7 Items You Shouldn't Keep in Your Kitchen, According to Pros

Reviewed by Katherine Picott

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and as a result, it's natural for it to attract a lot of stuff. From kitchen appliances and gadgets to dinnerware, pantry items, food, and even personal belongings, it’s easy to overwhelm the space and fill it with things you don’t really need.

To make the most of your kitchen’s valuable real estate, we asked designers and organization pros what common items you should keep out of the kitchen, and why. Here are the seven items you shouldn’t keep in your kitchen, according to experts.

Too Much Decor

The kitchen is a space for food preparation and should be designed with functionality first. While it’s fun to inject some personality into your space with decorative items, use them sparingly in the kitchen where they will take up valuable space on your counters and surfaces. Instead, opt for wall hangings, artwork, a fun wall color, or wallpaper to add a little flair to your kitchen space without filling your counters with unnecessary things.

Cleaning Supplies

Experts agree that cleaning supplies should definitely be kept out of the kitchen. This is because most cleaning solutions contain harmful or dangerous chemicals that should be kept far away from areas where you prepare and eat your food, Jessica Samson, cleaning expert at The Maids, says. This is especially true if you have children at home who could accidentally get a hold of them when in the kitchen, she says. Instead, store your cleaning supplies in a safe location outside of the kitchen such as a storage closet, or in your laundry room.

Fine Crystal and China

Keep fine crystal and china out of the kitchen and use that valuable space for everyday items instead, Lisa Cantu, professional organizer and owner of An Organized Home OC, says. Not only will fine crystal and china take up unnecessary space in the kitchen, but they are at a higher risk of getting damaged or dirty in the everyday hustle and bustle of a busy kitchen. Instead, keep these delicate pieces in a storage cabinet or hutch where they can be properly displayed, Cantu says.

Cookbooks You Don’t Use

If you source most of your recipes online but still find yourself with a pile of cookbooks in your kitchen that never gets used, you’re not alone.

“Most people source recipes online, so cookbooks just become a place to harbor dust and bugs,” Amy Bloomer, professional organizer and owner of Let Your Space BLOOM, a Baltimore-based professional organizing company, says.

Consider donating these unused cookbooks or keeping them on a bookshelf outside of the kitchen if they have sentimental value.

Unused Appliances

There’s an appliance for everything these days, from coffee makers to food processors, air fryers, microwaves, toasters, and blenders—the list is never ending. To keep your space from becoming overcrowded with kitchen appliances and gadgets, only keep the things that you use on a regular basis in your kitchen says Moe Solof, kitchen specialist at Fabuwood. Items that get used less regularly can be stored in a pantry or cupboard where they can be brought out and used when needed.

Clutter

This one goes without saying, but likely still needs to be said. Keep clutter out of the kitchen. Countertops are an easy spot to toss your stuff at the end of a long day, but filling your kitchen with clutter will only make it more difficult and frustrating to use.

"The kitchen is a space for food preparation and family gatherings. By avoiding unnecessary items, you can maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming space," Solof says.

Do your best to clear your kitchen countertops of accumulating clutter, such as mail, bills, receipts, knickknacks, and bags. Keep only the things that you need and use every day in your kitchen to ensure it stays both tidy and functional.

Extra Dinnerware

Lastly, if you have extra dinnerware such as plates, bowls, glasses, serving trays, or utensils that don’t get used regularly, consider donating them or storing them outside of your kitchen to free up space, Solof says. Sideboards, hutches, china cabinets, and other storage cabinets are great spots for these extra items, or they can even be stored in a pantry or closet until they need to be used.

Read Next: 11 Kitchen Items to Throw Away Right Now, According to Pros

Read the original article on The Spruce.