I have a buffet table that I put my salt & pepper shakers, 3 tiered plate stand that I keep paper plates on, and a basket with cutlery in.

I couldn't keep the clutter on the table. It's were my DD does homework and where they color and do crafts.

I was going to suggest getting duplicates, one for the table and another set for the counter - but you mentioned they are in the way on the counter. Since you use them often, maybe they need to stay on the counter and something else that isn't used often is removed to make extra room?

We only eat at our table so they remain on the table. Maybe you want to eat at your table more often?

Sky

We eat at the table but I have a tray by the stove that has the shakers and olive oil. I take it back and forth when I need it. When we're done with dinner they go back to the counter by the stove. If you find something to put it all together, it will be easier to move around (tray, basket, or some little carrier).
The napkins are in the pantry. When the kids set the table they get one napkin for each person.

S&P shakers are on a shelf in the kitchen, napkins are kept in a drawer. I also have a little tray by the range with oil, vinegar and salt and pepper grinders.

I can't help with the S&P. We don't add salt and pepper at the table. It's done with the cooking (salt pig and pepper grinder). I don't think we own a regular salt or pepper shaker! LOL Obviously, we don't put S&P out on the table when guests are here.

We keep the napkins in the drawer with the flatware. Take out flatware, count out the right number of napkins. That works really well.

The napkins are in a small wire basket that stays on the table and the salt and pepper shakers are put away in the spice cabinet. I wouldn't want them left out either - it looks messy.

Same as sue36 - they are not readily available during the meal. One napkin goes next to each plate before the meal. The food is generally eaten without the addition of salt and pepper.

Are you regularly salting and peppering your food at the table? If not, maybe they don't need to be within hand's reach.

I have mine on a lazy susan in the middle of the kitchen table. I actually have two sets of salt and peppers, one set is two little silver snails and I just think they are cute. I also have a napkin holder with napkins on one side and these medicine holders that have vitamins in them.
It's kind of messy, but at least it's all contained on the lazy susan.

There is a set of salt and pepper grinders (with sea salt) on the table. The set -- along with a small black iron rooster napkin holder and a green hurricane with a candle -- sit in a very old wicker tray for easy removal. I love trays to "gather" items on any table -- easy on -- easy off!

Plus there is an old wicker cutlery or flatware tray or basket to hold the oils, vinegars, mortar-and-pestle by the cutting board in the prep area. With the kosher salt in an old ceramic bean pot .......

Like wonby, we put out the napkins when we put out the flatware. I have never found a need to have napkins out. The extras are stored in the cupboard where the dishes and paper plates are kept.

I season the food when cooking, so no salt or pepper is ever added at the table, and the grinder/shaker is in the cabinet with the dishes.

I prefer the S/P put away, too, but they are next to my knife set on the island. My kitchen sink is in the island and i do most of the food prep there so it's handy to have the S/P shakers right there; they are tall and since i put them right next to the knives, they really aren't in the way. The napkin holder is on the desk behind the kitchen table, against the wall. i just grab four napkins when setting the table.

We don't use S&P most meals either, so they stay on the kitchen counter by the stove. (And I have the smallest S&P shakers you've ever seen.) For napkins -- we have a very informal dining room that we eat in most nights, so I have napkins in the center of the table in a colorful low bowl. We also eat at our island, so I also keep a small pile of napkins on the island, just stacked neatly, not in any container.

Mmm...I have a S & P / napkin thingy. Maybe I should separate it all out and keep the napkins in the drawer. I don't salt somethings when I cook, because we're all really different in that area, but I do have a set on my stove w/a handle. I like workable areas, so I'm not one to put daily things away like toasters and such, but I'm not one for messy counters either as I'm trying to give myself more space. Interesting. Thanks.

I have a deep copper tray that houses the condiments, S&P and holds a decorative metal bowl with paper napkins, that I keep out on the table unless we have guests. Then it's removed and the more 'formal' stuff comes out. Everything is neatly contained in a single place.

I also have a divided wooden tray that I use to carry that stuff (and flatware, too) when we eat out on the deck.

DH and I have significant disagreements on the amount of salt and pepper necessary for proper seasoning, so we do have it out. I have two sets, one in the kitchen for cooking and one on the table. We always eat at the table. In our regular house there is one set at each table.

Napkins are put out with each meal, even if they're paper, we just don't leave them out. DS would just use them to dress the cats or something if he had them handy...

I just realized that now I have Three sets of salt and peppers on the lazy susan. I'm sure one of the cats put it there.
There was a contestant on Top Chef who got cut because he forgot to put salt and pepper in his dish. I'm just saying!

