We take the time to carefully organize our closets each year, so why don’t our kitchens get the same attention? A messy, cluttered kitchen can deter us from cooking, leading to spoiled food and way too many takeout boxes in the recycling bin. Whether you’re the kind of person who hangs onto ketchup and soy sauce packets or you stick to a minimalist pantry, you need to avoid five common pitfalls — and have a good organization system in place.
Common food storage problems, like dried-out sugar, cramped pantry shelves, unidentifiable fridge smells, and mystery Tupperware meals in the freezer, don’t have to be regular occurrences. Thankfully, turntables can help home cooks access the many blind spots of the fridge, and something as simple as a multi-compartment caddy can keep small pantry items organized and in view, so you can eat them before they go bad. Anyone can fall victim to these five kitchen organizing mistakes, but don’t worry, we’ve got the solutions below.
Problem: Stale, Spoiled Dry Goods
Solution: Airtight Storage Solutions
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The excess of food packaging is frustrating enough, but when the original container doesn’t even keep the contents fresh, the many layers of plastic are all but pointless. To keep dry goods as potent as the day they were sealed, decant them into airtight containers. Aside from some trusty tools like brown sugar savers, moisture-locking jars are the answer.
Original boxes and bags often let air in, which can lead to humidity, moisture, and ultimately, mold. Pests can also sneak through the smallest of crannies and get to your food before you even have the chance to ingest it. Airtight jars and canisters, whether made from stainless steel, glass, or BPA-free plastic, are guaranteed to keep dry goods — like pasta, grains, cereal, coffee, spices — as fresh as can be.
- OXO Good Grips 4.4-Quart Pop Container, $22
- AirScape Planetary Design Stainless Steel Coffee Canister, $44
- Veken Airtight Stainless Steel Pantry Container, $25
- ComSaf Set of 3 Glass 2-Quart Spaghetti Storage Containers, $24
- Dwëllza Kitchen Set of 6 Airtight Food Storage Containers, $43, originally $52
- Yuncang Set of 6 Glass Food Storage Jars, $22
- Enolvo Terracotta Brown Sugar Saver, $6, originally $8
- Rubbermaid Brilliance 16-Cup Airtight Food Storage Container, $15, originally $25
- Ball Set of 6 Wide Mouth Glass 16-Ounce Mason Jars, $24
- Caraway 13-Piece Glass Airtight Food Storage Containers, $295
Problem: A Messy, Stinky Fridge
Solution: Fridge Organizers, Deodorizers, and Mats
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A happy fridge is an organized fridge, but that’s much easier said than done. Between a lack of shelves, blind spot corners, food odors, and never-ending leftovers, tackling fridge cleanup can be more daunting than preparing dinner itself. The first step to eliminating mysterious lingering smells is an inventory check, which is a lot more manageable when peaking into clear storage bins or spinning a turntable of condiments.
There are also a variety of mats and liners designed for storing fruits and veggies in the fridge, guaranteed to keep them fresh longer by circulating air throughout the crisper drawer.
- Lamu 2-Tier Lazy Susan Turntable Organizer, $9, originally $14
- Bluapple FreshMats Refrigerator Liners, $16
- OXO Good Grips Adjustable Fridge Shelf Riser, $29
- Simple Houseware Soda Can Organizer and Dispenser, $14, originally $18
- YouCopia FridgeView Fridge Turntable, $13, originally $15
- Beauty Cottage Set of 6 Stackable Refrigerator Bins with Handles, $27
- Dualplex Fruit and Veggie Life Extender Refrigerator Liner, $15, originally $17
Problem: Lack of Storage Space
Solution: Cabinet and Drawer Organizers
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Most households have at least one neglected junk drawer, but kitchen goods shouldn’t be subjected to that kind of mayhem. Any hands-on cook can attest to the wealth of cooking utensils, vessels, gadgets, and tools available to us today, but how do we keep track of them all? For those residing in shrunken apartments, the hurdle is even higher, but with expandable drawer dividers, adjustable risers, and stackable bins, every kitchen item can have a designated home.
- Simple Houseware Expandable Metal Kitchen Shelf Organizer, $20
- Pipishell Bamboo Expandable Silverware Drawer Organizer, $26, originally $31
- Songmics Set of 4 Stackable Cabinet Organizer Shelves, $25, originally $32
- Utoplike Set of 4 Bamboo Adjustable Drawer Dividers, $28, originally $33
- Vtopmart Set of 6 Stackable Storage Bins with Lids, $28, originally $31
- Bobomoment Set of 2 Clear Cabinet Risers, $27, originally $42
- Seinloes 2-Pack Expandable Pull-Out Cabinet Organizer Drawers, $57, originally $73
- Mudeela Pots and Pans Organizer Rack, $19, originally $30
- Copco 3-Tier Non-Skid Spice Rack Organizer, $11
Problem: Disorganized, Hard to Manage Under the Sink Area
Solution: Under-Sink Organizers
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The space beneath our sink is a goldmine for extra storage, especially kitchen cleaning supplies, but it’s often overlooked due to the tricky spacing around plumbing and hard-to-reach corners. Rather than awkwardly maneuvering around pipes, you can utilize pull-out drawers and cubbies to snag Windex and Pine Sol without having to shove your head underneath the sink with a flashlight. For sink-related tools that get day-to-day use, like sponges and dish soap, sink caddies are a great option with far less reaching.
Problem: Forgotten Leftovers and Prepped Meals
Solution: Food Storage Containers Marked With Labels
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What good is five hours of meal prep if, by next week, you don’t even know what you prepared? Labeling freezer meals might seem like an afterthought, but once you get in the habit of regularly preparing meals ahead of time, the confusion is bound to follow. You don’t want to be scratching your head, asking yourself, was that casserole from January of this year…or last?
Tuck meals and chopped veggies away for later, but not without labeling their containers with the date and details. There are plenty of food storage sets to choose from, but not all include labels and a condensation-safe marker. Grab a set that comes with labels, or snag these freezer-safe containers and pair with these labels that are only 2 cents per sticker.
