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10 Minutes Kitchen Declutter Tips That Makes Cooking Easier
Let me tell you a little secret: my kitchen used to stress me out. Every time I wanted to cook, I’d spend half the time searching for the spatula, moving pots just to find space to chop onions, or digging through overcrowded cabinets for spices.
Cooking wasn’t just cooking, it felt like a treasure hunt. 😅
One day, out of frustration, I decided to set a 10-minute timer and just declutter a little corner of my kitchen. To my surprise, that small effort made dinner so much easier. That’s when I discovered the magic of 10 minutes kitchen declutter tips that makes cooking easier.
If your kitchen also feels chaotic, come closer these hacks are for you.
Why Decluttering Your Kitchen Matters
We spend so much time in the kitchen, yet it’s the one place that gets messy fastest. When it’s cluttered, cooking feels heavy and stressful. But when it’s neat and organized, you save time, you enjoy cooking more, and honestly, you waste less food.
The good news? You don’t need an entire weekend to fix it. With these 10 minutes kitchen declutter tips that makes cooking easier, you’ll see changes instantly.
Plan your meals in minutes! Download your free weekly meal planner today. (My Gift for you🙂)
1. Tip One: Start With the Countertop
Counters are like magnets for clutter mail, school forms, random spoons, spice jars, everything ends up there.
👉 Solution: Spend 10 minutes clearing just your countertop. Put back utensils, toss old receipts, wipe surfaces. A clean counter instantly gives you space to chop, mix, and cook without stress.
2. Tip Two: Do a Quick Fridge Sweep
We all have that jar of jam from last year still sitting in the fridge 🙈. In 10 minutes, scan through your fridge, toss expired food, and group items by category, dairy, veggies, condiments.
When you can see what’s inside, you cook faster and waste less.
When I declutter my fridge, I notice I waste less food and that means saving money on meals too. If you’re looking for ways to stretch those savings further, check out these Budget-Friendly Family Dinners that turn simple ingredients into delicious meals.
3. Tip Three: Create a Spice Zone
Nothing slows cooking like searching for paprika in a sea of random jars. Use 10 minutes to arrange spices in a small basket, drawer, or rack.
👉 Pro tip: Keep everyday spices (salt, pepper, curry, chili) right near your stove for easy access.
4. Tip Four: Toss the Duplicates
Why do we keep three ladles, four can openers, and five chopping boards? Take 10 minutes and get rid of duplicates. Keep only what you use daily, donate or store the extras.
You’ll be amazed how much drawer space opens up.
5. Tip Five: Set Up a Cooking “Work Zone”
Instead of scattering pots, pans, knives, and cutting boards across the kitchen, create a work zone. In 10 minutes, move the most-used items closer to where you cook.
Example: Keep knives, chopping board, and mixing bowls near your prep counter. Keep pots and spatulas near the stove.
This simple shift makes cooking smoother.
6. Tip Six: Tackle One Drawer at a Time
Kitchen drawers can be scary (don’t ask how many sauce packets I’ve found hiding in mine 😅). Instead of emptying them all at once, pick just one drawer. Spend 10 minutes organizing it.
Use small containers or dividers to separate items, cutlery, baking tools, or foil wraps.
7. Tip Seven: Clear the Sink Area
A cluttered sink makes cooking harder. In 10 minutes, wash the piled-up dishes or load them into the dishwasher. Wipe the sink and keep only dish soap and sponge nearby.
A clean sink instantly changes the mood of the kitchen.
Plan your meals in minutes! Download your free weekly meal planner today. (My Gift for you🙂)
8. Tip Eight: Organize Your Pantry in Small Sections
Don’t try to reorganize the whole pantry at once. Instead, pick one shelf. In 10 minutes:
- Group items (grains together, snacks together).
- Toss empty boxes.
- Place older items in front so they get used first.
That’s how you avoid buying the same thing twice.
9. Tip Nine: Keep Only Daily Appliances on the Counter
Blender, toaster, air fryer, rice cooker, sometimes our counters are a showroom. But you don’t use them all daily.
In 10 minutes, move less-used appliances into cabinets and keep only what you use every morning (like kettle or toaster) on the counter. More space = easier cooking.
10. Tip Ten: Create a Drop Zone for Random Stuff
Let’s be honest, no matter what, kids (and sometimes husbands 😂) will always drop random things in the kitchen, keys, mail, toys.
Instead of fighting it, create a small “drop zone” basket near the entrance of the kitchen. Everything goes there. That way, your counters stay clear for cooking.
Bonus Tip: Use the “One In, One Out” Rule
Whenever you buy a new kitchen item, let one old item go. Bought a new frying pan? Donate the old scratched one. This prevents clutter from building back up.
FAQs on Kitchen Decluttering
Q1: Can 10 minutes really make a difference?
Absolutely! Decluttering is easier in small chunks. Ten minutes a day adds up to a fully organized kitchen in no time.
Q2: How do I keep the kitchen clutter-free with kids?
Give them small responsibilities like putting snack boxes back in the pantry or helping wipe counters. Kids love being included.
Q3: What if my kitchen is really small?
All the more reason to declutter. Focus on vertical storage (shelves, hooks) and keep only the essentials.
Q4: Should I buy fancy organizers?
Not necessary. Start with what you have, jars, baskets, old containers. Once you see what works, you can invest in nicer organizers later.
Plan your meals in minutes! Download your free weekly meal planner today. (My Gift for you🙂)
My Final Thoughts
Cooking should be joyful, not stressful. With these 10 minutes kitchen declutter tips that makes cooking easier, you’ll spend less time searching and more time actually enjoying the process.
Remember, you don’t have to do it all at once. Just set a timer, tackle one small area, and celebrate the progress. A little declutter every day adds up to a big difference.
So, tell me, what’s the first spot in your kitchen you’re going to declutter for 10 minutes today? I’d love to hear your plan! 💛
