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11 Tricks That Will Double Your Refrigerator Space

Pack in all your groceries—and then actually find them again—with these clever ideas.

By Rheanna O'Neil Bellomo and Lauren Smith
Organized Fridges

Pack in all your groceries—and then actually find them again—with these clever ideas.

1

Buy Sliding Bins With Handles

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Courtesy of One Good Thing By Jillee

When you're forced to jam groceries into even the farthest corner, it's a total hassle to retrieve them later. Deep bins mean you can pull out sections of stuff in one quick movement — and avoid the daily excavation at dinnertime.

See more at One Good Thing By Jillee »

2

Label Everything

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Courtesy of The Social Home

Because when items have specific homes, less clutter collects. And if you're feeling especially motivated, transfer store-bought foods, like hummus and salsa, into matching labeled jars for easier stacking and identifying.

See more at The Social Home »

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3

Add a Bonus Shelf

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Courtesy of Craig Lloyd

Instead of storing tall items like juice standing up, lay them on their side so you can add an extra shelf above them for more storage.

See more at Lifehacker »

4

Try a Binder Clip Trick

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Courtesy of Adam Pash

Stacking is essential in a tiny space, but can get messy. Prevent items like beer bottles from rolling around by strategically placing a binder clip onto a wire shelf.

See more at Lifehacker »

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5

Line Your Shelves

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Courtesy of I Heart Organizing

Sometimes the transparent shelves makes a fridge feel like a black hole. Line your shelves with plastic mats to visually organize things, and make clean-up easier. If you spot a spill, you can simply remove and wipe, instead of crouching and reaching to quickly contain the mess.

Get the tutorial at I Heart Organizing »

6

Divide Your Freezer Space Wisely

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Simply Organized

Using magazine or file holders to divvy up space in your freezer will keep things tidy and prevent those dreaded frozen food avalanches. 

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7

Give a Lazy Susan a Whirl

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Courtesy of 'a Casarella

Our favorite salt and pepper passer is also handy when it comes to condiments in your fridge. Put jars of food you use less frequently (think horseradish verses mayo) on a lazy Susan so you can maximize shelf space, but keep everything in easy reach.

See more at Hometalk »

8

Turn An Egg Carton Into A Condiment Organizer

Alton Brown's genius idea will keep all your sauces in order, plus storing them upside down means you'll get good use of them—down to the last drop. 

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9

Use Both Sides of Your Shelf

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Courtesy of Organizing With a Side of Fabulous

Binder clips to the rescue — again! Hang bags of food (think lettuce or shredded cheese) from individual wires on your shelves to reclaim dead air space.

See more at Organizing With a Side of Fabulous »

10

Make a List (And Then Slash It)

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Courtesy of The Seaside Bohemian

Since space is precious, ensure everything in your fridge is something you actually want (or better, need). Every time you add a new item, put it on a list so you know what you have, what can go, and what you need to eat ASAP.

See more at The Seaside Bohemian »

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11

Repurpose Six Pack Containers

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Courtesy of Homedit

These six-unit cardboard boxes are perfect for storing similar-sized items like mustard and hot sauce, and then you can carry them to the table or counter in one fell swoop. Plus, the added container helps you fill even shallow door space with larger items.

See more at Homedit »

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