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Original poster

What is on top of your kitchen units?

149 replies

user3274826 · 18/05/2020 18:41

Probably the most boring post I've ever started...

But we've always been a very cluttered house. I've been gradually decluttering for the past year which has helped a lot, but whenever I clear a surface, things get dumped on top (DP is the culprit, although in general I am messier) which drives me INSANE. I've been adding lots and lots of plants around the house to reclaim surfaces to try and stop this and it's helping, I've reclaimed several bookshelves, windowsills etc But the plant solution isn't perfect as they are expensive and I keep killing them so I can't do it everywhere.

My latest decluttering task was the kitchen units. I can't reach on top without climbing up, so I can't put useful kitchen things on there. In most Rightmove photos, they are lovely and bare, do people really manage this or have they been cleared in preparation? It is a large amount of useful space so I don't want to waste it and if it's empty, DH will keep filling it up with crap. I think I could put big curver baskets up there and use the space, but not sure what to put in there and don't need several basket versions of the 'random shit drawer'.

What about on top of bedroom wardrobes?

This stuff doesn't come naturally to me, I try so hard to give things a place and they all get mixed up.

OP posts:
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5
Gallacia · 18/05/2020 21:00

Ignore
My message I thought you meant counters!

Nothing on top of my cupboards, that would stress me out

Laska2Meryls · 18/05/2020 21:03

Wow..
So Im the only one who keeps all the saucepans and wok up there? I thought everyone did.. ..
Its not dusty , they get used all the time and it all gets cleaned regularly

Laska2Meryls · 18/05/2020 21:03

Colanders and slow cooker too!

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Home improvement
Soen · 18/05/2020 21:04

My whole house is a shit tip, not gonna lie. The top of the kitchen cupboards have easter eggs (including one from last year), the kids trick or treat buckets (where do people store this crap?!?), some big fancy party platter serving type bowls, filtered water filter thingies, and some place mats I no longer use but kept 'just in case'. Oh and about 700 tea bags (I buy in bulk cos its cheaper).

DurhamDurham · 18/05/2020 21:05

I don't store anything up there, I think it would make it look cluttered and messy. I'm sure there must be lots of dust as I can't remember when we last cleaned them Blush

speakout · 18/05/2020 21:08

My wall units go right to the ceiing, but if I do have a space like that then nothing. I hate clutter, I like a minimal look, so keep everything behind doors.
I like clean surfaces too, so very few things are out on my work surfaces.

Ninkanink · 18/05/2020 21:08

Nothing. I can’t bear clutter. It’s not even particularly dusty atm as we’ve done a thorough once over a few weeks ago. Another one is due in a few weeks time.

We’ve got a tiny kitchen in this flat, so it does mean that we have to keep our cooking/baking gadgets to a minimum, but that’s okay - less to store, less to clean.

speakout · 18/05/2020 21:14

Soen

The top of the kitchen cupboards have easter eggs (including one from last year), the kids trick or treat buckets (where do people store this crap?!?), some big fancy party platter serving type bowls, filtered water filter thingies, and some place mats I no longer use but kept 'just in case'. Oh and about 700 tea bags (I buy in bulk cos its cheaper).

I would bin the Easter eggs, If they haven't been easten by now they won't ever be and chocolate doesn't last forever. Trick or treat buckets are in the loft in a cardboard box marked "Halloween".
I would take the pace mats to charity shop, filters and tea bags have places on garage shelving where I keep my bulk food stores.

OH and I are by nature untidy people. We have learned that if we create designated "homes" for stuff, then keeping tidy is much easier.
And don't keep too much stuff.

Nacreous · 18/05/2020 21:16

I store cake tins, the wok, proving basket, slow cooker, giant joint roasting dish.

Doesn't look amazing, but most of my kitchen is open storage, I have 4 top cupboards and a narrow one, with 2 and a narrow one on the bottom, so frankly I have to take any storage space I can lay my hands on.

Re wardrobes, I would consider boxes with lids if you don't want to risk moths eating the clothes stored up there.

Meruem · 18/05/2020 21:17

I am by nature a clutter lover, although to me it isn’t clutter but important things that need to be displayed! But weirdly I have to have the top of the kitchen cupboards empty. I have really high ceilings so it’s actually a lot of wasted space but I guess with all the stuff I already have on the worktops, having stuff on tops of cupboards as well would feel like too much.

AteAllTheAfterEights · 18/05/2020 21:19

Nothing. I do have a dresser in the kitchen with some table linen folded on top actually but that’s it

SantiagoSky · 18/05/2020 21:25
  • Collection of vases
  • Wok and Le Creuset style pots
  • Cookbooks
  • Cookie tins
  • Box with children‘s party stuff like paper plates
  • Nice looking basket with nuts & dried fruits reserve
SantiagoSky · 18/05/2020 21:28

(We have a step that my initially only my DC used in a corner of the kitchen to be able to reach the top)

Notso · 18/05/2020 21:39

Nothing.
DH attempts to put stuff up there and I take it down because it's one of my pet hates.

sergeilavrov · 18/05/2020 21:40

If you don't want him to put stuff up there, I'd suggest adding crown molding to the top so everything looks built in fully. We do that, and I kept one section such that it is only half caulked. I'm the only one in the house who knows about this, it's where I store valuables and ID documents. No one would ever know. We did the same for our wardrobes, but we have a dressing room. My husband has a set of drawers in our dining table and all of his random shit has to fit in there, or it will be binned. He's a grown up and needs to not behave like a child and make things burdensome for you!

catchinggold · 18/05/2020 21:43

Cooking books, vases and some pretty baskets with birthday candles and baking bits and pieces.

Looks today but is also useful

Soen · 18/05/2020 21:44

Thanks speakout- I will attempt a declutter when lockdown is over and the kids can go to their dads. I've done little bits here and there whilst at home but can't really get into it and give it the time it needs.

soundsystem · 18/05/2020 21:56

Nothing, the units go right up the ceiling.

rainbowunicorn · 18/05/2020 22:38

Nothing. I hate to see a lovely kitchen ruined by clutter and mess it makes even the most expensive of kitchens look shabby. I hate having too much out on the worktops also just kettle and toaster and tea, coffee and sugar caddy.

Rightbutno · 18/05/2020 23:25

Nothing

Rightbutno · 18/05/2020 23:29

Your dh sounds really annoying! Totally understand why you are losing it with him!

SallyLovesCheese · 18/05/2020 23:33

We're don't have any wall cupboards in our kitchen so I avoid this problem completely! Also we have built- in wardrobes so no problem there, either.

loopylindazdaughter · 18/05/2020 23:35

Over floor of extra food here. Can't really see it much and have to stand in units to get to it

ouch321 · 18/05/2020 23:39

Why are kitchen cupboards not built up to the ceiling?

Gingerkittykat · 18/05/2020 23:56

Two slow cookers, a glass teapot that was a gift and a chocolate fountain.

The first slow cooker was too big so I keep meaning to get it down and give it away, I use the second one reasonably regularly.

The teapot has never been used since I don't drink tea and the chocolate fountain has not been used for years. Both of them need to go out.