Is Decanting Right for your home?

Is Decanting Right for your home?

December 21, 2024

What is Decanting?

When we talk about decanting, it refers to taking items out of their original packaging and putting them into a different storage option. That can mean taking snack bars out of their boxed packaging and placing them into a new container. For example, taking something like cereal out of the box and plastic bag and putting it into a plastic cereal container.

When decanting, we always use airtight seal containers to maintain freshness and integrity of the foods we consume. Whether it's glass container or plastic there are plenty of great products out there. OXO's are the containers that we tend to use the most, although The Home Edit and Rubbermaid both have great food storage products.

So, is decanting right for my home?

We all know decanting is beautiful, as every Instagram-perfect pantry picture out there has at least some items decanted. I love that it's beautiful, and it sparks excitement within me, making me wanna cook, and then cook some more! However, looks alone isn't quite the selling point. Besides for the aesthetics of it and makes pantries swoon-worthy, it also serves for very practical and functional purpose too. With that said, it's not right for every home and family lifestyle. I'll go through some pro's and cons of decanting here:

Yay for Decanting:

1. Decanting Saves Space

The number one reason why I like to decant items is to save space. When you get rid of the bulky packaging, you're going to have room for more. It also allows you to have more room because the containers you're using are going to be consistent sizes. Sometimes I go to Costco and other times I go to smaller stores so the box or bag sizes are bound to be different. If you always have a consistent container for a certain item, you can put excess items from bulk packages somewhere else (up high, down low, or in a big petty basket-just not in your prime real estate shelving spots). Getting rid of packaging eliminates clutter, and saves space because you're sticking with consistent containers. 

2. You Can See What You Have

Reason number two why decanting is super helpful is because it's easier to see the quantities that you currently have and identify when you're running low, as opposed to finding out that you're all out just when you need said item immediately. In my pantry, I can quickly and easily see when I'm running low on nuts, cereals, grains, etc. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say I've reached for my favorite box of cereal only to find that there's 2 cheerios left in the bag that someone shoved bag to the bottom of the box. No one had any idea that it was empty. Sometimes it's worse and it's an ingredient that you need for dinner and no one let you know that there was just a tiny little morsel left. Having clear containers allows you to see when you're running low, which means you can shop smarter. This works the other way too! It means no more running to the store to buy more of something you already have and eating what you have before it goes bad. Keeping an assigned place for each item and having it easy to see makes a huge difference. 

3. Food Tends to Stay Fresh Longer

Storing food in airtight containers will help it stay fresh for longer. However, just you keep food in an airtight seal container doesn't mean it's going to last forever. I would still track the expiration dates from the original packaging. If you've ever bought a giant bags of Costco tortilla chips, you'll know how fast they go stale. It's always been hard to ensure kids (who are eating the snacks the most) roll and clip the bags properly when putting them away. When snacks don't get repackaged and sealed the way they should you'll end up throwing away more stale food. With something simple like an OXO or a container that's made to have an airtight seal, it makes it a lot easier for things to be put away and stay fresh longer.

Nay for Decanting:

1. It's Time Consuming

I know you're busy, and the less tasks added to your plate, the better. While initiating the decanting process is the most time-consuming, it takes less work moving forward-but even so, not everyone has the brain space for maintaining it long-term anyway. Some prefer to bring in their groceries, immediately put it away, and move it along with their day, instead of standing there decanting, tracking expiration dates & cooking instructions, and getting rid of old packaging.

2. It's Costly

Costs of groceries have risen significantly, any some don't want to spend the extra money on investing in airtight containers.

Bottom line, not every system is for everyone, which is why no two organizing jobs look exactly the same. You are the expert of your life, and whether decanting is right for you and your home, it is ultimately your decision.

If you know that you'd love it done for your home but don't have the time or energy to take care of it, reach out for a consultation, we'd be delighted to help! Our Kitchen Remix Special just might be the thing for you!

And if you're looking for a truly unique gift, why not give the gift of stress-free holiday organizing? It’s a thoughtful and timeless gesture anyone would appreciate!

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Shiffy is the founder of ClearSpace by Shiffy LLC, a Professional Home Organizing Business in South Florida, servicing Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. She loves creating systems out of chaos and is known for her attention to detail, and ensuring that each project is customized and streamlined to fit the customer's lifestyle. Her projects are easy to maintain long term, bringing function to any space. She shares her tips and tricks on Instagram @clearspacebyshiffy