Living in a small space always necessitates creative organizing solutions. And the need for organization becomes magnified when it’s a space used multiple times a day like in a kitchen.

This is the case for Daniella. Recently, we took a closer look at possible solutions for her small pantry problem, specifically 5 Tips for a Small Pantry Problem.

We were able to tackle a few organizing tips in the previous post, so let’s get to our specific plan for a workable kitchen.

This might be a familiar sight for many of us, no matter what size our pantry is! In just a few quick steps, we’ll get this little rolling cart in shape. Let’s dive in!

Supply List

1. 6-10 Ikea food storage containers $21- $33

2. 2 open storage baskets $7

3. Cabinet shelf divider $9

Total= $37-$49

Step 1: Purge

First, as always, sort through the Tupperware lids and other pantry items to make sure you use and need each one. Cull them down to a reasonable number that you use and that fits into the space you’ve assigned for them.

Once that is done, if possible store Tupperware lids in a smaller container stored upright, like hanging files.  Any basket or bin like #1 in the picture plan above will work.

With lids organized vertically, grabbing the one you need is easier without digging through and toppling all of the lids. Also a smaller container will provide much needed space in the space challenged cabinet.

Step 2: Invest in Food Storage Containers

There is something so visually pleasing about having multiples of one specific type of container. It can help any space feel pulled together. However, it can become a little pricey if you are buying them all at once, especially depending on what type you choose.

Since I’m helping Daniella through some virtual organizing I am not able measure spaces and sort through items with her. But, judging by the pictures she shared with me, I am able to estimate the number of containers and sizes she will likely need. Here are my shopping tips, no matter how many containers you need.

What to look for when you are investing in food storage containers:

• rectangle or square containers- because they take up less surface area then round ones. You can easily stack them or fit them together side by side.
• easy lids to take on and off- You are going to be using them A LOT, so you want to make sure your food will be accessible and easy to get to.
• clear containers- You’ve got to see what you have. No need to add an extra step of labeling or finding another way to remember what is inside– just go with the clear.
• various size options- You’ll need various sizes to meet all of your food storage needs.

Here are few of my favorite:

Ikea $2.99 to $3.99 | The Container Store $12.99 to $16.99 | The Container Store $4.99 to $9.99

If you are not able to invest in food containers all at once, you could slowly buy one at a time or re-purpose old food containers. The main organizing goal is to get the dried goods out of plastic bags and boxes which can make it so hard to store and find what you need.

But let’s be realistic here. You are not always going to have a specific container for everything you are buying. Your containers might already be full or you are buying something special for a certain meal; we need a place for those bags or boxes.

That is where the 2nd open storage bin comes in from the plan above. After using the first open storage basket for Tupperware lids, use a second bin to throw any temporary bags into this basket without worrying about needing a specific container for it. If it becomes a regular staple in your kitchen, you can always find a more permanent container for it at that time.

Step 3: Create more Shelf Space

Use a cabinet shelf divider to make extra space for food storage. You can find this type shelf divider at almost any big box store. Depending on what containers are needed, you can slip some smaller food storage containers underneath.

One of our goals is to use our organizing strategies to create enough room for the cereal hanging out on the outside to find a new home inside the rolling cart.

Step 4: Maximize Vertical Hanging Space

Last but not least, Daniella mentioned needing a space for her collection of coffee cups. Taking up valuable cabinet shelf space is a no-go, so the next best solution is to use vertical space.

You can utilize vertical space even if you don’t have the luxury or desire to drill holes all over your walls. The towel rack type bar shown below creates a plethora of hanging space with only 2-4 holes needed to hang up the bar.

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Not only can you hang utensils, pot holders, and mugs with “S” hooks but Ikea also has plenty of accessories to choose from.

This basket could hold daily spices or condiments to free up some more much needed cabinet space. Plus Ikea is budget-friendly (as long as you stay focused while weaving through that warehouse).

Ikea is not your only option. A shelf like this one can be found at many discount home décor stores. Spend a little time looking around at different sites such as amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, HomeGoods, etc. You never know, you might find a store offering amazing sale or discounted pricing.

