My Friend’s Fridge Organizing Trick Is So Smart, I Had to Steal It

Do you know some people who seem so put together in all aspects of life? My friend Sarah is one of these super humans. She balances a busy job at an agency, trains for marathons after hours, and still manages to cook amazing meals for her family. I visited her last month and raided her fridge in the hopes of finding something in disarray, but unsurprisingly, it looked perfectly neat. What did surprise me, though, was the simple and smart system she used to keep it that way when I asked.

Sarah uses what she calls the “refrigerator quadrant method.” She divides the fridge into four distinct sections, each dedicated to a specific food category:

• Ready-to-eat foods: This section includes yogurt cups, precut fruit packs, dips, and grab-and-go items. It’s the first place to go when hunger strikes or when it’s time to pack snacks.
• Cooking ingredients: This zone contains all the raw ingredients, like fresh veggies, meats, cheeses, and sauces. Sarah groups them by meal or recipe. If she’s making tacos, all the fixings are grouped in a single area.
• Leftovers: She stores leftovers from previous meals in clear, labeled containers. Sarah aims to eat these within a few days to minimize waste. She told me that around one-third of the food in the world never gets eaten, and this adds to mountains of landfill waste. I was so convicted!
• Drinks: This zone is for all beverages — milk, water bottles, juice, and your sparkling water stash. Everything must be organized by type, with the most frequently used items, like milk, kept accessible.

The simplicity of this system just clicked! Meanwhile, my refrigerator was a mess. Leftovers, mystery ingredients shoved to the very back, a stash of condiments, and even expired ingredients were my reality. I knew that I had to steal Sarah’s method, so I put it to the ultimate test.

To implement my friend’s brilliant organizing trick, I first took everything out of my fridge. I ruthlessly decluttered items past their prime, consolidated or tossed half-empty containers, and wrapped any fridge items with cool bags to prevent defrosting. Then, I deep cleaned the fridge and freezer by scrubbing drawers and the walls, and gathered the bins and containers I planned to use.

I invested in matching, clear glass containers for leftovers and meal prep because they allow efficient stacking and space utilization. They look so much better and help me see what’s inside. You don’t have to buy new ones, though. It’s totally fine to work with what you have.

I arranged the fridge by placing the ready-to-eat or snack section on the top and eye-level shelf for easy access and any leftover containers below that; filling a wine rack with glass water, wine, and bubbly bottles; grouping cooking ingredients by how I use them; and keeping fresh vegetables in the crisper, cheeses and sauces in a separate spot, and the eggs next to what I usually eat them with. Drinks filled out any other spots.

Finally, I added labels. This may be an optional step, but it’s where the magic happens. Before this method, I’d forgotten how long my leftovers had been inside the refrigerator. To cut down on my food waste, I labeled the containers. I used painter’s tape and a pen to write the date it was made or put in the fridge.

The results were immediate. Suddenly, I could see everything I had — no more digging and overlooked leftovers. It brought many changes to my kitchen and daily routine:

• No more food waste: I didn’t throw away as much food anymore. My wallet and the planet were surely happier.
• Saved time: Digging around in the refrigerator is time-consuming. An organized fridge made it easier for me to realize what I had and simpler to make a grocery list.
• Improved eating habits: With presliced fruits available in the ready-to-eat section, I was much less likely to order fast food.
• Overall sense of calm: This might sound dramatic, but this method brought a tangible sense of calm and control to my kitchen. Meal prep and mealtimes are more enjoyable. And, I had a whole empty section in my fridge for special occasions and family gatherings.

I’m now a believer in this organizing strategy. It’s a simple yet incredibly effective system that has transformed my kitchen and life. The best part is that anyone can do this and reap the amazing benefits.

This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: My Friend’s Fridge Organizing Trick Is So Smart, I Had to Steal It