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I agree - put it away. Kitchens are so busy already with all the cabinets that all the stuff on the counter makes it even worse.

Maybe keep the tea kettle on the stove when not in use, leave out the coffee maker and put the rest away.

I completely agree. The appliances aren't things of great beauty that need to be displayed. Put away what you don't use. Highlight your wine rack and/or find one other nice piece for the counter (I have an old mantle clock in my kitchen).

Put everything away! It's the only thing that makes kitchens look neat.

And definitely get the briefcase off the counter.

I know what you mean - it can look completely random to have a hodgepodge of stuff on the counter.

I would leave your espresso machine out (so cool!) and your wine rack, knife block, and butcher block. Everything else, I'd find a place for in your cabinets. Maybe bring in a plant for the countertop for some other color and it should look great. Show off that nice granite slab!

1. Put things near where you use them.
2. Get rid of patterned tea towels and multi-coloured things that add visual clutter.
3. Err on the side of contrived.

It's too much stuff. Diplaying it all will continue to look cluttered and/or "contrived."

1. put the electric kettle away unless you use it every day -- in which case, put in on a stove burner
2. put the espresso machine away unless you use it every day
3. put the briefcase away.
4. put the blender away.
5. get wall-mounted wine rack and save some counter space.
6. Put the platter away.
7. toaster and knives are the only things that make sense to leave out (unless you don't use the toaster frequently, then put it away, too).
8. Aside from dishtowels on the oven handle, put the rest of the kitchen linens away. Consider solid color towels. Those look busy and seem to argue with the granite counters.

If you don't use it daily put it away.

It's good to have empty countertops - it makes the space more functional when you start cooking.

If you use them everyday, set up a "drink" area right outside of your immediate kitchen (in the dining area if you have one). That would be the spot for your kettle and coffee maker and wine rack and espresso machine (if there is an electrical outlet).

If it were my space, I'd leave only the toaster, knife block, chopping board, and *maybe* the stovetop utensils out.

It's your kitchen - Not a display for Williams Sonoma.

Leave the things out that are frequently used in locations that make sense: The coffee machine near the sink, the knives, cutting board and toaster in your food prep area, Utensils next to the stove, etc. - and put the rest away.

Dishtowels belong in a drawer, except for the one you're using - and that goes on a hook between uses. Wine Rack goes outside the kitchen - preferably in a cool/dark place - you'll ruin any wine by leaving it out next to the stove. Blender goes in a cabinet or pantry between uses - unless you're making Smoothies and Margaritas every day...

I agree with Aaron. If I had a lot of counter space (lucky!) I would put everything away in cupboards and observe for a few weeks how the kitchen 'worked' and what things I really end up using all the time. I'm a function-follows-form kind of girl so I would also figure out the best place for whatever ends up staying on the counter based on ease of use not necessarily how it looks. Julie, you might find that you like, and cook better in, a uncluttered kitchen organized for what works best for you.

Hi folks, Julie M. here. Thank you for all your tips.

I think I will put the bulk of the appliances away, but keep the hot water kettle and toaster out as I use them frequently. I'll also leave out the espresso machine as I think it fits well in that space and I enjoy looking at it. I won't be putting the kettle on the stove though, it is electric and needs be near an outlet.

And, don't fret, the briefcase will be put away! It's actually filled with knives and I am trying to locate a big enough block to contain them all.

i agree with most people on here

if you don't need it a lot, put it away.

don't feel the need to display your items like they are kitchen trophies. they advantage to all that counter space is to be able to use it when you need it. Lets say you're baking a lot of cookies and want to lay them all out to cool, you're going to have a blender and a tea kettle in the way etc.

toaster are an exception for me since it is an item that physically gets hot, so leave it out. but the blender and the kettle can go (yes the kettle gets hot but it also gets washed).

Also think of a new wine rack that may work in the space a bit better.

id put most everything away aside from the knives, butcher block, coffee maker, wine rack, and since im into smoothies, the blender. everything else sitting out on the counter makes it seem as if you dont have any place to store them. yes, all those things are pretty to look at but not all at once. :>

If it was my kitchen I'd leave the knives and the espresso machine - the rest has to go.

If you don't use it everyday, put it away. Add some color with a plant or fruit.

Oh MY God,
Hide all that crap!

Put everything away but your coffee maker, and only leave that out if you make coffee everyday.

You have a ton of draws and cabinet. Please use them.

Organize all your draws and cabinets so all that stuff is easy to get when needed. GO to the Container Store and buy all those in the cabinet organizational helpers.

You have a lovely kitchen and running it's beauty!

Don't be silly. Use what you want.

"What's the best strategy? Group like items together (toaster, blender, hot water pot) or arrange by height?"

Put items where you USE them. They are tools not decorations, and your counter is a workspace not a display cabinet.

And as mentioned, put it away if you don't use it daily.

Are you kidding me? You needed advice about where to put your toaster and blender? C'mon, AT--couldn't you do better than this?

juliebean925-
A briefcase full of knives? How Dexter!

Hideous kitchen. Am I supposed to like this?

what's with all the evil comments?? sheeeeeesh..

Wow, thanks Pammyfay and Medusa - you two seem really nice; your relatives are very lucky people.

I'm sorry you found my question boring and my kitchen revolting - next time I'll write in to a forum that offers help with apartment matters...oh wait, that's this site!

Edit out what gets used infrequently, unless you really like the look of the appliances on display. If I were to pick ONE...it would have to be the espresso maker...everything else would be stowed. That way, I have room for all the junk that ends up on my counters until I have time to clear it away!

Yeah, I’d put most of it away. Not only does it look neater, but it’s much easier to wipe down the counter top. Do put a small lamp in there though … with a pink light bulb. It will make your kitchen very cozy.