We all know the items that are meant to go in the kitchen – kettle, knives, microwave – but what about the ones that aren’t? Is everything in your space purely for cooking and eating, or have piles of unrelated clutter managed to find their way in?
“It’s getting harder to keep the kitchen separate as so many people have a combined living and kitchen area these days,” admits Helen Sanderson, decluttering expert at Ministry of Calm and author of The Home Declutter Kit.
However, there are still some rules you can try and stick to in order to keep your kitchen calm and clutter-free. Here are the nine things a decluttering expert would never have in their kitchen.
1. Duplicates
“I only keep one of each item, or one set,” says Helen. “I don’t keep spares as they clutter up – if something breaks I buy a new one.”
If you can’t bear the thought of not having a back-up for certain items, Helen recommends keeping this limited to smaller items, and only then if you definitely have enough space.
“And don’t have a back-up for the back-up – no one needs three can openers!” she adds.
2. Things that don’t belong in the kitchen
That means books, paperwork, tools that haven’t been put away in the shed, or anything else that manges to sneak its way in when it shouldn’t be there.
“Try to keep the kitchen free for eating and preparing food – don’t let it become a dumping ground for things on their way to be put away,” insists Helen.
3. Gimmicky gadgets or appliances
Vicky Silverthorn, decluttering expert and author of Start With Your Sock Drawer, is not a fan of avocado slicers.
“In the 50s people got along fine with just a simple knife for cutting, slicing and coring,” she says.
“If you are truly looking to lead a less cluttered life, go back to basics and ditch the gadgets. I doubt you’ll miss them – I certainly don’t.”
4. Plates with chips or extremely scratched pots and pans
This is primarily for hygiene reasons, but will also stop you hanging on to old items longer than you should.
“I’m ruthless when an item gets damaged,” says Vicky.
“If it’s a very sentimental item, then it sometimes becomes an ornament.”
Plates can be displayed on shelves, and broken mugs or glasses upcycled into plant pots.
5. Items you never use
Helen says she is militant about weeding out those items that do nothing but gather dust.
“I’m talking about that fondue set that’s never been out of the box or that horrible vase Auntie Vera got you for your wedding but that you can’t bring yourself to donate to the charity shop,” she explains.
“Time for them to go to another home where they may be appreciated.”
6. Installation and instruction manuals
“Especially for ones I don’t have any more!” laughs Helen. “The same goes for those guarantee documents that expired years ago.
“Apart from the fact we rarely look at these manuals, most can be easily found online these days.”
7. Large amounts of tupperware
We’ve all had a cupboard that got taken over by a multitude of tupperware containers with missing lids at some point.
“I buy tupperware that is stackable and only ever keep items with lids,” says Vicky.
“It’s good to assess how much space this is taking up in comparison to how much you use it.”
8. An unorganised junk drawer
Vicky says you shouldn’t feel guilty about having a junk drawer – if it’s well-organised, that is.
“There is nothing wrong with having a drawer with many useful bits and bobs in it, but a level of organisation will ensure you can easily see and put your hands on what you need,” she advises.
Her top tip? Pick up some drawer dividers to help you sort and order your items.
9. Piles of magazines you’re keeping for just one recipe
We’ve all done it – and seen them pile up on the counter, gathering dust. “If you’re determined to cook that dish one day, then cut it out and transfer it into a recipe book,” advises Helen.