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• Can you box up ones for a time and store them in another storage area in your home ? Every 4-6 months or so you can swap out your favorites for a new display.
• Can you display your favorites, not suitable for use, elsewhere? Who’s to say your favorite mug can’t be displayed as décor throughout your home.

As always, if you have a an organizing question you would like to share please contact us and we may address it right here on the blog! Thanks Daniella for sharing your organizing question! It’s been so much fun virtually organizing your space here on the blog!

We have all been there before…we surround ourselves with disorganization, stepping over piles, and searching for one lost item after another until we finally say, “This is not working!” We know we have to do something before we officially go crazy!

Daniella was feeling that way about her kitchen. She sent Space for Living pictures of her tiny pantry and limited shelf space.

The best thing is, Daniella had not given up! She was hatching plans to create a coffee corner and get her space organized. She reached out for help because there were a few sticky areas that she needed advice on. She knew she needed to work with what she has, but every time she got started there were a few problem spots that would stop her before she started. She left a comment on the Space for Living blog:

“I’m having trouble coming up with ideas on how to store/organize my pantry items (flours, sugar, dried beans, etc). I have no pantry so am just tetris-ing things onto shelves and counter tops. And I’m brainstorming ideas for what to do with my coffee cup collection. Any ideas?”

As soon as I read Daniella’s comment, (and admired the word “tetris-ing”, seriously I want to incorporate it into my daily vocabulary), I decided we should get started right away! I seriously might have an organizing problem (as in I get way too giddy about transforming spaces) because I dropped the other post I was working on for last week (Oops!) and began dreaming of kitchen solutions for Daniella.

What I came up with are 5 tips to solve a small pantry problem.

1. Purge

No matter what you call it, the first step in organizing it to comb through your cabinets to get rid of items you no longer need, want or use.

Is there any food item that has been there unused for 6 months or more? Either incorporate it into a meal this week or admit to yourself that you aren’t going to use it and give it to a friend, food bank, or trash it.

Really be ruthless with what you keep when there is limited space. Plus it always feels good to start with a clean slate.

2. Limit your Stockpile

Anyone with a small space knows it is really important to buy only what you need for the next week or two.

Unfortunately, this is not the time for stockpiling. Unless you can designate another area in your home for stock pantry items such as a basement or hall cabinet, stockpiling will create more headaches then it is worth.

Yes, buying in bulk may save some money, but not enough to justify the time and space these bulky purchases take up when you have tight space. No one wants to store bulk jars of mayonnaise in their bedroom right next to their shoes, am I right?

For instance, try to keep only a handful of spices that you use on a monthly or even weekly basis. If you must have a certain spice for a special recipe see if you can buy it at a store that sells spices by bulk and buy only what you need for that recipe instead of a whole jar that won’t see the light of day for another year or two. Spices will have lost potency by then anyway.

3. Sort Like with Like

Once we have paired down our food storage as much as possible, it time to start thinking about the layout of the kitchen. What types of food items go together and where will each item be most accessible in the kitchen?

I have played around with my own kitchen arrangement many times until I found what works for me and my meal prep style.

Daniella is already one step ahead of me with this one and has her spices right next to the stove and vitamins and some baking supplies on the fridge. She’s also been working on plans to make a little coffee station.

Once food is sorted by type, it is time to make it easy to access with containers! This is the fun part and what helps keep a space organized!

4. Containerize

For storing items on top of the fridge, I would recommend 2-3 containers to separate out food and vitamins. They could squeeze under the cabinet like mine or be towards the front if you access them often.

Be sure to add labels to your containers. You’ll be amazed what a difference it makes when putting things away!

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Sort your vitamins and other items into as detailed a groups as possible. All the vitamins you take at the same time can be pulled down in together in one container. This can also be applied to your medicine cabinet and other areas of your house. Containerizing like with like is always a win!

