How to Declutter Your Kitchen & Pantry in 15 Minutes a Day

We’ve officially hit Week 3 of the Declutter Challenge—welcome back! This week, we’re heading straight into the heart of the home as we declutter your kitchen and pantry.

Week 3 Declutter Challenge: Declutter your Kitchen, Pantry & Kid’s Toys

If you’ve been with us since Week 1 (bedrooms & closets) and Week 2 (bathrooms & laundry), you’re probably starting to feel the rhythm—and hopefully reaping some of the rewards! It’s amazing how focusing on spaces we usually overlook can dramatically impact how our homes feel and function. (Who knew that decluttering the junk drawer could bring so much peace?)

Declutter your Kitchen: Think Like a Camper 🏕️

Before we dive in, here’s a mindset shift that helps me every time I declutter the kitchen: If I were going camping, what kitchen items would I actually take? What would I need to survive and still enjoy cooking?

That doesn’t mean you can’t keep your garlic press or fancy lime juicer—but it does mean giving yourself permission to let go of the gadgets that collect dust. Be intentional. If you don’t use it, don’t feel guilty for letting it go.

Day 15: Pantry Cleanout (Not Organizing—Yet)

On Day 14, I want you to remember that we are not organizing, we are decluttering! Keep the main thing, the main thing. I know clear containers and Pinterest-worthy pantries are trending—but let’s focus on function. If emptying bags into matching jars stresses you out, skip it. Your pantry doesn’t have to look like The Home Edit to work well for your family.

Once you’ve decluttered, go ahead and reorganize if it makes sense—just do it based on how often you use things. For example, I keep baking supplies on a high shelf since I don’t use them daily, but snacks and canned goods go front and center.

Here’s how to start:

Remove expired items.
Toss or donate anything you haven’t used in the last 3 months.
Group similar items together (snacks, canned goods, breakfast items, baking supplies, etc.).

Day 16: Declutter your Kitchen Cabinets & Drawers

Time to tackle all those cabinets and drawers. Coffee cups and water bottles are my usual culprits—somehow, they multiply. Keep your favorites, donate the rest. If you don’t LOVE AND USE it, give it away.

Go through each cabinet, one at a time, and declutter dishes, mugs, water bottles, and kitchen gadgets.
Ask yourself:
- Do I already have one of these?
- Will I actually use this?
- Do I want to keep managing it?

Next, declutter the drawers. Go through utensils and silverware. Yes, even the random gadgets. (Looking at you, corn-on-the-cob holders and avocado slicer.)

Reminder: If you regret getting rid of something, most kitchen tools cost less than $10 to replace. Give yourself the gift of freedom.

How to Declutter Your Kitchen & Pantry in 15 Minutes a Day

Day 17: Kitchen Counters

This one’s a game-changer. Clear off your counters. Completely. A clear counter will make your kitchen feel bigger, cleaner, and calmer. You might be surprised at how much mental clutter disappears along with the visual clutter.

A decor and other items collect on your counters, the clutter begins to add up, making the space feel chaotic and cluttered. I challenge you to try a cleared kitchen counter even if it feels odd at first.

Wipe down all counters.
Try to limit yourself to two appliances max- but you have to use daily. I cover my Kitchen Aid mixer with this cover.
Add one small functional tray with olive oil, salt, pepper, etc.
Really consider not adding decor right now. You can store them under a bed or in a closet if you still want to keep, but the kitchen is a very busy and cluttered space naturally. Decorating in the kitchen should be more textures like hand towels and rugs. Trust me in this and try it.

A clear counter will make your kitchen feel bigger, cleaner, and calmer. You might be surprised at how much mental clutter disappears along with the visual clutter.

Day 18: Dining Table & Coffee Table

Your tables and horizontal surfaces need a rest from all the things. Clear these off and watch your house instantly feel less cluttered. Doing this also makes these spaces easier to clean and manage. Put all the extra decor in a closet or storage bin. This “timeout” trick helps you decide what truly deserves a spot back in your home.

Dining Table: Clear it off, wipe it down, and try leaving it empty (just for a season). You’ll be amazed how much it changes the energy in your space.
Coffee Table: Same deal. Wipe it down, and add no more than 3 items (a candle, a plant, coasters)

Day 19: Books

My name is Lisa and I love books. I’m not as ruthless with books personally because they don’t clutter my home and need managing on the daily. However, they can collect so I do a quick scan to remove any I no longer want to keep.

Some people only keep books they’ll reread. Personally, I like holding onto the ones that inspired me or brought me joy—even if I don’t plan to revisit them. But still, we all have a few that can go.

With digital and audio options available, your shelves don’t have to carry the weight of every book you’ve ever owned.

Ask yourself:

Will I actually read this again?
Does this book still inspire me?
Could I get this from the library if I wanted to?

Day 20: DVDs, Video Games & Board Games

Honestly, streaming has changed the game. If you haven’t watched or played it in the last year, consider donating or consolidating.

Don’t save games “just in case.” Save space on purpose.

Here’s what we did:

Took DVDs out of their cases and stored them in a compact CD wallet.
Kept only our favorite classics (hello, Bond and Batman).
Limited our home to one game system. We also only buy games that they can play multiplayer. If you have young kids, then you know.
Made sure all puzzles and board games had all their pieces—and were actually being used.

Day 21: Kids’ Toys (Yes, It’s Hard 😬)

This might be the hardest day—but also the most rewarding. I am always surprised by how difficult it is to donate toys! I think back to when I was younger and how little I had. We are so blessed, but our kids do not need every toy there is to be happy. Actually, quite the opposite.

Over time, I’ve learned that kids adapt faster than we think—and they often play more creatively when they have fewer options. No shame is allowed here either, just start today by making new changes even when they are unknown and uncomfortable. The reward is worth it.

Start small:

Toss broken toys and trash
Group by category (dolls, cars, building toys, etc.).
Look at what season of play you’re in and decide what makes sense to keep now.

Try a toy experiment:

Put unused toys in a bin, label it, and stash it away.
See if your kids notice or miss them.

Final Thoughts

Week 3 is a big one. The kitchen and living areas are high-traffic and high-impact zones, so decluttering here will give you the most noticeable change.

Just remember: