0 You Asked: Kitchen Cupboard Chaos

Welcome to my second edition of IHeart Answering!  This question was very well suited to February's featured space, the Kitchen!  As you may recall, I started a little section of the blog devoted to answering questions from you amazing folks!  My first post was focused around storing kid's clothing, from a dedicated reader of mine, Heather.  And she is back folks, with another fabulous question!  And, she was so speedy after I responded, she already sent me an after picture of her project partially completed!  Melts my heart!

Heather wrote:
I have another question.  This morning, while emptying the dish washer, and putting those plastic food containers in a cupboard, closing the door quickly, and hoping I'm not the next person to open it, cause they are all going to fall out on them...  is there any solution to that?  Also, i have the same problem with cookie cutters.  They all fall on me when i open that cupboard.

And here are her BEFORE pics:

 

And here is my response to her cabinet dilemma:

Dear Heather,

Looks like you have too many things happening in only two cupboards.  And that may be ok if you want to devote each shelf to a specific type of item, however, it doesn't appear that is necessarily happening today.

Here is what I would recommend:

• Start by taking everything out of those two cabinets and putting it all out on the counter or kitchen table.
• Then, the super hard but super necessary task (in any organizing project) is paring down.  When looking at kitchen/baking items, think about what you use and don't.  Do you have multiples of anything?  If yes, time to keep the goods and favorites, and donate the rest.
• Smaller "like" items should be placed together in boxes or bins.  For example, all those cookies cutters!  I personally like to "shop within my own house" and look for "free" containers I can use before I hit the stores for one.  If I can't find something that is just right, a super cheap option is always to take an empty box, and use scrapbook or wrapping paper to dress it up a little bit, like I did with the Kleenex box here.
• It looks like you could create some "Zones" within the cabinets: Kiddie Zone, Baking Zone, Tupperware Zone and Household Items Zone (Vases/Candlesticks)
• For the Tupperware problem, we had a similar issue (I am attaching a before and after pic), and it was easily solved by nesting all of the ones together that could nest with their covers on.  For ones that couldn't, we stacked liked shaped ones together, and corralled all of their lids together in a separate bin.  And, to make it even easier on us, most of the Tupperware lids/containers were pre-color coded for us, so finding a matching lid to the container is easy peasy.  But if yours isn't color coded, there is no harm in a little DIY, using different colored permanent markers, you could mark the lids and the bottoms with the same colors for easy identification.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

• The baking section of the cabinet could contain your cookie cutters, batter utensils and other baking utensils (which I would corral inside an empty vase).  If you don't have anything that you could stick your utensils within (whisks, spatulas, etc...), then you could use string or ribbon to create loops for easy Command Hook hanging.  Same thing could be done for any measuring cups/spoons.  You could also nest your baking bowls and other baking items together.

Cookie Cutter Storage Idea:

Baking Utensil Storage Idea 1:

 

Baking Utensil Storage Idea 2: 

• Check out the Kiddie Cabinet post here, for getting your youngster's kitchen stuff in line.
• The household zone is a matter of dedicating a portion of your cabinet to store your miscellaneous decor items, such as your vases and candle sticks.  They should at least get their own shelf!

I hope that helps a little!  Of course, these are just ideas or tricks that could work, but don't feel limited by these options!  The opportunities are endless!!


And limited she definitely wasn't!  Heather did a great job on her first cabinet so far, and already sent a mouth watering after picture of her progress!


Here is what she wrote:


Here is how far i am.  I tossed some junk, took some stuff downstairs to think about (wedding vases and assorted wedding gifts).  The top shelf is a set of dishes my grandma gave me, middle has vases (in hopes someone brings me flowers) and mixer attachments, bottom is cookie cutters, coffee attachments, and travel mugs.  I bought the 3 containers at the Dollar Tree, so total make over costs are $3.

Again, BEFORE:

 

And AFTER:

Totally incredible right?  Aren't those baskets absolute perfection for storing her miscellaneous kitchen accessories and attachments?  I bet she isn't worried about items falling on her or her family anymore, when she opens the cabinet doors!  $3 is a small price to pay for family safety, hee hee, but it is also going to make her daily life so much simpler!  What an investment!

Thanks so much Heather for your question, and for following up so quickly!!

