There’s something so satisfying about a perfectly organized pantry. Neat rows of shelves with ingredients stored in matching containers makes cooking a fun task instead of a boring chore. Decanting your pantry not only makes it look great, but also maximizes storage in a compact space.
Hi, I’m Ryan
Not having a lot of space in my tiny home means that if I don’t have everything looking ridiculously neat, it can come off as cluttered. Decanting helped bring a lot of order and uniformity to all the different food packaging in my pantry.
What Does Decanting Your Pantry Mean?
The word “decanting” may sound fancy or intimidating, but decanting your pantry is simply the process of removing items from their original packaging and storing them in jars or containers — usually clear glass or plastic ones for easy visibility.
Having a cohesive, organized look to your pantry can make food storage a source of satisfaction and be more pleasing to look at.
Benefits To Decanting Your Pantry
As someone who lives in a tiny house, I am always looking for efficient ways to manage my storage. I found decanting to be a great way to organize my kitchen and maximize space in a small area.
Pantry Helps You:
Save Money
Clear storage containers allow you to see exactly how much of one item you have left before you head to the store.
Stay Healthy
By having a visual of the items in your cupboard, you can make more conscious and healthy choices.
Save Time
Decanting saves you time in the long run by making it quick and easy to assess and access the items in your pantry.
Keep Food Fresh
Airtight seals on containers extend the shelf life of your foods you don’t have to worry about replacing stale snacks.
What To Decant and What To Leave Alone
When you’re getting started with the decanting process, it can be difficult to decide what needs to go where. I sat down with my friend Marie, a blogger and organizing expert, to discuss what items to decant and what to leave in its original packaging.
Organizing Baking Items
Since the packaging for many baking ingredients tends to be flimsy, these are the first things you should decant. This way, you won’t risk a bag of flour ripping and spilling all over the floor, and you know exactly how much of everything you have before you start a baking project.
Baking items to consider decanting
Flours
Sugars
Cake and batter mixes
Baking soda and baking powder
Dried herbs and spices are another good item to decant. Putting your spices in uniform containers can help you store them more efficiently.
Separating Snacks
If you have children, it is especially helpful to know how much of their favorite snacks you have left and what needs to be replaced. This way, there’s no fighting when you go to pack lunches and there isn’t enough to go around.
Common snacks for decanting
Goldfish
Gummy snacks
Breakfast bars
Nuts and trail mix
Popcorn
Chips
“Decanting chips can be up to your personal preference. Some people prefer to keep chips in their original bags and store the bags in a bigger basket or bin. If you do decant chips, consider using a strainer to sift out all the crumbs before you transfer them to a separate container.”–Marie Jackson, Organized Marie
Other Dry Goods To Decant
There are a number of other dry goods that decant well and look nice when they’re displayed in your pantry.
Try decanting things like
Pasta
Rice
Oatmeal
Cereal
Coffee
Quinoa
Decanting Liquids
Decanting liquid pantry items is helpful for saving space. A lot of liquid items come in different shape and size containers, so decanting them makes the space more cohesive and harmonious.
Some liquids you can decant
Olive oil
Vinegar
Salad dressing
Worcestershire sauce
Cooking wine
Soy sauce
Non-Food Items
Decanting is a tool that can work for organizing all parts of your home, not just in the kitchen. Separating things into their own containers can maximize space and restore the aesthetic of your cupboards.
There are a few things that sound like they might decant well, but should probably just be left in their original containers to save your sanity. If you find yourself decanting the following, stop and leave well enough alone.
No Need To Decant These
Raisins
Syrup
Crackers
Mac and cheese
Cookies
“Avoid decanting cookies. As someone who has tried it numerous times, the chances of cookies breaking in half are very high and you end up with a canister full of crumbs.”–Marie Jackson, Organized Marie
Decanting sticky things like raisins and syrup can make your containers difficult to clean, and cookies and crackers break too easily. Mac and cheese boxes are typically portioned out perfectly for the ratio of noodles to cheese, so it’s easier to leave that as it is.
Getting Started Decanting Your Pantry
The end result may look amazing, but getting started on your decanting journey can be daunting. Taking things one step at a time and being patient with the process will help you get your pantry organized and efficiently working in no time.
Step-By-Step Pantry Organization
Step 1: Take everything out of the pantry and lay it out on the table. This way, you can take inventory of what you have and what needs to be decanted.
Step 2: Decide what you want to decant. Keep in mind what your needs are and what you use every day. Prioritize decanting things with flimsy packaging like flour and sugar.
Step 3: Wash out your containers. Making sure your containers are clean will ensure your food stays safe to eat, plus make them look nicer and help you see what’s inside them.
Step 4: Make a plan for the leftovers. Ideally there won’t be any, but set aside a “back-stock” bin so you are ready, just in case.
Step 5: Label each bin and container with a sticky note so you know what goes where. It’s good to do this before you make your permanent labels so you can rearrange things as you go.
Step 6: Lay out the labeled containers in your pantry so you know where everything will go and how it fits together. Take a picture so you don’t forget!
Step 7: Decant each item one at a time. Once you’ve poured the item into its new container, tape any instructions, expiration date, and nutritional info to the back if desired.
Step 8: Add any overflow items to your back-stock bin. Make sure if they are in their original packaging that it is sealed with a chip clip, rubber band, or lid.
Step 9: Make and add permanent labels to each container. Keep the look you want for your pantry in mind and choose labels that are appealing and fun.
Step 10: Put everything back onto the shelves the way it is in your photo. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy your newly organized pantry!
Types Of Containers Needed For Decanting
When choosing container varieties, it’s good to start with a set. This way you have multiple size options and they are cohesive. Keep in mind the look that you are going for, and pick a set that inspires you.
It is also good to keep your shopping habits in mind. If you routinely shop at wholesale stores like Sam’s Club or Costco, buy containers accordingly. You will likely need larger size containers to store bulk foods.
“I like to buy containers that are from a brand that’s been around for a while. That way, I know I can build my set and it will all look uniform and stack together properly.”–Marie Jackson, Organized Marie
Buying The Right Quantity Of Containers
Planning out the number of containers you need all depends on the size of your pantry and the number of items in it.
Count out the number of items you want to decant and remember that each item gets its own container. Are you decanting all of your dry goods? Only baking items? Maybe you just want a set of jars for your spices. Having a cohesive group of decanted items will make planning a lot easier.
Measure out the size of your pantry or cupboard so you know how much room you have to work with. The size, shape, and number of containers you buy will depend on how much space you have.
Decanting Container Suggestions
When you’re searching for the perfect set, it’s good to have a rough idea in mind of what types of containers you might need. Below, I’ve provided a breakdown of some suggested containers to get you started, but you’ll want to adjust for your specific needs.
Baking Set
Flour container
Sugar container
Brown sugar container
Powdered sugar container
Additional small container
Pantry Set
Tall pasta container
Short pasta container
Spice jars
Large rice container
Additional small container
Snack Set
Chip basket
Large snack jar
Medium candy jar
Popcorn jar
Additional small container
Shopping List Guide
So, you’re ready to head to the store, but you’re still a little shaky on what size containers you’re looking for. The chart below demonstrates a few commonly decanted items and the corresponding quart size container for each.
Item
Quantity (lbs)
Container Size (qts)
Almonds
1
2
Baking Soda/Powder
1
0.5
Beans (dried)
1
0.8
Brown Sugar
1
1.25
Cereal
1
0.5 (tall)
Chips
1
6.0
Cocoa Powder
0.5
2
Coffee (beans)
1
2
Coffee (ground)
1
1
Cornstarch
0.5
0.5
Flour
5
5
Granola
0.75
2
Oats
1
1.5
Pancake Mix
2
2
Pasta
0.75
2
Pistachios
0.75
0.5
Popcorn
2
1
Powdered Sugar
2
1
Quinoa
1
0.5
Rice
5
3
Salt
1
1.25
Spaghetti
2
2.5 (tall)
Spices
0.5
0.25
Sugar
5
3
Tea (loose leaf)
0.25
0.5
General Conversion Chart
It would be great if everything was measured the same way, but depending on the item and where you buy it, you may find everything marked differently. Here’s a chart with some common conversions to help you avoid confusion.
Common Conversions
1 kg
2.2 lb
1 g
0.04 oz
1 L
1.06 qt
1 c
0.25 qt
1 tbsp
0.0625 c
1 tsp
0.333 tbsp
Pantry Decanting Container Options
There are a ton of good container options out there for your pantry. You’re probably trying to decide between several options, so here’s a quick summary of some the most popular brands.
OXO POP Containers tend to be one of the most pop-ular options out there (pun intended). The button on top pushes down to engage an airtight seal and also doubles as a handle for the lid.
This is one of the larger sets available, and containers are modular and stackable for maximum storage in a minimum space.
The 10-piece starter set includes the following:
2.8 qt. container
2.7 qt. container
2.2 qt. container
4.4 qt. container
1.1 qt. containers (2)
0.6 qt. containers (2)
0.4 qt. containers (2)
One complaint I found was that while the pop lid is airtight in theory, water is sometimes able to seep through the seal. This is also one of the most expensive options, so it is not easy to build up your collection without dropping quite a bit of money.
I did, however, find a lot of praise for these containers. The brand has a lot of variety when it comes to different sets and accessories. There are a lot of different size options so you never have to worry about finding a container that fits whatever it is you are trying to decant.
Many people swear by the OXO Pop set because it offers a lot of size and set variety. They are also stackable to help you maximize storage space in your pantry.
Progressive International Prepworks comes as a six-container set with each piece made to store a specific item. This is nice because it provides you with some guidance on what to decant and how to store it.
There are also accessories for each item that comes with its respective container. For example, the flour container has a leveler, the brown sugar container has a terracotta disc to keep your sugar from drying out, and the powdered sugar container has a sifting spoon.
The entire set includes:
A flour keeper
A sugar keeper
A brown sugar keeper
A powdered sugar keeper
Mini-keepers (2)
Containers for pasta, coffee, cereal, and grains are sold separately. Each lid latches shut with a silicone gasket that keeps the container airtight but can be removed for easy cleaning.
One flaw reviewers found was that the sugar container, due to its pour spout, doesn’t seal perfectly airtight. This set is one of the more expensive options on the market, but many found it worth it due to the added accessories and item-specific designs. This is ideal for people who like the guidance of an item specific set and want to invest in building beyond the six-container starter kit.
Rubbermaid Brilliance pantry set includes four containers (eight-pieces total with lids). As far as I can tell from reviewers, each container is perfectly airtight with no sealing issues.
The set includes:
16 cup (4 qt.) flour holder
12 cup (3 qt.) sugar holder
6.6 cup (1.7 qt.) pasta holder
3.2 cup (0.8 qt.) all-purpose container
The main complaint I found with this pantry set is that the pasta container is too short to hold uncooked spaghetti at only 9.25 inches tall. However, you can purchase additional sizes that are taller.
This set is modestly priced, and while it doesn’t have item-specific design, this actually allows more flexibility for people who are looking to decant things at their own pace. The airtight seal guarantees that decanted items will be kept fresh and pest-free.
Overall this is a good choice for a starter set because it doesn’t limit your item choices and it is not too expensive to build from. The versatility is good for people who are looking for variety in their decanting.
Since they are traditionally used for canning, Weck jars are about as airtight as you can get. Lids are leak-proof so you can feel comfortable decanting liquids as well as pantry items. The Weck 760 Jar set linked here comes as a pack of six 5.4oz (0.17 qt.) jars. Lids, gasket rings and clamps are included.
