Declutter A Crowded Kitchen With 8 Space-Saving Multifunctional Appliances

Have you been feeling a bit cramped in your kitchen lately? It's probably because you have too many appliances lying around. As a high-traffic area of the home, it's pretty easy for items to accumulate in the kitchen throughout the day. From brewing your morning coffee to the kids rummaging for snacks after school, the area can start looking pretty cluttered. Having a small kitchen design doesn't help either, where even if you keep it tidy, you probably have more gadgets than counter space. Jamie Hord, professional organizer and founder of Horderly Professional Organizing, tells The Kitchn that following the "one-in-one-out" rule helps maintain a clutter-free kitchen. This method requires getting rid of something old when you buy something new. But what if you still "need" that old appliance? The solution: buy multifunctional appliances. 

Simply put, having multifunctional kitchen appliances streamlines your cooking routine. Since they take care of more than one task, you don't need to buy another appliance (saving money in the long run). Plus, fewer appliances to deal with means more storage space for only the essential items, which is Joanna Gaines' tip to keep your kitchen clutter-free. Thankfully, there are several appliances, including some with built-in AI capabilities, that you can use around the kitchen. So, get your shopping list ready. Here are eight multifunctional appliances to help save space and navigate your kitchen with ease.

Okay, seriously, if you don't have an air fryer yet, you're missing out. This amazing gadget can do it all: fry, bake, broil, toast, and sometimes even roast. It's like having a mini-oven that can do everything, consolidating all your favorite appliances into one. Talk about the ultimate space-saver. Plus, air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep frying, using hot air circulation to mimic the results. They're also very easy to use, and a safer way for kids to cook their favorite after-school snacks. It's no wonder air fryers are such a popular housewarming gift idea.

Surely you've heard of those amazing gadgets called multi-cookers. If not, you may know the Instant Pot, the popular brand name that creates them (and that many people mistakenly use synonymously with it). They're basically every home chef's dream. Multi-cookers are the one kitchen appliance that can do it all: pressure cook, slow cook, make rice, whip up yogurt, steam veggies, and even sauté your dinner. No more cluttering your counter space with a bunch of different pots and pans. You can ditch the slow cooker and the rice cooker. It's a game-changer for simplifying your kitchen and making cooking a breeze.

You might be surprised, but food processors can do way more than just grind meat. They're like your little kitchen assistants, chopping, shredding, grating, mixing, and even kneading dough for you. They can even handle many of the same tasks as a blender, like making smoothies and pureeing soups. Imagine whipping up a batch of homemade hummus or almond butter, smoothed to perfection, without needing to chop and mix the veggies. Plus, with those handy shredding and grating discs, having a food processor means you can ditch that bulky grater you never seem to find space for in your cabinets.

If you've ever created or visited a loved one's wedding registry, this item was probably at the top of the list. Stand mixers, the large electric mixer bowls, reduce the need for using multiple mixing bowls and utensils. Not only do they whip ingredients, but they also help you get much more cooking preparation done. This is because many stand mixer brands come with attachments, like KitchenAid's Metal Food Grinder Attachment, for grinding meat, making pasta, processing food, and more. It makes sense why it's a popular choice (and a great gift idea, you're welcome) for newlyweds and new homeowners.

Some coffee drinkers make a habit of leaving a kettle on the stovetop after their morning brew. While convenient, it also clutters up the stove (and can be a safety hazard with small children around). That's where the electric kettle comes in: it boils water for coffee, instant meals, aromatherapy, and more. Unlike stovetop kettles, electric kettles don't require a dedicated burner on your stove. This frees up valuable stovetop and counter space, making your kitchen feel more open and organized. Also, most electric kettles are pretty compact, so you can easily tuck them away in a cabinet after use.

When it comes to keeping your kitchen clutter-free, dishwashers can be a lifesaver. No more mountains of dirty dishes piling up in the sink and spilling over onto the counter (yuck). You can ditch the dish soap, those messy sponges, and that bulky drying rack; the dishwasher handles it all. And let's be honest, who wants to spend time hand-drying dishes? Some fancy new models even dry your dishes with heat, so you can just unload and go. The right-sized dishwasher will fit perfectly between your cabinets, saving you precious counter space. It's a win-win for a clean, organized kitchen.

If you're an avid coffee lover, a semi-automatic espresso machine will take your home brewing game to the next level. Not only will you enjoy amazing, high-quality coffee whenever you crave it, but it also helps reduce clutter in a crowded kitchen. This multipurpose machine brews regular coffee, froths milk for lattes, and even grinds coffee beans. All you have to do is press, set, and enjoy. You'll free up tons of counter space and have a more simplified morning routine. Plus, it's a fun way to impress your friends with your barista skills and learn a new hobby.

Looking for appliances to create the ultimate smart kitchen? A smart refrigerator is a great start, where its features go beyond the average food-chilled storage. Say goodbye to those "What's for dinner?" moments. Like Amazon Alexa, smart refrigerators have voice-activated AI for tasks, where you can check the weather, receive notifications, and more. Many smart fridges also have built-in screens that can display calendars, family photos, and even streaming services. This eliminates the need for decorations and separate devices on your countertops, keeping your kitchen looking sleek and uncluttered. This is one of many for your home.