Latest news with #OperationOrganization
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How to organize your pantry like a pro with 5 easy tips
Why is it so hard to find anything in the pantry? Somehow, food container lids always seem to go missing, the canned goods live in multiple places and that packet of taco seasoning for tonight's dinner is nowhere to be found — but there are three jars of peanut butter. Keeping those shelves tidy can feel like a never-ending task, so we consulted with the pros on how to organize your pantry in a few easy steps. Most organizers agree that the first step to decluttering the pantry is taking everything out of the pantry — and we do mean everything. Then, review expiration dates and toss stuff you haven't used in a while. If you haven't eaten pickled asparagus in a year, odds are you're never going to. As for non-food items like food storage containers, water bottles and appliances, take stock of what you use daily versus what you rarely use. Relegate holiday serving pieces and other items you only pull out a few times a year to top shelves or other storage areas outside of the kitchen. Whether you need a few tweaks or a complete pantry overhaul, we've got expert tips and products to help. (For more kitchen organization, check out our expert-sourced list of the best kitchen cabinet organizers and our guide to the best kitchen organizers of 2025). The pantry can be a big pain point, says Robyn Reynolds, owner of Organize2Harmonize. "With no organization, you don't know what you have and you end up buying more and more of the same." To better keep track, she advises creating zones: baking, breakfast, sauces, grains, snacks, canned goods, drinks and so on. Use baskets or bins to keep zoned items together. Once you've identified your pantry zones, use labels on containers where you can't see the contents — but also on shelves and in drawers so everyone in the house knows what goes where, no questions asked. "Even if creating a label for where you keep the cooking spoons seems silly, do it anyway," says Katrina Teeple, owner of Operation Organization. "Labels keep us honest with ourselves. They also support family members in putting things back where they belong! You can't argue with a label. It says what it says!" "Take small containers and packets out of bulky boxes. You'll save space and keep food fresh," says Elia Wolberger, a chef and meal prep expert in New York City. This also helps you locate smaller items easily. Once items are out of all their packaging, you can corral them in clear drawers. If you have deep shelves, look for long, clear bins to make the most of the space. And don't forget to group like with like! "I love a turntable," says Marlena Masitto, owner of Philly Neat Freaks. "It helps with visibility for sauces, especially. Plastic ones are easier to clean, and I like a bit of a lip so things don't fly off. Open formats are often better than ones with compartments, which can be too limiting in terms of the size of items." "It's easy to create more storage inside cabinets with risers because they take advantage of unused vertical space," explains professional organizer Zeenat Siman. She recommends measuring your tallest items, then adjusting the shelves accordingly. If you can't adjust the shelves (or don't have enough), pick up some stackable or adjustable risers.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Professional organizers say everyone should own these under-$20 products
We independently evaluate the products we review. When you buy via links on our site, we may receive compensation. Read more about how we vet products and deals. It's that time of year — you know, when you start looking at the mountains of stuff in your house and resolve, once and for all, to get organized. This is a great first step but you're probably wondering — where to begin? We can all agree that keeping a house neat isn't always easy. Unless you're vigilant about decluttering or have a ton of storage space, things can quickly get out of hand. I'm a longtime editor who tests housewares for a living, so I'm very familiar with the myriad storage solutions on the market. But I'm also someone who struggles with organization, which is why I reached out to the experts for pointers. What I discovered is that you don't have to toss everything you own — or spend a ton of money — to organize like a professional. And let's be clear: I'm not recommending you buy more stuff just for the heck of it. These pro-approved organization products are thoughtfully designed to help you maximize your space and keep your belongings neat and easy to access. Scroll on for our under-$20 finds, then get to it! Read more: Pro tips for organizing your kitchen Bathroom storage hacks Editor-approved fridge organizers "These plastic shoe boxes are my go-to for every room in the home. Not only do I use them for shoes in a closet, because they stack evenly and can hold more than sandals or flip-flops, but they're also great for small toys like Legos, figurines and cars, as well as craft supplies, office supplies, cookie cutters, tools in the garage, makeup and much, much more." — Robyn Reynolds, owner, Organize2Harmonize "I always recommend a lazy Susan to my clients for the kitchen. It's great for maximizing space in cabinets, refrigerators and shelves and making items more accessible. Its versatility makes it a must-have for any kitchen, and it's also affordable. This one comes in convenient sizes, and it has a nice lip edge to prevent items from falling off." — Ritsuko Nakajima, owner, After Declutter "One of my must-have organizing products is purse hanger hooks. They are perfect for floppy bags that don't sit upright on a shelf. They can also be used in a coat closet for totes and sports bags. We even use them for organizing belts and scarves. Twelve hooks are $10, making these a major must-have!" — Katrina Teeple, founder, Operation Organization "This $10 adhesive paper towel holder is a genius way to declutter your counters! You can even use them inside a cabinet door." — Jennifer Johnson, owner, The Orderly Space "My favorite organizing item under $20 is an acrylic stackable drawer. You can find this product at Amazon, The Container Store and various other department stores. I love this product because of its multiuse function. I've used it in several spaces, such as under the kitchen or bathroom sink. I have also used it in linen closets to categorize the small items we own such as eye care, dental care and feminine products. I just love how you can stack them side by side and the space looks great. I also love the upgraded look of labeling each drawer so my clients can find their things easier and also put things away much quicker." — Tamar Bazin, owner, Tidee Living "Everyone has baseball caps, but could they be better organized? They're usually found on a shelf, stacked so high they look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. A game-changer storage solution for ball caps are these hat stands that will hold up to seven hats each. Better yet, they come in a pack of two, so you can fit 14 hats for only a $16 investment! They are acrylic, hold hats by the bill and make your baseball hat collection look chic, all while saving space!" — Katrina Teeple "Paper organizing is one of my specialties, so I'm going to have to go with a desktop file box. Any kind of file box or plastic crate with rails can hold hanging folders and serve to organize your papers in lieu of investing in a filing cabinet or a desk with file drawers. But a desktop file box helps you organize a smaller subset of papers and takes up less real estate when you need to collate some essential items. For example: In the kitchen, keep folders of clipped recipes, takeout menus, coupons, and those little manuals for kitchen appliances. On your desk, organize your action-item papers (like the paper forms you need to fill out and bring to the doctor's office or accountant), monthly bills, insurance policy papers and vital documents. Opt for something pretty to make you more inclined to file away loose pieces of paper." — Julie Bestry, owner, Best Results Organizing "Shelf risers are my go-to products for organizing kitchen cabinets! No matter what type of kitchen you have, they are simple and guaranteed to add more storage space and make it easier to access your mugs, plates and more." —Hannah Goetz, owner, Hannah Goetz Organizing "Hooks are one of my top organizing tools because they're small, sturdy and wildly versatile. The classic Shaker peg rail can be hung in a closet, entry, mudroom, playroom or kitchen. Affordable and timeless, this workhorse item is perfect for hanging coats, hats, scarves, belts, bags, jewelry, oven mitts, aprons, brooms and more. Three cheers for this multiuse product!" — Shira Gill, author of Life Styled, Organized Living and Minimalista
