If your kitchen is practically bursting at the seams and you’ve got no place to store anything, then you’re at the right place. Read on for our tips for organizing your kitchen, and keeping it clear of clutter.

First things first, take out the trash! It’s a good idea to start with the countertops, because they are one of the most visible spaces in your kitchen. If your counter tops are cluttered with old bills, last week’s magazines and expired coupons—toss ‘em! For incoming mail, slip it in a handy hanging letterbox placed in your entryway and pick one day a week to go through what has collected, tossing out the rest.

Next up is organizing your cupboards. Here is a great tip: gather all of your dishware and food storage containers and set them out on your counter. If you find that you have pieces without lids or dishes that are cracked, it’s time to get rid of them and free up some space. Remember, your kitchen is not a drop-off or collection zone. It is the place where your family recipes come to life and memories of Christmas cookie making parties are made. Get rid of unused kitchen items to make more room for your daily tasks and merriment alike.

Storage made simple

Sometimes our kitchen cabinets just don’t have the space needed to effectively store all of the items we use for various cooking methods, even after you’ve cleaned out the unused items. Between regular dishware, party platters, appliances for everything you can imagine, utensils of all shapes and sizes, and special dishes, your kitchen cupboards can quickly become chaotically cluttered. A buffet, China or sideboard placed in your dining room is a great way to store items that you don’t use often, while making use of under-utilized dining room space. Place your wedding dishes or heirloom china that you only take out for the holidays in a stylish credenza that is both practical and decorative. There are a variety of dining room storage options available, for rooms that are grand in scale or more limited in space. You can also find credenzas in a plethora of styles, finishes and colors from rustic farmhouse and sleek modern pieces with minimal detailing to ornate buffets with delicate designs, glass doors and antique hardware.

If you want to showcase some of your formal China and stemware, look for a China or hutch that sits on top of a buffet. A China has full glass doors, so it’s perfect for display and will keep your favorite collectibles free of dust. A hutch has open areas that are versatile and also great for display. You can also look for a sideboard buffet with built-in wine racks and stemware storage if you enjoy entertaining guests.

Shelves Galore!

Another fantastic way to reduce the visual clutter in your kitchen is by adding additional shelving or hanging fixtures for various items. At almost any big box retail store you can find a specialized cup rack or cup hooks that can be easily installed underneath your cabinets without a professional. Hanging your coffee or tea cups is not only a trendy way to display your favorite mugs but it also saves precious space in your cupboards. If you’re really into DIY, consider adding a ceiling or shelf pot hanger in your kitchen. Hanging awkward shaped items like pots and cups is a great way to neatly store them versus stacking them in your cabinets and risking them bursting out every time you open the door.

Installing small shelves throughout your kitchen, and underneath cupboards also makes smart use of otherwise empty space. You can neatly display spices and/or baking items in glass mason jars on designated floating shelves for a clean and sophisticated look if you lack a pantry. Shelving is also a great way to make use of wasted vertical space. You can add shelves above your cupboards, above your kitchen window, and wherever else to store bulkier items that you don’t want collecting dust on your countertop.

A clutter-free kitchen is probably on everyone’s short list and achieving nirvana in the way of a clean kitchen doesn’t have to be a chore. All it takes is designating items to their own space by way of clever storage and multi-function furniture pieces such as a credenza or dining room buffet. These pieces and a few organizational tips can help keep your kitchen and life in order.

Once you have your kitchen cleared of clutter, you may want to tackle your dining room design. Learn about the best dining sets for guests next.