I use to have a longerberger basket with the insert divider inside of it, on the table. The salt and pepper were each in one compartment, napkins in the center two. There were 2 left over compartments which became clutter catch areas. I used this method for years. Recently, I tired of the look and did a plant arrangment on the table. The napkins are in a Southern Living wire holder...on the counter, and the salt and pepper shakers live on the window sill next to the table. We really dont use the salt and pepper, but the kids miss the extra napkins on the table. We are always getting up for an extra napkin. The basket worked well for many years and was easy to remove when it wasnt wanted.

annellis - i'm having the same issue. i love the look of my s&p, butter dish, and napkin holder, even have a tooth pick holder. they don't "match" but they're all cystal and compliment each other well.

Currently the butter dish and salt and pepper are on the counter by the stove. DH thinks i should have it sitting on the table but we have a smaller round table and i don't think it looks lovely to have the shakers sitting on it. Napkins and toothpick holder are in a cabinet above the counter (with the s&p/butter) near the stove.

Never thought about the napkins being in the silverware but that's a great idea. now what to do with the holder.... :)

It's an issue in my kitchen too! DH finds s&p grinders annoying so I need two sets on the breakfast table where we eat most of our meals. So I found a distressed plant box to contained DH's s&p shakers, s&p grinders, butter bell, and the stacked EVOO and vinegar container. I keep on the counter near the table.

Next to the stove, I have containers for kosher salt, pepper, parsley, high heat oil, EVOO, and kind of a salt pig.

mustangs - I love that bottle set. Mind sharing your source?

Pb, Thanks for your interest. Sorry but it was pieced together. The bottles were brought back from Germany years ago (before we had such things), the iron work was originally for rocks with candle pillars on top of the rocks, the wooden bottle tops were from a craft store.

*sigh*

Figures. Guess I'll just have to piece together my own. Should have known as I am more than often drawn to the unique / quirly / one of a kind things rather than the mass-produced. At least I have an idea to pursue now.

One way to approach this problem would be to put a nice lazy susan in the center of the table and put a very pretty cake tin/keeper/cover over it, and hide your condiments/napkins under there. Even a lidded basket might work.

If that doesn't tickle your fancy, I dunno about the napkins, but they sure make salt and pepper shakers that don't look like s&p shakers. Maybe if you browse eBay you'll fall in love with something you'd feel good about leaving out all the time? If you like cute, this should do it for you. Or maybe you're more this kinda gal. Ones with their own caddies (in lots of styles) are easy to whisk to and from the table quickly. I think these are precious.

I'm into powdered supplements for me and my critters, so I'm kind of a sugar shaker freak. I have several lined up beside my fridge. I should either find a way to hide them or get prettier ones.

I agree with Oceanna about cute salt and peppers. This is a set I keep on my lazy susan. They are very, very small and the kids get a kick out of them:

Thank you ladies for all your ideas. I'm dumbfounded by the amount of people who don't use salt! LOL! We homeschool, so it's a constant shuffle between table, island and countertop. I like functionality in a pretty way, so I love the look of it sitting at the table and having it all there to use when needed, and having a set at my stove. But when we homeschool, we start the s & P shuffle. So, I've dumped the extra set. Love that garden box thing. Cool! Bunnies on ebay....adorable!

We don't salt or pepper food at the table. Once you get started on the path of salting everything, everything needs salt, so we only use it when cooking and not much of it. I have a box of sea salt for cooking and a pepper grinder in the cabinet by the stove.

Napkins are paper and held on the kitchen table in a stand up wooden holder my dad made that looks like two slices of bread and the napkins go in the middle. They never leave the table.

I always like these topics; they give a little glimpse inside people's houses and it's interesting to see what folks do with the everyday normal aspects of life.

We're another family who doesn't put salt/pepper on the table. I try not to use a lot of salt in cooking, mostly because my husband's inheritance leans toward hypertension and heart problems (though he is thin, active and prefers vegetables anyway). Also I admit to using a lot of prepared food and that stuff is almost always VERY highly salted anyway. We don't need more!

The napkins, paper in our house, are kept in a holder on the kitchen counter. We too put a folded napkin at each plate for meals so no need for more on the table.

Other condiments are stored in the cabinet or fridge and make guest appearances.

Ann

Daisy, those are really cute.

Wonder what happened to Annellis?

I have same problem that my shakers are in the way. I haven't tries this idea yet but going to head to Goodwill to find a set of sneakers with a flat surface. Then going to attach a magnet to the side and stick it to the fridge. Could either be an epic fail or complete genius