One of the most common sources of kitchen counter clutter is paperwork and mail. Is this true in your kitchen? If so, you’re not alone. The kitchen is a natural landing spot for new paper that comes into our home, and often paper work is handled there as well. The solution, then, is to give paper a tidy home in your kitchen.
If you’re tired of stacks and piles cluttering your kitchen counters, try this simple tip. Set up a simple counter-top filing system using a small basket or file box and file folders. Next, create a home management binder to store items you access regularly and need to keep close at hand. These storage solutions will put an end to paper clutter on a daily basis, and because they’re portable, you don’t have to worry about paper being out when you have guests over. Simply move your file basket or box temporarily into the home office or bedroom until your guests leave. Is paper a source of clutter in your kitchen? Would this idea work for you? Let me know in the comments! Happy organizing!
P.S. Are you looking for a complete solution to your paper clutter? Check out my Organize Your Paper Clutter online class. Now available on-demand, so you can start today and do the class at your own pace!
I love this idea. I have the exact same basket and plan on putting it into service when I get home from work. I especially love the little clip board for shopping lists.
This would be a great gift to make up for friends.
Thanks so much,
Trish
Thanks Trish! Hope it works as well for you as it does for me. 🙂
This looks so nice but it would not work in my kichen because I have very limited counter space. I have figured out a way to stop the paper from coming into the kitchen in the first place. I put an attractive basket by the front door and told my husband to drop the mail in there when he comes in the door. Then I go through it when I have time. It has cut down on the little piles everywhere.
Good solution Ellen!
This is wonderful!! I found your blog several months back and stayed up all night looking around. I am pretty organized but paper always seemed to be my nemesis. I downloaded your instructions for the home reference binder and put it in a basket with files. I can’t tell you what a difference it has made. I just posted about my experience and how your blog helped me on my blog, somenewcreations.com. Thanks for your inspiration and organizing wisdom.
Thanks Sharon. Glad you’re enjoying my blog. Sorry you lost sleep over it though, LOL. 😉
Aby
Paper is a real bane at this house. We run three businesses from here……a construction company, a concrete form company and farming business! Never mind the personal stuff. Mail comes in like a tidal wave!.. I have learned to dejunk at the post office….we pick up our mail there. But there is still lots. I have learned to sort and put away the mail daily. If there is something important for the hubby to see, I leave it out, then once he has looked at it, it’s filed!
I have to stay on top of it or I will drown!
Great tips, Laura. Thanks for sharing!
Since taking the Organize Your Paper Clutter workshop, I no longer have this problem. I set up Collection Box for all incoming paper about 3 feet from the kitchen. We enter the house through the kitchen door, walk through a galley kitchen, and the box is right there. I keep my purse near it, so it gets emptied often. Next to it is a small basket for small non-paper items that we bring in. The only paper in the kitchen is food-related — shopping list or recipe — and these are only out when in use.
Yay – I’m so happy to hear this Alice! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
This idea is terrific and I ave tried it a couple times. My problem was that hubby (and back hem, my two teens) did not participate in the system.. We are now happily retired! YAY! After 2+ years we are still reveling in retirement.Getting back to the topic! I bought two little “trunks” in two sizes at HobbY Lobby this January and implemented the rule that bills were handoff to hubby who does all that tedious accounting stuff. It is put in him hands to be put in his desk ASAP. For me, the rule is If the item will not fit into one of the little trunks, I MUST find a different place for it OR immediately use it if is a coupon, etc. When the little trunks are full, I have to begin putting items into craft room storage, use the coupons for art supplies, or find a place in either the sewing or the art craft rooms.for the items from the items I just purchased with the 40-40% off at our three “big box” store.Or if the date has expired the coupon must be discarded.This has worked well intermittently–husband just opens mail at kitchen island and leaves bill where they are on the counter top to be taken care of later. I think it could be a good, but whole family must bye into the system. It sounds good on paper but is nor the perfect solutions
You’re touching on an important point. To be organized requires good systems and new habits. To create new habits definitely requires buy-in from the person who needs to create it!
Thanks for sharing your comments Peggy. It definitely sounds like you’ve made progress on the paper front…which is great!
Aby
I also have a basket very similar to this one so I will put it to good use now !! Thanks for such a great tip >
You’re welcome. Thanks for your comment Maria!
I definitely need to try this when we move! Our counter is such a paper collector!