This Under-Sink Organizer Works Just as Good in Your Pantry — We Tried It Ourselves!
There are few things I love more than items that can be used in all sorts of ways — especially organizers, which can get expensive if you’re buying them for specific areas of your home. When I need to get a space under control, I like to look around the house and see what I can repurpose before I decide to buy anything new. And that’s what brings me to this $30 under-the-sink organizer. It’s technically meant to be used under the kitchen (or bathroom) sink — ideally to hold cleaning supplies or toiletries, as The Container Store would lead you to believe.
2-Drawer Mesh Organizer
I had actually been using it as a mail holder until I switched to a basket system. That’s when I realized that my two-tiered basket would be a perfect spice organizer in the pantry. All my little jars had been unceremoniously shoved into the slim pantry in my condo kitchen. Whenever I’d been cooking or baking, I’d have to reach in and just hope to pull out the right spice. (I wouldn’t and so would begin an exercise in taking out almost a dozen jars in search of the right one!)
Because my pantry is tall and deep, with only three big shelves, I realized this former mail holder would be perfect because it would help me take advantage of the vertical space. I put the less-used items — like pumpkin pie spice, nonpareils, black lava salt, and allspice — on the bottom tier toward the back. The jars I reach for the most — Trader Joe’s Chili Lime, cumin, garlic powder, Everything but the Bagel seasoning, and my truffle salt — also went in the bottom drawer, but in the front. In the top drawer I put the things I use moderately often, like nutmeg, paprika, and Old Bay seasoning. These drawers slide on their foundation, so I can reach in and slide out the bin, grabbing what I need without completely rearranging the pantry spice shelf.
If you are short on space and have many spices like me, try this out. I actually got a second one because I realized it’s also good for other pantry items including canned goods and jars of nut butter.
Again, when I found this organizer, it was being touted as an organizer for under-the-sink cleaning items, but I used it for paper items, and now, it has found a cherished, much-used double-duty role for organizing my cooking and baking spices. Even if you don’t decide to get this organizer, I hope I’ve inspired you to get creative and consider other uses for what you have.
Have you repurposed any organizers in your home? Tell us in the comments below!
Buy: 2-Drawer Mesh Organizer, $29.99
