Alright…NOW I’m back! Apparently, my blog host just got too small for me, and I crashed three times in a couple of days. RAR! Thankfully, I have a genius on my team (and by team, I mean me and him). Let there be no doubt that Tony from Evenpar Solutions is my lifeline. Thanks to him, I’m on a “big league” server, and there will be no more crashes! Let’s move on, shall we?
My absolute least favorite part about grocery shopping? Putting them away. Perhaps it’s because I feel the need to organize my cabinets and clean out my fridge with each trip to the store. What better time, right?
JaG’s kids seem to think it is an essential part of life to finish off a box of something and leave the box in the cabinet. Can I get an Amen?? Of course, this is in addition to finishing off the juice or milk and leaving the carton in the fridge. Can a get a what what?
Can I show ya what I did to help with the craziness of cartons? Here’s a hint—
I went to Ikea and bought a ton of containers (not really, they’re light) to give the cabinets a more unified, stream-lined look. They work brilliantly.
It’s much easier to see where we’re running low, and it keeps crumpled up boxes of crackers from disappearing into the back of the cabinets. It also keeps The Nemesis from grabbing a box while no one’s looking and obliterating it all over the living room floor.
I’m sure some cute labels would be great here, but I just want to throw ‘em in the dishwasher when need be. Do other people say “need be?”
A word of precaution: I picked these up because they were on sale (duh) and because I liked how tall and skinny they are. However, they can get pretty top-heavy and fall over when empty. In other words—annoying.
I think I’ll be asking Santa a.k.a mom for some different ones for Christmas. You hearin’ me, Mama? Any suggestions? Love how narrow they are, but…
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We have those and while I love them, you’re right… they are a pain in the ass with the falling over. I keep ours on top of the fridge (lucky us with zero storage) so it’s especially not fun when one falls on my head.
I thought I was the only one this happened to! My kids are constantly asking “what’s wrong?” when I am picking up a knocked down/over container, rubbing my head and cursing under my breath!
That is a great idea!! I have 2 small kids and a newborn. The cabinet with snacks and cereals becomes a hazard. There could have been a small animal hiding behind all their empty boxes. Now I’m on the hunt for food storage containers, we don’t have IKEA where I live 🙁
I’ve been looking for new containers for my pantry FOREVER, and so far I haven’t had much luck. Unfortunately I need some larger ones for things like flour and sugar, but I want them to be square (my current ones are round – lots of wasted space in my cabinets), and preferably glass.
If you find anything like that please let me know 🙂
The teenagers in my house just leave 1/4 cup in the bottom of everything and then put it back. Drives me nuts!
That looks so nice and I think going with out labels is a good idea so you can swap out whatever you like and they will wash up nicely.
If no one else says “need be” then you can just start a new trend!
that’s what my kids do with EVERYthing!! Ice cream, cereal, jam, peanut butter, no one wants the be the one that ate it all, so they leave a teensy bit.
Maybe you could put something heavy on the bottom of them to weigh them down . . .
We are SO the same person today…I posted the same stuff, with the same annoyance on empty boxes! I love how yours look in the cabinet!
http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2012/07/pantry-party.html
Love this! We did something very similar this winter with our pantry. It was gross and needed to be organized. We used glass containers from Hobby Lobby in addition to the plastic IKEA containers. I love how streamlined it is now! Check it out…I hope you like it! 🙂
http://allisonseverydayjourney.blogspot.com/2012/04/project-simplify-2012-week-2-pantry.html
Ha! I, too, had been working on something similar myself! Today and tomorrow are more bargain hunting posts, after that I’ll be getting into organization, and I’ll definitely be linking to this post 🙂
Great idea, I have glass containers on my cabinet for snacks we seem to always get into but haven’t thought of taken it a step further and doing this with all the rest of the snacks, such a great idea too because the husband and daughter seem to eat all but 2 chips and leave the box in the pantry!!
i have a few of those IKEA containers, too – I like them but I don’t think they keep things very fresh. They also never hold the whole bag of cereal! I want some good rubbermaid ones or something like that..but, like you, would like them for presents and not from my pocket. hahaha
I just turn mine upside down. I actually alternate them, right side up, upside down, right side up, upside down – because it saves space since they are angled in shape. My one drawback is that I usually have some small bags or some food leftover in a box, nothing ever seems to fit completely!
I do love an organized pantry…and this is so much prettier to look at than a bunch of boxes! I’ll be keeping my eye out for a sale so I can copy your great idea 🙂
This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I’m addicted to the Oxo Pop-ups, they also have stainless topped ones if you want to be all fancy-pants about it. I get them at HomeGoods for about 50% off and just keep picking them up each time I go:)
Jessica
stayathomeista.com
I love the look of your new containers. I think I’ve tried almost every container imaginable and finally stopped looking when I found OXO containers http://www.oxo.com/c-118-food-storage.aspx. They are the BEST! They’re sturdy, easy to open and are dishwasher safe. They are a bit pricey but I find them all the time at Ross (Dress For Less), Home Goods – I believe even Target has them.
