Don’t you just love organizing with bins? I get so excited when I go to a store and see cute bins. The possibilities of where I could use them are endless. Sometimes, if it’s really cute (and cheap), I’ll get it even if I can’t envision where I’ll use it. If it’s that cute, I’ll find a place for it!
Last weekend my hubby and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary. My awesome friend (the one who made graham cracker gingerbread houses with our kids), watched the kiddos so we could go on a little getaway. We had a great time. It was so nice (and quiet!) just to actually have some alone time to talk, and tour a town we’d never stayed in before.
You did catch that I said “new town”, didn’t you? You know what that means…new shops! My poor husband. He is such a good sport. I need to plan a trip with some friends for a shopping weekend. Every time my husband and I get away, I find the greatest shops. I try not to make him suffer, but sometimes I just can’t help it. When gift, kitchen, home decor, or organizing stores abound, I am on Cloud 9!
So, after dragging him into a home decor shop for a “quick” stop, I found some great baskets and a few other things. But, my greatest find was actually after we got home. We swung by Target (actually he dropped me off while he went to pick up pizza with all four kids) (did I mention how great he is?) On second thought, maybe he needed a respite from the shopping. Well, he’s still great.
Anyway, I found the cutest little bins. I picked up a few and planned to use them in my linen closet. Well, when I got home I had one of those “ah ha” moments. I was ecstatic (it only takes a cute bin to make me bounce off the walls – I know I’m crazy). Isn’t it great:
I had recently purchased some Fridge Binz to organize all those condiments that wreak havoc on fridge organization. Seems like condiments multiply like rabbits. I am in love with these new bins. They look great – and they are totally doing the job. I feel like inviting everyone I know over to look in my fridge. Especially now after my “moment”.
It hit me that I could use my new “linen closet bins” in my fridge instead. They’re perfect! These babies are woven on the sides, with a solid base and made of plastic for easy clean up. Linen closet? What was I thinking!? These were destined for my fridge. And, they match my water pitcher so nicely don’t they?
I quickly went to work and printed out some labels. I laminated them for extra durability (and wipe-ability in this house!). I used some of my hubs’ zip ties to attach the labels to the woven baskets. For the Fridge Binz {you can see them here} I just stuck them on with clear packing tape.
I put my fresh and frozen meat in the Fridge Bin to keep those yucky juices from leaking.
Condiments are contained and don’t get lost in the back.
Butter and dairy items no longer get lost all over the fridge.
The new bins don’t go all the way to the back, so I keep things like the box of baking soda back there (to keep the fridge smelling fresh).
I put the labels in PDF format if you would like to print them. I also made a set of blank ones so you can make some of your own. Enjoy!
Click on the image below to download:
Click on the image below to download:
UPDATE: Some of you have been wondering what I keep in the door of my fridge. I know it looks crazy, but we go through about 9 gallons of milk in a week, so we really do buy 4 gallons at a time! I also keep jellies, butter and cream cheese, and taller condiments in the door.
I love projects like this, so satisfying.
Happy follower, I would be thrilled if you would join my ‘Beat the winter blues’ party on Saturday. Have a great week.
Thanks for following! I’ll be happy to check out your party. 🙂
Oh wow I so need to do this to my fridge. It seems like I can’t find anything in there when I know it’s there lol. I just started following your blog and I am enjoying this already. Thanks for the awesome idea:)
You’re welcome! I hope it’s helpful to you. Glad your a follower now ~ Welcome!!
Very cute!!
Thanks 🙂
Could you share where in Target you found the basket weave bins?
Thanks
Sure, Maureen! After spending lots of time in their “organizing” aisles, I walked past where they usually keep seasonal items – and that’s where I found them (by accident). They were on an end cap right on the main aisle. In the Target I shop at, the seasonal section is in the far back corner of the store. It’s where all the Christmas stuff was and the seasonal organizing bins are now. I just picked them up last Saturday, and I’m hoping to go back tomorrow for more!
Update: I went to Target the other day, and they now have those bins in their regular organizing bins aisle. Yay! They must be popular. They’ve got several colors, too. I saw black, red, green and I think blue, too.
Hi,
I just stumbled across your awesome blog now…would you know if Target still sells these bins? I checked online and can’t find them. I live in Canada and want to make sure the Target in Bellingham, WA has them before I make a trip down there!
I have these bins in my freezer and love them too! I did have trouble finding them in some Targets around my area. A few had them at the beginning of school season then sold out, one had them around Thanksgiving in the regular organizing section, and yet another one (yes I have 5 Targets near me!) just stocked them with the Christmas stuff. You might be able to call (at a non-busy time so they’re more helpful) and ask if they stock them before making the trip. Hope that helps, good luck!
Kiran,
I just saw them at my Target here in Texas yesterday. They were in the seasonal section again, where the Christmas stuff had been. Good Luck!
We are so much alike!!! I’ve been using bins in my fridge forever. They are so handy and then things don’t get lost on the back of the shelf. I have one bine for yogurt (this way all the tubs stay together). I also label the shelves in the door…sauces, mayo/ketchup/mustard, dressings. The labels help my friends and family to put things away in the right spot!!!
It’s crazy how we need to label things, isn’t it? I’ve been married for 14 years, and my husband still asks me where things go! 😉
Those clear bins look great! Great idea to use them for meat, I use a large plate and it’s not always the best use of space.
Hi Emily, I used to use a small glass dish that was easily washable, but this bin is working out GREAT. I love that it’s deep so I can defrost a few things at a time. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
I’ve been wanting to reorganize my fridge and this is the motivation I needed. Thanks for the printable and ideas! Cute bins!
You’re welcome, Kathy! I’m glad I inspired you. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Ginny- Great post. Following you on FB now. So the bottom baskets.. are those from target? And where did you find the fruit baskets? Your fridge looks so much more organized. Our bottom shelf is filled with juice, milk, chocolate milk, larger creamer, etc etc… your fridge is amazing. i downloaded the labels. I think I need to make a list of projects! xo, laura
Hi Laura! Thanks for stopping by and I’m glad to have you following me! 🙂 The clear bottom bins with the fruits and veggies came with the fridge. The green basket weave bins are from Target. I went back the other day and discovered that they have moved them from the seasonal section to their regular “organizing” section. They must have been a hit. Woo hoo! And they have them in several colors. Also, the smaller clear bins I got from Amazon. They are called Fridge Binz. I have a few links to them on my sidebar in the Amazon ad. I hope you have fun organizing your fridge! 🙂
I LOVE those bins! I like how they have that basket look to them. I feel so good after cleaning my fridge. Wish I would’ve had prettier bins, but mine still work so I’ll love them all the same.
Hi Tabitha! Thanks for stopping by. I know what you mean about keeping your other bins. I’ve got so many that aren’t “pretty”, and I don’t want to waste money just to replace them. I’m glad the manufacturers have started making such nice looking bins these days, so we can have pretty bins from here on out! 🙂
Great Organization!!
Thank you, Jamie!
I love organizing and shopping for such items too! 🙂 The fridge looks great!
Thanks, Michelle. Pretty things make me happy. 🙂
I love this! Great tips and so pretty – which can be hard in a fridge! Thanks for the printables! Great site!
You’re welcome, Susan! And thanks for the compliment. 🙂 I’m glad you stopped by!
Your fridge looks a ton better than mine!! haha!! Great tips!! Glad to have you at Things I’ve Done Thursday!
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I looooove my Fridge Binz! Those new little baskets are cute! I can’t believe I never thought of them before or at least used something else.
I just stopped in from over at Org Junkie!
Thanks for stopping by! I’m loving mine, too! I should have labeled my fridge a long time ago. Even the kids are putting things where they belong! 🙂
That is such an inspiration to me and it does help to not lose things in your fridge. I love the pattern on the green baskets!
If you’re interested, we’re hosting our first ever link up party. Please stop by and link up! http://www.waywardgirlscrafts.com/2012/01/wayward-weekend-week-1.html
Thank you! I just bought the baskets to organize my fridge with and now I have labels…thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Amie! I’m glad you stopped by . I hope the labels are helpful. I’ve been meaning to add another page with more categories. If you have suggestions, I’d love to hear them. 😉
So great Ginny! I am so into labels right now – they make everything so pretty AND organized 🙂 Your fridge looks great – wish I could say the same for mine – sigh! Oh well – yet another task to tackle! Thanks so much for sharing at Taking A Timeout Thursday! Hope to see you again this week!
You are one organizing demon. I never knew there were fridge bins, so thanks so much for sharing that. I need to get more organized! I am just starting to get into labels. Thanks for sharing you creative inspiration at Sunday’s Best!
I’m curious how you organize your fridge doors? I keep all of that little stuff in the doors – wondering what you put in yours?
Great question, Jen! We have a large family – with four kids – and we LOVE milk. So, when we bought our fridge, we got one that has the capability of holding 4 gallons of milk in the door. We go through about a gallon a day, so it saves multiple trips to the grocery store. Other things I keep in the door are taller condiments such as ketchup, salad dressings, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, etc. I also keep a margarine tub and cream cheese in the dairy spot and jellies on the smaller shelves. I’ll post a picture when I get a chance. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Just wanted to let you know that you’re being featured at this week’s party! Thank you so much for sharing at Taking A Timeout Thursday!
