What can I keep on a kitchen counter during showings?

Less is more when it comes to kitchen counters during showings, and the goal is to help buyers see the space, not your daily routine. In North Carolina and throughout Florida, the standard advice is to keep countertops as clear as possible: remove small appliances (toaster, coffee maker, blender), personal items, mail, keys, and anything decorative that is not part of the homes permanent presentation. A completely clear counter reads as larger and cleaner in photos and in person. If you want to leave something for visual interest, a clean cutting board, a simple bowl of fruit, or a small potted herb can add warmth without cluttering the space. Keep anything that remains spotlessly clean and intentionally placed. The practical reality is that a buyer walking through a showing is comparing your kitchen against every other kitchen they have seen, and the counter condition is one of the first things they register. A cluttered counter suggests limited storage and lived-in chaos even if the kitchen itself is perfectly sized. The cleanup takes five minutes and the presentation impact is real. Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells, Keller Williams Elite Partners

It would depend on the size of the kitchen. If the kitchen is smaller than recommended to have nothing on the kitchen counters. If its a large kitchen, you can get away with minimal decorations. If the coffee maker looks really nice, then that is fine. The whole concept of decluttering is to allow the space to appear larger when less items are present.

Less is more no matter the size of your kitchen. Put away everything you can so your counter tops will seem to go on & on, which is a huge selling feature.

As little as possible! I usually tell my clients if they use it every single day it can stay. Otherwise put it away

I always suggest to reduce the amount of clutter on your counters by about 50%. Try to only keep the pretty things out, and tuck away the other appliances that you may use, like the toaster! This will help your home to show best!

The less the better! Anything smaller than a cantaloupe should be put away. I would hide the spoon and knives. Coffee maker is fine.

Little as possible makes for best pictures and makes kitchen look bigger on showings in person.

Hi Betsy, good question! Short answer, keep as little on the counter as possible. You want your space to feel clean, open, and fresh- anything on the counter takes away from that. If the coffee maker looks nice or the knives/spoon container look decorative, that is ok. If it is a small kitchen you want very minimal items on the counter, bigger kitchens you have some wiggle room.