One of the biggest concerns people have when beginning to prepare is…
Where the heck do I put everything?
With pantries shriveling away it makes it difficult to store hardly anything in them, and if you’re trying to store a year supply of food and supplies… you can just forget it!
But don’t worry, there is hope!
I searched high and low for ingenious ideas to help inspire you!
37 Creative Storage Solutions:
Take a look at these 37 Creative Storage Solutions – you’re likely to find at least a few that work for you!
USE WASTED SPACE…
Go on a tour of your home and find any wasted space! Look up high, down low, behind walls, in corners, and everywhere in between! You might be surprised how much you can actually store in these areas you originally over-looked!
Store Buckets Under The Bed
Put Lazy Susans in the Corner Space of Pantries
Add Shelves Up High in Closets & Pantries
Use Space Under Staircase
Add Strategic Shelving in Pantry
Make Rolling Crates for Under the Bed
Use the Narrow Space Between Fridge & Counters
Hang From the Ceiling
Use the Back of Doors
MAKE DIY CAN ORGANIZERS…
For all the DIY people out there, these ideas are for you! If you can make your own organizers, then the storage possibilities are endless!!!
Roller Canned Food Cabinet
Wall-Hanging Can Storage
Built-in Food Dispenser
DIY FIFO Can Rack
Food & Water Storage
Use Soda Racks for Canned Goods
Organizer For Small Spaces
ORGANIZE YOUR SUPPLIES…
It’s not just food you need to store, but all your other day to day items. Here’s a few storage suggestions to find space for these too!
DIY Battery Storage Organizer
Make Furniture With Your Food & Supplies
Hide Items in a Bench Seat
Roll-Out Storage
Effectively Use Attic Storage
SOLUTIONS FROM THE STORE…
If you don’t have the time or patience to make your own organizers (or worry about losing fingers), check-out these pre-made creative storage ideas that are ready to be shipped to your door!
Mom’s Mason Jar Hanger
Shelf Reliance Can Organizer
Lazy Susan Storage
Can Rotator For Under the Bed
On the Wall System
Pantry Can Consolidators
Bed for Storage
MORE TIPS & IDEAS FOR CREATIVE STORAGE…
Here are just a few of my other favorite ideas that I dream about having one day ;)
Magnet Board for Spices
For All Your Canning Jars
Use Air-Tight Containers
Use Glass Jars
Label Your Food
Put Board in Front of Jars
Turn Magazine Rack Into a Can Holder
8 Tips to Clean the Pantry
Custom Pantries (For My Dream Home ;)
Do You Use Any of These Creative Storage Ideas?
Share your ideas for where you store all your food and supplies! We all want to know ;)
For more creative storage solutions be sure to follow my Organizing Board on Pinterest!
***Feel free to SUBMIT your questions, or READ some of the past ones!***
I don’t publish every question I’m asked, but I do try to respond to as many as I can!
Cindy says
Thank you so much! I have been researching the same thing lately. You found a couple that I missed and am very appreciative.
Jamie S. says
So glad it was helpful! Let me know if I missed anything you found! I’m always trying to find new places to store crap in my house!
Thanks for being the first commenter of the day – there should be an award or something ;)
Cindy says
;) I think you have everything covered. If I find something else, I will be happy to share.
I looked at the metal bracket hanging jar website. They had a fundraiser and I noticed they didn’t meet their quota back on February 8. It does look like an interesting concept. If the company doesn’t come to fruition, I would think a person could do the same thing by using wooden brackets similar to wine glass rack.
If I lived in an earthquake area, I would buy wide rubberbands and put them around each jar in a position where they have a potential to bump into each other.
If I had that set-up, I would also want a tray on the top of the rack that is below the jars. Cleaning up breakage would not be easy otherwise.
Jamie S. says
That’s a great idea! I think someone could take a look at that and figure out how to make it themselves like you said.
Definitely agree with the earthquake suggestions, don’t want those jars breaking, that’s for sure!
Heidi says
Love these ideas so much! I have 100 cans hidden in my family room! They’re all under the reclining sofas! Works great. (I posted it on my site, too.) I’ll be pinning this post and visiting and pinning tons that you have shared here! Wow! I’ve always wanted to make my own can organizer.
