Food cupboards a mess pic included.

[Getitdone247]

How do I organise my food cupboards they are in a real mess. I have included pictures because visual helps me explain better.

I can't reach the top shelves. And I can't reach the cupboard with the spices in. Well I can reach the front of it if I over stretch. So it's not great. As its in the corner above work top.

I feel like im not seeing food that can be used. I opend the cupboard and go blind

Is it worth me add some type of storage or something. For the crossants etc . I need them to be in sight thought . When I use a bread bin we forget anything in it and it gos moldy.

I don't get how people decant the pasta. I tried it once but 1) I had too many different types 2) I still had odd bits of pasta in bags waiting to be decanted.

I have one of those metal spice racks you attach to the inside of your cupboard door. Takes up hardly any space and is so easy to see them and reach them.

I also have a few of those clear rotating lazy susans in two cupboards. One has things like oils, vinegars, soy sauce etc in. One has oat bars, brioches, individually wrapped pancakes etc. one has tea, coffee, hot choc, herbal teas etc.

I have a plastic basket with packets of rice, sauce packets, unopened packs of biscuits etc.

Jars and tins are stacked neatly in a back corner.

I have clear kilner jars for flours. I have clear airtight stacking tubs for pasta, nuts and raisins etc.

I keep a wooden IKEA step stool in the kitchen as I'm a shorty.

I think you need more clear storage and smart storage, and a step stool.

For me it’s easier. I keep the overflow pasta in a box in a different room where I store extra pantry items. Kitchen hasn’t good storage and pantry room is at the other end of the house.

if I was to use packets for each of the jars I store pasta and rice in it would be a mess as I’d only be using the width of the cabinet for the packets as they don’t stack. With the jars I can use the full height and I determine what width gets used based upon my jar sizes.

its also easier for me to both see the jar and how much I have and also easier to get it down.

I just restock from my overflow every couple of weeks and when that is empty I put those items on my shopping list.

I put all the spices in a basket then when I need them I use a stool to reach the basket down so I can browse them all easily. Rather than reaching up 10 times.
Im the same with croissants etc, if they aren’t out I forget about them. Put all the croissants piled up in a big basket into a cupboard, 1 packet at a time out on bench. Once the last croissant in the pack is taken, replace the pack on the bench.
Finally - you need to maximise those bottom cupboards. Start by grouping everything together like you have with the cereal bars. Put all the cooking sauces together and so on.

I have lots of cupboards so it is easier for me, but:
I store spices in racks on the back of the door.
I keep rice, oats etc. in large labelled jars
I have specific cupboards/areas for specific types of food
I have long plastic baskets for certain types of food so that I can just slide out the whole basket
Things that aren't used often are kept on more difficult to reach shelves
Things that are only used a few times a year are kept in the shed in a plastic box.

It's has space but not at the same time the end corner cupboard I can barely use as I can't reach it . Even when I get steps I don't think I will be able to make full use of it . I think once I get some racks etc like people have suggested it will be easier to store things

I think you’re right, I used to have one of these in an awkward cupboard but I think the double-decker shelf insert thing is better, so you can make the next shelf quite high up and put tall bottles on one side and two layers of smaller jars on the other.

You could keep your back-up quantities of things in the awkward corner cupboard, or big pots & pans or anything you don’t use often. Anything in current use comes out of it so it’s not as annoying.

I've got one of these. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07HR5Y8WL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This thread is giving me the heebie jeebies. I could sort your cupboards out in less than 10 mins OP.

You need a cheap version of this from maybe somewhere like Poundland. My cupboards are full of them. Herbs in one, spices in different. Sachets of similar eg sauces in another. Tins you need to group together according to type.

Will definitely take longer than 10 min. I did have simlar to this. But I couldn't really see what was in them . I knlw I can lable but visual seems better for me.

Yes this

And the jars or containers take up more room that the original container.

I have square " flip lock" clear canisters which stack for dry goods bought from Home bargains I think and cheap flexible plastic baskets to group things together
You could use old ice cream tubs
Clear bread bin for the brioches etc( you can put the bread in use on the top
Have a look on vinted too
Lots of storage containers there
It's getting into the habit of putting things away in the right place, but take your time and you'll soon have it organised.

I have similar ones to these

OP, will you do an after photo please! I’m invested and want to see how it turns out

🤣 I will I have not even started in it yet or orderd anything.

@k1233 I have to ask where your beautiful fruit patterned jars are from please? They're absolutely beautiful! Would you be able to post a close up of them? If they're vintage could you post a pic of the base too? Thank you so much! 😊

@GlassBellJar they were a gift from my mum. Probably 20-30 years ago. Look to be made in Australia (I live there). They have a seal but they're not airtight so I use them for tea and coffee bags and things in packaging.

There's two on ebay https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/126046901150?srsltid=AfmBOorTUTmKopLTJc303LKiPYSplnTDGqHQ2fetisFR7W2gHcuk7wti

I keep bread in the freezer; the loaf or packet of croissants etc. that is in use lives in a cloth bag (tote bag or shopping bag) on the back of the door. The bag gets chucked in the wash when it gets crumby.
You can tell if the bread supply is getting low by weighing the bag in your hand.😁

@k1233 they're even prettier close up! The kind of thing that gives you joy every time you open the cupboard and see them! 🤩

Thank you for the close up pics, I'm in the Uk so chances of finding identical are slim but I shall keep my eye out when vintage hunting as most of the items in my house have come secondhand and it's always like finding treasure!

@k1233 just read your post with the eBay link - thank you! I shall def keep my eyes open!

Definitely invest in storage containers for your rice and pasta. They can be quite pricey but just get one at a time with each supermarket shop until all your rice and pasta is in some sort of container that is resistant to mice and beetles/weevils.

If you don't, I promise you that one day you will find your cupboards infested.
Another messy cupboard owner here!! We were mouse free til the cat got old.

All my grains are tightly sealed now.

@DonnyDoris I remember that pantry! Used to salivate over it everytime we went to M&S where one was on display. It’s definitely a great purchase.

How to avoid leftover pasta. At least in my case…
I alternate between cooking for 3 or 4 people but I always buy a kg of any shape. That’s because a serving is 80g and
3x80= 240g (four meals from a kilo pack)
4x80= 320g (three)