I Stopped Decanting Food for Aesthetics – This Clever Storage System Actually Makes Me a Better Cook
After years of focusing on pretty over practical, I'm flipping the script
I am, regrettably, very easily influenced, so when I saw countless picture-perfect images of aesthetically organized pantries, I was always going to jump on the bandwagon.
Now, however, after several years of trying to maintain my food storage like it is a Pinterest board, I am finally letting the aesthetic go in favour of creating a cook space that works with me, not against me.
The best place to start? With the Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, available at Amazon. These non-toxic airtight storage gems come with scoops for easy use, keeping cooking simple and food fresher for longer.
Durable Tritan plastic ensures the containers are resilient even against accidental drops. They are free from BPA-plastic, and are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, too.
Don't get me wrong, there can be plenty of benefits to aesthetic organizing tricks. They can make a small kitchen look more luxurious and, in the right space, create a calm, cohesive feel. But if you're dreading weekly refills, struggling to store bulky refill bags, or finding it harder to grab ingredients while cooking, it's a sign your system is working against you. More often than not, the most organized kitchen is the one that's designed for convenience, not just appearances.
The Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers have become my go-to for adding practicality back into my kitchen. The sturdy BPA-free plastic design means I am not worried about shattering glass should I drop or knock them (a godsend for someone as clumsy as me), while the airtight silicone seal helps keep food fresher for longer, fending off staleness and pests.
The smallest detail is the included serving scoops, but they are easily my favourite. When retrieving ingredients for cooking and baking, I do not have to dig around for another spoon and pile up the washing up in the sink. It's a quickgrab-and-go system that speeds up midweek dinners.
For those of us who are still concerned with pretty kitchen storage, the clear sides have a similar appeal to the rounded glass jars every Instagram-worthy home seems to use. The difference is that they feature matching latch lids instead of wooden tops, creating a more airtight seal to keep food fresher for longer.
Better still, their square shape makes far more efficient use of shelf space, allowing you to fit more into your cabinets without awkward gaps. In my small kitchen, making use of every inch is a must, and these containers do exactly that.
They're a simple swap that makes your pantry look better while being more efficient.
What Else to Shop
There are several food storage tricks that extend the life of your groceries and improve the workflow of your kitchen. These are my picks for improving practicality from day to day.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
With flip top lids, these larger dried goods storage containers are ideal for things like pasta, cereals, and legumes for easy serving and longer lasting freshness.
For leftovers and fresh foods, these glass containers with glass lids are ideal. The silicone rims make them air tight and 100% microwave safe, for easy storage and reheating.
Available in four fun, bright colors, these pop-up storage containers are perfect for small kitchens where storage usually forces you to compromise. They're leakproof and dishwasher, microwave, fridge, and freezer safe.
This adjustable OXO organizer is ideal for keeping everything from pans to containers neat, with a wide base to avoid tipping and moving dividers.
To prevent damage to your pan rims and to keep your cabinets organized, consider stick-on cabinet holders, freeing up space in your storage.
Nothing ruins your brew like stale coffee. This coffee canister features a patented inner plunger lid with a two-way valve that forces excess oxygen out of the canister and locks out excess humidity, preserving freshness for longer when storing coffee beans.
When organizing your food storage, be sure to avoid these common kitchen storage mistakes to improve the flow of your workspace, not hinder it.
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