how to organise your things to make them easier to find and put away
Full Story
Popular Houzz Series
How Do I... Organise My Recycling?
A decluttering expert reveals how to keep your recyclables neatly organised and under control
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
Cool Camouflage: 10 Ways to Hide Your Air Conditioner
Feeling boxed in designing around your mini-split air conditioner? Try one of these clever disguises and distractions
Full Story
Design Features
10 Top Design Tips for an Ergonomic Home Office
Do you spend long stretches sitting down to work? Give your spine all the support it needs with these 10 design tips
Full Story
Creating access & visibility is such an important part of decluttering (and maintaining it). Adding slide out storage to existing cabinets really transforms a space. Eg, the pantry. Good access prevents you buying the same thing over and over - because you can actually see what you have! This is a great DIY solution and more affordable than you think. You'll love this link... (read more)