Today’s guide, Having Storage Space No Matter How Much Space You Have, offers strategies tailored to different living arrangements, helping you create a practical, efficient storage system that suits your needs.
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Planning storage space for food supplies is essential for households of all sizes, from apartments to homes with root cellars. No matter the space available, effective organization and thoughtful storage techniques allow you to maximize your food supply, ensuring it stays fresh and accessible.
The first area to consider in Having Storage Space No Matter How Much Space You Have is the apartment for city folks. Even if you live in a small apartment you can still make space to store and hide things.
1. Apartments
For those living in apartments, storage space can be limited, but several strategies help make the most of the area available. Start by taking stock of every possible storage area: under beds, in closets, on top of cabinets, and in unused corners. You may want to make a list of the spaces and sizes of those spaces. This way you can pencil in where you may want to store things. A finished list should have a final storage list for your foods and goods. Just be sure to keep that list somewhere safe but easy for you to get to. You may need to change things if you rotate supplies or change the kinds of things you keep. Also, you do not want a thief to have immediate access to where you store and hide all your stuff.
Stackable storage bins are particularly helpful, as they allow you to maximize vertical space. Choose bins that are airtight and labeled, making it easy to find items and keep them fresh. Of course, stackable storage is practical for anyone wanting to store pretty much anything. Make sure your bins are up to code to handle the weight of the stuff you are storing in them.
If you don’t have a pantry, consider adding shelving units to closets or purchasing a standing shelf for your kitchen. This creates dedicated food storage space that can hold canned goods, grains, and other non-perishables.
When choosing what to store in small spaces, focus on high-density, long-lasting foods like rice, beans, pasta, and canned items. These staples have a long shelf life and offer versatility in cooking.
Clear plastic containers or glass jars work well for smaller quantities of dried goods, as they fit neatly on shelves, keep contents visible, and protect against pests. Vacuum-sealed bags are also effective for space-saving storage, as they compress bulk items like grains and dried fruits into thin, stackable packages.
Another area to consider in Having Storage Space No Matter How Much Space You Have is how to make space if you are a renter and can not build.
2. Renters
For renters and apartment dwellers with access to a balcony, a small chest freezer can be a worthwhile investment. While freezers take up floor space, they extend your storage capacity significantly, allowing you to stockpile frozen vegetables, meats, and pre-made meals.
A compact freezer on a balcony or in a closet can support a more varied food supply while vacuum-sealing and portioning items for the freezer prevents freezer burn and saves space.
Small Homes are another area to consider in Having Storage Space No Matter How Much Space You Have.
3. Small Homes
In smaller homes without a dedicated pantry, creativity is key to effective storage. Repurpose closets or cabinets as pantry space, adding shelves and baskets for organization. A chest of draws that has an empty draw or two can be good storage for smaller items, even canned food. Those suitcases that you only use on that rare vacation and keep in the top of the closet make for good storage also.
If you really need space, consider under the bed or couch. It may be a bit harder to get to but for long-term storage, it is another unused space in your home.
Under-stair storage, if available, can be transformed into a compact pantry area by installing shelving or using bins for easily stacking items. In multi-purpose spaces, prioritize the essentials—grains, beans, canned proteins, and powdered ingredients—and store bulkier items, like cases of canned goods, in less trafficked areas such as the garage or basement, if available.
Consider rotational storage for smaller spaces, where newer items are added to the back of the shelf, and older items move forward. This ensures you are always using the oldest food first, which minimizes waste. Implementing this system can prevent the need to frequently check expiration dates on all items, as newer purchases are consistently stored behind older ones.
If you have a home with a basement you will have an advantage with Having Storage Space No Matter How Much Space You Have.
4. Homes with Basements
For homes with basements, this added space can become a reliable extension of your food storage, especially when organized effectively. Basements naturally stay cool and dark, ideal conditions for extending the shelf life of many foods.
Dedicate an area of your basement as a pantry, adding heavy-duty shelving for canned goods and dry goods stored in food-grade buckets. Basements allow you to store larger quantities and bulkier items like grains in food-safe buckets, which can be stacked for efficient use of space.
Humidity control is essential in basements, as moisture can cause mold, rust cans, and spoil grains. Use dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels if necessary, especially in humid climates or seasons.
Keep items off the floor by using raised shelving units to avoid potential water damage and improve airflow around the stored food. Food-safe buckets, particularly with gamma-seal lids, work well for grains, beans, and flours, as they protect against pests and moisture. Adding oxygen absorbers to buckets of grains or flours can further extend their shelf life by reducing oxidation and potential insect activity.
