Decanting isn’t just a trendy organization hack used to rack up views on social media. It’s a tried and true technique that can keep your home organized and save time, money, and space. If you’ve assumed the only things you can decant are pantry goods into clear matching jars, allow us to debunk that myth. It’s possible to decant dozens of household items into various types of containers (yes, even using ones you already own!) to achieve the same results. After diving into this list of things you should decant, look around your home, and start making the switch—you’ll never look back.
What to Decant in the Kitchen and Pantry
While the kitchen is certainly not the only area where you can decant items, it tends to be the most popular. Not only does mismatched packaging contribute to visual clutter and waste valuable real estate inside cabinets, it’s often not conducive to keeping food items fresh. Here is where clear airtight storage jars come in the most handy as they help prevent staleness as well as (gasp!) pests from infiltrating your food. For some items, such as individually wrapped snacks, just dumping them into a simple open basket is better than the torn-open box or bag they came in. We recommend decanting any (or all!) of the following kitchen and pantry items.
1. Dry Goods
Cereal, oats, flour, sugar, and pasta are just a few examples of things you should decant, especially if it takes you a while to use up a package. Rather than you having to worry about resealing a bag or box well enough to preserve what’s inside, a clear airtight container will do that for you. Decanting these items lets you easily see when you’re running low, so you only restock when needed. Additionally, once you ditch the packages and pour the contents into jars, these foods will stack more easily on shelves, optimizing pantry space.
Consider using an airtight jar for family-sized packages of crackers or cookies to prevent them from going stale sooner than you can finish them.
2. Coffee and Tea
Tea and coffee packaging can be awkward to handle and properly close, especially when you just rolled out of bed. Do yourself a favor and decant tea bags and coffee pods or grounds (differentiating decaf from regular via labels) into canisters for a fuss-free morning.
3. Spices, Oils, and Vinegars
If you buy spices in bulk but have limited room to store them near where you cook, decanting them into smaller jars is the solution. Keep the bigger containers elsewhere, like a high shelf in the pantry, and simply replenish them as needed. The same applies to oil and vinegar bottles—even if you don’t buy them in bulk, decanting them into containers with built-in spouts will make pouring a breeze.
4. Pet Supplies
Keeping our pets’ food and treats fresh is just as important as keeping ours that way. Airtight containers and jars will preserve what’s inside and deter pests. You can also sort and store other pet supplies, such as rolls of waste bags, grooming tools, and small toys, into containers.
5. Under-the-Kitchen-Sink Supplies
Space is a commodity under the kitchen sink, so it’s important to be smart when organizing it. Use clear, stacking pull-out drawers to stow extra sponges, rolls of trash bags, and dishwasher pods, then toss their original packages.
What to Decant in the Bathroom and Linen Closet
Believe it or not, you can (and should!) decant toiletries for a tidier and more efficient getting-ready experience. These ideas will make your daily routine easier.
6. Single-Use Products
If you use cotton swabs, balls, or rounds regularly, consider decanting them into clear jars with lids rather than wrestle with their original packaging every day. The lids will keep dust and dirt at bay, and you'll be able to see when it’s time to restock. For floss picks, you can take the same approach as we described for individual snacks—tossing them into an open bin—along with wrapped dental items such as whitening strips, interdental brushes, and denture or retainer cleaning tablets.
7. Bathing Products
Ever stayed in a hotel featuring a dispenser for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the shower and been jealous? You can do the same thing, whether you choose a wall-mounted version or a set of matching bottles with pumps. This is a brilliant idea if you buy these products in bulk and are short on shower space or for mobility purposes. If you enjoy indulging in self-care time by soaking in the tub, consider adding bath bombs and bath salts to apothecary jars to be displayed on a nearby shelf. Not only are you creating functional storage, but they’ll also make the bathroom feel like a spa.
8. Backstock Bathroom Supplies
Bars of soap, extra razors, and toilet paper rolls can all be decanted into pretty much anything, so long as the container is more functional than the original packaging. Use open baskets, stacking bins, or pull-out drawers to organize products by type in a bathroom or linen closet. Add labels so it’s clear to everyone in the house where they can find a replacement item.
What to Decant in the Laundry Room and Utility Closet
Consider decanting the following laundry and household supplies to streamline these spaces.
9. Household Items
Every homeowner or renter has miscellaneous items on hand, like lightbulbs, furniture pads, and batteries, which can be decanted to save space. Sort them by category, organize them into clear bins, and label the front before stacking them on a shelf. Use caution when storing batteries, and consider using an organizer specifically designed for them to minimize the risk of short-circuiting them.
What to Decant in the Office and Craft Room
Decanting your most-used items in these areas can increase productivity in your home office and help you keep track of craft supplies.
10. Office Supplies
Corral small items like binder clips, rubber bands, and staples in a desktop organizer so they’re always within reach. Do the same with pens and pencils so you can access them quickly while on an important call. Find the visual clutter too distracting? Use shallow bins to organize your desk drawers instead.
11. Craft Supplies
Whether crafting is your main hobby (or, perhaps, side hustle) or you enjoy dabbling in it occasionally, keeping your supplies in order is still critical. It’s far too easy to fall into the trap of accumulating more when you don’t know what you have! So, take a few minutes to sort through your stash and contain items by type (spools of thread, embellishments, bottles of acrylic paint, and so on) before organizing them into containers with labels. Do the same for your kids’ craft supplies by removing pipe cleaners, pom poms, and googly eyes from their packages and placing them into containers so your kids can create their masterpieces with ease.
What to Decant in the Playroom
It’s never too early to encourage your little ones to get organized. Try decanting these items in their play areas to make clean-up a little more enjoyable for all.
12. Puzzles and Board Games
Bulky puzzle and game boxes can be difficult to store, so try decanting the pieces instead. Use zippered pouches to hold puzzle or game board pieces. Include a photo of the completed image or game instructions (simply cut out that portion from the box). The pouches can be lined up in a basket, which takes up significantly less space than a bunch of boxes would. Plus they are easy to toss in the car when packing for a road trip.
13. Toys with Small Parts
Tiny toy parts, like LEGO block sets or race car tracks, can be a pain to keep contained. Rather than trying to make sets that the kids put together and take apart daily back into their boxes, use open baskets or clear bins to organize them. Remember that the simpler the system is to maintain, the more likely your kids will help to keep their space tidy.
Sources:
- All photos used in this blogpost are sourced from the internet, and the rights belong to their respective owners
- Cornetta, M. (2025c, February 11). 13 things you should definitely be decanting. Better Homes & Gardens. https://www.bhg.com/things-you-should-decant-8774066