Storage solutions to eliminate mess in your pantry
Getting a messy pantry sorted – and staying that way – is one of those jobs that seems to never get done. These clever items can help change that.
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There are few places in my home that are ever in pristine condition.
My bedroom floor, my desk – and let’s not get started on that unholy mess of makeup and skincare products under my bathroom sink.
My pantry though? A thing of wonder. Snacks and dry food are all in matching, stackable containers; condiments on lazy Susans, always within reach.
Naturally, I felt compelled to share with all of you the secrets to a tidy, organised pantry (trust me, you won’t regret it).
PANTRY ORGANISATION IDEAS
From storage solutions that stack, to those that find a place for your miscellaneous sauce packets, we’ve rounded up the best in pantry organisation below.
Bamboo Stackable Food Storage Box – Set of Two, Amazon Australia, $46.40
Designed to fit snugly on pantry shelves, these stackable and sustainable bamboo food storage containers are an attractive solution to wayward, disorganised pantry food. One five-star review titled “Very efficient and attractive” recommended use for potatoes and onions storage; while another, titled simply “Perfect”, commented on the containers’ great finish and lightness.
Puricon Refrigerator Storage Bins – Pack of Three, Amazon Australia, $45.99
These brilliant can organisers have saved me from cubes of cola taking up precious floor space, so I’m eager to share the discovery with all of you. Constructed from sturdy, shatter-resistant PET material, each perfectly stores two layers of soft drinks while making it easy to assess just how many cans you have left. Take it from another happy customer who exclaimed, “Amazing absolutely love this product completely worth it highly recommended.”
YORUKAU Large Food Containers – Eight Pieces, Amazon Australia, $59.99
The perfect food container is hard to come by. If the chaotic visual of various packaging on pantry shelves bothers you, you’ll need containers of similar dimensions – like this handy eight-piece set from Amazon. With three different sizes, the most common pantry snacks are comfortably stored; while four sided-locking lids with silicone seals keep everything fresh.
Joseph Joseph Cupboard Compact Tiered Organiser, Catch, $28.95
Clearly the designer of this tiered organiser keeps unused fast food sauce packets as I do. Cleverly designed with a drawer for stock cubes, packets and the like, this BPA-free tiered organiser enables users to clearly see which cans and tins are in stock, minimising waste and saving money.
Joseph Joseph Rotating Organiser, Catch, $28.95
Another entry from Joseph Joseph, this rotating organiser makes your average lazy Susan look entirely outdated. Constructed from sturdy BPA-free materials, one side presents a three-tiered surface on which to place cans; while the other holds inlets for storing stock cubes, tea bags or sauce packets.
Todeco Three-Tier Storage Cart, Amazon Australia, $36.59
That space between your fridge and the wall? Turns out you can actually turn it into extra pantry space, courtesy of this innovatively designed storage shelf. Wide enough to store cans, bottle and other common pantry items, each shelf can hold up to 3.5 kilograms. Best of all, roll in and out of storage space with ease, thanks to four 360 degree rotating wheels.
Toplife Expandable Pans Organiser Rack, Amazon Australia, $26.90
Undoubtedly the most awkward objects to store in the kitchen, this Toplife Expandable Pans Organiser Rack makes easy work of organising your pans and pot lids. Featuring 10 dividers, store pans in a single line or broken down into two different units. Non-slips silicone feet protect surfaces, whether in your pantry, under your sink or on a countertop. With over 770 five-star ratings, you can be assured of this rack’s quality.
Two-Tier Steel Storage Organiser, Amazon Australia, $32.99
An oldie but a goodie, the chrome-plated, rust resistant tiered spice organiser is as space-efficient as it comes. Making use of what would otherwise be considered dead space, its two levels allow for twice as much storage capacity. Unsurprisingly, almost 2,000 users gave this cost-effective solution a five-star rating.
HOW DO I ORGANISE MY PANTRY CUPBOARDS?
Though there’s no definitive right or wrong way to organise pantry cupboards, there are some simple rules one can follow to make items more accessible:
• Store heavier products below your shoulders. This is to prevent accidents from occurring when in an attempt to retrieve bags of rice and the like.
• Most accessed products should be stored at eye-level.
• Make use of dead space. Most pantry cupboards have very tall shelves to accommodate for bigger items, but this also creates huge voids. Make use of tiered shelving units for more storage space.
WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU DON’T HAVE A PANTRY?
With so many of us living in apartments, pantry space can often be sparse if at all in existence. Invest in something like the Todeco Three-Tier Storage Cart, which makes use of the space between your fridge and wall; and make sure counter space is properly used with something like a tiered storage option, like the Two-Tier Steel Storage Organiser.
For more kitchen upgrades, check out our round up of the best cast iron pans and Dutch ovens, as well as the rice cookers worth adding to your kitchen bench.
Or, take a look at news.com.au Coupons – you can find all the best deals from your favourite brands.
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