7 Kitchen Gadgets That Are Only Cluttering Your Countertop

Kitchen countertops are usually pretty limited when it comes to space, so storing anything other than the essentials on them just makes it feel like an overcrowded party. And who wants to work around a cluttered countertop anyway, fighting with appliances over a few inches of space or trying to snag an outlet in the only two-plug spot your kitchen happens to have on that side? Cluttered kitchen countertops aren't just harder to work around — move this here, plug that there — they're also not the most appealing to look at.

If you'd like a cleaner, less chaotic countertop that screams "I'm tidy and uncluttered," it might be time to say goodbye (not forever) to some of the kitchen gadgets you use infrequently, because they're taking up space they don't actually need. While items like coffee makers and microwaves, which are used daily (and sometimes multiple times a day), definitely earn their place on the counter, it's those less-used appliances that you can say "au revoir" to.

Unless you're someone like Rosanna Pansino or Chelsey White (aka Chelsweets), the big TikTok bakers, you probably don't need your hand or stand mixer sitting out on the counter all the time. While some people do use it often, plenty of others only pull it out occasionally, which means it's not an everyday essential. So find a cozy space under the counter where it's still easy to grab when baking (or once you want to try using it to shred chicken, like so many people do).

It may be small, but it's still adding to the clutter on your kitchen countertops. And if you use an electric wine opener, that's even more space taken up. While it's true that over 60% of people enjoy wine at least occasionally (via YouGov), making a wine opener a frequently used item, a handheld one can easily fit inside a gadget or utensil drawer, and an electric opener can usually be tucked into an upper cabinet. Just keep it somewhere near where you typically open your wine bottles so it's conveniently located when it's time to pop that cork.

Tea kettles are another kitchen gadget that either gets used frequently or only once in a while when you want a warm cup of tea or need a home remedy to soothe a cold. Yes, some are super cute and complement the kitchen, but they're still taking up counter space. While you can tuck a tea kettle into a kitchen cabinet by the stove, there's also the option to add a stovetop cover and keep your kettle stored on there. This way, if you use it often, it's right where you need it but also off the counter.

No doubt, juicers make consuming nutrient-and vitamin-rich produce so much easier and enjoyable. But if you're not using the juicer as much as you use those other kitchen gadgets, like your coffee maker, put it away. Perhaps you can set aside a part of your under-cabinet or upper-cabinet storage for all your less-used appliances, like your juicer and the tea kettle you brew a warm drink in every so often. This way, they all can hang together and be ready to grab when you need them.

Slow cookers are super convenient since they take most of the burden off cooking a meal, but with average models holding 6 to 7 quarts, boy do they hog up a ton of counter space. These can be pulled out as needed and stored away in a kitchen cabinet or even in your pantry if yours has adequate space. You can even keep your slow cooker in the garage if it's set up with enough storage — if you need some inspo on how to DIY heavy-duty storage shelves, we've got you covered.

If you only use your espresso machine when you host guests or family for dinner or parties, sliding that gadget into a space under the cabinet would be a good idea to give your countertops some room to breathe. Even better, why not use an IKEA cabinet that doubles as a coffee or espresso station, moving the gadget to an entirely different space? Wherever you decide to put it, just make sure it's cool and dry, as high humidity or moisture can cause rust, and freezing temperatures can cause damage.

Not all egg separators are equal. Some are undoubtedly cuter than others, like the ceramic one shaped like a chick that allows your egg white to pour from its beak but secures the yolk inside. And while these gadgets make the separating process more enjoyable, they aren't really worthy of your countertop space since they're probably used less often (maybe just when you want an egg or two for breakfast). Since they're smaller, they actually would fit better in a utensil drawer or even a deeper drawer where you might store other handheld kitchen items.