While there are several different varieties of Weck jars, they typically come in sets of the same size, so there is not a lot of room for variety. Glass jars are not necessarily kid-friendly, so decanting items that children will need to access frequently could lead to broken glass.
Because Weck jars are primarily made of glass (although some sets have wooden lids), they are environmentally friendly as well as very aesthetically pleasing. Many people choose to decant with glass jars because they give your pantry that Pinterest-worthy look.
These jars are some of the least expensive on our list, although they don’t come in sets. There is a ton of variety as far as shapes, sizes, and types of containers, so you have a lot of options. The containers are made of glass, making them more environmentally friendly than some of the fully plastic options. However, the lids are made of plastic.
The downside here is that since these don’t come in pre-determined sets, you have to put in the work to build your own. There are also mixed reviews about how tightly the lids seal and the ability to stack.
Ikea 365+ Food Jars are nice to look at and inexpensive to buy. If you are looking to customize your own kit, then these are a good product to try.
ProKeeper+ canisters are another product of Progressive International. The nine-piece set comes with five containers and four accessories.
These include:
4 qt. flour container
2.5 qt. sugar container
1.5 qt. brown sugar container
2 qt. powdered sugar container
1.5 cup (0.4 qt.) mini container
The accessories are:
A flour leveler
Terracotta disc
Dusting spoon
Mini dusting screen
Like the Prepworks set, the downside here is price. Progressive products are some of the more expensive ones out there, but they are also some of the highest quality.
The seal on the ProKeeper+ containers is as airtight as advertised, and buying sets from an established brand means you are able to continue building as your pantry needs change.
Labeling your containers is a fun way to build the aesthetic of your pantry. It is important to include the name of the item so you know what is in the jar, but beyond that you can be creative.
A lot of packaging has expiration dates, instructions, and nutritional info that you might want to keep. You can include this on the label if you like, or cut it off the box and tape it to the back of your containers or store it inside with the contents.
Label makers are a no-brainer solution for creating your decanting labels. Marie’s go-to tool is Brother’s P-Touch Label Maker. This is a cool option because it is easy to use, inexpensive, and has multiple different font options. This way, you can really customize your pantry.
I’d recommend avoiding chalk labels. While it may seem convenient to erase and rewrite labels as the items in the container change, chalk will leave a ghost of itself behind and, over time, the label will look messy. A better alternative if you need labels that are easy to switch up might be washable glass pens or dry erase markers.
At the end of the day, you want labels that will make you excited to open your pantry. The whole point of decanting is to have a well-organized, aesthetically appealing approach to food storage. Keeping up with any new organizational tactic is all about staying inspired, and your labels are a great way to make you happy to continue your decanting journey.
“Labeling is your road map. When you take a trip, you have directions to get you back to your destination — labels make sure everything goes back where it belongs.”
Sure, decanting your pantry can save space and help you shop more efficiently, but at the end of the day you want your project to look nice too. There are a lot of different ways to personalize your pantry, and your technique when it comes to organization should be all about the look that you like best.
Decanting can be a tedious task, so you want an end product that makes you glad you put in the work and willing to keep up the effort going forward.
Decant Into Jars
Separating your pantry items into jars is a unique and artistic way to organize. You can use jars for colorful items like candy or sprinkles, or you can go with a more neutral pallet by decanting almonds, pasta and sugar. Either way, decanting with glass jars is a great way to create a charming pantry.
If your end goal is to save space, try stacking different sized containers until you’ve found the balance you need. Using a stackable container set opens up room in your pantry or cupboard and helps things stay organized. There’s also something satisfying about seeing a perfectly stacked row of containers.
Not only do different pantry items need different sized containers, but varying the height and width of your containers adds interest to the look of your pantry. Try tall, thin containers for pasta, and shorter, wider containers for flour or oats.
Some pantry items need organizing, but you want to leave them in their original packaging. Bins or baskets are a great way to make your pantry neat and appealing without losing the added convenience of the original packaging. This method works great for things like chips, fruit snacks, mac and cheese or breakfast bars.
Decanting your pantry should be a fun and satisfying process that ends with a good looking and more organized kitchen space. Because there are so many different types of things you’re going to be organizing, there are a lot of details to consider.
Here are some tips and trick I’ve learned over the years.
Ensure Canisters Have An Airtight Seal
Airtight containers ensure your food doesn’t go bad. This may seem like a no brainer, but making sure your containers are as airtight as advertised will save you from throwing out stale or spoiled food, plus keep unwanted pests out.
Buy Easy-to-Use Containers
Choose containers with an ergonomic shape that are easy to pick up. Remember that you will still be using these items every day. You want containers that don’t just look nice, but function the way you need.
Stick To A Brand You Like
Containers from different brands may not fit together well, so find a company that has a lot of quality items you want to build your collection from in the future.
Create A Back-Stock Bin
In a perfect world, all of your items would fit neatly into the jars or containers you bought. However, overflow is an inevitability, so create a back-stock bin or basket to house the overflow containers out of sight until they can fit into their respective jars.
Avoid Decanting Sticky Things
Raisins, syrup, chocolate chips — all these things seem like they’d look great decanted, but when items are sticky, containers can get murky and difficult to see through, and cleaning them is a pain.
Your Turn!
What types of containers work best for your household?
We all want a clean and tidy house, but often have no clue where to begin to get there. I’ve found that attempting to tackle my physical clutter has allowed me to simplify all other areas of my life, and has helped me turn my home into a clean and organized oasis.
Hi, I’m Ryan
I’m a firm believer that simpler is better, which is why I’m a huge fan of this four-box decluttering method when it comes to tackling the mess in my own home. So, let’s keep this simple and make progress in the places we need to.
Try Out The Four-Box Decluttering Method
There are many different approaches to decluttering, but the four-box method has been proven itself to be a favorite for many people because it’s so simple. With a process as chaotic as decluttering, the best way to tackle your mess and turn your house into an organized and decluttered haven is a simple, easy approach!
