When it comes to kitchen cabinet storage, it’s sometimes simpler to start with what you DON’T want in your kitchen cabinets instead. These things are either too big, inconvenient, or hazardous to store in your cabinets. Here are nine things you should never keep in your kitchen cabinets.
Appliances You Never Use
Admit it — we always have appliances we thought we would use, but in fact, we never use them. Yet, we still want to keep them if we might need them one day. The truth is, if you haven’t used it in the past six months, you’re never going to use it. So get rid of it and save the precious spaces in your kitchen cabinets for things you do use.
Bulky Pots and Pans
Unless you have a lot of cabinet space, bulky pots and pans are not a good idea to store in your cabinets. They take up a lot of room and can be difficult to maneuver around. If you don’t use them often, consider keeping them in a pot and pan hanger or a storage container under your bed.
Dishes You Never Use
We all have those special occasion dishes that we never use but can’t bear to get rid of. If you don’t use them often, consider storing them in a china cabinet or a storage container in the basement. Again, save your valuable cabinet space for dishes you do use regularly.
Bulky Kitchen Utensils
Unless your kitchen is incredibly spacious, bulky kitchen utensils are just taking up valuable cabinet space (think: that big pasta maker you never use). Instead, invest in some smaller utensils that can do the same job. For example, a handheld mixer can do the same job as a stand mixer and takes up a fraction of the space.
Non-Perishable Food Items
Non-perishable food items include things like pasta, rice, and beans. While they’re not a bad thing to store in your kitchen cabinets, they do take up a lot of space. There’s no need to store non-perishable food items in your kitchen cabinets — they’ll do just fine in the pantry. In fact, it’s probably better to keep them in the pantry so you can see what you have and don’t end up with twenty cans of tomato soup.
Perishable Food Items
On the other hand, you should store perishable food items in the fridge or freezer — not in your kitchen cabinets. Foods like milk, cheese, eggs, and meat will spoil if they’re not stored properly, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and store them in the fridge or freezer.
Non-Food Items
Your kitchen cabinets are for storing food, not non-food items. Things like cleaners, paper towels, and light bulbs have no business being in your kitchen cabinets. Not only do they take up valuable space, but they can also be a hazard if they’re stored near food. So keep your kitchen cabinets clear of non-food items and store them in the laundry room or garage instead.
Party Décor
Who doesn’t love party décor? But unless you’re about to party every single day, those plastic tumblers and tablecloths have got to go. Instead, try storing your party supplies in boxes or bins under your bed, in the basement, or in the attic. That way, they’ll be out of sight and won’t take up valuable cabinet space.
Packaged Foods You Don’t Use
Do you really need a dozen boxes of cereal? If you find that you’re not eating certain foods because they’re hidden in the back of your cabinets, it might be time to donate them to a food pantry. The same goes for those single-serving packets of oatmeal and soup that always seem to expire before you get around to eating them. If you’re not going to eat them, donate them. You’ll be doing yourself (and someone else) a favor.
The Bottom Line
So there you have it — nine things you should never store in your kitchen cabinets. By decluttering your cabinets, doing a little spring cleaning, and getting rid of stuff you don’t use, you’ll free up valuable space for things you actually need. And that’s always a good thing.
Leave a Reply