Oh, the pantry. Don’t look in there! That stressful, messy, neglected, and disorganized black hole in our kitchens and homes. It’s a dark place.
Or it used to be, anyway! With these tips and pantry organization ideas, you’ll have an organized, beautiful, and functional pantry in no time. Are you ready to get started? Let’s organize that pantry!
Related: The Best Healthy Pantry Essentials
20 Brilliant Pantry Organization Ideas
1. There’s no time like the present for a pantry overhaul
Why not start now? Set aside a few hours on a weekend, order your containers, baskets, and label maker, and make it happen. It’s worth it for the peace of mind and organized pantry you’ll have when you’re done!
2. Analyze what you really need
First step: clean out your pantry. What do you REALLY need? Like, really really need? Keep the essentials, donate food you know you won’t use, and get rid of expired food in the depths. We’ve all been there! 😉 This will help give your pantry a fresh start!
3. Create and keep a monochromatic, open feel
The goal is to keep the pantry feeling monochromatic and open. This can be done by using matching containers, baskets, neutral colors, and open shelves. Bring in light wherever you can by opening up any areas in your pantry that might be hidden or dark, such as corners or the top shelf!
4. Invest in containers
One way to give your pantry a monochromatic feel is to invest in containers. Purchasing several sizes is a great for having tons of options for your cereals, flour, sugar, etc. Here are a few favorites:
5. Use large mason jars
In addition to large containers, it’s nice to have medium to large sized mason jars on hand for things such as grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
6. Spice jars are a must
What’s the most stressful thing in your pantry? It could be the number of random spices, all in different containers, some expired, some new, and most placed without any rhythm or rhyme. Time to organize spices! Use these spice jars to organize the spices in your pantry and make the most of what you have!
7. Use a spice shelf
On the same note, use a spice shelf to create more room and easy visibility when looking for spices!
8. Get a label maker
Yesssss. A label maker makes everything better! 😉 Or any labels will work just as well. Be sure to label your containers, jars, and spices for easy finding!
Pro-tip: Try out these dry erase labels!
9. Add expiration dates or instructions
Along with labeling the containers, add expiration dates and cooking instructions underneath the title label or on the bottom of the container!
10. Use baskets for everything else
Have severals cans? Bags of chips? Protein bars? Throw them all in baskets!
Pro-tip: These baskets are perfect for pantry organization!
11. Create a “baking” section
Keep your baking ingredients in a section on their own for easy categorizing!
12. Categorize as much as possible
Placing items from similar categories in baskets and containers (or sections in your pantry) help keep things organized and easy to find!
13. