Is decanting right for you?

Is decanting right for you?

Ever swooned over #pantryporn on Instagram or binged The Home Edit on Netflix and wondered if one those beautifully organised pantries with food decanted into neat matching containers is right, or even achievable, for you?

 

The good news is a pantry that sparks joy is definitely achievable! Read on, we’ll weigh up the pros and cons, and give you some tips for your very own kitchen bliss.

 

Before we dive in though let’s just clarify, decanting simply means transferring something from its original packaging into another container. It might sound kind of complicated and scientific... but it’s not!

 

The Pros Of Decanting

Your Pantry Will Be Gorgeous and Oh So Satisfying

Decanting food into containers helps eliminate the visual clutter of all the different sizes, shapes, and colours of the various bags and boxes food items come in. Packaging is often designed to grab attention on supermarket shelves but in your pantry it can be very busy. A decanted pantry is a more peaceful pantry.

 

Consistent Sizing Of Containers Makes Organisation And Staying Tidy Easier.

Whether you choose to reuse your existing tupperware or invest in a pretty new pantry pack of jars like the one on our website, uniform sizing of containers is your friend. It makes organising, styling, and making use of available space much easier.

 

Less Food Spoilage By Decanting Into Airtight Containers.

Often the original package of a food item cannot be made airtight once opened. This means its shelf life will be reduced,  it’s more prone to spillage, and more accessible to pesky pests.

 

You Can Save Money

Being able to see what you have “Hello clear containers with fancy labels!”  Clear containers let you see at a glance what you have and when you need to restock. There’s less chance of things being pushed to the back of the shelf and forgotten about until they’re past their expiry date.

 

Food Is More Accessible

Ever tried to wrangle the correct amount of flour out of a paper bag with one hand while holding a mixing bowl in the other, and ended up with flour in places you didn’t know flour could go? How about pouring cereal from a box and had it suddenly flood out filling not only the bowl but also half the kitchen bench? This is where decanting into containers can make life so much easier. Scooping food out of a large stable container is way easier and safer than tipping a flimsy box or bag.

 

The Cons Of Decanting

It Takes Time

Decanting does take more time than just putting groceries on a shelf. The biggest job will be if you decide to makeover your pantry all in one session. More time will then be needed each time you bring home the shopping and need to put it away.

 

Unpacking Some Items Can Be Be Messy

The process of decanting can be a bit messy for certain items if you are in a rush or trying to multitask. If you’re time-poor or don’t have support there can be some spills to clean up.

 

Products Don’t Always Fit Perfectly

It can be frustrating if a full packet of a food item doesn’t quite fit into a container and you’re left with a small amount in the original packaging.

 

Disposing Of Original Packaging Can Mean Losing The Preparation Instructions

If something is new, has complicated instructions, or if you don’t use it frequently you may still need the instructions printed on the packaging.

 

As you read through this list you probably started to get a sense whether decanting is right for you or not. Ultimately it comes down to personal choice, there’s no perfect solution. As Professional Organisers we find that most times the benefits of decanting at least some key items does outweigh any downside, and it definitely contributes to a dreamy pantry.

 

Some Helpful Tips For Decanting

  • Find your happy place. Just decant the things that make sense for you.
  • Choose containers that suit the way you use the contents. i.e. Bigger containers for high volume foods.
  • Where possible choose a container that will fit the whole contents of the original package.
  • Have a dedicated home for backstock - leftover amounts and back up quantity.
  • If you do find you have leftovers after decanting, use bag clips to close them securely.
  • Pre-wrapped items like bars and snacks can go into open containers.
  • Get a folder to neatly store any product instructions, or snap a pic with your phone and save them into a dedicated folder.

 

The Ultimate Pro Tip

  • Get a Professional Organiser to do it for you.

 

Whether you decide it’s right for you or not the good news is you can have a beautiful pantry that suits your needs. And if you’d like some help we’d love to sort it for you!

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