If you want to give yourself more kitchen space, begin by getting rid of the following:

Your plastic container collection –

Most of us have far too many, including those empty deli and margarine containers we’ve saved.  Limit yourself to containers in two sizes, and no more than five or six of each – with lids.

Your weirdly sentimental mugs –

Too much shelf space is often given up to mugs we will never use – from vacation souvenirs to those with cutesy sayings. Harden your heart and get rid of most of them. You will never, ever miss them.

Reusable shopping bags –

Keep only two or three of those eco-friendly bags and get them out of the pantry. Store them in the trunk of your car for use when you do your shopping.

Anything that came free with your dinner –

That goes for spare chopsticks, soy sauce packets, kid’s meal toys, and other stuff that’s cluttering your kitchen drawers. You’re going to get more the next time you order, so there’s no point in stockpiling.

Plastic grocery bags –

If you have more than 10 balled up in a cabinet or drawer, put the rest in your recycle bin or take them to the nearest Walmart, Target or grocery store that recycles plastic bags.

One-use gadgets you really thought you would use –

Garlic presses, apple corers, hot chocolate frothers…your cabinets may be full of specialty cooking gadgets that serve only one purpose. If it’s taking up space and you use it less than four times a year, it’s probably worth tossing—especially if there’s an everyday object that can get the job done.

Rarely used cookbooks –

If they’ve sat on a shelf for more than a year without being used, it’s time to sell or otherwise dispose of them. Keep only family collections and one or your favorite specialty cookbooks.

By following these tips, your kitchen will be clean and clutter-free in no time.

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