How can I declutter my kitchen counters?
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Everything lands on the kitchen counters, but nothing seems to leave. The dremmel tool from doing the dogs toenails. A antique coe-coe-clock my mother gave me over a month ago. A bag that gets used 2 times a month when my husband goes for allergy shots. Screw drivers, nuts and bolts. It's just a sea of stuff that doesn't have a home along with the toaster, the vitamix, dish soap, and dish cloth. I'm going crazy trying to get homes for these things, but nothing is working.
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You need to have a spot for everything and put it away when you are done with it. I have a 2 minute rule - if putting something away/cleaning it up takes less than 2 minutes, there is zero excuse for not doing it immediately. It's just a change in mindset. But, you will need buy-in from everyone in your house or you will end up resentful.
Baskets, baskets, baskets! You could also try wall-mounted shelves/storage if you have any open wall space.
You are absolutely correct! I do feel the resentment already. I just don't like to confront my family on anything or rock the boat. I'm feed up, so at dinner tonight, this will be the topic of conversation. Thank you!
Here is a trick I learned ....before you leave a room put away 5 things. (pick a reasonable number for yourself, could be 4 could be 15). Gather your crew and start the project. Purchase shelving and storage containers. Label them and put where you are most likely to need them. A 60 drawer nuts bolts nails organizer is a must. Put tiny things in these and label, tacks, nails etc. cost under 20 bucks. Get a small one for the desk. or plastic stackable bins. Paperclips, tape etc and stack and label. Let each person put things away and make it a game. Everyone MUST put 5 things away after each meal. Organization is the first step. You have to label, label, label and have a spot for everything. If no one knows what to do with it or where to put it, the counter or table is the first place that is a mess.
I live tiny now so I understand the need for putting things away and keeping them there when not using them. All these things you mentioned need their own place for starters the screw drivers and nuts and bolts could be stored in a small tool box and placed in a cabinet for when you need them.
The same holds true for everything else you mentioned and my all time favorite hack was to keep a doo dad box on the shelf.
It's a matter of changing habits and getting in the routine of cleaning up after you use something.
Sometimes downsizing a few things we rarely use will also give the space for the things you use all the time.
Think of your kitchen counters as a surgery center...sterile, sterile, sterile!
Nothing gets placed atop counters but kitchen items.
Any other items might magically "disappear" if not put in their proper place.
Your family either views you as their drudge, or you're being otherwise disrespected. You'll have to stand your ground or you'll continue to be treated as subservient. Don't you have better things to do?
If they contribute to contaminating the space, they can take turns putting away everything in there and sterilizing the space. When their turn for clean up begins to interfere with what they want to do, when they want to do it, perhaps they'll have an epiphany...