This week’s hot spot for Project Simplify was the kitchen pantry and refrigerator. This one I was actually looking forward to because I didn’t think it would be too overwhelming for me, and because it’s something that I had already been wanting to do.
But, somehow when I started cleaning out my pantry, I decided that I needed to clean out and organize all of the cabinets in my kitchen. Why do I do this to myself?!
Before – Pantry and Cabinets:
(I didn’t take before pictures of all of my cabinets because I didn’t realize I was going to clean them out until it was too late to take a picture!)
Oreos are what happen when you send hubs to the store to pick something up! And look at that little hand. Ha!
I had already taken some of the spices out before I snapped this picture.
The Method to My Madness
You know how when you move into a new place it takes awhile to figure out how you use the space, and how to set it up and organize so that it works best for you? Well, we’ve been in our house for almost two years and I finally just feel like I have figured out how to make the space work for us.
I decided I wanted to put all of my baking and cooking ingredients closer together, and closer to the counter where I actually use them, so I don’t have to go all over the kitchen to get ingredients when I’m cooking or baking. And it was all downhill from there…
After – Pantry and Cabinets:
Baking and cooking stuff on the top shelf, snacks and other foods we eat regularly on the bottom shelf. 
Moved baking ingredients and some spices over to the bottom shelf of this cabinet. The basket on the second shelf holds bulk spices that were floating around in another cabinet (which I haven’t finished cleaning out yet), I moved the mixing bowls to store them with the mixer, and I still need to organize the top shelf.
Cooking spices on bottom shelf, outdoor play stuff like chalk and bubbles will be on second shelf, more bulk spices on third shelf, and project/crafty stuff (food coloring) on the top shelf.
Organized cookbooks and moved some to the other room that I don’t use as often. Moved over some cooking spices so the were closer to stove. Tea and hot drinks at the top.
Moved out baking items over to baking cabinet and put some small appliances and dishes that I don’t use that often up here. Food ingredients, especially things like oil, really shouldn’t be stored above the stove – the heat from the stove and oven can damage them.
More cooking stuff – and lots of empty space!
I still have three more cabinets that I need to clean out. And I didn’t even make it to the fridge. I do have some glass storage jars that I’m looking to put some of my bulk food in, but I’m not sure of the best way to use them – especially the smaller ones – there too small for thing like flour. Any ideas for me?
Alright, just one week left for Project Simplify – but remember, I’m not stopping now! Join me as I declutter 100 items from my home in April!
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I just recently came to the same conclusion as you about moving all the baking supplies closer. I was wondering why it took me so long. I also was wondering how to use some of the smaller jars. I’ve used a few for nuts and flax seed and I poor honey from a larger container into a small jar so the big supply doesn’t get contaminated with those people in the family who dip their buttered knife back in the jar 🙂 But most things I buy in either smaller quantities (like spices) or larger (like flour) don’t fit in these small jars. I was thinking of using them for gifts when I made chocolate drink mix or tea mixes. I used a few in the freezer but they don’t pack as well in the freezer as well as ziplocks.
Oatmeal, granola, nuts/seeds to snack on! I love keeping oatmeal in a glass jar on my counter (the rest in the large container in my pantry). It’s easy access & reminds me to EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST! 🙂
Oh, granola, that is a great idea! I can definitely store my homemade granola in one of my larger jars. Thanks for the tip, Brittany!
I use small jars for rice, bean. nuts, trail mix and dreid fuit. Pretty much anything I buy in bulk!
We have lots of jars of ~2 cup size, and they are our main way of storing leftover food. For saucy foods, the jars with wide mouths are best. Square jars are good for storing cheese since we keep those jars lying on their sides in a door compartment–round jars would roll out! A small jar is perfect for a half-eaten apple.
We also use small jars for buying, from the bulk section, foods we use in amounts of 2 cups or less at a time: lentils, raisins, sunflower seeds, instant broth mix, loose tea, etc.
For the small jars .. homemade taco seasoning, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, peppercorns purchased in bulk, soup cubes, loose change for a rainy day ..
Julie Andrea