Asked on Aug 03, 2013

I have a very small fridge, only 4'10"tall. Need help organizing it!!!

Since my fridge is so small it has no crisper drawers for meats,dairy,produce etc... I need ideas for how maximize the space and store everything better.
  24 answers
  • Michelle Michelle on Aug 03, 2013
    HI! I started using clear shoe boxes to organize my food. Or plastic baskets too, That way you can put all similar foods together so all you have to do is pull out the bin! I would take out the shelf in your "crisper" space and replace it with bins/baskets too. Something you can stack vs. just the mess in there now! I say that with a :) Good luck!
  • Sia@South 47th Sia@South 47th on Aug 03, 2013
    @Kimberly Schafer See through bins for sure. Plus see through drink containers. Everything will be matched, fitted and you'll see what you've got. Your 'greens' will last longer as well. Add some waterproof labels that you can re-write on, so you can date everything. Take out anything that absolutely does not need refrigeration and store it in a cool closet. You'll free up some room. ;)
  • Winona Spinks Winona Spinks on Aug 04, 2013
    I use carousel type Lazy Susans to make it easy to reach everything without having to take things out to get to stuff in the back.
  • Z Z on Aug 04, 2013
    Ah, an apartment size fridge. That can be rough. I agree with the ladies in using smaller basket/trays to group like items together. I highly recommend Rubbermaid Produce Saver. They really do keep your veggies fresh longer. I've gotten them at WM and KM, but I would think T carries them too. http://img4-1.realsimple.timeinc.net/images/0811/produce-saver_300.jpg They not only keep your veggies fresher they stack very well.
  • Maura Garrett Maura Garrett on Aug 06, 2013
    Stick with rectangular containers and put round items to one side. Clear pullout containers help and I always TRY to put the older food in front when I restock the fridge. I clean the fridge first, make a grocery list, shop and then restock. Some items have permanent places like milk and tea jugs. The older food goes in front. If I follow this, I save money because there is less waste. I am still trying to train my teens to do this.
  • Bonnie Bonnie on Aug 06, 2013
    Stackable clear plastic shoe box type containers for the veggie 'crisper'. Stackable Rubbermaid or Tupperware type containers & I label them. Try to always put fridge contents,.. back in the same place..eg eggs always in the top left side, bacon on top of it. Another thing that helps, is to clean & chop the veggies as you buy them, instead of as you use them ...they take less space that way. Use up 1 jar of jam, pickles etc.. before buying the next jar. And try to buy groceries as you need them. Instead of buying a weeks worth of groceries, buy for 3-4 days at a time... your food will be fresher too. Only buy what you need, not any extra's, to eliminate having a fridge full of too many leftovers. Good luck!
  • Vicki T Vicki T on Aug 06, 2013
    I also use a lazy susan. Thought it was a crazy idea til I tried it. Works great for us.
  • Barb Keryan Barb Keryan on Aug 06, 2013
    The box/bin idea helps keep shelves cleaner which is a timesaver in the long run. Clear containers also help make your frig. light more effective.
  • Nora Q Nora Q on Aug 06, 2013
    Clear bins for sure and a lazy susan I have used both.....and use freeze dried foods for items that go bad or there is not a lot of room for when you cook. I have a fridge that is too big and I can't get to the back to the upper shelves... so there is a plus to small!
  • Dee209363 Dee209363 on Aug 06, 2013
    I just see a little rearranging will make a big difference for you. The taller items to the back. You have stackable containers, but you don't have them stacked. I make labels and date them when I put mine in the frig. I see you have your milk on the door. This is not a good idea. It should be on the refrigerator shelf, as the door is uneven temperature. It will be colder and last longer. :) With putting your milk on a shelf, this will free up some space on the door for your jarred food items. Instead of the open wire basket on the bottom, you have a lot of great space that is going to waste, may I suggest measuring the space you have there, and pick up some wicker or sturdy cloth containers to put your veggies in? Sealed containers will keep them crisp as well. Someone suggested clear shoe boxes. That's a great idea for your cheese and cheese sticks or your celery and carrots, etc. It may take you a little bit of extra time to reorganize your frig space, but in the long run it will save you lots of energy and time. Have fun!! :)
  • June June on Aug 06, 2013
    Bed, Bath and Beyond sells little drawers and compartments for the fridge. It will help keep it organized.
  • Barbara Bamber Barbara Bamber on Aug 07, 2013
    Ditto on the lazy susan.. they come in different sizes and make a huge difference for accessibility.. good luck!! Post an "after" picture for us:D
  • Carol S Carol S on Aug 07, 2013
    Organizing someone elses fridge is tough. We have a side by side & I am always moving things around but we have drawers. For me I found putting items we use most, front & center or on the door. I see you have a variety of beverages. Think about moving them all to the bottom of the fridge, the milk, too. Don't forget that unused space in the back maybe the eggs could go there instead. The vegies could go on the door or in bins. The suggestions above will help for sure!
  • Cheryl NY Cheryl NY on Aug 07, 2013
    I also have a small (14 cu') fridge and am loving these space saving ideas - thank you SO much! The top shelf is my major problem, but the shoe boxes with solve that. :)
  • Carol S Carol S on Aug 07, 2013
    I know things are tight - when I buy FOOD in plastic containers, I select the ones that suit the spaces in the fridge & reuse them.
  • Debbie Traynor Debbie Traynor on Aug 07, 2013
    I don't know how old your fridge is, but the newer ones are MUCH more energy efficient and would cost LESS to run! My suggestion would be, if money is tight, (and who's isn't), is to go on your local Craigslist to find a nicer, BIGGER, used one!
  • Kathie taylor Kathie taylor on Aug 07, 2013
    Bed bath and Beyond has marvelous clear plastic containers designed for the fridge...I have two and LOVE them. They come in several widths as well.
  • Kimberly Schafer Kimberly Schafer on Aug 07, 2013
    Thank you all SO much for the suggestions. I am actually renting this apartment so purchasing a different fridge isn't an option or me :( and I've tried for a year now to keep things in proper places and etc but nothing seemed to be working and honestly I wad giving up. This fridge proved to very difficult for me when looking for decent containers to fit :/ but I managed to find some! The bottom shelf was too small for shoe box containers and and there is very little space on the top shelf as well, even adjusting the shelf height didn't work. This is what I was able to come up with thanks to all the GREAT suggestions!
  • Kimberly Schafer Kimberly Schafer on Aug 07, 2013
    Sorry I tried uploading a picture but it isn't allowing me to in the comments area. I'm still not sure on how to do things on hometalk, so will it only allow me to post a picture on my actual page?
  • Kimberly Schafer Kimberly Schafer on Aug 07, 2013
    Wow! I didn't even think to do that, thanks @Becky! :)
  • Z Z on Aug 07, 2013
    You're welcome. If you'd like I can save that picture to my computer and then add it here for you. Or you can try again by clicking on the Add Photos or Videos below, but my guess is you already tried that and it didn't work for you.
  • Lynn Jordan Lynn Jordan on Jan 17, 2014
    TRY THIS
  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Oct 01, 2022

    I have several organizing posts that might help you https://chascrazycreations.com/diys/how-tos/organizing/