• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Momcrieff
  • About Me
    • Contact me
  • Recipes
    • Three Ingredient Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Main Dish
    • Salads and Dressings
    • Soups
    • Baked Items
    • Desserts & Treats
  • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Air Fryer Protein
    • Air Fryer Sides
  • Gardening
    • Spring Gardening
    • Fall Gardening
    • Gardening And Landscaping
    • Planters / Containers
    • Misc. & Chores
  • Misc.
    • My 100 year old home
    • Home Ownership
    • Vacations
      • Family Vacation
    • DIY
      • DIY
      • Valentine's Day
      • Spring
      • Fabulous Fall!
      • Christmas & Winter
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • 1923 House
  • Easy Recipes
  • Gardening
  • DIY
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Misc. » DIY & Hints » DIY » Organization

    Tips to avoid kitchen counter cup clutter!

    Published: Apr 11, 2020 · Modified: May 6, 2022 by Susan Moncrieff · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

    Are cups on the counter driving your crazy or driving you to drink (and we're not talking water)?

    It seems like everyone has to take a fresh glass for every time they want a sip of water.  And they leave it on the counter.  On the counter, right on top of the dishwasher - does that sound familiar?

    A few years ago, when my kids were younger, I made these cute monogrammed tiles.

    mugs and cups on monogramed coasters

    During the recent stay safe at home time, we had the same issue with too many cups being used and always being on the dishwasher.  I promised that once a day the cups would be washed | sanitized in the dishwasher so it was fine to reuse a glass or drinking container for the day!

    Here are some ideas that work.  It'll be up to you to figure out which system works the best!

    If you have similar sized insulated thermos style options, these may work.  As long as there is a separate color for everyone.  I liked this because we have more than enough that look the 'same' so it looks nice and neat and organized on the counter.

    three similar shaped thermos' in different colors on the kitchen counter

    We also have used a much simpler system.   All you need are different color elastics!  Note, take the elastics off when putting these glasses in the We also have used a much simpler system.   All you need are different color elastics!  Note, take the elastics off when putting these glasses in the dishwasher.  I still use my mason jars for some things!  At this point, this is the system we are using.  It's neat, organized and everyone knows who's color belongs to who.   Note, I also use the same color code for other things in our lives like toothbrushes.  In my family, you have your own assigned color and that item in that specific color is yours.

    OK, who stood in line to buy the cups below in the fall?  I wasn't thrilled with them and only kept one.  But, I'm guessing some of you have a bunch!  I know the design is Christmas but maybe everyone in your family can have one of these?  And they have fitted lids so it also works for the tea and coffee addict!

    Everyone using their favorite cup is also an option.  It's just not as neat but it will reduce the number of cups/glasses/mugs you have to wash multiple times per day.

    chocolate banana muffins
    FREE SIGN UP

    Looking for super easy delicious recipes? Sign up and I'll send them!

    My original way to designate who's beverage container belonged to who involved coasters.   I made a point of cleaning up everything on the counter and then just put a glass or a mug on everyone's spot.

    IMG_0052

    It was obvious by the initials who's beverage cup belonged where.  And, everyone started using this system.   I think the key was I didn't dictate, nag or remind.  If I saw someone put a cup or mug down, I quietly put it in it's proper 'home base'.  Eventually, everyone started doing that.


    mugs and cups on monogramed coasters

     

    If you like the idea of having a designated space but letting everyone have one (I repeat ONE) glass, use the tile system.  All I did was use tiles I had and the initials were just scrapbooking letters with adhesive on them.   Or, you could even just use a sharpie and put everyone's initials in the corner.  Or, let everyone decorate their own.  Whatever works for you and your family!

    How do you control cup clutter in your home?

    mason jars filled with water with different colored elastics around them.

    Here are a couple of quick and easy ways to organize items in your closet.

    How to Organize Baseball Caps.

    Neatly storing scarves in your closet.

