Food Storage Ideas Perfect for Sustainable Shopping
Trying to cut down on food packaging? Take a look at these ideas for maxing storage to stash bulkier purchases
Kate Burt
31 August 2020
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
Whether you want to save money or reduce packaging when purchasing your staple pantry items or favourite foods, buying loose or shopping for bigger bags of something can make good sense. But if you’re wondering how or where you’d store everything, read on… These ideas might inspire you to see how you could stretch the space you already have or build clever storage ideas into an upcoming renovation project.
optimise-design.com
Rethink dining or living room storage
In an open-plan kitchen, there’s often zoning in place to differentiate between the cooking and dining or living spaces, but that doesn’t mean a red line must be drawn to differentiate the storage, too.
In this shelving unit, part of a design by Optimise Home, the open shelving – housing books, plants and music – lends a living space feel to the room. However, there’s still heaps of closed storage above and below that could accommodate a hearty quantity of food cupboard overspill that would still be within easy reach when required. A freestanding sideboard could equally be requisitioned.
In an open-plan kitchen, there’s often zoning in place to differentiate between the cooking and dining or living spaces, but that doesn’t mean a red line must be drawn to differentiate the storage, too.
In this shelving unit, part of a design by Optimise Home, the open shelving – housing books, plants and music – lends a living space feel to the room. However, there’s still heaps of closed storage above and below that could accommodate a hearty quantity of food cupboard overspill that would still be within easy reach when required. A freestanding sideboard could equally be requisitioned.
Stash under the stairs
Who says you need to keep all your shopping in the kitchen area? For non-perishable food not in daily use, it makes sense to store it elsewhere, such as in the hall, if space in the kitchen is tight.
This idea, designed and built by Clever Closet, shows just one way to configure the area under the stairs. Here, handleless, push-to-open drawers make for a solution you’d hardly notice when closed.
Check out the Houzz Professionals Directory for a list of Home Storage Designers & Professional Organisers in your area.
Who says you need to keep all your shopping in the kitchen area? For non-perishable food not in daily use, it makes sense to store it elsewhere, such as in the hall, if space in the kitchen is tight.
This idea, designed and built by Clever Closet, shows just one way to configure the area under the stairs. Here, handleless, push-to-open drawers make for a solution you’d hardly notice when closed.
Check out the Houzz Professionals Directory for a list of Home Storage Designers & Professional Organisers in your area.
If you have something approaching head height in your understairs area, you could also consider a compact, walk-in pantry or, as seen in this sleek design by ALL & NXTHING, a full-height set of shelves concealed behind flush, handleless cupboard doors.
Give your garage a thought
If you’re lucky enough to have a garage, are you putting it to the best use?
In this converted example, Garage Guru Enlightened Storage has installed horizontal cladding that facilitates hanging baskets to be stacked up the walls – perfect for taking care of non-perishables and drinks bottles. You could also consider a spare freezer and overspill kitchen units if there’s space. With careful design, there can still be room for a car.
If you’re lucky enough to have a garage, are you putting it to the best use?
In this converted example, Garage Guru Enlightened Storage has installed horizontal cladding that facilitates hanging baskets to be stacked up the walls – perfect for taking care of non-perishables and drinks bottles. You could also consider a spare freezer and overspill kitchen units if there’s space. With careful design, there can still be room for a car.
Steal room from your shed
The garden shed doesn’t only need to be available for bike or garden-related storage. This design, by Georgia Lindsay Garden Design, was made bespoke and is taller than average, reaching the top of the fence. At ground level, it has space for bike storage, but above, there are shelves to make it a brilliantly functional storage area.
As with the garage in the previous photo, this could provide invaluable space for non-perishables or things in tins, jars or bottles. Consider pull-outs or racks if you’re having something designed from scratch, for ease of access and visibility.
The garden shed doesn’t only need to be available for bike or garden-related storage. This design, by Georgia Lindsay Garden Design, was made bespoke and is taller than average, reaching the top of the fence. At ground level, it has space for bike storage, but above, there are shelves to make it a brilliantly functional storage area.
