Kitchen storage space is an important asset that should be maximized. Whether you have a large pantry or only store non-perishable foods in an upper cabinet, it is important that you use the space efficiently.
Storage space in the kitchen is an important asset that should be maximized. Whether you have a large pantry or simply store non-perishable foods in a hanging cabinet, it’s important to use space efficiently.
1- Optimize your storage
The kitchen pantry can be a beauty or a nightmare. If it always takes you five minutes to find what you’re looking for or if bags of spices fall out every time you open the door, it’s probably time to reorganize it. Save time, money and space by avoiding these potential pantry organization problems.
2- Expired products take up space
The first step in reorganizing your pantry is to remove all contents and discard expired products. Remember that expiration dates for canned and dry goods are not as strict as those for perishables, such as meat and dairy. If an item still looks and smells good in the pantry, it is probably still usable.
3- It’s too full
If you’ve been throwing out expired and unused products and your pantry is still overflowing, you should consider storing some items elsewhere in the kitchen. Infrequently used utensils, such as pastry cutters, can be stored elsewhere. Items that your family uses frequently, such as coffee grounds and tea bags, can be stored in a more accessible place, for example, in attractive jars on the countertop.
4- You have not adapted the shelves
Although not all kitchens have them, many pantries have adjustable shelves, allowing you to create a customized system that best suits the specific needs of your home. By simply raising a shelf an inch or two, you can stack several layers of canned goods without losing vertical space.
5- Products are not categorized
One of the easiest ways to organize a pantry is to group similar products together. You’ll find it easier to find what you need if you put all your kitchen ingredients on the same shelf and keep the products you use often together. Even if you rarely use a product like avocado oil, you will find it quickly if it is stored with other edible oils.
6- You don’t use storage containers
Sugar, oatmeal, rice and pasta sachets are difficult to store and their contents can spill out if they are not tightly closed. Invest in appropriately sized containers (available on Amazon) to store cereal and baked goods and keep them tidy. Hermetically sealed containers also help keep food fresh longer, reducing the amount of waste in the long run.
7- Your containers are not labeled
If you use glass or clear plastic containers, you can easily identify most of your dry goods. However, some products can be easily confused. Be sure to label all your containers to avoid using rye flour by mistake when you are actually looking for whole wheat flour. If you don’t pride yourself on your writing skills, you can also buy ready-made labels.
8- You don’t have a system for spices.
When it comes to spices, your pantry goes crazy. Since they are sold in both bags and jars of different sizes, it can be difficult to keep them in order. Spice racks are handy, but they usually only offer space for 12 to 20 different spices. For passionate home cooks who like to experiment with different dishes, most spice racks are not enough. A simple and inexpensive solution is to store spices in 8-ounce containers (available on Amazon), which can be written on with a marker pen or ready-made stickers.
9- You use them for things that aren’t food.
While large pantries offer plenty of space for kitchen utensils and small appliances, the average home pantry is better suited only for edible things. Try to find another place in your kitchen for your pots and pans, and get creative with your storage solutions.
