I'm not all that organized with some things, but I do try to stay on top of some things. A few years back, I decided I was sick of never knowing what was in my pantry and refrigerator. The pantry is deep, but the shelves are not high, so sometimes I would have to stick my arm (which isn't long) in, and use a utensil to try to retrieve cans from way in the back. I would have difficulty planning meals because I never quite knew what was in there. My kitchen is tiny, and the fridge is wedged in the corner between the counter and doorway, without an inch to spare. When things would spill, which of course happens sometimes, I would have to inch the fridge out slowly, and turn it around slowly as I inched it out, in order to be able to remove the shelves and crisper drawers, to clean it. Needless to say, that would frustrate and irritate me. Finally one day, I decided I'd had enough. I went to the store (Garden Ridge at the time, but I think the name has changed) where I knew I'd find a good variety of kitchen products at decent prices, and purchased a bunch of what I thought I'd need. I bought two-burner metal covers with a lip, and a variety of clear lucite bins and trays. When I got home, I emptied out the entire pantry, and discarded whatever I didn't want or need, and cleaned the pantry from top to bottom. I turned the burner covers upside down, so they looked similar to jelly roll pans, and slid them onto the shelves that are really low. I organized the canned goods by type, fruit versus veggies, canned pasta versus beans versus tomato sauce, salsa, related products. I have a separate one for baking goods and another for soups. Now, instead of having to reach way back into the shelves where I can't see what I'm doing or what is back there, I simply slide out the tray, peruse the contents, and select what I want. It's also much easier to keep track of what I'm running out of and need to purchase. I couldn't do it all in one day, but the next day, I emptied out the refrigerator and cleaned that thoroughly. I then organized the contents into categories, so I would be able to find where things are located. I was always somewhat organized with the fridge, but now each product category is sorted into clear bins and trays, and if something spills, all I have to do is pull out that particular bin or tray and clean it, instead of having to move the entire refrigerator. I no longer have spilled juices and other liquids dripping down from the top shelf throughout the whole fridge and making a big mess before I realize what's going on. This is what some of my trays look like. I have some like this, and some deeper ones. I also use some in the pantry, particularly for smaller items like puddings/jello packets, so I can find them more readily. Are you an organized person? Do you have any tips of projects you've undertaken that can help others?
My pantry is neat and clean, I use baskets on some of the shelves. I live alone and never stock up much because I usually go to the store everyday.
Although I do have the gift of organization I have to admit I haven't been using it that much in our home lately. Everything does have it's place but when I'm involved in some interest of mine, things that have their place tend to end up any place until that interest has passed. Now that there is just my Honey and me living in our home...I don't have to be as organized as when I was raising kids, back then if I left something out my kids would be fooling around with it in no time! My Honey on the other hand is very good about not messing with or trying to straighten up my things when they are not in their regular place. Right off the top of my head the only organizing tip I have is get rid of things you really don't care about, don't have any use for, or never wear, etc. and then you will have plenty of space to organize those things you do care for, use, and wear!
I can be much more organized than my wife, but thru persuasion from me, she is getting much better. I got much of my "organizational skills" from the Navy. The military doesn't put up with messiness!
I am organized fairly well as far as cupboards and drawers go. My kitchen pantry has changed over the last few years, and is mostly storage for kitchen counter items, like the blender and juicer, etc. I buy very little to store in the pantry. So the cans, boxes/ bottles in there are visible at a glance. And my refrigerator looks like a skinny person lives here ..NOT
Thanks for the great idea of putting all appliances in my pantry, Bonnie!! I have so much room in there. Now why didn't I think of that?
My fridge and food cabinets are well organized, but pots and pans, appliances, seasonal decor ugh, it's all over the place. some stuff in the linen closet, some stuff in the bedroom closets, pots and pans slide all over the cabinets, I can't stand it! Now, I'm inspired to get organizers for the pots and pans. Maybe then, I can get the kitchen appliances and extra serving pieces back downstairs in the kitchen, which is small. I have two small lazy susans good for spice and herb containers.
I'm going to let you very organized people come and organize my house..lol. I am reasonably organized..but I'm not going to win an award. If my husband puts the groceries away or unloads the dishwasher..well..I tend to go hunting for things. . I love him dearly, but the garage is testament to his hoarding instincts..lol. I bought a nice Kitchen Aid stand mixer about 4 years ago..gave my husband the old one (a nice Sunbeam)to donate ....I look in the garage and in back of something else..neatly boxed..what did I find last week? Yep, you guessed it. I personally drove it over to the women's shelter thrift shop. And so it goes...I Have learned to let this kind of thing go. Life is short.
The only space that I really needed to organize was my kitchen cabinets. They are tall to me and I didn't want to keep reaching for my 3 ft step ladder. So I found some of those stacking stands which I can place smaller plates and bowls on and the plates underneath. They also were handy for staples and other condiments and again in the lower cabinets for pots, pans and lids. I just hate seeing all the empty space not being utilized.
I'm always trying to be more organized and I think as I get older I'm doing a better job of it. Maybe. My desk was messy so I emptied it in 3 boxes and gave the desk to my grandson. Now I have a simple plain, tall computer table with no drawers at all. It has 2 shelves on top. The tallest one I had my grandson put pretty hat boxes and a few stuffed animals (used to be the grand kid's) up there since we live in EQ country. (EQ = Earth Quake). The next shelf down I put a few computer books and DVDs. I'm at my daughter's now but the next time I'm home I plan to go through the 3 boxes of "stuff" that used to be in my desk and put them in a dresser drawer in the bedroom and what I can't figure out what to do with I'll put in a plastic storage container and store it in my shed along with about 20 other storage containers full of stuff I've yet to organize and sell. I have given a lot of it away already.
@Ruby Begonia lazy susans are so helpful. I have one two-tiered one in the pantry, for the majority of the spices. I keep the most frequently used spices on one that sits on top of the kitchen counter, close to both the sink and stove, where I can easily reach them when I'm cooking. I have another one on the table, and on that one I keep salt and pepper, napkins, and a few other things that come in handy during dinner.