Find four boxes and label them:
The Throw Away Box
The throw away box covers items you want to discard that you don’t feel right about selling or donating. These items can be broken, damaged, or no longer in working order.
One thing I try to consider when I’m deciding whether to sell, donate, or toss an item is if I would feel good getting it as a gift or a hand-me-down. If I wouldn’t want to receive it, someone else probably won’t either, so I toss it.
The Give Away Box
A huge aspect of adopting minimalism is giving your belongings a second life. Fill this box with items like old toys, clothes that no longer fit, or extra supplies you have no use for. There are so many things you can sell, donate, or give away as gifts to friends and family to make their lives easier.
The Keep Box
Having an awareness of what to keep when decluttering can be a challenge. This box should be your smallest, as the purpose of a decluttering session is to let things go.
However, don’t force yourself to let go of things you aren’t quite ready to part with. Be intentional with this box and make sure the items that fill it have an active purpose in your life.
The Storage Box
The purpose of the storage box is for stuff that will have a purpose in your life in the future or have a purpose in your life in specific seasons. These aren’t items you’re getting rid of, but also aren’t items that serve an active purpose in your daily experience.
It’s okay to hold on to your childhood books, your sentimental memorabilia, or those vinyl records you love to dig out of the closet around the holidays. Try to keep this category small so as to not fill your attics, closets, and other storage spaces with clutter.
Things To Keep In Mind With The Four-Box Decluttering Method
Here are some things to remember as you’re working to create the smoothest, most effective decluttering experience with the four-box decluttering method:
You Don’t Have To Declutter Everything At Once
When I get in the zone, it’s easy for me to get obsessed with trying to use every ounce of my time as efficiently as possible. This is great in theory, but it can cause burnout. These days, I try to tackle my decluttering process in small chunks to conserve my mental energy and maximize my effectiveness when decluttering.
You’ll Have The Memories Without The Stuff
It’s easy to get bogged down in the decluttering process with sentimental items. Keep in mind that you can still keep those cherished memories without hanging onto all of the physical stuff.
Sometimes minimalists tend to feel wrong about throwing a ton of items away, especially when trying to consider the needs of others and live a low or no-waste life. However, people don’t want to receive things that are broken, unhygienic, or no longer work.
This may seem backwards but, like I mentioned before, you don’t want to donate or give things away as gifts that you would be offended to receive or that are unusable. If you feel weird about throwing so much out, try an alternate method of discarding things like composting food scraps or recycling broken tech.
Some Items Have Temporary Purpose
Just because it was valuable at one time doesn’t necessarily mean you need to keep it around now. Just like life, our stuff has seasons. It’s okay to let things go of things that once had invaluable purpose in your life but no longer serves you in the present.
Your Turn!
How will you use the four-box decluttering method this week?
What areas of your home will you tackle with the four-box method?
We connect with stories because we see ourselves in them, which its why it’s so easy to fall in love with a good book. Decluttering a bookshelf can be challenging when you’re surrounded by a full library of beloved stories.
However, decluttering your books doesn’t mean you have to give up the novels you love most. You can tidy up your bookshelf without sacrificing the caliber of your collection.
Hi, I’m Ryan
I’m a pretty big reader and at one point I realized I needed a way to manage my ever-growing stack of books. I adopted a policy that after reading a book I would takes some notes, then gift that book to someone who I thought would like it or benefit from it.
How To Declutter Your Books: Questions To Guide You
For those who really love books, it can be hard to know what books you’re willing to part with and which ones you’ll regret letting go of. Here are a few guiding questions to ask yourself when decluttering your bookshelf on your own.
Do I Own More Than One Copy Of This Book?
It can be appealing to own more than one copy of a book you deeply love. This is especially true if there is a fancy new edition of the book out there with gorgeous cover art and a smooth, high-quality cover.
These ostentatious features can be mesmerizing for a book lover, but make sure to consider your needs over your wants. When deciding whether to buy a new copy of a book you already own, or whether you should part with the duplicates already in your library, ask yourself if you’ll use two copies of the same book.
Have I Read This Book In The Last Three Years?
Bibliophiles have large libraries they cycle through, so you’re not going to get to every book in your library each year. However, if three years have gone by without engaging with a book, maybe it’s time to let that read go. That way, you can make room on your shelf for books you know you’ll actually read!
Can I See Myself Reading This Book In The Next Year?
If you haven’t read the book in the past three years, but plan to read it in the next year or couple years, you may convince yourself to keep it around. However, ask yourself if you truly have a tangible plan to read the book or if you just hope to read it, idealistically. If you’ve been planning on reading it for several years, it might be time to let that book go.
Does This Book Have Sentimental Value?
It’s totally okay to keep books around because they were meaningful to you in the past, but don’t go overboard. Balancing how many books of sentimental value to keep when you know you’re not going to read them is a tough one.
On the one hand, you don’t want to let go of those childhood favorites that you have a deep attachment to, want to keep around for your kids, or that light your soul up when you look at them. However, you also don’t want to keep several closets full of books you’ll never read. Limit yourself to a certain container size for sentimental books. If it fits in the bin, it stays, if not, it goes.
Is This A Classic Or Renowned Novel?
Everyone knows of those classic books that you just have to have in your library. However, if your copy of The Great Gatsby or The Old Man And The Sea might not be read for several years, is it truly worth keeping around?
Ask yourself if you are keeping the book around more for the image of it, or because you truly love it. I think it’s okay to hang onto to renowned classics that were meaningful to you, even if you don’t plan to read them again for a while. However, if you’re keeping Kafka on your shelf just to say you have it, maybe revaluate that impulse.
Does Holding Onto This Book Give Me A Visceral Reaction?
There are also those books that you feel a deeply special connection to. Maybe you don’t plan to reread them in the next few years, but just by looking at the cover, your heart jumps a little and you remember how you felt the first time you read it.
