8 key items every fridge needs to stay organized | Homes & Gardens

Keep your whole fridge neat and tidy inside and out

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Keeping your fridge organized is one of the best ways to save time, reduce food waste, and make meal prep a breeze. With the right setup, your kitchen will be instantly more functional – and your kitchen will look less cluttered.

From clear bins and shelf risers, the right organizing products can help keep food items visible and easy to reach. And it’s not just about the inside, experts say. Creating storage solutions on the outside of the fridge can reduce clutter and make meal planning simpler.

These are the eight essential items professional organizers and chefs think are essential for organizing a refrigerator, and why they would never be without them.

One thing people with organized refrigerators never do is waste vertical space. That is why Laura Price, founder, professional organizer, and creative director at The Home Organisation recommends investing in stackable containers first and foremost.

She says, ‘These are essential for maximizing shelf space. By stacking different items on top of each other, you can utilize vertical space more effectively, allowing for easier access and visibility of all stored items.’

All prices correct at time of publication.

These stackable food storage containers are air tight, preventing your food from going stale of developing that 'fridge burn' taste while in storage

One of the best ways to banish stubborn mess is with clear organizing bins Julia Foulk, expert home organizer and founder of The Organizing Method suggests.

She says, ‘Deep bins help you group similar items, like snacks, produce, or condiments, and prevent them from getting lost in the back of the fridge since you can simply slide the bin closer to you to reach whatever is in the back. They’re ideal for maximizing space and keeping everything easily accessible.’

Make sure you use storage baskets properly in the fridge by regularly decluttering to remove items that may go out of date to keep your fridge sanitary and get rid of fridge smells.

Opting for clear storage bins in a fridge means fewer items get lost of forgotten about, so nothing rots without you noticing

Airtight containers are an absolute must when it comes to food storage ideas to reduce food waste, says Julia Foulk, expert home organizer. ‘Airtight containers keep leftovers or meal-prepped items fresh and contain any odors, making food storage cleaner and more organized,’ she explains.

Containers with lids also make cleaning a fridge easier, as you risk fewer spills, and items can easily be lifted out and stacked on counters while you wipe down shelves.

We like the number one best-selling Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage containers, at Amazon. They have air-tight clip lids to keep food fresh and prevent spills and are made from glass to prevent plastic contamination.

Lazy susans are one of the many kitchen organizers professionals always buy due to their versatility.

Raquel Pineira, founder, recipe developer, and food blogger at Organized Island says, ‘A lazy Susan (rotating container) helps you reach for items in the back of the fridge without having to take everything out that is in front of it. Use the kind that has a little edge to prevent things from falling off. They are great for sauces, jellies, and condiments.’

This compact lazy susan will fit snuggly into the corners of most fridges and has extra high sides to prevent jars and bottles falling over when you spin it around

Fridge organization doesn’t stop when you close the fridge doors. What you put on the fridge doors will also have an impact on how well organized your fridge and your kitchen stays. It can even help to make a fridge look better.

Using a whiteboard or creating a family command center to stay organized is a great way to make use of the space on the outside of your fridge doors, points out Laura Price, professional organizer.

She suggests that, ‘Using a whiteboard on the front of the fridge is a practical way to keep track of essential notes. You can list groceries that need to be replenished, as well as items that are approaching their expiry date. This helps in meal planning and reduces food waste, ensuring you make the most of what you have on hand.’

This handy whiteboard comes with a marker pen and clip so everything stays together on your refrigerator

Popping a magnetic shopping list in your fridge is another great way to organize a kitchen and stay on top of your fridge essentials, adds Julia Foulk, expert home organizer.

She says, ‘A magnetic shopping list where you can snatch the paper and take it to the store with you is also a favorite of mine.’

Magnetic shopping lists are the perfect solution for people who always forget something when heading to the grocery store. Simply write items down as you use them up from your fridge

While there are certainly some items to never store on top of the refrigerator, if you have some empty space and need to organize a small kitchen, it can be a useful extra storage spot. The trick is using it correctly to avoid it looking cluttered.

The top of your fridge is a great spot to store baking dishes and free up cabinet space begins Laura Price, professional organizer.

She says, ‘To maintain the organization of items stored on top of the fridge, storage racks, and baskets are highly effective. These allow for the categorization of items, preventing clutter and making it easier to find what you need.’

She adds, however, that, ‘Generally, we recommend avoiding storage on top of the fridge unless absolutely necessary. This area is often hard to reach, and most items stored there are not accessed regularly. Additionally, it tends to collect dust, so it's best to keep items stored away in a cupboard when you can.’

If you do need to use this storage space, it’s a good idea to brush up on how to remove dust properly, and how to clean kitchen grease.

This adjustable bakeware storage rack fits perfectly on top of your fridge, or neatly in your kitchen cabinet

To help tackle this dust problem, Julia Foulk, expert home organizer suggests buying kitchen storage bins with lids.

She adds, ‘If you’re short on kitchen space and need to store items on top of the fridge, bins with lids are great to contain any clutter and keep dust out. Woven bins can be stylish yet practical, holding items like paper towels or small appliances. For added organization, label each bin based on what’s inside.’

A handheld label maker, such as the Niimbot Label Maker from Walmart, connects to your phone via Bluetooth to make designing and printing labels for your home storage ideas simple.

These handy storage baskets hide clutter while allowing items to breath ,stopping produce from rotting too quickly. They also come in three colors to help them suit almost any kitchen

Of course, before organizing, you need to declutter a fridge to clear out old condiments, stale food, and useless containers before you can ‘fridgescape’ your food storage space to make everything look and function better.

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Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for two years. She spends most of her time producing content for the Solved section of the website, helping readers get the most out of their homes through clever decluttering, cleaning, and tidying tips. She was named one of Fixr's top home improvement journalists in 2024.

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