Organizing every room in your home can feel like a lofty goal, but with the right tools and strategies, your entire home can stay organized with minimal effort going forward. To help you get started, we’ve identified a few places and tasks below!
PANTRY
If you’re in the middle of cooking, the last thing you want to do is spend time searching through jars and bottles to find what you’re looking for while your food start burning on the stove. Having an organized pantry with a system that works for you will help you quickly find anything you need!
Baskets
Storing individually packaged food in baskets helps keep snacks or chips in one place so you don’t have to stand at the door wondering what you might have to eat. Grouping like items together in the baskets and placing them upright with the label sticking out will help you quickly take in what you have and snacks you may be running low on. This is especially helpful when young kids come home from school and want to eat something before doing homework or going to practice.
Store Food in Clear Containers
Clear, air-tight containers make for excellent food storage containers. Air-tight containers will keep your food fresh for longer and reduce the risk of pests getting into your snacks. They also help as a visual reminder for any items that may need restocking soon. You can buy clear food containers at most big box stores and home retailers. We recommend buying multiples of each size for good measure; this will ensure that you can store foods of various sizes and quantities.
Place Cans on Risers
Putting your canned food on risers allows you to see what you have and gives you access to quickly grab what you need.
Store Like Items Together
Sectioning off your shelves by item types allows you to easily remember where to find them. (Snacks and chips, canned goods, pasta and grains, loaves of bread, etc.)
Store Breakables High
Fragile items, like vases and fancy glassware, should be stored on the highest shelf where your kids and pets can’t reach them. This will prevent them from accidentally getting knocked down.
LINEN CLOSET
A neglected linen closet can be a hassle, not only for you but for your guests. Incorporating details like labeled storage and baskets will make your closet functional and aesthetically pleasing. Save yourself the stress and the mess by utilizing these simple tips:
Alternate Storage Solutions
Storage bins or baskets are essential for organizing any sized closet. If you want to be practical, plastic or fabric bins can be purchased at an affordable price at your local big box stores or dollar stores. If you prefer a visually aesthetic flair that’s also practical, consider options like woven, wicker, or metal baskets to store your items. They can be more expensive, but places like Amazon or Ikea will generally have reasonably priced options.
Roll Fabrics
When it comes to organization, sometimes a simple switch can make all the difference. Rather than stacking your folded sheets, towels, and blankets, try rolling them instead. This quick and easy trick will change the look of your closet and save space!
Use Plastic Bins for Liquid Products
If you are worried about spills and stains, try storing your liquids like cleaners or shampoos in plastic cubbies or drawers. These will make for easy clean-up should a bottle start leaking, and the clear exterior will make it easy to spot what you need quickly. These containers come in various sizes to fit your available space.
Consider Frequency of Use
As you reorganize your linen closet, consider which items you use the most. Frequently used items should be placed at the front and middle section of the closet, making them easier to access.
FRIDGE
Even if you are short on space, a well-organized refrigerator is essential to keeping your food fresh and saving time when planning meals. An organized fridge has proven to help reduce grocery bills and create less food waste, too! We suggest doing the following to keep your fridge clean:
Clean It Well
The first step to an organized fridge is to take everything out and clean the interior as thoroughly as possible. Remove any drawers and shelves and soak in hot, soapy water. Don’t use abrasive cleaning methods, like a wired sponge, to prevent accidentally damaging the plastic of the fridge. To prevent strong smells in your fridge, place a small box of baking soda at the back of one of the shelves.
Check Expiration Dates
Before putting any food back in the fridge, check all your items for their expiration dates. It will be much easier to find what you are looking for when you’re not rummaging through expired jars and condiments.
Use Clear Containers
One easy way to ensure you keep everything in its place is to invest in some shallow clear containers. These are super helpful for keeping like items together and preventing spills.
Sort Your Shelves
Organizing your shelves will help you reduce waste because you will know what there is and where it is. Find a system that works best for your fridge, but here’s a good place to start:
The Top Shelf
- Top shelves are the warmest shelf in your fridge, so avoid keeping any fresh meat here. Use it for leftovers and takeout or anything that will be eaten in the next day or so.
The Middle Shelf
- This shelf is ideal for storing produce or dairy. This is also where many people have the most vertical space here.
The Bottom Shelf
- The bottom shelf is the coldest spot in your fridge, so use this shelf for meat or fish. By placing uncooked meat here, there is less risk of spoilage. Doing this also lowers the risk of cross-contamination if the meat packaging starts leaking.
The Door
- Your door is the warmest part of your fridge, so store items such as condiments and spreads here.