As with the garage in the previous photo, this could provide invaluable space for non-perishables or things in tins, jars or bottles. Consider pull-outs or racks if you’re having something designed from scratch, for ease of access and visibility.
Don’t forget pets
Buying your dog or cat’s dry food in bulk is often much cheaper, but then you have to find somewhere to put a vast 12kg sack… This idea, devised by South End Kitchens, uses the same design as many pull-out kitchen waste bins and solves the problem. It also means you won’t have to top up too frequently, either.
Bulk-bought packs of wet food could also be stacked up in the other bin.
The food bowls drawer takes the concept to the next level.
Buying your dog or cat’s dry food in bulk is often much cheaper, but then you have to find somewhere to put a vast 12kg sack… This idea, devised by South End Kitchens, uses the same design as many pull-out kitchen waste bins and solves the problem. It also means you won’t have to top up too frequently, either.
Bulk-bought packs of wet food could also be stacked up in the other bin.
The food bowls drawer takes the concept to the next level.
Aim high
Full-height cabinetry (accessed by a bespoke ladder) to pack in more cupboard space is just one of the smart ways interior designer Claudia Dorsch boosted the kitchen storage in this flat.
Getting a designer to help you plan your storage means you can tailor it around the size of the things you want to use it for. They’ll almost certainly come up with ideas you hadn’t thought of, too.
High-level cupboards are very useful for stashing items not in daily use. If you’ve bought large containers, you can decant what you need into manageable jars or boxes for regular use, topping up when required.
See the rest of this beautifully designed flat.
Full-height cabinetry (accessed by a bespoke ladder) to pack in more cupboard space is just one of the smart ways interior designer Claudia Dorsch boosted the kitchen storage in this flat.
Getting a designer to help you plan your storage means you can tailor it around the size of the things you want to use it for. They’ll almost certainly come up with ideas you hadn’t thought of, too.
High-level cupboards are very useful for stashing items not in daily use. If you’ve bought large containers, you can decant what you need into manageable jars or boxes for regular use, topping up when required.
See the rest of this beautifully designed flat.
Relocate your washing machine
We tend to locate our washing machine in a kitchen or utility room, but is it always the best use of space? Finding room under the stairs, on a landing or in the garage could free up valuable room in your kitchen to create a cupboard or drawers for food – even a pantry, if you’re able to go up to the ceiling.
This laundry area, designed by architecture and construction firm GO LOGIC, is tucked on a landing. It features a neat sliding door that doesn’t encroach on the thoroughfare when open.
Tell us…
How and where do you store food that’s not in daily use? And which of these ideas would work in your home? Let us know in the Comments.
We tend to locate our washing machine in a kitchen or utility room, but is it always the best use of space? Finding room under the stairs, on a landing or in the garage could free up valuable room in your kitchen to create a cupboard or drawers for food – even a pantry, if you’re able to go up to the ceiling.
This laundry area, designed by architecture and construction firm GO LOGIC, is tucked on a landing. It features a neat sliding door that doesn’t encroach on the thoroughfare when open.
Tell us…
How and where do you store food that’s not in daily use? And which of these ideas would work in your home? Let us know in the Comments.
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The homes illustrated have the storage space many of us are envious of and relocating washing machines ain't cheap. I think most of us have looked at potential space for all manner of storage, even the obvious, under the bed though it's good Feng Shui to keep that area clear. I admit to one small box of stuff to sell on eBay... when I get round to it. But nonetheless some good ideas though I wouldn't store food in that top picture. Wine ok but food items?? Would totally spoil the look and yes, Picasso, cars are rarely kept in garages... They're rammed to the gunnels with tools, garden gear, camping stuff and bikes!!
Trying to relocate my washer and dryer in new spaces such as under the stairs or into built in cupboards was so challenging with my builders. Pipework, condensation etc they just didn't want to commit to doing it in case we complained in the future
I love these sliding doors and am seeing more of them - Hooray. They don't encroach on space. There is a definite lack of skirting boards too. Fantastic. Fed up of cleaning the skirting boards and what are they for in any case? Sometimes we just go along with tradition.