The Best Spoon Rests for a Spotless Kitchen

We know what it's like to labor over a huge, delicious meal for the family … only to spend the rest of the night cleaning up the mess in the kitchen. One way to cut back on this headache is to invest in a good-quality spoon rest to hold your utensils while you cook. We took a look at all the best spoon rests on the market and whittled it down to this list of five. Whether you tend to use lots of utensils at once, or if you’re looking for something small and minimalistic to fit in your studio apartment, there's an option out there for you.

Silicone Utensil Rest with Drip Pad by Zulay

Best for multiple utensils

Need multiple places to put your utensils? Look no further.

Sturdiest spoon rest

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We highly recommend the Zulay Utensil Rest with Drip Pad for any busy mom who spends a lot of time in the kitchen. The product has four slots, so you have plenty of space to rest all of your spoons, whisks, tongs, and forks while you are cooking up an elaborate meal. It comes in four different colors: gray, red, blue, and black, to adapt to all kinds of different kitchen color schemes. The holder also has a nice-sized drip pad with a protective lip, so you can say goodbye to countertop splatters.

Pros:

Lots of space for your utensils
Heat-resistant
Easy to clean

Cons:

May be too large for some countertops

Oggi Stainless Steel Spoon Rest

From Oggie comes this lovely little work of art. Beautiful for all kitchens, this spoon rest is made from high-quality stainless steel. It’s safe to be washed in the dishwasher (we know, we tried it), and it’s also extremely affordable. We recommend this product to anyone with limited space in their kitchens. It’s just big enough to hold a spoon or spatula without taking up too much counter-space. The spoon rest is also safe for use in the dishwasher.

Pros:

Compact
Safe to clean in the dishwasher
Minimal design

Cons:

Only holds one spoon; may not be ideal for large or industrial kitchens

Tomorrow’s Kitchen Silicone Utensil Rest

Great for small kitchens

If you like the idea of having a place to put multiple utensils but you are worried about space, this is the perfect option for you.

Best compact option

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From Tomorrow’s Kitchen comes this innovative, compact option that manages to save space while still holding multiple utensils. The trick is that all the utensils sit on their sides. The silicone material is easy to clean and comes in a neutral gray and a retro-lime green. We really enjoy the way this spoon rest maximizes counter space.

Pros:

Affordable
Versatile color options
Compact, yet still holds multiple utensils

Cons:

Small size may not be ideal for larger utensils

Tower Ladle Holder and Lid Stand for Utensils by Yamazaki Home

Most stylish spoon rest

Get the most bang for your buck with a vertical spoon rest that doubles as a recipe holder.

Most durable

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This tower-style utensil holder certainly turns the idea of a spoon rest on its head. Although we liked this utensil holder at first glance, we were skeptical of its ability to hold up multiple spoons, so we put it through several rigorous rounds of testing. The verdict? It holds up. Because there are no individual slots for the utensils, it was very easy to slide our whisks and spatulas in while we were cooking. The stand also doubles as a lid or recipe holder for even more convenience. Available in a sleek all-black or pure white finish, this is a must-buy for any contemporary kitchen.

Pros:

Doubles as a lid, recipe, or cookbook holder
Eye-catching vertical design
Bottom is removable making it easy to clean
Takes up little space on the counter

Cons:

Some may not like the vertical look

“I Licked the Spoon” Blobby Cat Spoon Rest by Pavilion Gift Company

The cutest choice

Quirky, whimsical, and simply adorable — do we even need to say more?

Best as a gift

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A spoon rest that doubles as a cat. Do we even need to say more? We probably don’t, but we will anyway. This cute cat-printed spoon rest by Blobby Cat is made from high-quality stoneware, and it’s very easy to clean. Durable and convenient, it’s the perfect way to catch your guests’ eyes while whipping up a tasty meal. We highly recommend this for the cat-lover in your life.

Pros:

Cute design
Made from durable stoneware
Easy to clean

Cons:

Because of the design, it’s better to wash by hand (although it is technically dishwasher safe)

Frequently Asked Questions

Are spoon rests dishwasher safe?

Most spoon rests are made to be safe for dishwasher use. However, you should check with the manufacturer before you put it in the dishwasher, especially if the spoon rest has been hand-painted or is made from a material like aluminum or cast iron.

How often should I wash my spoon rest?

While spoon rests exist to keep your countertops clean, you should not let old food and crusty crumbs build up on the utensil holder. This will defeat the purpose, and may even spread germs while you are cooking. If you cook frequently, you should wash your spoon rest once or twice a week. If you only cook once or twice a week, you may be able to go longer between washes. A good rule of thumb is to clean the spoon rest whenever you can see splatters or dirt.

What’s the best spoon rest size?

This depends on how many utensils you typically use when you cook. Do you cook large, 4-course meals or have a big family? Do you tend to cook several different dishes at the same time? If so, it would be a good idea to get a larger spoon rest that can hold multiple utensils at the same time. However, if you have a small kitchen or limited counter space, a single-spoon rest will do the trick.