When it comes down to keeping your foods in an organized manner, it can be difficult when you have an entire kitchen space to utilize, and you’re not quite sure how to do so most efficiently. Having a system in your kitchen which includes where certain types of foods go and how they are stored can help you and others in your home keep organized. On top of that, it makes it easier to know what you may be running out of, and you can more easily recognize what may be expiring soon. Not to mention, organization allows for the best use of space, so if you can keep a clean kitchen, you can have more space to cook.
The Pantry: All Non-Perishable Items
More specifically, when getting down to non-perishable items, there are numerous ideal ways to group related items together. Of course, it should all come down to the space that you have available to you, in that this will look quite different from household to household. For example, if you have more counter space than cabinet space, consider sealed containers such as jars or bags for food storage.
Categorical Organization
Ultimately, when it comes down to organizing your food items, it may be best to consider what category they would fit in. All of these are contingent upon what your cabinet or counter space accommodates, however.
Breakfast foods: We’d recommend keeping cereals and oatmeal close to breakfast bars, so you have all of your (non-perishable) breakfast foods together. This way, in the morning, it makes it easier to choose amongst the similar choices that are in the home.
Soups, beans, canned vegetables, and grains: Whether a tomato or chicken noodle soup is your favorite, it just makes sense to keep these with beans and canned vegetables. Also, all of your favorite grains, including pasta, ramen, quinoa, and rice may fit well in close proximity to these groceries. After all, they do make their way into the same food store aisle, so it just seems like a natural fit. Not to mention, if you have any canned sauces, maybe add these on the same shelf as the pasta. If you find yourself tight on space, consider bagging some grains to save on shelf space. Just be sure that you label accordingly and include the expiration dates too.
Guilty pleasures: By this, we’re talking about those salty snacks and sweets. If you’re looking to resist temptation and live a healthier lifestyle, we recommend placing these on a higher shelf, so they’re more out of sight. With that in mind, it may be easier to ease away from those tempting treats.
Common cooking items: Common cooking items include your everyday cooking sprays, oils, and seasonings. In most kitchens, one of the best areas for this would be a lazy susan or a corner cabinet, which allows just enough space for smaller items such as these.
Baking necessities: Some of the most regularly used baking items include flour, sugar, baking soda, and powdered sugar. No matter what you may store in your pantry, consider smaller containers to make the most of your kitchen. Just be sure that your containers are airtight as to not attract unwelcome guests.
Refrigerated Foods
Similar to that of pantry items, refrigerated and frozen foods have their respective categories. With that said, each grouping can have its allotted section per the fridge, depending on what your diet consists of primarily. For instance, you may benefit from organizing your fridge by the expiration date of yogurts and other light breakfast or lunch items and keeping them with one another. Essentially, stock it like it would be if it were the grocery store, with the items that expire the furthest out in the back or bottom and those that expire sooner on top or in the front. That way, you’re setting yourself up for less food waste, all while carefully making your way through your produce and groceries.
Another helpful tip when it comes to your refrigerator is to clean it up weekly. In order to stay organized, it takes commitment to keep it clean. This process should include throwing away any foods that have expired, reorganizing the space to keep it simple for you, and decluttering. If anything is near finished, consider repackaging it to a zip-sealed bag to free up more space. Also, take the time to presort or pre-pack any foods that you might need on the go during the week. This will save you time and can essentially contribute to that higher-level organization within your kitchen, allowing for convenience too.
Getting Professional Assistance
As you are cleaning out your pantry and your fridge, you may find that it needs some deep cleaning. Just like we’ll clean your kitchen countertops, we can clean up your cabinets and fridge too. Contact us today!