What do you guys think!?  Pretty amazing transformation right?  And can't you already imagine how much easier her morning went today with the new makeover?

 

P.S.  Looking to have your organization dilemma answered in an upcoming post of IHeart Answering?  Just send your BEFORE picture(s) with a brief question and description, to iheartorganizing@gmail.com.  I will do my best to answer your question personally within 5 business days!  Some Q&A's will be selected to be featured on the blog, and of course, follow-ups on the progress with pictures is a huge way to get my heart beating with excitement!

15 February Featured Space: Kitchen - Pantry Must Haves

A long long time ago, in a far away itty bitty town, a girl named Jen was dreaming of an organized pantry space.  And like most, Jen was very excited when her dreams came true.

But it didn't happen overnight.  Nope, it was a process.  But now that the process is complete and the pantry is organized, life couldn't be better for this small town gal.  For her daily routine has gotten easier and streamlined, and that makes for continued happiness day after day.

So, enough about my happiness, and more about another way the pantry has become such an amazing space in the kitchen.

I actually spent a portion of a paycheck on multiple clear food storage bins, quite awhile back now.  That being said, I can say with certainty that the investment was worth the payoff since we acquired the food fresh savers!

Here is a lineup of my favorite pantry food storage options:

 

We will start with these plastic storage baskets, that I also mentioned here as a handy way to store my snacks.:

I use these fabulous baskets all over my homestead, but they make their appearance a few times in my pantry:

 

Why IHeart these cheapo plastic baskets:

1.  They are great for holding a whole slew of snacks, so I dedicate one basket for doing just that.

2.  These baskets are perfectly sized to fit two full loafs of bread, side by side, making this the perfect option for a bread box (most bread boxes I find, can only hold one loaf of bread):

3.  They stack!  That's right, the little handles actually flip open to make these babies stack-able, which is great for putting a couple on the floor of the pantry, to hold all that produce (potatoes, onions, garlic, etc...) that should be stored in a cool dry place. 

The next pantry must have is a handy cereal saver:

We actually have two of these puppies, we never just have one box of cereal open at a time.  In fact, we had three of these amazing containers, and recently just lost one due to a cracked lid incident, which we are still grieving over.

Why IHeart the cereal saver:  

1.  It keeps the cereal MUCH fresher than the original packaging does.  Especially when little fingers are involved and they aren't always concerned about getting that plastic bag inside the box, rolled down air-tight.  This is fool proof freshness!

2.  You can always see what's remaining, which is great for a quick peek at pantry inventory before running out the door to the grocery store (a repeating theme to the rest of the clear storage containers being featured below)

3.  There are times when we purchase multiple boxes of cereal due to a sale, however, we will only open two boxes at a time, put them in the containers, and leave the other boxes alone until a container is empty.  We waste far less food this way!

Following the cereal saver, comes a way I store my hot cereal (packets that is):

These Sterilite Clip Lock Lid Containers, are absolutely the right size for all sorts of boxed goods!  I have 4 total, which hold my oatmeal packets, granola bars, hot cocoa packets and microwave popcorn packets:

Why IHeart the clip top containers:

1.  Space Saving!  Yep, this time, these little guys actually save me a ton of space in the pantry, as I can fit the contents of two oatmeal boxes, into one container!  And they stack nice and neat besides!

2.  Still going for that visual inventory thing!  Love that I can always see what's in stock!

Next on the list is this Sterilite Ultra Seal Bin and the Sterilite Ultra Seal Bowl:

 I actually have about 6 of the lovely containers square containers, along with 3 of the bowls, residing within my pantry space:

 

Why IHeart the Ultra Seal:

1.  Again, freshness is the main purpose.  The square containers are fabulous for storing boxes of crackers, cookies, or small bags of chips.  The bowls couldn't be any more perfect for storing larger bags of chips.  And seriously folks, it may sound gross, but over a month later, the crackers, cookies and chips are all as crisp and fresh as the day they entered the containers.  

2.  Because of the freshness factor, we waste SO much less food.  It's absolutely AMAZING to me how little dry pantry items get thrown out, unlike prior to the investment, when we were throwing out miscellaneous boxes of crackers and chips all the time, because no one was willing to take a bite of ae chip for a staleness test.  ISH!

3.  Same as above: You can always see what's remaining, which is great for a quick peek at pantry inventory before running out the door to the grocery store, ensuring multiples aren't unnecessarily purchased.

