Simplify your kitchen and make it more functional by applying Marie Kondo's decluttering techniques. Start small and tackle one cupboard or drawer at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Take a closer look at each item—if it’s outdated crockery, duplicate utensils, or gadgets you rarely use, it’s time to let it go.

Donating or recycling these unnecessary items will free up valuable space and give your kitchen a fresh, organized look. By keeping only what you truly need or what sparks joy, you can transform your kitchen into an efficient, clutter-free, and visually appealing space that's easier to work in and enjoy.

Trays, especially ones that carry a particular theme or color scheme, give your kitchen an air of intentionality. Without a tray, having miscellaneous items laying about can look untidy. But with a stylish container, mundane objects contribute to a put-together design and feel. And, cleaning your counters will be a cinch: simply lift the tray and wipe.

Could you and other members of your household charge your phones, smartwatches, or laptops somewhere other than in the kitchen? Get a power strip for your bedroom if you don't already have one, one that you can tuck behind a pedestal to maintain a wireless aesthetic. Stick to charging your devices there and you'll notice the difference. Without all the gizmos and cords, your kitchen counter will look a lot less chaotic.

Dedicate an organized kitchen drawer to technology, physical mail, and random items that go in other rooms. This drawer might also prevent time-wasting on misplaced belongings — let everyone know to check here, first.

Break up boxes and bag recyclable packaging as soon as you receive delivered goodies. And don't let those trash and recycling bags linger anywhere they're not meant to. Trash bags should either be in trash cans or out on the curb, ready to be picked up by local waste management.

Do you currently have a knife block taking up precious counter space? If it's not an heirloom from your beloved great-grandma, you might want to consider replacing it with a floating magnetic rack or strip. When you arrange the blades by size, it can look just as elegant as a block, and your knives are still within arm's reach.

So, you spent a lot of money on your Julia Child, Madhur Jaffrey, and Gordon Ramsay collection of cookbooks. But are you using them to a point where they deserve valuable countertop territory? Just like coffee table books, cookbooks can enhance your decor. However, if you're short on counter space and rarely crack them, opting instead for your phone or tablet, they can probably go into one of the closets or shelves you cleared out you were spring cleaning.

Consider all those little objects you need to pick up one by one to give your counters a solid wipedown. Imagine if Hermione Granger used a levitation spell to lift them simultaneously, making the job much easier. You can do that for yourself; you simply need a pegboard. Pegboards work with many kitchen aesthetic styles—they don't have to look busy and unpolished. With some hooks and tasteful wire baskets, a pegboard with a shelf base could be a storage gamechanger for you.

Keeping things at eye level is so conventional. Look up and get creative. Does your space have scope for aerial storage? If so, herbs on your counters can transfer to hanging baskets. You could even store fresh produce up there, or chic cookware you want to show off. Just make sure you can readily grab what you need and that there's zero possibility of a concussion in the future.

Not keen on using air space and magnetic racks on backsplashes because the look isn't clean enough? No problemo. Peek inside your cupboards, and there's a good chance you can install hooks or caddies on the interior surfaces of your cupboard doors. These can work for small and medium-sized items such as measuring cups and spoons, spice shakers, tools, and cutting boards, and they help you reconfigure your storage situation.

All it takes is five minutes when you first make your way to the kitchen in the morning and five minutes before you turn down for the day. The discipline can transform your kitchen and the ritual can foster calm satisfaction. In the evening, load up the dishwasher, wash the outliers, and wipe down the counters. In the morning, put away the clean dishes and put on the coffee — done and done!