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My husband and I got serious about organizing last fall. We said," let's get organized and fix up our house like we were getting ready to sell it." "But instead, we will live in it!" I find it interesting on some of the home shows on TV, people fix up their home and then sell it. I don't believe there exists a perfect home, even if you do move. I think it would be difficult for me to get a house all fixed up and then move.
We are always experiencing change in our lives. What I liked 20 years ago has changed, so it would not suit me now. So, I have decided to look at organizing and decluttering as a journey.
I don't think about the end or when everything gets straightened and decluttered. It is really just an ongoing process and that is ok. I can't do everything at once to get things in order, so I choose to just take it one step at a time and not stress over it.
For the purpose of this post I would like to share with you some ideas for organizing which have helped me. You many get an idea or two which will help simplify your life. I find if I can have a place for my stuff and know where it is, I have more time because I am not searching for stuff all the time.
1. Pots and Pans Lids Organizer
So lets start with pan organization. I have two large pan drawers which can get pretty messy. We took out all the old pans we don't use and either threw them away or donated them. Growing up with grandparents who went through the Great Depression, I do think about "repurposing products". One of my worn out baking pan is now a try for my table top grow tent. It holds started sets for my starter plants.
We organized our pots and pans by size making it easier to find and Fit into the drawer. I bought a pan lid rack to help organize and store the lids.
SimpleHouseware Kitchen Houseware Organizer Pantry Rack, in Silver. I bought it from Amazon . It had a 4.7 from the reviews.
2. Baking Sheets and Long Casserole Dishes Organizer
We reorganized all of our baking dishes to a more convenient location in cabinets. My husband built a pull out pan drawer for many of our most used cookie sheets and long pans. But I still needed a place for those pans I rarely use. Honestly, I was tired of pans falling out of the cabinet when I opened it.
We cleaned out what we no longer used and I even gave some pans to our daughter who needed some things. I found an adjustable pan organizer on Amazon. It is called YouCopia Bakeware Storemore Adjustable Rack, Standard,
I like the adjustable part. It allowed me to fit different size pans in the slots.
As you can see I have been able to store many types of pans. Cake pans, muffin, Pyrex long dishes, cookie sheets and even disposable pans. I can't express to you how much it has made cooking and finding pans easier. I love how it allows the pans to sit on their end rather than lying flat!
3. Plastic Storage Containers
We have always had a cabinet or drawer in our house for plastic storage containers. When my oldest daughter was a baby, I allowed her to get in it and play with the containers.
If you have a storage place for plastic containers, you know it can get very disheveled. Our son loved to organize them and I loved it when he did. The problem though was it didn't stay that way. It wasn't long before it was a mess again. Lost lids, or lost containers in the abyss of plastic containers.
Then I found a product to help me organize them. I bought it and liked it so much, I bought another one for my pantry. I save old lunchmeat plastic containers to use to give my kids leftovers in when they visit. They can pitch them when they are finished or keep them. That way, I don't loose my "nice" plastic containers and they don't have to be concerned about getting them back to me.
I had gotten a nice set of plastic storage containers in different sizes for Christmas one year and I didn't need the old repurposed lunchmeat containers in my kitchen. I still had an issue of the cabinet being a mess. So I found a product to help organize the lids and fit the containers inside each other, organized by size. Guess what? This cabinet stays organized. Our son came over one day and was helping with dishes and noticed how straight this drawer was. Too bad I didn't find it when they were all living here!
See picture below.
This is SWOMMOLY Expandable Food Storage Container Lid Organizer, Includes 6 Adjustable Dividers, 30 Preprinted and Blank Writable Labels, in white. It has a 4.4 rating. I would give it 5. As I said, you can find it on Amazon.
I liked it so much, I bought another one for storage in my pantry!
Below is a picture of my old lunchmeat containers and how I use this product
to store them.
I highly recommend this to simplify your storage. Previously I stored these container on a shelf and I got tired of finding the lids all over the floor which had fallen off the shelf. Then I would have to hunt to match lids. Now I just go in and grab what I need. This has simplified my plastic container storage and they actually stay organized!
4. K-Cup Holder
We inherited a Keurig coffee maker a few years ago and since my husband likes to use it every day, it was better to keep it on the kitchen counter then lugging it back and forth from the pantry. We made room for it, but then there was really no cabinet space for the coffee pods. So they ended up stacked on the countertop. Well, this was getting more problematic as there was other clutter on the counter. So we found a product on Amazon to take care of this and made room to store it in the kitchen above the Keurig. It is called Mixpresso K-Cup Holder | Strong Spinning Carousel Coffee K Cups | Holds 27 K Cup Coffee Pods. It had a 4.7 rating.
