Organizing your refrigerator shelves helps food last longer and makes it easier for everyone in the family to find what they need. Try these creative ideas to maximize space and keep your fridge organized and stocked.
Store condiments in the fridge door, typically one of the warmest areas. Also, consider lining this shelf with plastic placemats to help clean up spills and drips.
Use Binder Clips to Hang Bagged Food
Using binder clips on the shelves of your refrigerator helps reclaim space for bagged foods like lettuce, shredded cheese, and deli meats. These clips also help keep the contents closed, reducing the spoiling chances.
Store drinks, condiments, and other shelf-stable items on the top shelf. This area tends to be the coldest spot in your fridge, so it’s an optimal location for dairy products and ready-to-eat foods that need to stay chilled.
Keep crisper drawers reserved for fresh produce that will be eaten within a day or two and other foods that spoil quickly, like onions and peppers. Label leftover containers with expiration dates so you don’t end up with a stack of forgotten meals in your fridge.
Use a Wire Basket for Eggs
Organize your eggs by placing them in a wire basket. The heavy-duty design withstands daily use, and the coated wire prevents corrosion. It can fit dozens of eggs, so you never have to worry about running out.
The open bottom also allows crud, water, and broken eggs to fall out instead of pooling at the base. The decorative design is stylish for rustic kitchens, cabin pantries, and French country root cellars.
If your refrigerator has an extra shelf, place raw ingredients on it to keep them away from pre-cooked foods and leftovers. Label “Eat Me First” to remind you to consume items soon.
Install a Pull-Out Bin
A bin can be installed underneath a refrigerator shelf and is perfect for holding bagged foods like shredded cheese, deli meats, and sliced veggies. These fridge organizers are available in various sizes and can fit just about any cabinet.
Food storage containers are a must-have for organizing your refrigerator, allowing you to group items and reduce clutter on shelves. Also, a well-stocked set can make finding items like spices much more accessible and help reduce unnecessary food waste. Designate a bin or section as the “eat first” location for foods with a shorter shelf life to ensure you get them used before they spoil.
Use a Lazy Susan
The lazy Susan is an organizational MVP, a simple spinning base with a platter attached. The circular catch-all keeps spices within reach in the pantry and swivels around on a dining room table to keep condiments neat and accessible during dinner parties.
Put one on the refrigerator shelf to corral smaller jars of food, like tapenade or horseradish, so you’ll never have to rummage and knock items over for the one you need. It’s also an excellent option for your pantry or kitchen drawers.
You can even find kidney-shaped versions of the storage carousels to fit into L-shaped corner cabinets, making reaching your laundry detergents or hair care products easier.
Turn Magazine Holders on Their Sides
Magazine holders can be used to store anything that needs to stay upright. They’re an excellent solution for bills (especially those from department stores), medical bills, and other papers that tend to get lost or fall over on the counters.
They can also be used to hold a collection of loose recipes. This idea from Laughing Purple Goldfish works exceptionally well in small refrigerators.
Cover the rack with paper that matches your home decor if you want to give this hack a little flair. Or, you could even paint the rack a color that matches your pantry. They can also be mounted inside your cabinet door, keeping them safe from kids and pets.
Label Bins “Eat Me First”
Organize foods in clear bins labeled “Eat Me First.” Place the container on a front shelf for consistent temperatures and fill it with foods that are quick to expire. This will help you avoid wasting food and eliminate refrigerator smells.
Store all the same items together so that it’s easier to find what you want to eat. Adding a drawer organizer is a great way to do this, but you can also use small suction wall bins or plastic file holders.
Keep foods that need to be cooked on the bottom shelves and those that don’t on the top shelf, which has cooler temperatures.
Resources:
https://www.thecleaningauthority.com/blog/organization/how-to-optimize-space-in-your-fridge/
https://balconygardenweb.com/refrigerator-organization-hacks-tips-fridge/