Under $20 Dollar Tree Fridge Makeover

7 Materials
$13
1 Hour
Easy

Y'all, I'm so happy about this project! I've been going on a binge organization trip around my house and my fridge was the next in line to get overhauled. What's even better is that I spent less than $20 doing it!

Ok let's get real--who has this same expression when they open their fridge?

SUPPLIES: - plastic placemats - baskets/bins - containers (store bought and leftover deli containers) *I wanted to use the magnetic chip clips inside the fridge but they wouldn't stick. :( NOT PICTURED: -labels (I made mine using my Silhouette Cameo machine, 651 vinyl and transfer tape but you can always just write them on a sticker, purchase labels or buy stencils and create your own.

STEP 1: Clear the space Remove items from your fridge or throw out old/expired items. Doing one shelf at a time, I cleared all of fridge items. I threw away any old leftovers or expired foods.

STEP 2: Clean it Still only working with one shelf at a time (I didn't want to overwhelm myself with food all over the floor), I cleaned my fridge--it needed it badly!

STEP 3: Lay out placemats Next, I laid out the plastic place mats I purchased at the Dollar Tree. These added some spunk to my fridge while also making clean ups easy when I have spills or when my fridge just needs a good cleaning.

I had to cut the placemats for them to fit my shelves . These were super easy to cut!

STEP 4: Organize Use baskets/containers to organize. After my placemats were laid out on my shelves, I used little plastic baskets to better organize my bottled goods.

The baskets are also good for items that you use a lot, such as peanut/almond butter and jelly--they're all in one container so you can just pull them all out at once. This is also a good thing when your husband always opens the fridge and asks if we have such-n-such...this way he doesn't have to move things around to look (haha--sorry, babe but this is so true!).

If y'all haven't caught on yet, I shop in bulk for many things, including organic sugar. Though I have a small container of sugar out on our kitchen counter for coffee and everyday use, I leave the rest in the fridge (my mama taught me this)--the huge bag is always in the way, even though I usually store it in the back of the fridge. To solve this issue, I purchased a container at the Dollar Tree for my sugar and I'm so much happier at how I'm able to organize my fridge because of this small change!

STEP 5: Consolidate and organize produce Next, I consolidated my produce. I used clear, deli containers to store things like carrots and celery. Then, I used a dry erase marker to write the use by date on the lids.

For my herbs, I simply placed them in an open deli container by themselves.

STEP 6: Apply labels Finally, my favorite part! I was a little stumped as to how I could label my items and then it dawned on me, "duh Courtney! You can make them using vinyl!" I cut all of the words I wanted with my Silhouette Cameo and then used transfer tape to apply them to the surfaces I needed them on.

Then, I carefully pulled the transfer paper off...

...and made sure there were no air bubbles.

So much better, right?! I think my favorite thing about this whole project was my labels and how it made the whole fridge look more organized. Here's to clean, organized fridges on a small budget! ;)

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Frequently asked questions
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3 of 33 questions
  • Carrie Carrie on Aug 21, 2018

    What font did you use for your decals?

  • Zelda Zelda on Aug 21, 2018

    Tell me more about how you labeled the bins? I'm not sure what transfer tape is and how it works. (and where you get it) Thank you

  • Karen Netherland Karen Netherland on Aug 22, 2018

    Hi Courtney,

    Love your organizational skills! However, I'm stumped about the vinyl computer generated cutouts. Are these just like a stencil you print out and put on something like your vinyl placemats then affix them with the tape?

    Thanks!

    Karen


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  • Ilene Ilene on Aug 21, 2020

    I was constantly moving things around in the fridge. It could be crazy making. Bins made a huge difference. Now, I need to add placemats. Inspired. I have never heard of keeping sugar in the fridge. Learn something every day. Stay healthy & safe!

    • See 1 previous
    • Judy Judy on Aug 22, 2020

      Also, you can freeze flour. Yes, I FREEZE my flour all the time, especially when it's on sale before the holidays! Keeps it fresh, but does not actually freeze it!


  • Ilene Ilene on Aug 23, 2020

    Good to know! Thank you.

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