In a world filled with on-the-go lifestyles and busy schedules, having a well-organized stash of chips and snacks can make a significant difference in your daily routine and help keep your kitchen organized.
No more searching through a mound of crinkly chip bags to find your favorite treat!
In this blog post, we’ll explore creative and practical ways to organize bags of chips and snacks, ensuring a tidy and accessible snacking haven for every snack enthusiast.
Choose the Right Place to Store Bags of Chips
When it comes to organizing and storing chips, location matters a lot since you want everything to be conveniently within reach.
But the storage location is really dependent on the configuration of your kitchen as well as the size of the chip bag, since they’re not uniform.
Add to that, kitchens are not uniform either, so this can be a tricky organizing conundrum to manage!
Here are some possible storage locations for snack chips:
In your dedicated kitchen pantry
Make use of the full depth of your pantry shelves by adding a few of these wire baskets from mDesign.*
Using the organizing strategies outlined below, line up the chips and rely on the structure of the baskets to keep overhang contained and tidy.
Neatly organized chip bags will always take up less room than a big ole pile!
These stackable wire baskets are a great option for single serviced sized bags of snacks and chips.
If you have the room on your fixed pantry shelves or can adjust the shelf to allow for the units to be stacked, you’ll be able to maximize the amount of the space being used.
When possible take advantage of the vertical space in the pantry.
This stackable storage unit isn’t very deep, so it would take up a minimal amount of depth while stretching high.
On top of the refrigerator
A popular storage method for bags of chips is on the top of the fridge.
But loose chip bags can make for a messy look.
To help streamline and contain things, opt against deep bins since you’ll already be reaching above your head and smaller bags of chips won’t be visible above the top of the container.
These water hyacinth baskets have an integrated label and the handle will make it easier to reach on top of the fridge.
In a back of the door organizer with wire baskets
Smaller bags of chips will fit in most of the wire baskets in over the door organizer units.
This is a great real estate to take advantage of, especially in smaller kitchens or pantries since every inch of storage space counts.
In a kitchen cabinet
If storing bags of chips in a lower cabinet, consider investing in a sliding drawer unit to make it easy to access everything in the space.
This smart addition will also prevent from bags getting stuck in the back of cabinet and creating clutter.
Mistakes to Avoid when Storing Chips and Snacks
I don’t recommend storing food in lazy susan kitchen corner cabinet units.
For one, other items, like bulky cooking pots and small kitchen appliances are better suited to being stored in this space.
These types of corner kitchen cabinets are already difficult to reach, so why make things harder on yourself by storing a food item often leaves crumbs and little chip bits?
Instead, store bags of chips and snacks in a kitchen cabinet that fully opens and allows free access to the contents stored within.
Another mistake is coming up with a complicated system like hanging bags of chips with pant hangers.
Yes, this is a creative solution, but who really wants bags hanging from shelves?
Add to that, this system really only works with ventilated wire shelving pantry shelves, which not everyone has in their kitchen.
And what’s more, this system is not something kids will maintain on their own, so moms will be stuck to keep things hanging straight.
Instead, opt for a set of quality chip clips like the fantastic options highlighted a little further in this article.
Sometimes the simple solution is the better one.
Tips for Organized Storage of Chip Bags
Choose the Right Container to Store Chips
Investing in the right storage containers is key to maintaining the freshness and crunchiness of your favorite chips.
Opt for airtight containers to keep your snacks crisp and protected from moisture.
Transparent food storage containers also make it easy to see what’s inside, preventing the need to open multiple containers to find the snack you’re craving.
Clear bins and containers also make it easy to see how much you have left, so you’ll know when it’s time to add your favorite snack to your grocery list.
One downside to storing chips and snacks out of their original packaging is that the entire bag may not fit into the container, unless you invest in a larger container.
Here are a few larger capacity food storage containers to consider:
This OXO Good Grips Pop Container holds 6 quarts and is a good choice to hold a larger amount, but may not fit Costco, BJs or Sam’s Club sized bags of snacks.
If you’re looking for a reach in container, then this 5 quart OXO Good Grips Pop Container is a good option.
If you opt to not decant the chips into a separate storage container, make sure you have a system for keeping the chips fresh, beyond rolling down the top.
Ideally, you really need to have a set of chip clips to help keep air out and the snacks crispy and fresh.
Here are a few options for closing up bags of snacks to extend the freshness:
OXO Good Grips is one of my go to brands because their products are well made and last a long time.
The springs on these magnet clips are strong, but easy to open.
Just the perfect amount of tension!
For larger bags, you’ll want to use a larger chip clip to fit over the top of the bag.
These bag clips are very similar to the version offered by IKEA, so if you don’t have a store close by, these are a great second best option.
The IKEA set I have has withstood wears of use, so I’d go for the IKEA brand version if possible.
The Multipurpose Bins from the Container Store are another great option for compact chip bag storage and are sown on the bottom shelf of this small pantry.
Utilize Shelf Organizers
Maximize your pantry and cupboard space with shelf dividers.
These handy tools can double your storage capacity by allowing you to stand the bags of chips and snacks side by side, while minimizing the amount of shelf space they take up.
The picture shows the shelf dividers organizing tidy stacks of clothing and purses, but imagine bags of chips in place of the clothing and handbag to get an idea of how the system would work.
The shelf dividers provide a wall of support to keep large bags of chips vertical and visible and are a fantastic option for shallow pantry shelves that can’t accommodate a basket or bin.
You can also use a wire shelf to essentially double the space by stacking the bags of chips on each other and more fully use the vertical space in the cabinet or on the shelf.
Create a Snack Station
Designate a specific area in your pantry or kitchen as the ultimate snack station for your stash of chips.
Arrange your containers and snacks in a visually appealing manner, making it a go-to spot for quick and easy snacking.
This not only saves time but also adds a heavy touch of organization to your kitchen.
No matter if you’re moving the food into a storage container or keeping everything in its original packaging, any small space can be transformed into a stack station for grab and go convenience.
If you prefer to keep small packages and individually sized bags of chips and you have a deep drawer, consider making a snack drawer and add everything to the drawer.
As the drawer empties, you’ll know it’s time to add more chips to the shopping list.
Implement a First In, First Out System
To ensure that snacks are consumed before their expiration date, channel your inner grocer and consider implementing a “first in, first out” system.
Position newer snacks behind older ones to encourage rotation and prevent any items from going stale.
This simple practice helps maintain freshness and minimizes waste.
Labeling is Key
Labeling your snack containers adds an extra layer of organization.
Use adhesive labels or a label maker to clearly mark the contents and expiration dates.
This small effort can save you time and prevent any accidental mix-ups, especially when dealing with similar-looking snacks.
Kettle corn chips are a different experience from sea salt chips, so fail to label containers at your own risk!
Here’s a great set of printable pantry labels that will help you keep your storage space organized:
Over to you!
By implementing these practical kitchen organization ideas, you can transform your chip storage from chaotic to organized snack time bliss.
A well-organized snack collection not only saves you time but also ensures that your favorite treats remain fresh and enjoyable.
So, roll up your sleeves, gather your snacks, and embark on a journey to snack organization perfection!
Ultimately how organized your chip stash can be comes down to how much you have.
The more bags of chips you have, the more complicated your system may need to be to accommodate everything.
Aim to keep your stash relatively pared down to prevent clutter from accumulating.
Happy snacking!
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