See Keurig cup holder below.
As you can see it fits nicely in the cabinet. I really love how it got the boxes of K-cups off the counter. It is decorative and could be displayed on a counter next to the Keurig.
5. Refrigerator Organizer
Fridge Bins and Freezer Bins Refrigerator Organizer Stackable Food Storage Containers Amazon
It has helped us SO MUCH with refrigerator organization and we don't waste food as much. We can easily see what is in the refrigerator. I use to tell my husband, "I thought I was going to have to call the National Guard when I discovered things in the refrigerator which were VERY SCARY!"
Here are the features I like BEST about them:
6 pieces sized to fit fruits, vegetables, and other food items in the fridge – All drawers feature a built-in handle for easy pull-out and transport.
6 piece set includes –
2 Wide drawers – Ideally sized to fit fruits, vegetables, and other larger sized food items
2 Narrow drawers – Ideally sized to fit snacks, condiments, and other slimmer sized items, I love it to hold oranges .
1 Can dispenser holder – Holds 10 (standard size 12oz) cans, small sized food cans, juice boxes, and other types of drinks. Right now I am using it to hold fresh corn!
1 Egg drawer – Stackable organizer holds 14 eggs! Since we have fresh eggs from our ducks, I really love this piece!
Clear view with easy access – Always see and know what you have and need while making delicious meals. It is easy access to pull-out container. Also saves time and hassle of looking through the refrigerator for your favorite foods. You you can carry out BBQ essentials in one trip, quickly dispense favorite drink, keep snacks in one place, easily grab eggs, and separate fruits and veggies. Just pull it out and set on your countertop for easy access while your cooking or while kids choose a snack.
Clutter free – Organizers offer plentiful space to fit different types of food items while keeping your refrigerator looking coordinated . Complements most refrigerator sizes.
Durable design and easy to clean – Fridge and freezer drawer organizers have a sturdy design.– Easy clean-up by hand with mild detergent and water.
Customer rating 4.7
I like it so much, I am considering getting more for my pantry and freezer. They make great gifts, too!
6. Under the Sink Organizers
I don't know about you, but keeping products organized under the kitchen sink can be quite challenging! After tweaking some ideas I have come up with a method to keep it organized. My husband installed a wire mesh shelf for my drying pad and we bought a two tier slide out shelf for plastic products like trash bags and baggies. But we needed something for dish soap, cleaners, etc. With the sink pipes and disposal under the sink, it was challenging to find ways to organize given the restrict height space.
I finally found a product with Lakeside Collections and ordered them. They have ton of organizational helps and are at a reasonable price. I will go back and get more items as I embark on my home organizing journey!
Containers for under kitchen storage. They came in 3 sizes and 3 heights.
They have made all the difference in KEEPING products organized under the sink.
Under kitchen sink organization
This has streamlined being able to find things! If I need to, I can just pull the container out. .
Everything is easy to find and easy access!
7. Baking Product Storage
I have typically had disorganized baking products. They are not something I use consistently every day and they have had a way of getting scattered and disorganized. The important concept about organizing is that items need a permanent home. Otherwise they will get place "where ever" at the time and then later, you don't know where you put them.
Our biggest issue with organizing has been, "where is the home for said items". Once that is resolved, finding ways to organize becomes much easier.
This year, I was determined to organize my baking products, which meant finding a home for them. I figured out a good place would be in the top cabinet above where I store flour sugar, basic baking products like baking soda and baking powder. I only use flavorings, color sprinkles, cup cake liners, and decorators icing occasionally.
So I cleaned off the top shelf and made room for small plastic containers to sit side by side. I purchased these at the dollar store.
Then I put "like" products together. I have a whole basket of various flavoring and a whole basket of color sprinkles. This method has worked like a charm. When I need something, I can find it or simply pull out the basket and set it on the counter while I am using it.
Easy peasy!
Simple and inexpensive organization of baking products!
Final Notes
I bought these organizer products a little at a time. These don't have to be purchased all at once. I even received one as a Christmas Present and was So excited! Can you guess which one it was?
Because of these simple organization products, I have more time and don't spend a lot of time searching for things like I did in the past. I also feel calmer because I am not stressed over searching through a pile of kitchen items. Whew, it sure has made our life better! We have more time for activities we enjoy!
I would love to hear your ideas or how you tried any of these and how they worked for you!
Happy Organizing!
Melanie
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