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Novelty coffee mugs. Tupperware lids. Chopsticks, soy sauce, and plastic delivery silverware—oh my! All of these adamantly unnecessary objects (and more) transform your kitchen from the heart of your home to a pile of junk waiting to come crashing down all around you.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. You deserve a place that makes it a joy to cook (even if you’re just pouring cereal into a bowl). And you don’t want to get hit on the head by falling rubber spatulas when you stumble into the kitchen for a late-night glass of water.
Here, kitchen designers and professional organizers share eight items you should remove from your kitchen right now. Not only that, they’ll tell you where to donate objects so that someone else can enjoy them. You know what they say—one woman’s junk drawer becomes another’s vital tool kit.
Any Item That Makes You Say—What Is That?
If you don’t know what it does, you probably don’t need it. “Confidently chuck any random loose pieces or parts that you can’t identify and don’t remember using,” urges Tova Weinstock, a professional organizer and the founder of Tidy Tova. “These have a magical way of appearing in kitchen drawers and bogging people down.”
Any Tools You Don’t Reach for Often
Kitchen designer Sarah Robertson, founder of Studio Dearborn, says that it’s best to examine all your belongings by category when embarking on a decluttering spree: Place glassware you use daily in one area, entertaining supplies in another, and items you reach for even less often elsewhere. “What’s left are the things you don’t need,” Robertson says. These items tend to include “the perfect starter set of dishes, utensils, pots and pans, etc., for someone moving into a new home for the first time,” she explains. Now is the time to rid yourself of them. But how?
Robertson recommends posting a listing on Facebook Marketplace. “It’s very efficient, and everything will be used and appreciated in its new home—and will save someone hundreds of dollars too!” If you’re looking to part ways with higher-quality pieces, take them to an auction house or eBay. Robertson explains, “There are often people searching for additions to their collections who will be so grateful that you did!” Even if your plates aren’t in perfect shape, they may still be of interest to some, Weinstock notes: “Schools or teachers often want broken or chipped dishes for mosaic projects.”
”Novelty” Coffee Cups
Kitchen and bath designer Jerel Lake is a proponent of saying goodbye to any and all coffee mugs bearing what likely aren’t such witty one-liners. Instead, he recommends swapping in a matching kitchen set of cohesive glassware, dishes, and mugs.
Random Spice Jars
Taking a little time upfront to streamline your spices and their relatives will serve you well in the long run, Lake says. “Spices and oils can tend to get out of control,” he says, noting that he recently decanted all of his staples into matching glass jars with preprinted labels. “It was tedious work, but the result gives a really pretty look when opening the cabinet.”
Utensil Extras
Unless you’re running a full-service restaurant out of your kitchen, you probably don’t need a duplicates—or triplicates. “I recommend the minimalist approach with utensils,” Lake says. “Having four spatulas or six whisks may be excessive,” he adds, noting that one to two will be just fine. “This makes searching for items less complicated and frees up space for more items in the kitchen.” Bid farewell to the utensils you don’t need by dropping them off at a house of worship or donation center or passing them along to college-aged relatives, Lake suggests.
Past-Its-Prime Tupperware
If plastic ware isn’t in good condition, toss it. “Throw out any Tupperware that is old, heat damaged, cracked, or missing its lid,” instructs Jayna Lattimore, the founder of Ordered, LLC. “Then, invest in some quality sets that are durable.” She’s partial to glass food storage containers with lids that snap on top. “They’re long-lasting, and you don’t have to think twice about popping them in the microwave,” the professional organizer says.
Any Pills Past Their Sell-By Date
If you store your go-to vitamins, meds, and more in the kitchen, make sure you’re not holding onto any expired bottles. “It’s so easy for them to pile up over months and years, with many of them having expired without your knowledge,” Lattimore says.
Dented, Rusty, or Otherwise Damaged Cookware
You deserve pots and pans that are in top condition—anything that isn’t so great should go. “They’re not only wasting space, but they’re a pain to cook with and clean,” Lattimore says. “Toss out those with rusted, chipped bottoms or with nonstick surfaces that are no longer nonstick.”
And a Word of Advice on Staying Organized
To ensure your kitchen clean-out lasts, shift your purchasing outlook. “Buy expensive and seldom, but make it something good,” instructs Helen Parker, creative director of Devol Kitchens. “Just be selective, there is nothing more unappealing than a busy kitchen full of stuff, with no space to cook or enjoy the simplicity of something beautiful.” And keep the trending appliances and gear to a minimum. As Parker adds, “A kitchen full of gadgets is not the way to keep a calm and simple space.”
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