You, or anyone else for that matter, will enjoy your kitchen space more if things are orderly. Kitchen countertop organizers are a category of things that help improve efficiency in the kitchen, making it more enjoyable to use. Aside from that, kitchen countertop organizers reduce the length of time it may take you to find anything in your kitchen space.
In this article, I will identify eleven useful kitchen countertop organizers that can help you keep your kitchen clean and organized.
Kitchen Countertop Organizers And Why You Must Have Them
1. Dish Drying Rack
If you do not have a dishwasher and hand-wash your dishes, a dish drying rack will come in handy. A dish drying rack holds wet dishes, utensils, and glasses after they have been washed. Even if you use a napkin to wipe your utensils after drying, you may still need to air dry them first before stacking them away in your kitchen cabinets.
A dish drying rack can be placed on the counter space near the sink. Other designs tower over the sink and help to drain off water from the washed utensils.
Benefits
- Dish drying racks help to air dry cookware before they are put away in the kitchen cabinets or pantry. Your utensils and cooking equipment must be dry before being put into storage to avoid a buildup of moisture in the cabinet or storage space.
- Dish drying racks prevent water spots on your utensils and cooking equipment as they dry up. The water on the dishes either drains off into the sink or is collected in a tray or dip pan below the rack.
- Dish drying racks serve as temporal spots to keep your cookware until you are ready to put them away. Sometimes you do the dishes, life happens and you are unable to put them away even after they are completely dry. Those dishes can sit on the drying rack till you find time to put them away.
2. Spice Rack
A spice rack helps you to organize all your spices used in cooking. The spice rack works better when the various spices are in containers, preferably clear ones, as the rack is a series of shelves or compartments.
If the spice containers are labeled, it makes identification easier as well. Made from wood, metal, plastic, or glass, spice racks can be mounted on a wall, placed in a drawer, or on the countertop.
Benefits
- A spice rack helps you to organize your spices, making it easier to find them when you need to use them. This also makes cooking more enjoyable and convenient.
- Storing your spices in a spice rack helps preserve their aroma and flavor as that environment is cool, dry, and away from sunlight.
- A spice rack can be a decorative piece in your kitchen as they come in many styles and designs and look visually appealing.
3. Knife Block
A knife block is great for organizing and storing all your kitchen knives. Usually made of wood and plastic, knife blocks have slots to hold various types of knives while hiding the blades.
You can place your knife block anywhere on your countertop but preferably close to where you usually prep your ingredients, so they are in easy reach. Make sure your knife block is out of reach of children.
Benefits
- A knife block is the safest storage space for your knives especially with children and pets around. Keeping your knives in a knife block can reduce the risk of accidental knife injuries.
- Storing your knives in a knife block helps you to have easier access to them. There is no need to search through a drawer to pick a particular knife you want because, in a knife block, that knife will be within reach easily.
- A knife block protects the blades of your knives, ensuring that the blades stay sharper for longer.
4. Utensil Holder
A utensil holder helps to organize kitchen utensils, cutlery, and other kitchen tools like spatulas and whisks. It is compartmentalized so each category of utensils can have its own space so they do not get mixed up with one another. Utensil holders are commonly made of metal, ceramic, or plastic.
Benefits
- Utensil holders reduce clutter on your kitchen countertop and in the cabinets. Because they have different compartments, you can separate different types of utensils, making it easier to find them when you need them.
- Utensil holders help to maximize and save space on the countertop, in the drawers, or in cabinets. The compartments help to make sure each space is used to the fullest and the tendency to leave empty spaces is minimized.
5. Cutting Board Rack
A cutting board rack keeps cutting boards organized and out of the way. With a cutting board rack, you can organize and store your cutting boards either vertically or horizontally when they are not in use. It is typically made of plastic, wood, or metal with many slots to hold different cutting boards.
Benefits
- If you have different types of cutting boards from different types of cutting work, it will be wise to have a cutting board rack to help prevent cross-contamination. Separating these cutting boards can reduce the risk of bacteria transfer from one cutting board to the other.
- A cutting board rack ensures that your cutting boards are properly aerated, even if they are not completely dry before them being arranged on the rack. If your cutting boards are wooden for instance, this will prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.
