Do You Have Fridge FOMO? 🙋🏻‍♀️

Tips to creating a realistic, organized fridge

My long time Instagram followers may remember the days when I would post super stocked, Pinterest worthy photos of the inside of my refrigerator. It was fun to create content like that especially because people loved seeing it. But it wasn’t realistic or sustainable, and it’s not how I currently live.

My current fridge

These days, I live with my two little boys who are constantly pulling things out of the fridge and moving things around. And in the hustle bustle of my work day, my assistant and I are always rummaging through the fridge trying to find what we need. More often than not, things are messy and disorganized. That’s why I keep my fridge organization simple and narrowed down to a few basic tips—things you can do to keep your own fridge organized in a way that works for you.

Step One: Schedule a Weekly Fridge Reset 💁🏻‍♀️

If you want your fridge to stay even somewhat organized, you’ve got to give it a little TLC once a week. Nothing intense! I’m talking 20–30 minutes max. Pick a time that makes sense for your schedule and do a quick cleanout.

Pull everything out. Toss anything sketchy. Wipe down the shelves. And before you put things back in, take note of what’s running low or about to expire! I like to bring those items to the front so we actually use them. Bonus: it makes grocery shopping way easier, because I already have a mental list going! This tiny routine keeps food waste down, saves me from overbuying, and makes the week ahead SO much smoother. Just do it.

These are my favorite containers for storing leftovers and stacking:

Zwilling Food Prep Containers - They’re airtight, stack beautifully, and keep food fresh way longer than the random mismatched containers I used to use. I especially love them for leftovers, chopped produce, or prepped ingredients I want to actually see and use. Worth every penny!

Food Labels - These are great for cutting down on waste. Just write the purchase date and a “use by” date on the label, stick it on your container, and you’re good to go. I love the dissolvable ones — they rinse right off with water, no scrubbing needed.

Step Two: Create Simple Zones That Make Sense

You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect fridge to stay organized, just a few smart zones that make life easier. I keep a bin for snacks the boys can grab themselves (lifesaver), food prep staples in another, and leftovers front and center so they actually get eaten. It’s not fancy, it’s functional.

I also have a couple organizers I swear by:

Egg dispenser - because those flimsy cartons drive me nuts

Soda can dispenser — yes, for my daily Diet Coke. Priorities.

Snackle boxes - perfect for prepping and taking on the go for a long day of errands or travel.

When everything has a home, there’s less chaos, fewer duplicate buys, and way less food waste.

I’ve even been featured on KTLA sharing my tips for making the most of your fruits and veggies!

Step Three: Don’t Let the Produce Drawer Become a Graveyard 🪦

Let’s be real. The crisper drawer is where good intentions go to die lol. So now, instead of just tossing my produce in the bins in the plastic bags from the grocery store, I prep the produce as soon as I get home or during my weekly fridge reset. I’ll wash berries, cut up cucumbers, or chop whatever I know we’ll actually eat. If it’s ready to grab, we’re way more likely to use it.

I keep the prepped stuff in clear containers (Zwilling ones are my go-to) so I can see everything at a glance. It takes maybe 10 extra minutes, but it makes a huge difference in what gets eaten vs. what gets tossed.

And if you missed it, last Sunday’s Substack was packed with kitchen hacks to make life easier, including how I prep ahead to save serious time during the week!

Here are some other food prep containers I own and swear by:

Glass jars - I use them for everything: dressings, yogurt, sauces, you name it. The limit does not exist!

Bentgo Salad Containers - I’m a big fan of all things Bentgo, but these salad containers are especially perfect for packing single-serving salads to take on the go or stash in the fridge for busy days.

Overnight oats jars - You guys love these overnight oats jars as much as I do! They come with a built-in spoon that’s perfect for mixing and eating. No extra dishes or fuss.

Step Four: Store Smart & Know What Goes Where

Not everything belongs in the fridge (looking at you potatoes). Knowing what actually needs to be refrigerated helps free up space and keeps your food fresher, longer.

Not that grains or spices go in the fridge (but hey if that’s your thing, no judgment hahahaha). I like to store mine in clear glass jars and pantry containers so I can actually see what I have and avoid buying stuff I don’t need. It’s one of my go-to ways to cut down on food waste and keep things organized. Pro tip: visibility is everything. If you can see it, you’ll use it! Little tweaks like this make a big difference in how long your food lasts!

Spice jar organizer + containers - There’s something so satisfying about a fully stocked spice rack or drawer. I love this spice jar set because it props your spices up so you can actually see the labels! No more digging around or lost bottles in the back of the cabinet.

Oats & grains jars - Definitely go for clear ones like these so you can always see exactly how much you’ve got left.

Step Five: Make It a Family Thing

Fridge organization isn’t just your job, get the whole crew involved. I’ve taught the boys where snacks go, where leftovers live, and to always check the “eat me first” bin before opening something new. It’s not perfect, but it helps keep things flowing and takes the pressure off me to manage it all.

When everyone knows the system (even loosely hahaha), it actually works and things don’t end up shoved to the back! Here are some of my favorite items to keep the boys things organized.

Kids drink organizers - I have one for my daily Diet Coke, and the boys have theirs too! Grab an organizer like this to keep everything upright and avoid those annoying spills.

“Eat me first” bins - designate a spot for food that needs to be eaten soon so the kids can easily see and grab from it. I love these because they’re BPA-free and totally kid-friendly!

Truth is, my fridge (and my kitchen in general) is always a work in progress. It’s the place I spend the most time and the place that gets messy the fastest. So if you ever see it looking super organized and pretty — just know, I’m over here working these steps too. It doesn’t look like that every day.

If you’ve got any fridge organization hacks that work for you, hit reply and share them. I LOVE using this space to connect and learn from each other. The KJ community is full of amazing people and I’m always on the lookout for new ways to keep things (somewhat) together.

XO,

Nicole