That’s how I feel about Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky. When I first read it, I remember I was on the train in London and when some of the first dots connected in my head, I was stunned by the implications.
I don’t read it every year because I want to make time for new, enlightening books that will help me grow. However, I always find my way back to this book, and would never force myself to let it go.
If you pick up a book and immediately feel something, it’s worth keeping around. That’s the point of literature — for you to connect with it. If you do have an emotional connection, you may regret letting it go.
Three Tips For Decluttering Your Bookshelf
Decluttering a bookshelf can feel like a scary endeavor, especially for a bibliophile who considers their books their most cherished possessions. Again, decluttering is about reducing quantity without losing quality, which especially applies to decluttering a library.
I had the opportunity to speak with Rachel, August, and Madeline. These women are Youtubers who had a lot to say about book consumerism and decluttering your bookshelf. I asked their advice on how to declutter books as an avid reader.
Ask Yourself Why You Feel Connected To Certain Books
One way to make the decluttering process go more smoothly and avoid uncertainty is to reflect. What is it about certain books that causes you to want to keep them or let them go? If you begin to identify patterns, the decluttering process will be much easier for you overall.
“Ask yourself why you feel attached to a certain book: Is it something you recommend all the time, something you have a special memory associated with? Knowing the why informs the how.”
Don’t force a bookshelf declutter just because you feel like you should. The last thing you want to do is make yourself declutter books you love that you later wish you could buy back! If you don’t feel ready to purge your shelf yet, wait until the time feels right.
“I hang onto books that especially wowed me. Not just enjoyable reads — reads that made me think outside of the box, pushed me, made me question things, educated me, or inspired me.”
Another tip to keep in mind when it comes to decluttering your shelf is to not feel guilty about letting your books go. Readers tend to also be the type to cherish things deeply or collect things of value. It doesn’t make you less of a book enthusiast to give some of your books away, especially if they’re just gathering dust on your shelf.
“I know book lovers who feel like they aren’t as legitimate if they don’t have a full bookshelf behind them. This can lead to keeping books you don’t actually enjoy anymore just for show.”
Once you figure out what books to get rid of, how do you decide what to do with them? There are many options to ensure your favorites stories have a nice, new home.
Donate Books To A Charity Or Thrift Store
One of the most popular options for getting rid of old books is donating them to secondhand stores, thrift stores, or used book stores in your area. Some even give books to kids, veterans, and prisoners. Donating your books is an awesome way to give back to the community you’re a part of.
“When I finish reading a book I didn’t feel connected to, I immediately donate it! This way, I feel like I am constantly in a state of unhauling and passing books on to others.”
One of the huge positives of having friends who are also book lovers is being able to connect and swap books that you truly enjoyed. One habit I’ve found myself adopting after many years of being a minimalist is thinking about other people when I decide to declutter something.
I consider specific people in my life when I’m cleaning and organizing, and ask myself if they could benefit from what I’m letting go of. Books are no different. I love giving books I’ve read to friends I know will really get something meaningful out of reading them.
Look For A Little Library In Your Neighborhood
The Little Free Library started gaining in popularity back in 2009, and they’re a great way to get rid of your old books while making sure others are still able to enjoy them. These little libraries have popped up in neighborhoods all across the world, with more than 100,000 little free libraries in existence.
You can easily locate one of these bookstands in your area and drop off some of your old books in a neighborhood near you. I was able to locate several little free libraries near me and sometimes, when I’m on my nightly walk, I’ll bring a book along to drop off.
Alternative Ideas To Buying New Books
The best way to keep clutter low is to reduce the amount of stuff you own to begin with. However, this is hard when you’re a bibliophile and love the idea of fillings your shelves with all of your favorite reads.
Here are some alternatives to purchasing physical copies of brand-new books that can help you maintain your love of reading without breaking your wallet or causing your shelves to overflow.
“One way to mitigate too many books is to choose books with decorative covers that can double as decor or wall art. You can still own the books you want to own while giving them a secondary purpose.”
There are many E-readers out there that can replace physical copies of books and keep the clutter in your library down to a minimum. You can also try audiobooks if you’re an auditory learner. There are many ways to make your book collection digital and keep your favorite stories close while reducing clutter.
Having a community of book-loving friends is nice because you can share and swap stories and trade books you love with one another. When trying to keep your personal collection to a minimum, ask your friends if they already own the book you have in mind. If so, borrow the novel instead of making the purchase.
Another fun idea is to host a book party with your friends who also love reading. Invite everyone to come over for food, drinks, and a book exchange. Ask your friends to bring over books they planned to donate or declutter, and then have all your guests browse each other’s collections. This is a great way to diversify your library without buying a ton of new books.
Visit Your Local Library For New Reads
The library is, of course, the most common way to read books without buying them. Most libraries have a lot more than people think — things like audiobooks, DVDs, podcasts, CDs, photo collections, telescopes and science equipment, and even tickets to local museums and attractions.
“I recommend libraries because it forces you to read to more. There’s a deadline for how long you have with each book, whereas when I’ve bought books, they might sit on my shelf for years before I read them, if I do.”
When you imagine a book collection that is in need of decluttering, you probably picture piles of books and overstuffed bookshelves. However, digital decluttering is just as integral to book collection decluttering as cleaning out your physical books.
Decluttering Your Audiobooks
Tips for decluttering your audiobooks are likely going to depend on what platform you use and the bells and whistles that your service has. I know that Audible has a “collections” feature which allows you to organize your library by creating individual folders with titles and descriptions.
Decluttering audiobooks is just like decluttering any other shelf. It can be misleading to think that digital clutter doesn’t have the same impact as physical clutter. It’s just as important to keep your digital world organized.