A simple and easy way for Having Storage Space No Matter How Much Space You Have is a root cellar. Not everyone has a root cellar and not every home is capable of it but if you have one, you have a great resource for storage.
5. Root Cellars
For those fortunate enough to have a root cellar, this space offers one of the most traditional and effective ways to store food. Root cellars maintain a cool, stable temperature and moderate humidity, ideal for storing vegetables, fruits, and even some fermented foods.
These conditions slow down spoilage, allowing root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and beets to last for months. Unlike a basement, which is typically drier and better suited for canned and packaged goods, a root cellar supports the storage of fresh produce in a natural state.
Organize your root cellar by grouping similar items together and rotating stock based on seasonality and shelf life. Root vegetables generally last longer, while apples, pears, and other fruits may require more careful monitoring.
Avoid placing fruits near vegetables, as fruits release ethylene gas, which can accelerate the ripening and spoilage of nearby produce. Wire racks, crates, and bins help maintain good airflow around each item, minimizing moisture buildup and preventing mold growth.
To make the most of a root cellar’s humidity, consider storing vegetables in damp sand or sawdust, which can help retain their natural moisture content without encouraging mold.
Layer vegetables like carrots or turnips in sand within a crate, leaving space between each layer to prevent bruising or rot. This technique helps maintain a crisp texture and extends the freshness of produce over long periods.
Another way of Having Storage Space No Matter How Much Space You Have is using the garage or that shed behind the house.
6. Garage or Sheds
In homes with garages or sheds, these spaces can provide additional storage with some precautions. Garages and sheds can be subject to extreme temperature fluctuations, which may limit the type of food suitable for storage there.
Canned goods, which can be compromised by freezing or overheating, may not be ideal unless the temperature is controlled. However, sealed grains and dried goods in food-grade buckets can withstand more varied conditions. For best results, use insulated containers or cabinets and try to store food in an area of the garage least exposed to direct sunlight or extreme temperature shifts.
Dry goods can be stored in glass, Mason jars and sealed with an electric vacuum sealer for long-term storage. Once vacuum sealed the dry goods should stay fresh until the seal is broken. Oxygen absorbers can be added for longer-term storage.
Of course, one thing to think about with Having Storage Space No Matter How Much Space You Have is what containers goods are stored in.
7. Mylar Bags
Regardless of the space available, consider the use of Mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and food-grade buckets to enhance storage longevity. Mylar bags are especially useful for dry goods, as they prevent moisture and light from penetrating, while oxygen absorbers remove oxygen, inhibiting mold and insect growth.
Sealed within Mylar bags and stored in sturdy buckets, grains, flours, and even dehydrated fruits or vegetables can be stored for years, creating a sustainable long-term food supply.
A most critical part of Having Storage Space No Matter How Much Space You Have is to be organized with your storage method.
8. Labeling and Organization
Labeling and organizing are crucial in any storage plan. Use clear labels with the contents and storage date on each item or container, which helps you track what needs to be used first.
A master inventory list, either written or digital, makes it easier to keep track of what you have and avoid duplicate purchases. This organization not only streamlines meal planning but also supports efficient rotation, reducing waste.
For households aiming to maximize storage for emergency preparedness, consider organizing foods into categories based on shelf life, dietary needs, or meal types. Grouping foods by categories like proteins, grains, and fruits makes it easier to plan balanced meals.
Additionally, creating a designated “emergency kit” with ready-to-eat items, high-calorie snacks, and instant beverages ensures you have easy access to essential items in case of a power outage or sudden need.
Having Storage Space No Matter How Much Space You Have is by no means a total storage guru. There are so many ways to store goods and so many places you can stuff a few extra meals but this will give you something to think about and a place to start. Once you start thinking about storage and places where you can put things, you will start to see all kinds of possibilities around you.
From small apartments to spacious root cellars, proper planning, smart organization, and careful use of available resources enable you to build a comprehensive food storage system. By understanding the specific needs of your space, you can maintain a balanced and long-lasting pantry that serves your household in times of both everyday convenience and unexpected need.
We hope you get some good ideas from Having Storage Space No Matter How Much Space You Have. Start looking at your available space, not just the common places, but all those other smaller ways you can make a bit more space.
If you are interested in some of our other talks please see the ones below.
Best Times of Year to Buy Bulk Foods
Month 3: Increasing Comfort and Security
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