Let’s talk about kitchen worktops. Or more specifically, let’s talk about how they slowly disappear under a parade of appliances you were absolutely convinced you needed.
I’ve been there. At one point, I had a blender, a toaster, a kettle, a coffee machine, a food processor, and something I bought after watching one overly convincing video at 11pm.
The result? No space to actually cook. Which, ironically, is the whole point of a kitchen.
Over time, I have become much more ruthless. Especially after moving into smaller spaces where every inch counts. Now, I firmly believe you only need three worktop appliances. The rest? Nice in theory. Annoying in reality.
So here they are — the only three that truly earn their place. Everything else is on probation.
1. A Kettle (Because We’re Not Animals)
Let’s start with the obvious one. The kettle is non-negotiable.
Whether you drink tea, coffee, or just need hot water quickly, it is one of the most-used appliances in any kitchen. Therefore, it deserves a permanent spot.
I once tried to “declutter” by putting my kettle away in a cupboard. It lasted approximately one day. Boiling water in a pan every time I wanted tea was driving me slightly mad.
Also, kettles have come a long way. You can now get sleek, compact designs that look good without taking over your entire counter. And with designs like this, they needn’t be a large expense.
2. A Toaster (Because Life Is Too Short for Bad Toast)
I know some people claim they can live without a toaster. I do not trust those people.
A toaster earns its place because it is quick, simple, and used regularly. Toast, bagels, emergency “I cannot be bothered to cook” meals — it does it all.
However, size matters here. A giant four-slice toaster in a tiny kitchen is a bold and questionable choice.
I made that mistake once. It took up so much space that I had to move it every time I wanted to chop vegetables. Which completely defeated the point of convenience.
Now I stick to a slim, two-slice version. It does the job without dominating the room.
3. A Multi-Use Appliance (This Is Where It Gets Life-Changing)
This is the one that replaced about five other appliances for me.
For years, I had a blender, a food processor, and a separate chopper. Using all of them was driving me crazy. Too many parts. Too much cleaning. And too little patience.
Then I went to a friend’s house for dinner and saw them using a simple stick blender. And I am not exaggerating when I say it was life-changing. One appliance. Minimal storage. Easy to clean. It blended soup, chopped ingredients, and even handled sauces without any drama.
That was the moment I realised I had been overcomplicating everything.
Now I use one good-quality multi-use appliance instead of several bulky ones. My kitchen is calmer, cleaner, and significantly less annoying to use. See this guide for the best ones to buy.
What About Coffee Machines, Air Fryers, and Everything Else?
Now, before anyone panics — yes, there are other useful appliances.
Coffee machines are great if you use them daily. Air fryers are incredibly popular. Stand mixers look impressive.
However, here is the key question: do you use it often enough to justify the space?
I once bought a bulky smoothie maker because I was convinced I was about to become a smoothie person. I used it three times. It then sat on my counter judging me for months.
Eventually, I admitted defeat and moved it out.
The other seemingly obvious item was a coffee maker. But it wasn’t long before the pods became too expensive and I sold it. It sounded great and I did make use of it for six months. But once I stopped using it then it needed to go.
In smaller kitchens, every item needs to earn its place. If it is not used regularly, it should not live on your worktop.
Keep Your Worktops Clear (Your Future Self Will Thank You)
Cluttered worktops make a kitchen feel smaller, messier, and harder to use. Even the best appliances become a problem when there are too many of them. Keep just a few essentials out creates space to actually cook, prep, and move around comfortably.
If you are struggling with clutter in general, it is often a storage issue rather than a “too much stuff” issue. I go into this in more detail in my guide on how to organise a bedroom, and the same logic applies to kitchens too.
Small Kitchens Need Smarter Choices
If you are working with a small kitchen, this becomes even more important.
Large appliances quickly overwhelm the space. In contrast, compact, multi-functional items make everything feel more manageable.
Choosing fewer, better appliances is one of the easiest ways to improve how your kitchen works.
It is not about having less, it is about having what actually works.
For more ideas about space saving storage see here.