Jamie S. says
Really, do you have a link to your post? I would love to see how you hide your food storage!
You’re so sweet, thanks for pinning and for stopping by to say Hi!
Heidi says
Here’s the link: Finding Hidden Storage in the Family Room
Heidi says
I don’t think the link worked. http://onecreativemommy.com/organize-me-3-finding-hidden-storage-in-the-family-room/
Jamie S. says
Wow, I never realized you could put 25 cans under your recliner! Good to know! Thanks for sharing your post!
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
Wow, there are so many freaking amazing ideas on here!! I would be so organized if I followed even half of these :)
Jamie S. says
Me too Elizabeth ;) It’s so much fun looking at everyone’s ideas, now if I could actually do a few!
Alison Moore Smith says
We have the shelf reliance cabinet style in our custom pantry and the floor models in our long term storage. Love them!
sue says
My grandkids love the new rubber band loom toy that is so popular with kids right now.
They have dozens (and dozens!) of the bands. They are fantastic for putting on the canning jars to keep them apart. And It gives the kids reason to keep on making them!
Jamie S. says
What a creative way to use those! I’ve seen those bands all over, I guess I’ll stop throwing them all away now ;)
George Clipner says
On the flip up bed for storage, great idea for me, but !! Where do I find the plans to build it ???
Jamie S. says
That I do not know, I would have to do some web searching!
George Clipner says
Thanks.
Kathy says
They have them at Ikea – great idea.
Vickey M says
One thing I noticed is that several of these areas are in hot zones or near heat outlets such as the refrigerator. Attics are usually the hottest spot in the house, and appliances throw off a considerable amount of heat. This can damage food products or cause them to lose quality, taste etc much faster. I would use attic space and other “Hot” areas for paper products and similar types of items and save the space they take up in cooler areas for the food products. Cooler areas of the room are nearer to floor. The higher up you go in any room the higher the temps are. Also storing foods where they receive a lot of light (such as the shelf near the window filled with clear glass jars of food items) causes faster deterioration as well. Most things recommend storing in a cool, dark place.
Jamie S. says
Excellent advice Vicky!
Suburban Steader says
This article is a great resource! Proud to be included amongst so many great ideas!
Tiffany says
Hi! Just found your site today and already have several answers I’ve been looking for! I am a total newbie and have canned, gardened or anything. My question right now: when I am ready to store items I have canned, can I store them in the garage and/or small backyard shed? The shed is metal and we need to add a vent to it. We live in Oklahoma so summers get hot! Thanks so much for your help!!
Jamie S. says
Thanks for stopping by. It’s highly recommended to store any food or canned goods at room temperature or colder if possible. You can put foods in a hot garage or shed, but they they won’t last nearly as long. I’ve put food in the garage before, and after getting a few cans of vegetables that were nearly boiling I decided to rearrange things:)
If possible, try to find room in the house (the cooler and darker the better)for food, and then put non-persishable items and supplies outside.
Michelle says
Don’t put canned goods in the garage because they will freeze in the winter—glass jars will break and cans will expand and split. Basement is a good spot if dry- mine isn’t. Under the bed if no basement or behind books on a bookshelf. On the floor in the back of a closet… Just really look at every nook and cranny. God Bless
lele says
We are not very good builders at my house. I used two of the 16″ by 4 feet wide and 5 feet tall. Then invested in can consolidator show above. They are adjustable so you can connect them together and make can size slots. Got them on sale, but they are totally worth the price. They have been very durable and will so be two years old. LOVE THEM
Jamie S. says
I love the can consolidators too! They are definitely my favorite!
Jamie says
Hey I’m trying to find where to buy the food can rotation rack for the wall mount or the lazy susan. I looked at the links you provided and couldn’t find them anywhere. Do you know where to purchase those? Thanks
Please email me back
Jamie S. says
Hey! Sorry about that! I’m not sure why the links aren’t working. The site must have disappeared :( I really liked those too. I’m not sure if anywhere else sells them.
Nayantara says
I was googling food storage ideas and came across your blog. I quite liked it. I was looking at trends on eco friendly storage because I just started creating products around handpainted steelware and wanted to see how well it would be accepted
Here is my link http://www.facebook.com/discovertrove
Foser says
Awesome website! Can’t wait to take some of your ideas and organize what I have stored-up already.