5 Unusual Items Boris Must Have On His Kitchen Countertop

The real estate on your kitchen countertops is a valuable thing. Usually only the most important gadgets, appliances and tools get to hold a place of honor next to the sink. In our house, the coffee maker, knives and mixer all call the countertop home.

But there are five unusual items that sit beside them that are even more essential.

After getting my new granite countertops from Affordable Granite and Cabinetry, I had the chance to reassess what items truly deserved to be stored front-and-center in the kitchen. The beautifully installed granite make these must-haves seem more like works of art on display at a gallery, but in reality, they're actually among the most used items in my home.

Wireless Speaker
Cooking wouldn't be the same without a musical soundtrack.  I can't imagine making dinner without our speaker pumping out a playlist, or streaming my favorite radio station (of course, 101.5 WPDH).

Swell Water Bottle
This water bottle goes everywhere with me. Not only does it hold a lot of H2O, but it keeps it ice cold all day long, even if the bottle has been sitting in a hot car. I don't know how this thing works, but I can't live without it.  Whenever I walk in the house it goes right back on the counter, ready to for a fill-up when I leave again.

Outdoor Thermometer
It's really great to know what the temperature is outside without having to open the door and check. This remote thermometer tells me exactly what's happening out there — including whether I need a jacket — saving me a few minutes before I leave for work in the early morning hours.

Vanilla Syrup
A morning jolt of caffeine tastes great from a fancy coffee shop, but it can get pricy.  Not everyone knows this, but you can get the same syrup they use in the store to take home. Two pumps in a mug and a quick brew from the coffee machine and you've just saved yourself a few bucks without having to make an extra stop in the morning.

Yeti Beer Mug
This was probably the best Father's Day gift I ever got. This mug uses the same technology as my favorite water bottle, so it keeps 24 ounces of my beer ice cold for hours, even if I'm out mowing the lawn on a hot summer day. The opening on the lid can even be closed to keep bugs out!

If you have a collection of must-have items that need to live on your countertop, Affordable Granite and Cabinetry can help you design your kitchen to make them easily accessible while keeping them out of the way while you cook. Not only do they design and create beautiful kitchens, but Pete, John and the entire team create workspaces in the kitchen that are practical and smart.

Using Affordable Granite and Cabinetry's interactive kitchen visualizer, you'll be able to see exactly how your gadgets and appliances will look in your new kitchen right in the beginning of the design process.  Being able to make sure all of your favorite items have their own place on your counter or in your cabinets before any work is done ensures that you'll get that kitchen of your dreams.

I love my beautiful new kitchen from Affordable Granite and Cabinetry, and I think my gadgets, appliances and tools do too. So what are the most used items on your countertop?