Help Me Organize! The Refrigerator

Not many people think of organizing the refrigerator as a top priority, but it turns out it can be a great place to start.

The organizing tips you use to keep the things in your fridge useful can be applied all around the house. Once you’ve learned how easy and fun it can be to get rid of things like expired mustard, you’ll be ready to move on to that pile of unworn-but-I-love-them shoes in the back of the closet.

So let’s start with the little things. You have at least one item in your fridge that should be tossed. We all do. Just go through and check expiration dates, that will give you that sense of elation which comes from getting rid of things you do not need. While you’re at it, consider putting your jams and other sweet condiments together, so you can systematically work your way through them, rather than opening a new jar when two need finishing off.

Some people get really excited about organizing foods. Vegetables in veggie drawers, dairy together on a single shelf, and all savory condiments lined up next to one another. This makes cooking easier, putting away groceries more efficient, and can help you to avoid stocking up on the things you already have.

Consider using bins, boxes or baskets that fit nicely on your refrigerator shelves. A cheese drawer is nice if you’ve got one, but if you don’t you can use something of your own design to keep cheeses together and easy to find. Ever thought of putting a lazy Susan inside the fridge? Sometimes all it takes to get organized is a few labeled containers.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to organize the outside of the fridge. We tend to use the fridge door with very few practical results. If you use magnets to organize important calendars, invites, and pictures, be careful not to overdo it. Get a few magnetic frames for images you really want to see every day. Rotate things out as new invites or photos come in. And keep a calendar of events (I use iCal) rather than displaying every invite individually.

Have fun organizing. Even if it seems overwhelming to start, jump in anyway. You will be happy you did!

~Katrina Teeple

{Helping You Organize Life}

I like to plan my meals for the week, right at the fridge.  I picked up this reusable weekly planner by the Martha Stewart Home/Office collection at Staples {it doesn't come with a dry erase pen BTW}.  I also love this shopping list magnetic notepad by Knock Knock. It makes grocery shopping a snap and allows the whole family to get involved.

Keep like items labelled and contained for quick food preparation.  On the left is a shoebox.  The makeshift  container in the middle is a Tiffany's box lid! 

I make a smoothie just about everyday. Having the key ingredients I use at my fingertips helps me get out the door faster in the morning.  I find that another common problem is not having space for those yummy meals you make a surplus of, for the week. The second shelf has dedicated space for just that...leftovers.

Categorizing like items together allows you to see what is going on inside the fridge. Taking it one step farther by labeling, will keep the Fridge Raiders in your family a little more orderly.  

To create a better veggie section I actually removed one of the large drawers and replaced it with two plastic bins for salad fixings, and stir fry options. Another staple in our house is kale, so while I was at it, I cleaned out an old cube vase, filled it with a little water and created a great way to keep this nutritious, leafy green fresh for days!