    More DIY & Hints

    • Autumn Sedum Joy in the early spring
      How to Identify Spring Plants in Your Yard (Without an App)
    • blue tinted mason jar containing daisies. Mason jar is clamped to a piece of white painted wood. This is a DIY mason jar wall vase.
      Wall-Mounted Mason Jar Vase
    • The flower frog in the top of the milkglass vase
      Easy DIY Flower Frog
    • a lamp with an IKEA lampshade
      Making an IKEA lampshade fit a normal lamp.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Barbara Chapman

      April 15, 2020 at 10:32 am

      Wonderful ideas! I use my morning teacup for water and leave it next to the sink all day long. Mr. Ethereal uses his and it goes in the washer (esp. lately since we are both home all day) and he then uses a large plastic cup for his drinks the rest of the day. Saves on dishes and the dishwasher runs every other day. ;)' Pinned to several boards incl. Storage and Organization Ideas. <3

      Thanks for the great ideas!
      Barb 🙂

      Reply
    2. Patti

      April 15, 2020 at 9:03 am

      This is a great idea. So simple yet so helpful. I find myself yelling through the house. "Hey, are you still using this glass?" That's because no one ever puts anything in the dishwasher besides me. That's a whole other problem thought, right?

      Reply
    3. Janet

      April 15, 2020 at 5:17 am

      Great idea...I insist on no clutter on my countertops!

      Reply
    4. Kim Purvis

      April 14, 2020 at 2:54 pm

      Ha, we do this! We all have our own spot for water glasses and since the stay at home came into effect we have our own hand towels too!

      Reply
    5. Michelle | Thistle Key Lane

      April 14, 2020 at 7:58 am

      Love this solution. I'm constantly putting glasses in the dish washer because I don't know who they belong to. LOL

      Reply
    6. Maria Brittis

      April 13, 2020 at 12:14 pm

      great tips, need to implement some of these ideas

      Reply
    7. Roxanne

      April 13, 2020 at 8:37 am

      This is such a great idea!

      Reply
    8. Deana Landers

      April 13, 2020 at 7:58 am

      I really like the elastics! This is such a great idea since everyone is home every day.

      Reply
    9. imarancher

      July 07, 2015 at 9:05 am

      So simple! So brilliant! So going to happen here! Thank you.

      Reply
    10. Erica P.

      February 22, 2013 at 9:07 am

      It looks great! Nice job. I will have to give it a try.

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        February 22, 2013 at 3:26 pm

        When you are ready to give it a try, I know the nicest person you can get the letters from 🙂

        Reply
    11. Anonymous

      February 22, 2013 at 8:44 am

      So I read your blog...then did an inventory of our kitchen counters...sadly 5 cups/glasses and all mine (and I dare not venture into other rooms or will witness my trail of abandoned cups!). Good for you for creating a fun solution without the need for nagging!

      Reply
      • momcrieff

        February 22, 2013 at 3:27 pm

        Yes, the best part was the fact that there was no nagging, lecturing or anything. That is what I think will make this succeed! Thanks for your comment.

        Reply
    12. Lori van

      February 22, 2013 at 8:33 am

      Great idea! I've been trying to implement a similar strategy. We have lots of tervis tumblers with different pictures so each kid picked one and they are supposed to use that one instead of continually taking new ones. Mixed results. The problem is when the cup is taken up to the bedside table at night and then left there.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    I'm Susan! I love sharing easy recipes, especially those that take less than 30 minutes and have less than 5 ingredients. I'm passionate about gardening and creating flower planters. My home is 100 years old and sometimes you will see it in my posts! It was a true fixer upper and I love it!

    More about me →

    Subscribe to Momcrieff

    Trending Articles...

    • An air fried sweet potato with a pat of butter melting in it and salt and pepper on it.
      Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potato
    • close up of three ingredient peanut butter cookies
      3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies (Easy & Naturally Gluten-Free)
    • pasta bar ingredients including cooked spaghetti, spiral pasta, tomatos, cucumbers, steamed broccoli, hard boiled eggs, feta cheese, cut up rotisserie chicken, peppers.
      Easy Pasta Bar Ideas
    • 2 ingredient pumpkin muffins in muffin tin
      2 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins
    • Air Fryer Rosemary Potatoes in a blue bowl with a sprig of rosemary beside the bowl.
      Easy Air Fryer Rosemary Potatoes
    • shortbread cookies on a white plate
      Simple and Delicious Shortbread Cookies
    • 3 ingredient chocolate banana muffins
      Banana chocolate muffins - 3 ingredients.
    • a serving of peach cobbler with a crispy topping and peaches showing. Served on a white plate.
      3 Ingredient Peach Cobbler
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Susan Moncrieff
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact

    Categories

    • Easy Recipes
    • Gardening
    • Flower Planters / Container Gardens

    Most Popular

    • 31+ Outdoor Planters
    • My Raised Garden Beds
    • Three Ingredient Peach Cobbler
    • Deconstructed cabbage rolls

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025