Noodles Noodles Noodles!

These 365 clear storage containers from Ikea, come in the perfect size to hold a full box of noodles!  It's pure perfection folks!

Why IHeart these clear containers for noodles:

1.  Hmmm.... Freshness?  Yes please!

2.  Visual Inventory?  Yes please again!

3.  Easy pouring when cooking!  Absolutely!

Catching on to a theme here?

Last on the pantry must have list, is a clear shoe box?!

 Sure is folks!  Plastic shoe boxes are another fantastic storage option throughout the entire homestead, but I have a very groovy circles one, tucked right inside the 'ol pantry, because I was "thinking outside the box"!

Why IHeart shoe box storage in the pantry:

These are so great for coralling smaller items, that don't sit/stack well on a slotted shelf.  For example, I use this one to hold all of the kiddo's snacky puddings, jellos, applesauce and fruit cups, that we steel from daily to make their school lunches. 

And that's all there is to it!  All of these items make organizing any pantry space, and absolute breeze!  And the money you'll save.  It's awesome when those pennies start adding up, because you are throwing less out, or buying less duplicates.  And, when you buy in multiples, they often stack perfectly as well, making more space!  

And of course, no one is bribing me paying me to say any of this!  I am just sharing what is personally working well for me!  A lot of the items pictured above happen to be Sterilite brand, however, that's because my second home is Target and that's what they sell.  I have been extremely happy with the brand however, I also use it for all of my food storage for leftovers in the fridge!

The next post will actually be some full shots of my entire pantry makeover, including before and after pics!  So stay tuned!

60 February Featured Space: Kitchen - Snack Attack!

At first I thought this post would be all about the kids again, but really, who am I kidding?  We as adults snack as much as youngsters do, so I am not gonna profile here, this post is for everyone!

Snacking is actually considered healthy, when done in moderation.  However, how many of us open up the cupboard, stare at the insides for many minutes, and due to lack of options, grab a big 'ol sack of potato chips or cookies, only to realize that before you know it, the bag is half empty, or even worse, gone.

I found myself guilty of this, and my kids as well.  Which takes snacking from healthy to deadly in a matter of seconds.  So, I put my little organization hat on, and decided to dedicate a portion of our new pantry (sharing the project in pieces before the big reveal) to nothing other than, SNACKS.

This week, when I returned home from my weekly grocery shopping trip, I did something a little bit different when I was putting away the goods.  Actually, it started at the grocery store itself.  I only purchased snacks from larger packaging (forget those pricey pre-packaged snack packs and 100 calorie packs), and I made sure they were somewhat on the healthy side.  Then when I returned home, I laid the snacks out on the counter, grabbed a bunch of sandwich and snack sized baggies, and started filling them with the contents of the big bags/boxes.  This included everything from Trail Mix, Teddy Grahams, Goldfishy Crackers and Popcorn.  And some things are just easier in pre-packaged smaller pouches, such as Peanut Butter Crackers, Raisins and the not so healthy Rice Krispie Bar splurge.

Once they were all packaged up, I tossed them into a big green plastic basket, the same kind I use for recycling:

So inside their new home, it looked like this:

Totally a snacker's paradise!  And it took like a total of like 15 seconds to do this, and the payoff is HUGE!  First off, the kids don't need any assistance getting a snack, because they can now easily find what snacks are for them, and only eat good portions.  Secondly, it actually takes up far less cabinet space than all of the boxes and packages would have.  Win win!

Then, referring back to the exact same process I used here to create my suitcase tag, I created a label for the front of the SNACK basket:

And here it is all printed out, matted and laminated:

Then, I just used a Velcro square to attach it to the front of the basket:

 

Like so:

 

And then into the pantry went the basket:

We have been living with the new SNACK basket for almost a week now, and the whole family totally HEARTS this one!

Anyone else doing something similar in their kitchen?  And really, there is no reason for me to stop here.  In fact, this was such a positive outcome, that I am already thinking ahead to my next grocery trip, and how I can use this idea in the fridge, and store healthy fresh fruit and veggie snacks!  As I frequently say, ideas can be used over and over in many different rooms and areas of your life!

Psssst!  Plastic baggies are SO last year!  Check out how we updated this process to be a little more earth friendly.