Day 13 – and one of my favourite challenges to do – KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS! I am an instant-gratification-type person and love how this challenge has maximum impact in very little time at all.
Something I realised when we created an open-plan kitchen/ family room a few years back, is that kitchen countertops need to combine function with beauty. We spend so much time in this space that it’s important that I keep it looking decluttered while also having items on display that make me happy.
For me, this meant a couple of things:
- Creating a Coffee Station with everything we need to get our caffeine-fix within seconds of walking into the kitchen (don’t judge me)
- Finding a spot for a table lamp on one of the counters (in honour of Steve’s late aunt who always had one in her kitchen)
- Displaying photos of our overseas family members where we can see them
- Packing away anything that wasn’t used on a daily basis (for example, we hardly ever use our toaster other than on weekends so it has been placed in a cupboard. Our Nutribullet, however, gets used daily so needs to have a permanent home on the counter)
- Eliminating all paperwork – mail, school notices, bills etc (it’s amazing yow quickly a kitchen can become a “home office”)
- Adding some low-maintenance greenery and flowers (potted plants and orchids)
If you need to stick to the ten-minute time limit, then your job is to subtract as many items from your countertops as possible and place them where they should be. Don’t get hung up about then tidying THOSE areas – just place them in their new home and remain focussed on the countertops. Empty them as much as possible and start thinking about how you can “pretty” them up when you have more time on your hands!
And – once you have your countertops all set up – it takes a matter of minutes keeping them this way at the end of each day. The perfect project for a cold rainy day!
Here are EIGHT inspiration pics from my Simpler Kitchen Countertop Pinterest Board to get you fired up:
- I love the use of a rustic wooden crate (or basket) to keep items contained while also displaying them!
2. Adding pictures/ framed printables and a spot for fresh flowers is another great idea.
3. Functionality meets beauty!
4. I do love a coffee/ hot chocolate station – especially in winter!
5. Instead of keeping beautiful glass jars and vases in the cupboards – use them to store and display fruit!
6. On the subject of glass jars – they are a great way to store sugar, flour and rice while adding some farmhouse flair…
7. Make a feature of your cleaning items next to the sink (plus a handy place to store your cake stand!)
8. Such a simple yet effective storage solution plus way to keep kitchen utensils close at hand.
Such a rewarding challenge with instant results. You’ll keep walking into the kitchen to admire your handiwork!
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