6. Canister Set
Canister sets are plastic or glass storage containers that can be used to store ingredients used in the kitchen. Leftovers, snacks, and dry foods like flour, sugar, and pasta can be stored in canisters so you get rid of the packaging that they come in or store the remaining in the pantry.
Benefits
- Canister sets help to preserve the freshness of the foods stored in them. Canister sets keep air and moisture out of the containers thereby preventing the content from becoming stale or getting spoilt.
- Canister sets keep pests away from your foods. Because these storage containers are airtight, they prevent cockroaches, weevils, ants, and other pests from getting into the food stored there.
- Apart from being organizers, canister sets can be decorative items in your kitchen as they come in different shapes and sizes.
7. Pot Lid Organizer
Just like the name suggests, a pot lid organizer helps you to keep your pot and pan lids orderly. A pot lid organizer keeps the lids neatly arranged and out of the way whether you are cooking or not.
Benefits
- It can be frustrating and time-consuming to look for a particular lid for a particular pot. However, with a pot lid holder, it will be easy to find that lid and it will save you time looking for it.
- A pot lid organizer helps protect your pot lids from scratches, dents, and other damages that may occur if they were not properly arranged.
- A pot lid organizer helps you to save space on your kitchen countertop and in your cabinet because instead of the lid stacked haphazardly together, they are organized. This maximizes storage space.
8. Mug Tree
A mug tree is a stand or rack for holding and displaying mugs. A mug tree is a vertical pole with many “branches” or hooks attached to it for holding or hanging mugs. Mug trees can be wooden, metallic, or plastic.
Benefits
- A mug tree keeps mugs organized and makes them easily accessible. Instead of digging through cabinets or drawers for a particular mug, they are just within reach if on a mug tree. This is great, especially if you use mugs often.
- A mug tree helps save space in drawers and cabinets and prevents mugs from chipping and breaking in these drawers or cabinets.
- A mug tree can help air dry your mugs. If you store your mugs in a cabinet or drawer instead and they are not completely dry, there is the risk of mold and bacteria growth. However, a mug tree prevents that scenario.
9. Paper Towel Holder
A paper towel holder holds a roll of paper towels used for cleaning spills, wiping hands, and other tasks in the kitchen. Paper towel holders can either be attached to the wall with screws, sit on a countertop, or be attached beneath a cabinet or shelf.
Benefits
- A paper towel holder allows easy access to your paper towel when you need to wipe your hands, dry washed dishes, or clean any spills.
- Paper towel holders are hygienic and help keep the paper towels in place. They keep your paper towels clean and germ-free.
- Paper towel holders can add aesthetic value to your kitchen space. They come in different colors, designs, and styles and can suit any style you prefer.
10. Fruit Basket
A fruit basket is used to store and display fruits on the kitchen countertop and sometimes on the dining table. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are made from varied materials like wood, ceramic, wire, and so on.
Benefits
- Fruit baskets can encourage healthy eating habits as the display of fruits can look appealing and compel the family to eat fruits.
- Fruit baskets provide a conducive space for fresh fruits by allowing air circulation. This can make them last longer before going bad.
- Fruit baskets can be decorative pieces on your kitchen countertop. Apart from helping organize your fruits, a stylish fruit basket can add aesthetic appeal to your kitchen.
11. Cookbook Holder
If you love to cook and try new recipes, a cookbook holder or stand could come in handy. Because cookbooks can easily get destroyed if left lying around in the kitchen, having a cookbook holder to hold your cookbook upright or open while you cook.
Cookbook holders are made from wood, metal, or plastic and may come with additional features to also hold and adjust your phone or tablet.
Benefits
- A cookbook holder frees up your hands and allows you to cook more easily and efficiently if you are reading and following a recipe from a cookbook.
- Cooking can be messy sometimes. So, having a cookbook holder that holds your cookbook while you cook can prevent it from getting dirty or damaged.
Conclusion
In conclusion, kitchen countertop organizers are great kitchen accessories that help to save space and time. They also give you more clutter-free countertop space and protect your kitchen items from damage. They are certainly a good investment.
