The kitchen, that glorious heart of every home, has become a magnet for everything under the sun. It's practically begging for mercy under the weight of gadgets, pantry items, and the general chaos of modern life. To reclaim this sacred space, top designers and organization gurus have spoken, revealing the seven most common items that are committing real estate theft in kitchens across the globe. These pros aren't messing around—they've seen the clutter, and they're here to stage an intervention.
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🚫 Overzealous Decorative Items
The kitchen is a functional warrior, a place for culinary creation, not a museum for your knickknack collection. While it's fun to add personality, decorative items are basically space squatters on your precious countertops. Instead, go big on the walls! Think:
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Artwork that inspires your inner chef
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A bold wall color that screams your style
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Wallpaper with a pattern that makes you happy
This way, you get the flair without the clutter. It's a simple swap, really.
☠️ Cleaning Supplies (The Chemical Invaders)
This one is a no-brainer, but apparently, it needs repeating. Cleaning supplies are the uninvited guests that could literally poison the party. Jessica Samson, a cleaning expert at The Maids, warns that these solutions contain chemicals that have no business being near your food prep zone. Yikes! If you have kids? Forget about it—it's an accident waiting to happen. Banish them to:
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A locked storage closet
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The laundry room (their proper home)
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️ Fine Crystal & China (The High-Maintenance Royals)
Lisa Cantu, a professional organizer, calls these out for being space hogs that live in constant fear of destruction. Your everyday kitchen hustle is like a mosh pit for these delicate pieces. They're just... too fancy for their own good. Give them a safer kingdom:
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A dedicated hutch where they can be displayed like the royalty they are
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A storage cabinet far from the splatter zone
📚 Unused Cookbooks (The Dust Collectors)
Let's be real—how often do you actually crack open that giant cookbook from 2010? Amy Bloomer points out that in 2025, we're all scrolling for recipes online. These books become dusty hotels for bugs. If they don't spark joy, it's time to:
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Donate them to a new home
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Place them on a living room bookshelf if they're sentimental
⚡ Small Appliances You Rarely Use (The Countertop Monsters)
The appliance army is real: air fryers, blenders, toasters, oh my! But if you're not using it daily, it's just taking up valuable territory. Be ruthless! Your countertops are prime real estate. The rule is simple:
| Appliance Type | Where It Lives |
|---|---|
| Daily Drivers (Coffee Maker, Toaster) | On the Counter |
| Occasional Stars (Food Processor, Waffle Iron) | Pantry or Cupboard |
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💌 General Clutter (The Silent Space Killer)
Countertops become dumping grounds for mail, receipts, and... well, life. This clutter is like a bad roommate—it makes everything harder. Commit to a clear counter policy. Do a nightly sweep and ask yourself, "Does this belong here?" Spoiler: It probably doesn't.
🍽️ Extra Dinnerware (The Cabinet Crowders)
Those extra plates and glasses for "someday" are stealing space from your everyday heroes. If you're not using them regularly, they're just gathering dust. Set them free! Store them in:
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A sideboard
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A china cabinet
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A closet until the big holiday feast
Honestly, your kitchen will thank you. It's all about creating a space that works as hard as you do. By evicting these seven items, you're not just organizing—you're giving your kitchen a promotion. Now, go forth and conquer that clutter!