Going above and beyond

If you are really feeling the bug to get organized you could sort out your vitamins into divided pill boxes or even daily plastic baggies. This would involve more effort but might allow you to recycle the vitamin containers to create more space on the fridge for storage.

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5. Rethink Cabinets

The next problem area are the very narrow cabinets on either side of the stove.

It is easy to see how hard it is to store and access much of anything. However, Daniella mentioned the spice rack, on the bottom right, has helped her organizing efforts some.

Daniella is no organizing newbie and is already keeping the most used items on the lower shelves while the less frequently used items on the upper shelves. Fabulous!

My next best advice, create drawers!

This is really just another way of using containers in your cabinets. Using containers to make drawers allow you to reach an item in the back of the cabinet without rearranging the whole cabinet. A huge plus I’d say!

You can buy matching containers or use whatever is available around the house like me.  An old box and baby wipe container are perfect for keeping my top shelf baking items easily accessible.

If your cabinets are shallow, I would recommend baby shoe boxes, bank check boxes, or even repurposing old food packaging containers.

Once you sort food by type or by products you use together, you can pull down the container to reach everything and put it all back in one fell swoop.

Going above and beyond

Labeling shelves is a small trick to discourage the natural tendency to stuff items into any open space. This not only keeps shelves a little tidier, it also gives items a permanent home so you always know where to look. It also work well for anyone who is helping with prep or cleanup *wink,wink.

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While these 5 tips are a great start to any organizing project you’ll have to stay tuned to part 2 of solving small pantry problems to see the complete answer to Daniella’s question. The big reveal, more tips you can apply throughout your home and even a world renowned sketch. A nail biting mystery, I know.

Have you even been greeted with a view like this?

If you have kids, this may be a familiar sight (actually, having it all contained in a tub could be a welcomed sight). In my case an organizing strategy I thought for sure would work was turning out to be more trouble than it was worth. In every organizing journey, there will be time you realize what you are doing is not working.

When you are faced with an organizing “solution” that just isn’t working for you, don’t panic! Take a moment to assess what the problem is.

Once you have a clear idea of the roadblock, you can begin looking for other options instead of remaining frustrated that things aren’t working. True the idea may have been a great one (or may have looked so pretty on your Pinterest pin board), but if it’s not meeting your needs, it’s worth it to find another solution that fits.

In this case, what wasn’t working was the rubber bands. We have a container for our games, but I was expecting rubber bands to securely contain the nice stacks of playing cards.

The problems:

• my girls are still too young (and alright sometimes too lazy) to make a nice stack of cards
• it takes too long to put the cards away- the easier it is to clean up the more likely it is to get done
• rubber bands are hard to work with for little hands
• the rubber bands always wind up breaking

When faced with an organizing challenge, my favorite strategy is to look around your home for an item you can repurpose. The perfect answer for me is a plain ol’ sandwich bag.

Reasons this solution may be a better choice:

• I already have them
• The kiddos can throw the cards right into the bag for quick clean up
• They are cheap and easily replaceable

Slap a mailing label on the plastic bag and you have a quick solution to tame unruly playing cards. You could craft up a label on your computer to print out and add a little pizzazz if you are so inspired.

In my case, a sharpie scribble is about all the time I want to spend on this tiny organizing project. Knowing and following your priorities can be a major breakthrough in time management.

You can also use left over plastic packaging. This one is from a gift collection of lip glosses and fits playing cards perfectly.

If you are a true game lover and plan to have your card games played generation after generation you could invest a little more time and effort into your game storage.

This example from Jazzie and Tahlia uses the box top logos as labels and these, sadly now discontinued, Ikea containers. You could also use pencil boxes or an old baby wipes container.

While we are on the subject of plastic sandwich bags…

Plastic bags are perfect for organizing outfits for travel. I layout the outfits out, including socks and undies and put the whole outfit in a gallon plastic freezer bag.

Take a look and see if there’s a particular area that’s not working. Once you identify the problem, you never know how simple the solution could be.

Is there a particular area that has you stumped? Share with us in the comments and we’ll brainstorm a solution together! Your question may even become the feature of a future post!