You're Probably Ignoring The Easiest Place To Start Decluttering Your Kitchen

Feeling overwhelmed by kitchen clutter is common, and you're not alone. If you want to regain a sense of order, start with one of the most overlooked spots, the front of the refrigerator. Often plastered with a chaotic collection of magnets, photos, and papers, this area is the first and easiest place to declutter a kitchen. Clearing this space is an instant visual reward and a powerful psychological boost that creates the momentum you need to tackle bigger organizing projects.

The key is to start small and put yourself in a position to succeed. Getting this spot clean, then moving on to a drawer or single cabinet, helps build momentum without feeling like you're taking on the entire house. This clever decluttering trick works because it shows that a tidy space is possible, and it turns a daunting task into something that feels manageable. It gives you a burst of motivation that can carry you through to other, more challenging areas of the kitchen. Instead of feeling defeated before you even begin, you can feel a sense of accomplishment and see results immediately.

A clean refrigerator door instantly makes a kitchen feel calmer and more spacious. For many households, this area serves as a catch-all for school schedules, takeout menus, and art projects. While these items are often practical or sentimental, they also contribute to a sense of visual clutter. Start by removing everything from the door. Sort the items into three piles: trash, recycle, and keep. For anything you want to keep, like your child's artwork or a favorite photo, consider some creative ways to display it at home.

Taking a photo of the artwork and creating a digital photo album instead of keeping the physical copy on the fridge is just one method. Alternatively, you could hang a corkboard on a nearby wall to display a select few favorites, giving them a proper home while keeping the refrigerator door clear. This approach allows you to keep some sentimental items without sacrificing a clean door surface.

After tackling the front of the refrigerator, you'll have motivation to continue the process. The best way to organize kitchen cabinets or drawers is to divide them into zones, which makes the project more manageable. Focus on decluttering and organizing one zone at a time, such as the utensil drawer or a single pantry shelf. Instead of trying to fix everything at once, work on one area until it's done.

Take everything out of the designated area and only put back the items you actually use and love. This can apply to anything from your collection of mugs to a drawer full of seldom-used kitchen gadgets. If an item doesn't have a clear home, or if you have multiple items that do the same job, think about whether you really need it. Sticking to a one-in, one-out rule, where a new item entering the kitchen means an old one needs to leave, is another simple way to maintain order and have less clutter. By focusing on one small area at a time, you can keep your momentum for cleaning and organizing without getting burnt out.