How Do You Organize Your Fridge and Freezer?

The best way to organize a fridge and freezer is to group foods by type, use different temperature zones appropriately, keep older items visible, and avoid overcrowding shelves and drawers. A good organization system can make food easier to find, help you use ingredients before they spoil, and allow cold air to circulate.

Before reorganizing, check your refrigerator manufacturer’s instructions for appliance-specific guidance. Then remove expired or spoiled food, wipe down shelves and drawers, and start with a clean space.

Where Should Food Go in the Refrigerator?

Refrigerator temperatures can vary by model and location within the appliance, so always follow your refrigerator’s instructions. In general, organizing food by type and food-safety needs can make your fridge easier to use.

• Upper and middle shelves: Store leftovers, prepared foods, deli items, and other ready-to-eat foods.
• Lower shelves: Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood below ready-to-eat foods to reduce the risk of drips contaminating other items. Store them in sealed containers or on a plate or tray.
• Crisper drawers: Use these for fruits and vegetables. If your refrigerator has adjustable humidity drawers, follow the manufacturer’s settings for different types of produce.
• Refrigerator door: Reserve the door for items that can better tolerate temperature changes, such as condiments, sauces, pickles, and some beverages.

What Should You Store in the Refrigerator Door?

The refrigerator door typically experiences more temperature fluctuation because it is exposed to warmer air whenever the door opens.

Use refrigerator door shelves for items such as:

• Condiments
• Sauces
• Pickles
• Jams and preserves
• Beverages that require refrigeration

Avoid packing the door so tightly that you can’t easily see what you have. Keeping items visible makes it easier to use them before they expire.

How Should You Organize Refrigerator Shelves?

Group similar foods together so you can quickly see what you have. For example, keep leftovers in one area, dairy products in another, and ready-to-eat foods together.

A first-in, first-out system can also help reduce food waste. Move older foods toward the front and place newer purchases behind them so you’re more likely to use older items first.

If something needs to be eaten soon, place it somewhere visible rather than letting it disappear behind other containers.

How Should You Organize Crisper Drawers?

Crisper drawers are designed to help store fruits and vegetables. If your refrigerator has separate humidity controls, use the settings recommended by the manufacturer for the produce you’re storing.

Avoid overfilling the drawers. Keeping produce organized and visible can make it easier to see what you have and use it before it spoils.

What Foods Don’t Always Need to Be Refrigerated?

Not every food needs to go straight into the refrigerator. Depending on the item and its ripeness, foods such as whole tomatoes, potatoes, onions, bananas, avocados, honey, and unopened whole melons may be stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry pantry.

Storage recommendations can change once food is cut, cooked, opened, or fully ripened. Always follow package instructions and food-safety guidance when you’re unsure.

How Should You Organize a Freezer?

Organize your freezer by grouping similar foods together. If your freezer has shelves or drawers, designate different areas for categories such as:

• Meat and seafood
• Fruits and vegetables
• Breakfast foods
• Prepared meals
• Leftovers

Freezer-safe bins can also help separate categories and keep smaller packages from getting lost.

When practical, store compatible packaged foods vertically rather than piling them on top of one another. For soups, sauces, and other liquids, freezer-safe bags can be frozen flat to save space once fully frozen.

How Can You Help Prevent Freezer Burn?

Use airtight, freezer-safe packaging and remove as much excess air as practical before freezing food. Labeling packages and rotating older foods toward the front can also help you use frozen foods while they’re still at their best quality.

Keep in mind that freezer burn affects food quality rather than making properly frozen food unsafe to eat.

Should You Label Food in the Fridge and Freezer?

Yes. Labeling food can make it easier to identify what you have and how long it has been stored.

Consider including:

• The name of the food
• The date it was stored or frozen
• Reheating or cooking instructions, when helpful

If you regularly buy in bulk, keeping a simple freezer inventory can also help prevent duplicate purchases and remind you what needs to be used.

How Can You Keep a Fridge and Freezer Organized?

The easiest way to keep a refrigerator and freezer organized is to give different types of food a designated place, keep frequently used items visible, rotate older food forward, and avoid overcrowding the space.

A quick check before grocery shopping can also help. Look through your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry before making your list so you know what you already have.

If kitchen cabinets and pantry shelves are getting crowded, a storage unit can provide additional space for nonperishable household items, kitchen equipment, serving pieces, or other belongings that don’t need to stay in the kitchen every day. Moving those less frequently used items elsewhere can free up valuable storage space at home.

A little organization can go a long way: keep food visible, give everything a place, and use what you have first.

Need more space to keep your home organized? Public Storage offers convenient storage units to help you free up room for the things you use every day.