5 Kitchen Hacks to Minimize Waste and Save Money

Whether you just organized your huge kitchen for the holidays, or you have a small kitchen that you have a hard time navigating, there are a lot of ways you can save money when it comes to this most essential part of your home. By using a little creativity, along with utilizing the space you already have, making just a few simple changes will make a difference in your bank account.

The experts with Art of Drawers would like to share five kitchen hacks that might allow you to leave a little more money in your wallet. We can also show you ways to organize not only your kitchen, but the rest of your home, in ways that will make your life a whole lot easier. Just contact us online or give us a call at (770) 800-8410 to learn more.

 Create Mason Jar Shakers

If you have an old mason jar, you can easily turn it into a sugar shaker. You can do the same thing for salt, pepper and just about any other type of seasoning, for that matter. Here’s what you’ll need.

• Mason jars and lids
• Cardboard sugar container
• Pair of scissors
• Hot glue gun
• Black marker
• Paintbrush (optional)
• Container of acrylic paint (optional)

How to do it:

(These instructions will only cover making a sugar shaker. But you can do the same thing for salt, pepper and other seasoners.)

• Take the top off of the sugar container using the scissors. Put the lid of the jar on top of the container, and then use the black marker to trace around it. Make sure you include the area where you pour the sugar out.
• Cut around the mark you just made and pop it inside the lid to make sure it fits. Put drops of hot glue on the container top to ensure a snug fit.
• Fill the jar with sugar and screw on the lid.

Make Good Use of Your Freezer

If you’ve recently remodeled and now you have a dream kitchen, there’s a pretty high likelihood you have a good-sized freezer. Do you find that food in your refrigerator tends to go bad too often? Your freezer could help keep that from happening, and keep you from wasting money as well.

Pay close attention to the “use by” date on items such as meat. Use freezer paper to wrap the meat, and then put it in a freezer bag that has an airtight seal. In many cases, foods can last for at least six months if frozen at a temperature of 0°F. You can also freeze fruits, vegetables, bread and other types of foods in order to extend their lifespan.

Use Drawer Inserts to Prevent Food from Going Bad

Another good idea will be to put drawer inserts in your refrigerator. Put the items that are close to expiring in one area, trying to keep like items together if possible. The next time you go to the store, you’ll be able to quickly determine what items you need to stock up on. This could also keep you from having to make a trip to just get a couple of things. We all know that can quickly turn into buying 10 or more items.

Label Everything in Your Pantry

The better organized your pantry, the less of a chance you’ll wind up buying something you already have – and didn’t know it. There’s a good chance you bought a lot of snacks and other items over the holidays to keep your guests happy. A lot of that stuff might still be good. You can keep certain types of dry food in clear plastic containers regular than their original packaging, and label those containers clearly. That way you’ll know exactly what you have, and how much you have.

Get Innovative with Your Storage Space

Organizing your kitchen can do more than just make things a lot more efficient – it could also help you save a few bucks. There’s nothing more frustrating than buying new cooking or eating utensils because your old ones were buried underneath something and you forgot they were there. Or, they’ve been hidden so long, and became so dirty, that you simply don’t want to use them any longer.

Here are a few tips to help you get better organized:

• Separate your cooking spoons, whisks and spatulas in different areas of your drawers (this is another area where drawer inserts can come in handy) so you’ll know where they are. This will also save you time, because you won’t have to go through a frantic search for a specific tool while preparing a meal.
• Install some hooks on your kitchen walls to hang things like coffee mugs. You’ll be able to clearly see them, and you’ll be less likely to have to buy a new mug because you accidentally knocked it off the shelf.
• Add a magnetic shelf to the side of your refrigerator to store spices that you tend to use most often. You’ll be able to find them fast, and you’ll be less likely to buy new ones as a result.

Contact Art of Drawers for a Free Design Consultation

Art of Drawers is staffed with professionals who can suggest other ways to breathe new life into your kitchen while helping you save some money in the process.

If you have a cluttered kitchen, we have solutions that will not only help you save money, but also a lot of frustration. Your kitchen should be a source of joy, not stress. Our custom-crafted products will help you get the most out of this part of your home, while removing the annoyance. We’ll help you save time on preparing your food, cooking your meals, cleaning up afterward, and much more.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with an Art of Drawers expert to learn more about how we can make your kitchen a much more efficient place to be. Contact us online at your earliest convenience, or call (770) 800-8410.