Decluttering eBooks
Even as the quality of phones and tablets increase, E-readers continue to have a loyal crowd of adopters who enjoy the matte screens, lack of harsh light, and long battery life. Whatever type you use, you want to keep it as organized and decluttered as your physical shelves.
You’ll likely have the option to download a PDF or other format of the book, but these files can pile up on a computer quickly. Isn’t the whole point of a digital library for it to take up less space?
To avoid the digital clutter, remove book files from your library after you finish reading them. If you’ve purchased the book already, you should be able to redownload it anytime you decide to reread.
Your Turn!
What steps will you take this week to declutter your books?
What methods will you use to read without buying new books?
Some people work well in an artistic tornado. For others, decluttering their craft room or studio helps clear their mind and get in the right headspace to do their best creative work.
Hi, I’m Ryan
While I’m instantly suspicious of those who’d willingly invite glitter into their home, crafters are one group of people I see struggle to keep their craft room tidy. Here are some tips that may help the artsy types out there.
Easy Tips For Decluttering Craft Room Supplies
As a fellow creative, I know that a clear head is critical to getting out of my own way when it comes time to make something. If I’ve learned anything about the value of minimalism over the years, I’ve learned it provides exactly that.
I think there’s a misconception out there with creative types that organization stunts the creative process. However, experts say the opposite is true: organization actually fosters creativity. Having a decluttered, organized craft room gives you the blank slate to be able to go anywhere your creativity drives you.
Crafting will always be a messy endeavor, though. Let’s talk about some pro tips for decluttering a craft room and getting the excess mess out of your workspace.
Sort Your Craft Supplies Before You Eliminate
If you’re standing in your completely cluttered craft room unsure of where to begin the decluttering process, start small. Keep your focus on a single area, then group things together by individual category.
Simply keep the likes with the likes — paints with paints, paper with paper, pens with pens, and so on. There’s no need to think about what you’re throwing out yet. When you start to categorize, you’ll begin to take mental inventory, making it easier to know what to get rid of and what to keep when decluttering.
I use this tip any time I’m decluttering a room in my own house: sort, then eliminate. It’s especially helpful with craft rooms, offices, and studio spaces where art and craft supplies can build up quickly.
Create A “Just In Case” Crafting Scrap Box
For some, an important aspect of crafting is keeping odds and ends around for potential inspiration or the possibility of using them for an upcoming craft. But this can spiral quickly, and the last thing you want is tons of scraps littered around your work space.
Try designating a “just in case” box for scraps, trinkets, or miscellaneous extras that don’t have a purpose for yet, but might in the future. That way, you don’t have them all sprawled out in your craft room. Use whatever size box or container seems fitting, but try to contain your scraps to it.
This works so long as you go through it every once in a while, to make room for new scraps. Declutter the odds and ends that don’t fit in the box and just keep what you’re drawn to most. This forces you to naturally filter and keep yourself honest — anything that doesn’t fit has got to go.
Do A Deep Declutter Once A Year Of Your Craft Room
Setting aside a distinct time to declutter your craft room is a pro tip that can help keep your scraps and supplies from piling up. Choose one specific calendar day each year where you go through your whole craft room, section by section.
Make an agreement with yourself to get rid of what you haven’t touched or used in that calendar year. If the type of crafting you do takes a long time, or you like to space projects out over multiple years, create an annual or bi-annual date that fits your creative flow.
I have a friend who likes to keep a notebook inventory of her supplies, and she writes down the date she uses materials. At the end of the year, she gets rid of everything without a date next to it and buys a new notebook. This is a pretty stringent method, but it’s extremely efficient for keeping your craft room clean.
Nifty Tips For Craft Room Organization
Once you get your excess arts and crafts supplies cleaned out, you’ll need some systems to organize the supplies that remain. I had a great time talking to my friend Norrine last week about all the ways you can do this.
Norrine, the face behind The Crafty Organizer, spends her days helping folks declutter their craft rooms and workspaces. We had a chat about all the ways you can efficiently and effectively organize a creative space.
Keep The Craft Supplies You Use Often Close By
It’s smart to organize supplies by how frequently you use them. Like I said before, I’m not much of a crafter, but I’ve done a lot of building and construction ever since I built my own tiny house a decade ago. I organize a lot of the tools I use by how frequently I use them for the most efficient workday.
Keep the things you use all the time close to your work area, thinks you rarely use farther away, and things you use sometimes in the middle of these other two categories for an efficient workflow.
“By establishing a set home for all of my supplies, it’s quick and easy to clean up after my creative flow. It’s no longer a question of, ‘where do I put this?’ — all my things have a home.”
Just like with decluttering, the key to organizing your craft room is to keep like supplies together and just start sorting through it. Begin by grouping all like items together, then let that inform the size of box you need to contain each category.
You can also group your supplies by type of project they pertain to. Maybe you want to keep all your papers with papers and paints with paints, or maybe you want your scrapbook paper in the bin with the paint pens you use for scrapbooking. Either method works, it just depends on what goes best with your flow.
“Organize your craft room like a grocery store. When you first walk in, you’d have the frozen foods aisle, but then it’s broken down by vegetables and fruits. Our craft rooms are the same way. Have an area that’s just paint, then have subcategories like acrylic or watercolor.”
I know a lot of crafters who get inspired to begin the organization process and will go out to the store and buy a ton of fancy bins or other organization products, then come back to their studio and try to figure out what to put in those organizers.
This is a backwards mindset. Let the amount of stuff you decide to keep be your guide for what bins and boxes you’ll need, not the other way around.
Follow A “One In One Out” Craft Room Rule
A standout tip for a craft room is to let yourself stick to a “one in, one out rule.” When you feel that urge all creative types get to buy new supplies, start a new project, or take up a new hobby, hold yourself accountable to decluttering an old one.
This could look like not buying a new book of scrapbook paper until you’ve used all the sheets in your current book, letting go of the calligraphy set you haven’t opened for six years before buying a basket weaving kit, or giving a finished oil canvas to a beloved friend before painting a new one.
