After learning how to store food properly, figuring out where to put it all is probably the greatest challenge people face. Fortunately, you have a lot of hidden space to take advantage of. Even if you don’t have a dedicated pantry or food storage room, you can still store a lot. Here’s where:
Under beds. Get rid of the box springs and the bed frames. With those gone you can store plenty of food. How much food will depend on the size of the buckets. The number of cases assumes two layers. If you go with three layers (not recommended for small children), you can store 50% more.
- King beds. Up to 36 buckets or 60 cases of #10 cans.
- Queen beds. Up to 30 buckets or 40 cases of #10 cans.
- Full beds. Up to 24 buckets or 30 cases of #10 cans
- Twin beds. Up to 18 buckets or 20 cases of #10 cans
Attic. While most attics are hot and thus not suited for storing a lot of food, sugar is one of the few food storage items not affected by heat.
Crawl space. If your crawl space is dry and free of rodents, it’s an excellent option for food storage, if not convenient. While rotating food is difficult, it’s not impossible. Even if the crawl space is damp or has some rodent susceptibility, foods in canning jars can still be stored there.
Behind bookcases or books. In most bookcases, there is enough room between the books and the back of the bookcase for canned foods. Sometimes bookcases can be arranged to hide some food between them and the walls.
Closets often have a lot of wasted space. A layer or two of cases of #10 cans can be put on the bottom of the closet and then shoes and laundry baskets can go on top. Lighter weight foods can be placed on high shelves.
Cabinets. Some cabinets also have a lot of wasted space. There is often enough space for a case or two of food. Then place the contents of the cabinet on top of the food cases.
Nightstands and coffee tables. Several cases of cans can be arranged to make furniture. Simply cover them with a tablecloth or sheet. Buckets can be stashed under tables and hidden with tablecloths.
Take a look around your house and see which of these options will work for you. And if you have any ideas that weren’t covered here, share them with us in the comments below.
Links to related posts:
Amounts of Various Foods That Buckets Will Hold and How to Store Them
