\n<\/p>\n
As a result of my job (home writer) and my personality (perfectionist), I\u2019ve done a lot<\/em> of research about how to best organize every little space in my home. I\u2019ve long heard the praises sung of clear containers<\/a>, listened to people preach the merits of a label maker, and seen pantry organizes topple off the shelves at TJ Maxx in the most ironic ways. Suffice it to say, I feel like I\u2019ve heard and seen it all\u2014from legitimate overhauls to unrealistic hacks. It wasn\u2019t until this year, though, that I really decided to tackle the lid-flying, carton-crashing space that is my pantry<\/a>.<\/p>\n For some context: When I get home from the grocery store, I\u2019m so exhausted from lugging my tote bags from store to train to train transfer and finally, to my apartment, that I can\u2019t be bothered to really organize things as I shove them into cabinets. Know the feeling? This is where the unraveling of intention begins. Three more grocery trips, an overstock on Trader Joe\u2019s apple banana fruit crushers, and a teetering bag of rice later\u2014game over. Still, being at home and cooking more than I ever have has really prompted me to reassess my pantry storage and put my own advice into action.<\/p>\n These tips for containing the clutter are the real deal. I\u2019ve implemented them myself, and have had far fewer things fall on my head as a result. Well, some things still fall on my head though, because nobody\u2019s perfect.<\/p>\n This one is controversial, I know. I scoffed at this idea for so long. \u201cWhy should I spend money on clear containers when the food already comes<\/em> in containers?,\u201d I asked. Because, future-me insists that seeing exactly everything you have in the pantry is an invaluable asset. I can\u2019t tell you how many duplicate bags of jasmine rice I\u2019ve purchased just because I couldn\u2019t easily take inventory of it before I hit the store. Cereal, rice, pasta, quinoa, couscous, oatmeal\u2014get ’em all into clear bins! If they come with specific instructions, I cut them out of the package and tuck them inside the container so as not to overcook my farro.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to run out and purchase all new storage bins, either. Collect clear vessels little by little, and before you know it, a complete organizational collection will be amassed. Some ideas for repurposed clear containers: quart containers leftover from takeout<\/a>, washed-out sauce jars, and plastic bins from Costco-sized snacks (yeah, I\u2019m talking about the giant tub of peanut butter pretzels\u2026 you know the one). And if you’ve tried the clear container thing and it made you nuts? Skip it! Your pantry, your rules.<\/p>\n It doesn’t need to be a fancy machine-made label, I just use Scotch tape and a Sharpie to mark a container with the expiration date and the date I opened the package. I learned this all-important tip from my mom who\u2019s fastidious in her labeling of pantry, fridge, and freezer items. It\u2019s easier than we’d like to believe to let things go past their expiration dates, especially if they\u2019re out of their original packaging. Take this extra step and save yourself the stress later.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say your cabinet shelf is a foot tall, but you\u2019re leaving 8 inches of space above the jar of peanut butter… you can definitely be storing more efficiently. If you have yet to be introduced to shelf risers<\/a>, well, are you in for a treat. They are the simplest addition to your pantry, but they completely transform the amount of storage available to you. By elevating just one layer of items (spices, dry goods, jars of sauce, etc.), you can create more space. Bonus points for clear tiered shelving that keeps everything on display\u2014like stadium seating for spices.<\/p>\n Take advantage of every last bit of space by adding hooks (Command-brand or otherwise) to the interior walls of cabinets and closets. These are the perfect places to hang oven mitts, tea towels, utensils (with a hole in the handle), aprons, and mugs in order to make room for more pantry items. Pro tip: always, always<\/em> clean the surface with some alcohol<\/a> for the most secure hold.<\/p>\n Salad dressing mixes, taco seasonings, and other miscellaneous packets have a tendency to get lost in the shuffle of everything else in the pantry. Instead of losing and rebuying every packet-ed item, file them away in a recipe card box or clear containers<\/a> like this.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re working with a pantry that has room under the bottom-most shelf, it\u2019s ridiculously helpful to either get bins with wheels or add wheels to existing bins to create sliding storage. The wheeled bins slide out far easier than ones sitting on the floor getting dragged in and out, it\u2019s a total no-brainer.<\/p>\n1. (Maybe) Put Everything Into Clear Containers<\/h3>\n
2. Label Everything<\/h3>\n
3. Elevate items to create more space<\/h3>\n
4. Add Hooks to The Inside of Cabinet Walls<\/h3>\n
5. Keep All Seasoning and Sauce Packets in One Place<\/h3>\n
6. Add Wheels to Bins<\/h3>\n
7. Employ Turntables for Spices<\/h3>\n