5 things to never put on your kitchen countertops

Creating a kitchen that feels lived-in and homey takes a careful balance of functional additions and more decorative elements. But when taking this approach, designers warn that there are a few things to never put on your kitchen countertops, and their advice ranges from decor to household clutter.

So often, kitchen countertop space is at a premium, especially if you don’t have an island. As such, being curated and considered about what you put on your counters is key to ensuring you achieve a balance of a kitchen that is loved, used, and lived-in, while also maintaining a sense of organization and useable work surfaces.

But, which items feel at home on your counters, and which things should be removed asap? We’ve asked interior designers for their advice on things to never put on your kitchen countertops, and where these pieces should be kept instead.

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5 things to never put on your kitchen countertops

Your kitchen countertops need to be functional, so ensuring the items that live on them are essential and stylish is key. And to help get you started, you might want to make sure these things aren’t cluttering your counters.

1. Knife blocks

DYP05M kitchen knives on a magnetic strip on a wall

(Image credit: Alamy)

How you store certain kitchenware items can split opinions, but if you have an alternative place to store them that keeps them out of sight and saves countertop space, it seems like an obvious choice. And one such essential is your kitchen knives.

‘Knife blocks, while perhaps not the biggest eyesore on the list, can be problematic when left on the counter. They are notorious for collecting dust, bacteria, and even mold, particularly when knives are stored damp,’ says interior designer Emily Vaughan.

‘Additionally, they can dull your blades over time. Instead, consider using an in-drawer knife organizer. I prefer washable varieties, to keep both my counter tidy and my knives sanitary,’ she suggests. Alternatively, if you’re short on drawer space, you can introduce a wall-mounted knife holder, like in the kitchen above.

2. Soap bottles

kitchen sink area with black panelled walls

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

Every kitchen needs soap by the sink, but quite often, shop-bought bottles are rather unsightly and could disrupt the visual flow of your kitchen countertops. But how can you make this must-have kitchen item look more stylish?

‘Nothing undermines a beautifully styled kitchen quite like a supermarket soap bottle. To maintain a polished look, decant your soap into more stylish dispensers, or forgo the soap bottles altogether with a deck-mounted soap pump,’ suggests Emily.

‘This simple upgrade reduces clutter and maximizes counter space, especially useful if your sink is centrally located on an island,’ she adds. Choose soap dispensers that match the aesthetic of your kitchen or even buy more luxurious lotion, hand, and dish soaps that come in nice packaging – this will make it look intentional and elevated.

Clear Glass Soap Dispenser with Rust Proof Stainless Steel Pump

Clear Glass Soap Dispenser with Stainless Steel Pump

Glass Dish Soap Dispenser with Ceramic Tray

Amber Glass Kitchen Soap Dispenser Set

3. Paper towels and holders

i-shaped kitchen with an original aga

(Image credit: deVOL)

There are some kitchen essentials that you need within easy reach at all times, but they can often be unsightly and take up more space than you might like. ‘Paper towels are an unavoidable kitchen essential, but they don’t need to clutter your countertop,’ says Emily.

Instead, look for ways to store your paper towels that are easily accessible but out of sight. ‘I’m not keen on the recent trend of integrating paper towel dispensers into custom kitchen cabinetry, as it tends to draw more attention to something I’d rather disappear,’ she adds.

‘Installing a door-mounted paper towel holder inside your sink base cabinet keeps them neatly out of sight and can even reduce their usage. If you’re feeling ambitious, try buying affordable dishcloths in bulk as a more stylish and sustainable alternative to paper towels,’ suggests Emily.

4. Too many small appliances

A white kitchen with a coffee station, a metal pot on the stove, and blue-green countertops and backsplash

(Image credit: Mary Wadsworth / Roundhouse)

Your kitchen countertops can quickly become covered in small appliances – from blenders and coffee makers to the toaster and microwave, they take up a lot of surfaces. And with less counter space, your kitchen can quickly feel less functional.

‘Placing too many appliances, such as toaster ovens, food processors, and bread warmers, on your kitchen countertops can easily create clutter and take up unnecessary space. Whenever possible, limit your countertop appliances to just one beautiful statement piece,’ says Andrew Franz, founder of Andrew Franz Architects.

Choose one or two appliances that you use every day to keep out on your countertops, and store the rest in a cupboard. An appliance garage comes in really handy here, offering a space to not only keep your appliances out of sight, but you can use them in the same place they are stored.

5. Paperwork and mail

White kitchen with dark wood floors

(Image credit: deVOL)

Whether it’s the space you spend the most time in or the room you first head to when entering your home, your kitchen countertops can quickly become a dumping ground for paperwork and mail that you intend to deal with, but inevitably don’t. But mail should never be left on your countertops – instead, create a designated space to store loose papers.

‘To avoid letting paperwork pile up in this busy space, consider setting up a dedicated area outside the kitchen for your documents. If you don’t have a separate home office, mudrooms or foyers can be a great location for this drop zone,’ suggests Emily.

‘To neatly tuck away papers, look for a piece of furniture with closed storage, such as a drop-leaf secretary. This way, you won’t be faced with unpaid parking tickets while trying to enjoy a glass of wine.’

Or, if the kitchen is the best place for storing documents you need to deal with, dedicate an easy-to-access drawer or a well-organized shelf for easy access that doesn’t clutter your countertops.

Essentially, anything that makes your countertops feel over-filled or that simply don’t feel at home in a kitchen probably shouldn’t live there. Either find new homes for your appliances, paperwork, and cookware, and ensure anything that needs to live on your counters looks stylish and considered, rather than just dumped.

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