Some weeks just go like this one - calls from the school nurse, doctors' visits, medication, kids filling time at home, etc. So, I took some time in between to tackle an area of life that needed a little re-organization.
Our pantry needed some help - it wasn't terrible, but there was just not enough room for some stuff and not the right storage space for other stuff. And I hadn't done a good reorganization in a while. My initial plan was to make a plan - you know, make a list of the things that need to go in there, decide how to best store it, figure out what I had for storage supplies, and get what I didn't have to make it better. Well, I had the time and decided to go ahead without the plan. Then Nester posted this today and I'm glad I did! (Btw, do you follow her? Always a breath of fresh air :) ).
Ahhh, that's better - breathing room! I thought I would share a few tricks that help this space work better for us.
First, since we have fixed wooden shelving that isn't going anywhere soon, I have added hanging wire shelves and stackable wire shelving units. They are flexible and I move them around as our storage needs change.
I like to use shallow plastic bins, trays, old pans to corral like things together. So, cooking oils and vinegars are together, extra baking supplies are together, opened bags of chips, etc. are together. I have not purchased items for this purpose, they are just containers that have lost lids, pans I no longer use, etc. Use what you have!
I moved all the dishes we use less regularly to the top shelf - they look pretty and are still accessible. If I had room for a proper china cabinet (in the dining room that is now my sewing room :) ), they would live there.
I store some things in glass containers which looks good and is functional. And the chalkboard labels? Cut from a roll of chalkboard contact paper (here).
I have created a little snack center for the boys on the lowest shelf. The bins work well (see, even a cardboard "tray" works!). Underneath there is exactly enough room for a step stool (IKEA) to help their height-challenged mom reach the top shelves easily.
And my favorite thing...
A baking cart! I started this in our previous house and it's a great feature if your pantry is large enough. The top shelf holds flours, sugars, etc. in ever-faithful Tupperware. The next shelf holds mixing bowls and small baking ingredients, yep, in a shallow basket. Bottom shelf holds whatever it needs to (napkins and drink bottles now). I just wheel it over to the counter and I have everything I need right at my fingertips :)
One more idea that works for us...
These baskets live in a cabinet above my main work counter. They hold spices and other cooking and baking ingredients - no shuffling through piles or stacks; I just pull the basket and easily see what I need!
So, just a few ideas for kitchen organization. It doesn't have to be Pinterest-pretty, it just has to work for you.
Do you have any tricks to keep your kitchen organized?
Sherri