Organization Tips-Pantry-Fridge-Freezer

by Cindi Sutter, Founder & Editor Spirited Table® - content provided by Marty Basher. Marty is the design expert with Modular Closets, https://www.modularclosets.com. Marty regularly contributes on topics of home design, organization, improvement, and more, helping homeowners get the most out of the spaces in their home.

Pantry

Whether yours is a walk-in or a dedicated cabinet, pantries store a majority of what we need for making delicious everyday meals and holiday dinners. They deserve an organized system that maximizes functionality while minimizing time spent digging around for ingredients. You are more likely to forget or miss ingredients for holiday baking/cooking with a messy, overstuffed pantry. Ditch last-minute shopping runs with the following organization hacks for decluttering your pantry.

Mounted door organizer for smaller items. While intended for storing shoes, mounted door organizers consist of pockets that are perfect for holding spices, condiment bottles, seasoning packets, and anything else that fits. Many homeowners dedicate this organizer strictly for spices and herbs, while others divide common baking ingredients into each pocket. Made of durable plastic or fabric, mounted door organizers cost between $10 and $50. Categorize items into designated baskets/fabric totes. Pantries naturally give off a cluttered vibe due to all the little or boxed-items stored inside. However, homeowners can tidy up their pantries by stowing like-items into baskets or fabric totes. Not only does this “hide” smaller items out of sight, but also dedicated baskets help you find and put away items quicker. Remember to label the baskets/totes. Plastic storage bins for messy items. Bags of flour, sugar, yeast, and more should be placed in plastic storage bins at the bottom of the pantry. Doing so prevents spills and messes, as well as little bugs making homes in your baking goods. Consider lids with locking clamps to prevent children and pets from getting inside.

Fridge/Freezer

Next on the list for preparing your kitchen for the holidays is the fridge/freezer. A disorganized fridge results in food waster--something nobody wants. You need a clean and spacious place to hold ingredients for a perfect holiday dinner and the leftovers afterward.

Dollar store plastic bins. A cheap and simple way to organize things like soda cans, yogurt cups, and bottled condiments is investing in dollar store plastic bins and group like-items together, similar to what you would do in the pantry. The walls of the plastic bins allow for stacking, clearing more shelf surfaces by utilizing vertical space. Lidded bins work especially well with preventing freezer burn for frozen food. Label, label, label. Just as you would with bins in the pantry, label everything--including food containers. Chalkboard stickers allow you to name and date containers and then wipe away the chalk paint/ink when done. They are dishwasher safe, so you won’t have to worry about them peeling off and needing to buy replacements. Store meat and fish in a separate drawer. Meat and fish leak juices, and you may find yourself in a foul-smelling, sticky situation if those juices seep into milk cartons or fruits and vegetables. Avoid this by giving meat and fish their own shelf or drawer. Align the bottom with paper towels or hand cloths, and double bag meats marinating in Ziplocks.