Thanks for your amazing ideas and willingness to share. 🙂
Catherine
Do keep in mind that thos IKEA containers will crack like an egg when dropped. Someone always seems to drop something off our pantry shelf and the first time one of those dropped, I didn’t realize it had cracked & chunk was missing. Then I kept finding pasta all over the pantry floor. And I’d sweep it up. And then I’d find pasta all over again. I finally realized the entire bottom corner was broken off from one fall. Now I put them to the far back where they are less likely to be knocked over. My favorites are the Lock & Lock containers. Easy for kids to open, great for stacking because they are TRULY squared off and fit well together, VERY tough/durable and they come in awesome sizes.
We just moved and we have a huge pantry, but it is such an eye sore! We are going to have to make a trip to Ikea for some of those containers!! I have a few that I use for cereal and they are wonderful!
I hate my new pantry (same size as my old pantry but the shelves are shallower…BOO!) and I need to go out and spend some money on uniform containers. I am glad you mentioned those fall over because that would have driven me crazy. I will have to find something else I like.
Great idea, everything looks pretty and organized! I have used the oxo containers as well but recommend buying them individually and not the combo box. The combo box has several really teeny tiny containers and I am at a loss at what to put in those ones? Even seeds, etc and salad toppings don’t work because the whole bag doesn’t fit. An entire box of cereal fits in the rubbermaid cereal container which Targ carries for under $10 I think. Gosh, you create beautiful spaces even in the kitchen cabs! Thanks for the inspiration….
perfect idea! Sometimes I get stressed out just looking in the pantry – I think I’ll try this out:) Thanks!
I just bought some clear containers similar at TJ Maxx yesterday. I have a few already, but they’re not cheap (& I am) so I’ve been buying them in small numbers (Good Grips by http://www.oxo.com). I’m going to rip my pantry apart & repaint, then reorganize for back to school…where’s my clone??
I recently picked some up on our last Ikea trip! I’ve got cereal in mine. I guess I better keep them full so they don’t tip over! Thanks for the heads up! I’m posting from my iPad and I love how all my info was filled in to post. Awesome!!
Such great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Chris! If you do decide to update your clear containers, go for the OXO good grips. I re organized my pantry with them 6 months ago and LOVE LOVE LOVE them. Check out the post I did on my pantry organization and you will fall in love with them too! 🙂
http://www.thesunnysideupblog.com/2011/12/pantry-organization-next-level.html
p.s. Love your blog! 🙂
Erin
I use OXO pop-ups and I LOVE THEM! They keep food fresh and are actually fun to open. Which is weird to say. And it’s kind of lame too! Lol. They are expensive but I see them at Ross for much less from time to time.
Earlier this winter I switched to a similar system only I use the gallon size mason jars. I used chalkboard spraypaint on the lids and can write with chalk what is in it (particularly helpful for the different flours, sugars, etc.). I love it and it keeps everything looking so much neater. Plus I have found the snacks like crackers stay fresher this way.
I use 2 different containers. I found a container line at Walmart that is super similar to the OXO pop top stackable line but much cheaper. They make a bunch of different sizes and the lids open and close super easily. link here: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-and-Gardens-Square-Flip-Tite-Storage-Container/16332464
The other stackable containers I like are made by rubbermaid. Their modular canisters. They make some great large size ones that fit a big bag of chips or whole bag of flour and you can get them at a lot of different stores, Walmart included. Here is the link to them: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermaid-Modular-Canister/16456538
OXO,OXO OXO, no other words, OXO is the way to go
Looks great–I have those same IKEA containers and I hope you have better success than I do in keeping the contents in when they topple over.
Mom’s got you covered for christmas ideas. Just let me know what seems best for your fit. I buy mine at walmart too. I have several from BedBathandBeyond but were pricey. I share the same diislike. I even dislike bringing them into the house. Two years ago, I had too many bags in my hand, lost my balance and broke the top of my foot. Putting groceries away is another. I love to buy in bulk, but all of it needs to be divided up, frozen and stored. What a job. ps. I bought new carpet yesterday. Do I hear a cheer!!!!!!!! Love ya, Mom
Those containers would be great in kitchens that are short on storage space. You could make everything fit into how much space you have to work with and not worry about stuffing boxes and bags into your limited cabinet space.
I agree on the OXO containers. They have tons of different sizes and they are stackable. They just came out with stainless steel lids which are super gorgeous!
I am slow…but my suggestion is to get the SNAPware. Costco usually has a multi pack & I use them all over my pantry. They have multiple sizes & shapes-just like foor. Hmm?! Awesome posum. Good luck.
Um FOOD not foor. Typing class was in the past I tell you. Too long ago. ; )
container store got some real good one and they are air tight my family have had are for like ever and the one we got are square so it good for putting next to one another and easy to pull down and are strata up and down so no top heavy put just don’t put to many next one another u need space for hand to get around them hehe and they are clear wish we had more get lot if u get them it good for a lot of stuff not just food