On A Budget? Skip Expensive Storage Containers And Organize Your Kitchen Without Spending A Penny

Kitchen organization isn't just about having an aesthetic space that's pleasing to the eye, it's also about having a space that's easy and pleasant to use. If you have to rummage around in three drawers and a cabinet to find everything you need to make a cup of tea, odds are those fancy teabags you splurged on are just going to go stale. Good, intuitive kitchen organization for a more functional flow not only means everything has a dedicated space, but also that those dedicated spaces make sense.

Often, projects like these also mean shopping at Five Below for stackable bins for your pantry, or making a trip to the Container Store. However, you can also completely reorganize and declutter your kitchen without ever spending a dime. Instead of purchasing new things, think about how you can use items you already have. This might even be a great time to apply the "didn't know rule" for kitchen reorganization, with one change — instead of getting rid of any containers or dishes you didn't remember you had, you can set them aside to become tools for keeping your space tidy.

For instance, if you have an overabundance of mismatched plastic storage containers stashed away, try decanting your favorite snacks into them instead of leaving them in the original bags and boxes. This neatens up your pantry and keeps your chips, cookies, and cereal fresh for longer. Plastic containers without lids can hold snack bars, drink mix packets, or anything else that's individually wrapped.

Speaking of little-used items, there are also plenty of aesthetically pleasing containers you can use to simultaneously keep your kitchen tidy and functional while adding a splash of panache. If your reorg includes creating a mini coffee or tea station near your stove, consider repurposing little-used mugs to hold spoons, honey sticks, teabags, and sugar packets. A glass pitcher you made lemonade in exactly once can hold coffee pods, while mason jars are fantastic for keeping ground coffee smelling and tasting nice and fresh.

That wooden salad bowl set you got as a housewarming gift can be split up into its constituent parts, allowing the big bowl to hold fruit for a quick snack or morning smoothie, while the smaller bowls can hold whole garlic, fresh lemons and limes, or practical items like keys and pens. When putting your pantry together, dried beans, pasta, and even salt and sugar can go in any airtight container until you're ready to use them. Don't worry if these containers are mismatched, as they'll likely be stored behind closed doors.

If you have a collection of small containers or tiny dip bowls you're not sure how to use, consider creating a dedicated kitchen-specific first aid kit. Arrange the bowls inside a kitchen drawer near your cooking area and fill each one with things like bandages, burn cream, and antiseptic wipes. This way, you only need to open the drawer to quickly and efficiently treat common cooking injuries.