Discovered that doing this really kept things in order and easier to clean. You just lift your tray (or move it) and wipe. Easy peasy. I have what I like to call my "baking caddy" in the pantry, so I'm ready to go for all my baking. No hunting around for a set of ingredients. Great when you have kids and get distracted easily. I am now no longer fearful of last minute inspired baking. As for my countertop trays--I use two wooden clementine boxes. Stacked herbs and spices in one; oils, pepper grinder and a cylinder for utensils in the other. Had them for six months. Wasn't sure if they'd stay clean or be sturdy enough, but they're still in good shape and it was quick fix for my out of control counter.

I keep a vintage tray my boyfriend picked up at the thrift store on my counter nestled on a small, otherwise useless, strip of countertop between my oven and refrigerator. I tend to keep my olive oil, sea salt, and pepper grinder there, with a rotating vinegar of choice. I also keep my mortar and pestle and french press very close by :)

I have a basket holding my utensils, oil and S+P, but after looking at these, I think its time for an upgrade!

I currently don't in my kitchen right now due to space but all of my things stay close at hand anyway. I have 3 crocks with utensils in them of different heights/sizes, my olive oil and balsamic vinegar cruets, the garlic jar, and spoon rest all sit on the counter.

Since the back of my stove has a flat surface on its backsplash, i keep the salt cellar and the 2 pepper grinders, and mechanical timer there, along with my splatter shield a vintage aluminum one I've inherited that slips down behind the stove back and rests on its little knob when not in use.

Though I've thought about doing so but I don't think, one, I really need one, and two, nothing totally fits what I have without taking up too much space on my limited sized prep area.

I use trays to hold my collection of Tabasco bottles and other sauces as well as a bottle of my husbands homemade red wine vinegar. Keeps them all together and easy to clean.

Instead of a tray, I use a small Wustoff wooden cutting board. It was a gift with purchase, and it was too small for me to use it for cutting, but looked so nice I love having it out. And since I never used it as intended, it still looks lovely and new! On it, I corral my olive oil, kosher salt, pepper mill, and stevia for my coffee. It sits between the stove and the coffee maker, so it's convenient for both. Counter looks uncluttered and it's easier to keep it all clean, too!

The trays are great, but I'm more interested in the white, raised circle backsplash in the first photo. Any ideas what it is and where it's from?!

I have a smallish white ceramic tray from CB2 on my counter. I keep a white ceramic teapot on it and a little blue sugar bowl. It's funny though, I can't use that tray for actually serving the tea when guests come over, as it's too awkward to carry into the other room. It's more for display than practical use.

I'm kind of obsessed with using trays. They're on the counter in the kitchen and the bathroom to corral things. I have one in the fridge to hold all our bottles and jars (so you can easily pull it out to find the stuff at the back). I have a small stack of them for taking things around the house. Trays are super handy.

I've become very OCD about tucking things into other things. It's especially important for my beloved Krups tea kettle. My husband likes to flood the counters and I'm afraid one of these days I will wake up and find my water kettle fried and in a puddle!

kls2003,

Do a search for "white penny tile" and a lot of options come up. I think I've seen it at my local Home Depot. I love it too!

I'm looking for a caddy to shlep my olive oils and balsamic vinegars to the table as we like to dip bread at dinner. Any suggestions for something reasonably priced, sturdy and not ugly?