Thanks, Trish! I appreciate it. 🙂
Wow! I am completely impressed that your refrigerator is this organized. Those baskets are lovely!! And I never thought of using labels to organize things in my fridge. Great idea!! Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!
I had to post because I also buy 4 gallons of milk at a time, but they sit on the middle shelf of my fridge and there is just enough room to slide the egg carton next to them. However there are only four of us in our family and it is my teenage son the drinks roughly a gallon of milk a day.
absolutely LOVE your fridge organization! It looks great and your labels are too pretty!
Thanks, Ashley! I’m glad you like it. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Love the printables! And HOLY MILK!!
Hahaha! LOL! Yep – we sure do go through it! 9 gallons a week. 🙂
Thanks to you and this post I had the motivation to reorganize my fridge. Thanks a lot! ♥
Oh my, if you drink that much milk, you should be thankful you are not living in Canada and paying the price of around $4.00 per gallon, sometimes almost $6.00 – that would be minimum of $36.00 per week or $144.00 per month. Our grocery budget is only $540 for the month, and this certainly would eat into it immensely.
However, aside from that, the tips on storage are great – will try to put them into good use soon, as we are desperately in need of good storage in our small, on board, refrigerator! Thanks!
Wow!! I am thankful it’s not $4-$6 a gallon here!!! We would be broke. It was pretty pricey when we lived in Philly, but thankfully we can get it for about $2 – $2.50 a gallon where we live now. I’m glad you found the fridge tips helpful. Thanks for stopping by and for your comment. 🙂
Brilliant ideas! I love bins, too! And I like anything cute.
Thanks, Honney. It has worked so well for us! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
This may sound dumb, but is there a way for me to change the color on the printable labels, or even the size if I want to use them on a different size of container? Thanks! They are darling and your frig looks awesome!!
very cool! I needed this!
Thank you, Thank you, for the inspiration! My husband is gone for a month (we are an army family and he was tapped to go to one of the training centers as OC (Observer/Controller). He’s always made it his thing to clean the fridge out. WIth his job increasing in demand, being a family with Irish Triplets (3 kiddos in under 3 years), and one on the way – I have got to tighten things up 🙂 The Fridge Binz are the BOMB!! Instead of doing the baskets (which I like), I got a fridge “Lazy Susan” (for condiments) that pulls out, so I can have room for the increasing need for Milk/OJ space. We have a side by side freezer/fridge and excessive condiments ;). Thanks Again!!
D
Thank you for the labels! I have been using baskets in my fridge for awhile now but never labeled them. I have one question for you……I don’t use milk very often but heard on TV the other day that you should NEVER put milk on the door. They say it is the warmest part of the refrigerator and it will spoil there quicker than anywhere else. Have you had that problem? I have with cream based dressing.
OMG! I completely understand the bin thing! My family says I have a bin fetish, but I always find places to use them, then reuse them the next time I reorganize. I just found your website from a Pinterest link to the 31 Days- Home Management binder and I am so thankful I found it! Great ideas! We “house-pool” and have 7 in our place so hopefully we can incorporate some more ideas to help everyone out. 🙂
Oh, I’m so glad you found me, Cindy! It must be a bit crazy in your house, so I’m glad to have inspired you. 🙂
I just stumbled on your site… a woman after my own heart!!!!!!!!!!… but it’s obvious I can learn a lot from you!!!! Looking forward to reading more about you and seeing what all your creative mind has to offer!!
Thank you, Sonja! What a sweet comment. 🙂 I’m glad you popped in for a visit!
Hey Ginny; I’ve been a follower of your fantastic blog for a couple of months now and I just love it! I just finished putting together your household binder, can’t wait to dig it to it. I have question on your fridge bins…. what sizes did you go with? I have the same fridge, just slightly larger (says hubby). Also I would love to be able to be able to fill in your blank labels with your pretty font (i hate my handwriting) is the possible? Thanks for all the fantastic work and ideas!
Just “discovered” you and am so glad I did! So many wonderful ideas. Thank you for sharing…
Thanks Vicki! I’m happy you found me, too. 🙂
Yes! I used very similar baskets to organize my freezer not too long ago. Love them! Now I need to get more for my fridge.
Hey Ginny!
Just wanted to tell you I LOVE your blog….you have some great organizing tips on here. I am a naturally DISorganized person, but I am trying really hard to improve! By the time I read all the articles on here, I think my house will be amazingly organized! I like how you focus on one small job at a time. I get overwhelmed if there is too much to do, so I think this will work for me…found you through Pinterest. Thanks for the great advice! `Chris
Thanks Chris. 🙂 I’m glad you’re finding some inspiration!