Countertop Canisters Don't Look As Organized As You Think

When you're working toward a more organized kitchen, you may think adding some extra storage containers will be a clever way to tidy up your counter space. However, if you plan to keep those canisters on your counter, your kitchen could remain looking cluttered. According to Angela Nguyen, founder of Bring It Home Style, "A whole lineup of jars for flour, sugar, and coffee just adds visual clutter,"  as quoted in The Spruce. Now, our input is that this really all depends on the size of your counter and what else you're keeping on it as "decor."

While your canister may be better suited for the pantry, you also want to consider the size of your pantry and how much inventory you already have. Even your pantry can start looking cluttered, and while you may be able to shut the door and forget about it, you'll be reminded every time you go in to grab something. Plus, if you're a daily coffee drinker, storing that canister in the pantry could add more work to your morning routine. Then again, these vintage kitchen accessories are making a comeback. How would you explore this trend without some canisters on display? We say it's all about balance.

The clutter issue comes when you have too many canisters on your counter. Add in a jar of cooking utensils, a block of knives, some cute kitchen decor, and a vase of flowers, and things can quickly feel crowded. At this point, you may be wondering where to put the cutting board so you can start prepping your next meal. If you have to move stuff around on your counter to use the space, you definitely have a clutter issue. It's easy to start by moving anything that can be stored in the pantry there, and then keep the items you use daily (like the coffee canister) on the counter. Speaking of which, we suggest keeping your coffee canister by your coffee pot.

One or two canisters on the counter are okay — it's when they start having friends join them that an ant semblance of minimalism becomes maximalistic clutter. Instead of moving your essential canisters to shelves or other spots around the kitchen, move the real decor pieces, like your vintage salt & pepper shaker collection or that vase of flowers. You can free up even more space by keeping kitchen utensils in a drawer or hanging them on the wall. And as for the canisters you do decide to keep on the counter, make sure they're labeled or use clear containers so it's easy to find what you need and keep the space organized.