Organizing Tips and More
For the January Ultimate Blog Challenge I have been doing things different. I came up with the idea to do weekly blog topics for a bit of a change. The first week I wrote about Meal Plans for dinner but would also have leftovers that I prepared many different ways. Week two was Photography Week where I shared photographs and what I have learned on my Nikon P1000 camera so far. Now we’re on to week three and my topic is Organizing Tips and More using most of what I already have hanging around in my storage for “some day I may need this.”
For day one of my tips I’m sharing how I organize my pantry. I always have a problem of having food getting pushed to the back of the shelves then if I don’t see it I buy more. I have so many plastic storage bins around and I keep finding new ideas to use them. Well my latest is in the pantry!
Does your pantry have the coated wire shelves? I had a problem with those, the small things would fall though the cracks so I came up with the idea to add a piece of plywood to the bottom of each shelf. Works great and it adds support so everything stays sitting where it’s suppose to! This is a blog I wrote back in February 2021 with my new shelves. http://themarthareview.com/over-loaded-pantry/
Lia loves mac ‘n cheese and her mom gets the larger boxes to make a few meals and also the individual packs for a quick meal. The little packets kept getting lost in the back of the shelf so I came up with the idea to put all the mac ‘n cheese in a storage bin! The neat thing about using the bins is they pull out like a drawer so we can see what’s in the entire bin.
Lia’s other meal favorites are the Knorr packs of Pasta Sides. I also save the old refrigerator drawers for storage. Since I had an extra one in the garage that was perfect for all the noodle packs! This too can be pulled out so we can get the the flavors in the back.
But wait, I have one more idea for you. When we had our kitchen remodeled I saved some of the drawers and I’m so glad I did. I use one for all the canned beans, tomatoes and a few other items that don’t have a special place. It’s so much easier to have all these items stacked together and I don’t have to worry about them toppling over. The packs of salmon are hooked on a coated wire with a hook so they are always in sight.
Usually when I get in one of my re-organizing binges and need another storage bin, I can find one that is being used for something else but the stuff in it really isn’t needed so I empty whatever is in it and usually toss it.
Not sure if this is considered being frugal but it sure is a great way to use what I have stacked in the garage for storage in the pantry. What are some of the ways you re-organize your pantry so you don’t have food stuffed to the back never to be seen again?
Those a re great ideas to keeṗ track of what you have!
Thanks Roy, I’m always looking for ways to make it easier!
I love using stuff that I have sitting around. We brought the Pantry’s I bought for my home here. Giving us extra space and instead of getting a washer and dryer we use that space for Board Games. Then we go to the Laundry once a week which makes sure I get outside and walk. As for storage David brought me a cabinet home last night from the Airport for tiny things were going to decorate today. Which I needed as I wanted a place to put lids to the cups we use and was going to purchase a basket this morning. Now, I don’t have to. Saving me money which is a Godsend.
Your pantry and new storage cabinet sound great Glenda. Anything to make organizing easier!
When I moved a little over a year ago, this house has wire shelves and things do fall through. Thanks for these pantry-organizing tips, Martha. I will be using them soon.
I hope the ideas help you Florence. Since adding the thin plywood everything stays in place!
Here we have a pretty good pantry with great shelves and organization. In our apartment I’m VA. It’s a different story. I use some other the same things you do, extra bins I’ve used elsewhere. I’m looking for ways to use a very tall cupboard shelf more effectively,
I love finding ways to use storage bins Cheryl. Is your tall cupboard a narrow one? Maybe you could turn it into a spice cupboard? I’d be interested to know what you do with it!
Martha, you are speaking my language here! I have a somewhat efficient galley kitchen. You never have to go more than 3 steps to get anywhere. But the cupboards are dark inside. So I have found that clear or nearly-clear plastic boxes are a great way to store, slide, and view. I try to keep the broth and canned beans (I make a lot of soup) in one bin, the tuna and salad dressing in another, and the pastas in another. But they do seem to mix around sometimes! In future, I want to get some LED cupboard lighting strips– do you use any of those?
Those clear or nearly clear bins are super Kebba! I love your idea of adding LED lighting strips, I think I have a few hanging around, I ‘ll have to try that.
I love how you reuse and recycle and still make it all look so very wonderful .. Rather, I think the word is upcycle – that is what you do always!
Thanks Vidya, I like the word upcycle. It sounds classy!
Those are some great tips that you have. We have been going through our cupboards. Sometimes we donate a can of corn or whatever else we can to those who are in need. It’s great to be able to do that.
It’s so much easier to see what I have when the pantry is organized Amanda. Donating a great, we take some canned foods to our church.