7 quick ways to simplify your kitchen

Small tweaks with a big impact

In our home, the kitchen is the command center. It’s where backpacks and lunchboxes land. Where meals and plans are made. Where people gather, and kids craft. It’s where we start and end each day.

When the kitchen feels cluttered or chaotic, everything feels harder than it needs to.

The good news? A few tiny tweaks can make an immediate difference in how your kitchen feels and functions.

Here are seven quick things you can do to simplify your kitchen this week:

1. Use the 5/7 rule for your countertops.

If you don’t know about the 5/7 rule yet, it’s the filter I use to decide what earns a permanent spot on the kitchen counters. When fewer things live out in the open, cleaning is faster, and the entire kitchen feels calmer. Here’s how it works.

2. Swap out the drying rack.

We swapped ours for a simple cloth drying mat years ago and never looked back. It’s way easier to clean (thank you, washing machine), reduces visual clutter, and can be tucked away when we have company. Tip: Choose one that blends in with your countertops for an even more streamlined look.

3. Clear everything off the refrigerator.

It may seem small, but a clear refrigerator door can completely change how your kitchen feels. Toss the papers, pictures, magnets, art, and invitations into a box and give it a week. Put back only what you truly miss or need. You might be surprised how much calmer the room feels with less on the fridge.

4. Ditch the duplicates.

Most of us are storing backups we don’t actually need. Set a timer for 10 minutes and hunt for duplicates: utensils, can openers, spatulas, extra coffee mugs. Put the lesser-used or less-loved items into a box, and donate whatever you don’t reclaim within 30 days.

5. Leave breathing room in drawers and cabinets.

When everything is packed tightly, it’s harder to find what you need — and harder to put things away. Move infrequently used tools, cookware, and appliances elsewhere. A little empty space makes your kitchen more efficient and easier to maintain.

6. Downsize dish towels & pot holders.

I once counted nine (nine!) potholders in my drawer. Since I only have two hands and they all get stained at the same rate, I pared down to three. Turns out, the extras weren’t necessary—they were just taking up space. Keep your favorites (or the cleanest) and let go of the rest.

7. Pare back your cleaning products.

For the past six months, I’ve cleaned our kitchen with three things: baking soda, dish soap, and a simple homemade spray I now use for nearly everything—counters, mirrors, windows, stainless steel. Recipe below! Take a peek under your sink and let go of anything you don’t regularly use. You likely need far less than you think.

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Remember, you don’t have to overhaul your entire kitchen to feel a difference. In a space you use constantly, even small changes go a long way. Pick one or two to try this week. If you do, I’d love to hear what changes for you.

And if you find yourself motivated to do a full kitchen reset, my kitchen declutter guide + checklist can walk you through it step by step.

Simple Everything Cleaner

• 450 mL (about 1.9 cups) filtered or distilled water

• 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol

• 2-3 drops dish soap

Combine everything in a spray bottle (add the soap last to prevent foaming) and tip upside down a few times to mix before using.