Maintaining this mindset will keep your craft room from getting cluttered and overcrowded and allow you to do your best creative work.
“I liken my craft room to a five-gallon bucket. No matter how creatively you try to pour water into a five-gallon bucket, it can only hold five gallons.”
No matter how clutter free you keep your craft room, it won’t matter if you don’t have helpful tricks to store your art supplies and keep your craft room organized. There are a million ideas out there regarding how to best ways to store your art supplies and have the room you need to bring your dream projects to life. Scroll through these ideas for storing your art supplies and keeping your craft room organized.
Use Old Furniture To Store Craft Supplies
When people think about craft room storage, their mind often immediately goes to bins and boxes. However, starting with the structures that hold those bins is the best way to get the layout of your studio to look most pleasing to you. Upcycling old furniture is an awesome way to keep smaller storage bins organized.
Furniture to use for storage
Bookcase
Rolling cart
Dresser
Desk
Locker
Chest or trunk
Armoire
TV stand
Hoosier cabinet
China hutch
Changing table
Clothing rack
The structures you start with will set the tone for the look and layout of your entire craft room. Consider whether or not you want open storage, like a bookcase, or something closed, like a dresser, where items are tucked away in drawers.
I love displaying the tools and supplies I use every day in a visually pleasing way. It creates easy access to the items I need most often.
“Getting organized is so beneficial, but I also respect that sometimes seeing our projects and supplies out is what inspires us. Having things visually available, yet out of the way of our immediate workspace, is key.”
A classic peg board is a popular method for displaying tools and supplies. You can grab some fish hooks, straight hooks, multi-prong holders, and miniature baskets at any local hardware store. Use them to display your craft scissors, yarn, or paints on your pegboard. Craft aficionados also love to use spinning organizers, buckets hung on the wall, or other upcycled items.
I have a good friend who loves scrapbooking. She used an upcycled baby crib spring to keep her scrapbooking supplies super accessible for the times she was feeling extra creative and needed quick access to scraps.
Your storage bins are vital to the look and organization or your craft room, but you don’t have to go out and spend a ton of money on new bins. Start by taking inventory of the supplies you need to store, then take a walk around the house to see if you have any bins or boxes that will suffice.
“I recommend going somewhere like The Container Store, T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, or Target purely for inspiration. Look at their organization products and compare them to what you already have in your own home, but don’t buy anything new.”
You can even upcycle old boxes and bins — even something as simple as shoeboxes. Try covering the bins with wrapping paper or contact paper. That way you aren’t spending a lot of money on fancy bins with lids.
Keep in mind the overall look you’re after. If you want to see your craft supplies to stay inspired, consider clear bins. If you’ll be bothered by the visual clutter, go with bins and boxes that are fully concealed.
Labels And Stickers On Craft Room Drawers
Visual labels and stickers are super helpful for keeping your craft room as organized as possible. Everyone has a different system for labeling, so you have to know what works for you. Color coding is a pretty popular method, but I’m a simple guy, so I tend to stick to white labels, if I use them at all.
If you’re going for a minimal look, try placing labels on the upper lip of your drawers of bins. That way, when you slide them out to use you can see the category label, but you can’t see the label from the front face of the drawer or bin.
For yarn, I’ve seen most people use large furniture to stack their spools — something like a large bookcase, a cube storage shelf, or hanging shelves on the wall that you can easily pull spools off of.
However, not everyone takes this approach. If you don’t want your spools on display, I’ve also seen people use wicker baskets to keep their spools in. Both methods work well to give you easy access to your yarn and keep it sorted by color.
One helpful idea for organizing ribbon and thread in a craft room is to use drawers that have poles on the top, so you can keep supplies in the drawers below as well as display the ribbon colors you use most often.
They can also work with a small roller cart and a storage bin with holes. This hack is genius because you can slide the rolls of ribbon onto wooden sticks and slide them through the storage bin holes.
You can even display your ribbon or thread on the wall with hooks or nails, or buy an organization wall hanging that already has hooks on it. This way, you can simply slide your spools of thread or ribbon onto the wall when you’re done.
Colored washi tape, duct tape, and other types of tape with vibrant patterns have become more popular in the crafting world in the last few years. To keep your tape sorted and separate, try using a wooden box with a beam in the middle to separate types and colors.
Another hack I absolutely love is to hang embroidery hoops along the wall and slide your tape onto the hoop. This hack is aesthetically pleasing, simple, and gives you quick access.
Use Bottles To Sort Glitters And Beads In Your Craft Room
Craft supplies that are super tiny like glitter, beads, buttons, or other small items can be harder to manage. One tip for keeping track of glitter or beads is to organize them with plastic water bottles, old shampoo or soap bottles, spice containers, or other kinds of bottles you could repurpose. You can sort them by color, category, or purpose.
Whether you want to sort your paper by project, color, thickness, or another deciphering factor, you’ll need a system to keep it sorted. Lots of crafters invest in paper storage towers with slots for each kind of paper. I’ve also seen people use colored file folders to divide up their different options.
Fabrics tend to take up a lot of space in a craft room. If you’re looking for inspiration for sorting your fabrics, try a large furniture item like a dresser or cabinet with drawers, and measure out the depth and desired width needed for your fabric inventory.
Ideas For Organizing Your Paints In A Crafting Room
There are tons of types of paints that crafters love to use. Acrylic, oil paints, watercolors, paint pens, chalk paint, and more — how do you keep it all sorted? I’ve had friends who use office clamps to hang their paints on the wall. That way, they can see all of the different types of paints they own and have easy access to what they need for each project.
Keeping Your Markers, Pencils, And Pens Clutter Free
If you’re an avid crafter, you probably have more markers, pens, pencils, and crayons than you know what to do with! Try using glass jars to separate your supplies. It looks clean and gives you quick access to your supplies. You can also try having a pail or bucket for each category, then use dividers to separate your supplies by color or style.
Inspiration For Keeping Glue, Scissors, And More Tidy
For the extra supplies that may not fit into another category like glue, scissors, erasers, staples, glue guns, or other crafting tools, there are many different ways you can go about keeping them sorted.
If you want them out of the way, try sorting in drawers with an organizer or dividers. To keep items on display, use fishhooks or another kind of hook so you can grab them quickly and start your work day. You could also try a wooden or metal stand to sit supplies on that you use every single day.
How To Stay Organized With Many Art Projects At Once
One thing about creatives is that we often have lots of ideas moving around in our minds at one time. I spend most days juggling hundreds of different visions for new projects and going down creative rabbit holes while only having the time to actually start one or two of them.
The Tiny Life, most of the work I do is tracked digitally. If you’re a visual artist, this gets extremely messy, fast. How do you stay organized when that’s your reality?
Create Work-In-Progress Boxes
Creating work-in-progress boxes is a wise way to store stuff for the projects you haven’t quite wrapped up. It keeps your craft room clean because you aren’t leaving those projects sprawled out all over the table.
You might consider having a work-in-progress shelf separate from your other supply shelves. You can even have an individual box or bin for each craft that isn’t complete. When you’re done with a project for the day, neatly put the supplies in your box and store it away. Then, pull it off the shelf the next time you’re ready to work.
Use A Display Rack For Large Projects
A display rack is a smart edition to any craft room to store unfinished projects that don’t quite fit in a bin or a box — like huge posters and large canvases.
Display racks are helpful for rotating crafts that you want to come back to later and need off of your work table. They’re also great for finished pieces and seasonal décor that you want to rotate through your home.
Create One Work-In-Progress Table
This tip is helpful for organization in the office, tool shed, and especially craft rooms. When my friend brought the idea of a work-in-progress table to my attention, I knew it was going to help me out with my construction projects.
Creating a working table that’s entirely separate from my work-in-progress table is extremely helpful for me. I can move what I’m currently working on out of the way from other projects I haven’t finished and leave a fresh, clean space for whatever I choose to work on that day.
Top-Notch Items To Outfit Your Dream Craft Room
With something like crafting, even if you put in the effort to upcycle and repurpose what you already own, sometimes it’s just worth investing in high-quality products. Here’s a list of items my crafting aficionado pals have told me are actually worth spending money on at the end of the day.
Cricut Maker
There’s a reason so many creative people are obsessed with the Cricut. It truly can meet any die cutting needs you may possibly have. The smart machine can cut paper, vinyl, and even wood, fabrics, leather, or cork with the correct blades. Its intricate capabilities allow you to create and print infinite designs.
Similar to the Cricut, the Silhouette can uses a blade and Bluetooth technology to cut over 100 different materials including paper, cardstock, vinyl, and fabric to help you create your dream crafts.
With the Cricut Vinyl Heat Press, you can easily press heat-transfer vinyl onto t-shirts, tote bags, leather notebooks, shoes, towels, or even wood. Additionally, the product is small and compact, which makes it simple to transport.
This wireless hot glue gun by Ryobi is awesome for all your hot gluing needs. Owning a wireless glue gun is a crafting essential. No one likes to mess with cords that get in your way. This glue gun also comes with its own charger.
As far as sewing machines go, the Singer M1000 is a fan favorite. It’s simple, portable and easy for a beginner to use. It’s also pretty lightweight and useful for seam repairing.
This rolling kitchen cart is great for organizing your basic craft supplies. It’s super durable, easily transportable, and lightweight yet sturdy. I like that it’s metal, so it’s not flimsy like some plastic organizers tend to be.
An extra durable, good pair of scissors is a necessity for crafting. These Fiskars scissors are ideal for cutting a wide variety of materials including paper, cardboard, tape and many more types of material.
Many crafters also need a decorative scissor set. This is, in my opinion, the best set of basic crafting scissors where you get the most bang for your buck. You get six pairs of scissors, each with a different decorative edge. The designs cover all your basic cutting needs without getting too pricy like some of the fancier sets.
This paper cutter by Westcott is a classic. It uses titanium bonded cutting technology and three steel blades to get the job done. A paper cutter is a pretty basic necessity in the crafting world, so you want to make sure you buy one that isn’t too expensive but is high quality and can last several years.
A tool kit is also an essential for any avid crafter, as you never know when you’ll need which tools. You want to stay prepared and have all the tools you might need on hand! This tool kit by Dremel includes a 4000 corded rotary tool, four attachments, 34 accessories, a plastic storage case, and an accessory case to meet your needs.
Investing in a good cutting mat is a must for the crafting and building world. You don’t want to wear out a cheap cutting mat quickly and have to buy a new one super quickly! This self-healing cutting mat by Fiskars is extra durable and lasts a long time. It’s good to have around for sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, stationary and more.
This titanium rotary cutter is ideal because it works for both right and left handers, so there’s no need to buy two cutters. It has a roller cutter with an adjustable blade for cutting multiple layers, sewing, patchwork, and other types of papercraft projects.
At the end of the day, there are hundreds of systems and hacks for organizing and decluttering your craft room. The way you choose to categorize and sort your arts and craft supplies should match with your personality and habits as a creative. I hope some of these decluttering ideas help you curate a craft room that inspires you.
Your Turn!
How will you declutter your craft room this week?
What supplies will you keep? What will you get rid of?
As an introvert, I find that quiet time alone is the best way to recharge my mental batteries, but everyone can benefit from taking the time to seek some mental clarity in their own way. Wherever you live, finding places to go alone to clear your head can help you get back to life with a renewed sense of peace.
Hi, I’m Ryan
A long walk in the woods filled with introspection has been a godsend when life gets complicated or when I have a million thoughts racing through my head. Using introspection to clear my head has been a powerful tool to calm the noise.