Last September, I decided to take on the *Cluster* that equaled our front pantry… I had cleaned and rearranged it in the past, but it always ended up in some dumb state of disarray (as seen in photo below) in short time…. and I really hated having to get in there to get anything out.
I was actually inspired by a Houzz.com article (Artful Organizers: Jars for Pretty Pantry Displays) where I saw this idea… I decided to put anything of the rice/grain/baking ingredient variety (save powdered sugar) into glass jars. And I continue to be thrilled with the result – NINE months later!! I don’t cringe every time I open this space!!
I chose to go with glass on purpose. Plastic just looks like crap over time (seems to get “sticky-dust” in a weird way) and jars just have a more classic feel.
I labeled the jars with paper and string – not too much effort here. And for things like steel cut oats and quinoa, (I don’t know how to cook by heart), I cut the directions from the wrapper and taped to the backside of the label (see below).
Of course, I tossed a bunch of crap too, and cleaned the shelves, but the entire project was done within in day.
If you want to do something similar, you might start (unlike yours truly) by pulling everything out – tossing what can be tossed, and assessing the remains… THEN make a list (and snap a photo or two) before heading to shop.
I picked up all the jars at Christmas Tree Shops, which I believe is the same as Big Lots these days (and I don’t think “Christmas Tree Shops” exists on the west coast)…
This project was pretty low money overall and I really, really love the result – seriously, I do.
A word on money for these things:
My husband and I have established a few categories of household budget… I have one for these types of decorative/indoor functional items (he has some that cover the lawn supplies, etc) – and it’s just cool knowing there is a set amount of money (and a limit). It can actually help set priorities and focus your efforts (and dollars). I feel super successful when I have achieved an aesthetic (and psychological) improvement for what equals $30-50 a month!
What’s your favorite low-money, seemingly insignificant change for which you experience major impact? What spaces do you enjoy the most and feel are the easiest to use?
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