Stuff on your kitchen counters: Yay or Nay? (floor, painted, cupboards)

[NOLA2SGF]

Originally Posted by mrpress

I cook a lot and I like having stuff within reach and easily accessible. My kitchen is rather small but is a U-shape so I have counters on three sides of me, which I love, and I keep lots of stuff on the counters. A friend's house has a larger kitchen and about the same amount of counter space, and the counters are completely bare. They cook somewhat often and pull everything they need out of a drawer or cupboard every single time. Personal preference, of course, but I'm wondering what the majority does. Some stuff on my counters that gets used everyday or quite often:

Knife block
FOod processor
Spinning thing that holds spoons, tongs, whisks, measuring spoons/cups, etc.
Toaster
KitchenAid stand mixer
Cutting baords
Wine rack
Cookbooks

I'd go nuts pulling that stuff out of a drawer every day. What do you do?

All that stuff would bother me. On my kitchen counters I have:

microwave
small coffee maker
rice cooker
container with kitchen utensils like large spoons and spatulas


I keep the cutting board and the toaster in cabinets. The rest of your items I don't have or use. Oh, by the way - - this is my "cluttered" arrangement. when decluttering to try to sell my house, I put the coffee maker and rice cooker away in cabinets, too.

[BlondeLocks]

Originally Posted by WildCard~

Jukesgrrl~ My kitchen sounds alot like your, I have two very deep draws under the stove range that house all my pot and pans even tallest large cooking pot. Have a knife draw as well, utensil draws as well. Plus Pizza and cookies sheet holder section, built in spice rack, broom closet ...Plus the island has pull outs as well, I have pull out everywhere, place for everything! Super large pantry as well, if anything I have to much room now and I love it! ...

WildCard - Your kitchen is beautiful - I don't know how to give a rep ... but I love it.

[WildCard~]

Originally Posted by BlondeLocks

WildCard - Your kitchen is beautiful - I don't know how to give a rep ... but I love it.

Thank you BlondeLocks~

[CheyDee]

I prefer the uncluttered look, so I just have a coffee maker, knife block and a telephone handset on the counter. On the center island I have a large, round, bamboo-type trivet with three fat candles (different heights) on top of it. That's all.

[timfountain]

Me - Keep it clean and put away as much as possible
Wife - Keep it out and accessible.

As you can see we don't always agree!

[Sheepie2000]

I have way too much stuff on my counters right now, but I like a happy medium. I like stuff, but not clutter. To me, bare either looks like no one lives there or like someone wants to show off their counters.

[WildCard~]

Originally Posted by Sheepie2000

I have way too much stuff on my counters right now, but I like a happy medium. I like stuff, but not clutter. To me, bare either looks like no one lives there or like someone wants to show off their counters.

In my case it has nothing to do with showing off, I'm older I want things easy, plus keeping things down makes it easier for the hubby, in turn makes my job easier ... There no perfect way, to each their own! Enjoy your space, it's yours~~....

[duolong]

I keep very little on counter tops because of all the dust here in souther NM. I'm constantly wiping surfaces. Also, hate the look of clutter - makes me nervous.

[StarryEyedSurprise]

I wish I had the room to put everything away!

As it is, I have my KitchenAid mixer out (which I don't mind for decorative purposes), my toaster (wish I could store), a garlic crock (pretty), a crystal vase, a microwave, a basket with dishtowels, my electric tea kettle and a charging station. I keep my dishsoap and brushes in the sink.

[Forever Blue]

I prefer the cleared off, minimalistic look. I hate a pile of clutter, not that a few things on the counter makes it cluttered, but once a couple things are on, more things are easily added.