As the home’s most high-traffic area, it’s no surprise that our kitchens are often huge clutter magnets—and this is especially true of our countertops.

Try as we might, they just always seem to end up crowded with things that may or may not even belong in the kitchen. But, what does belong on our kitchen counters?

We connected with a few pros to find out—and we were surprised by the answers. As it turns out, some things we assumed were fine to keep on display should get stashed in our cupboards and cabinets.  

Small Appliances

Sarah Brady, interior designer and founder of Salt Design Company, says she suggests tucking away any small appliances that don’t match the kitchen’s overall aesthetics. This includes things like toasters, blenders, and excess countertop clutter.

Instead, use drawer organizers, pull-out pantry shelves, and hidden appliance garages to keep things accessible but out of sight. 

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Junk Mail and Schoolwork

This one is probably highly relatable. Brady notes that paperwork is a major offender when it comes to kitchen clutter, and this covers everything from junk mail to schoolwork. 

“To cut these bad habits, designate a specific place for each item,” she says.

Instead of on the counter, sort papers into a dedicated drawer or a wall organizer. If you spot items tossed on the counters, spend a few minutes every day moving them into their correct home. 

“This will help keep things in order and maintain a calm, functional space,” Brady says. 

Cookware

Sometimes, people enjoy leaving out their beautiful cookware so that it’s on display as a pop of color in the kitchen, but Bruce advises against this. In the end, it’s only taking up valuable prep space, and can instead create a cluttered visual effect.

Rather than sitting on your counters, Bruce calls hooks a creative and charming storage solution. 

“The versatility of hooks allows you to hang them anywhere, transforming everyday items into visually appealing features,” he says. 

Cooking Utensils

If you use hooks for your cookware, Bruce says this can double as a spot for your cooking utensils, too—which is another item you try to keep off your counters.

While many people store their cooking utensils in drawers, just as many keep a crock out and within reach of the stove. Bruce says a nearby rack can be just as handy.

“If you prefer to keep utensils out, consider opting for a pot rack suspended over a peninsula or island,” he says.

Paper Towel Roll

This one might come as a shocker, but Brady says she believes paper towel rolls don’t belong on kitchen counters. 

“While it’s a necessity, paper towel rolls often add unnecessary clutter,” says Brady. 

Instead, she suggests a built-in paper towel dispenser under your cabinets or inside a drawer. This will keep them accessible and on-hand, but keep your counter free and clear.

Spices

While there are a lot of visually pleasing spice racks available on the market these days, Bruce still advises keeping these stored away—or at least off the counters.

“Storage baskets and extra shelving will further help to organize, allowing for easy access to items when in the throes of cooking,” Bruce says.