READERS QUESTIONS
Question: how do I control all the clutter that accumulates on my kitchen counters?
Wow this is a loaded question, with no simple answer as it depends on what the clutter is.
If it is dirty dishes and leftover food and such then you need to set up some guidelines for your family to take the time to do the dishes and create expectations for them, in my house whoever cooks does not have to clean, the rest of the family has to do the dishes immediately after supper is done, by working together they get it done fast and it has become a habit for them to not get up and leave the table thinking a maid will come by and clean up for them. It is not always easy and they do try to get out of it but we stick to our rules of what it takes to run this family and we make it a priority that they be part of the upkeep of the house. I like to think we are developing habits that will last them a lifetime.
From my experience the most common kitchen clutter is ‘other stuff’ that gets put there ‘for now’ and then never gets moved or put away. Some of the most popular things that clutter up counter tops is incoming mail, school notices, kids gadgets, keys, and newspapers.
My advice is to create a system where this stuff goes, keep the system simple and put it where logically it will be found. For example if mail is piling up on your counter, is it logical to set up a system in the upstairs office? What are the chances that you will immediately bring the mail up there? Slim to none would be my guess, so logically you need to set up a location on or near the counter so that when you enter the house with the mail it is EASY to place it where it belongs. Forming the habit of opening the mail over the garbage as soon as it enters the house works great. This way you can eliminate the junk and bulky envelops right away, leaving only the mail that requires action or filing.
As for all that stuff that gets placed there by others, creating a space for that stuff can work wonders. It may be a basket system where they each have their own basket and anything that belongs to them goes in it. In my house we have a Junk Drawer- Oh I know all you organizers out there are cringing as this is sacrilege, but my junk drawer is for other peoples junk that gets left on my counter- Yes this is my house, I do the majority of the cooking and I consider the kitchen counter MY space and clutter drives me crazy. So to preserve my sanity, anything that gets left on the counter gets put in the junk drawer, this helps us all, when someone is looking for their stuff they know to look in the junk drawer. One place to gather all that stuff. I do have to purge every few months when it gets overflowing, but my theory is that if they have not cleared it out in that long then whatever is in there must not be important to them. I give them a warning that I am going to clean it out so they all have the chance rescue their stuff.
This system works well for us and keeps my counters neat and tidy most of the time. We do live in our house and have an active family so I do not go for perfection but for function (and sanity 
) .
Do have a system that works for your family to keep your counters clear? Leave me a comment and share your ideas.
If you have an organizing question for me, send it my way.
Happy Organizing!
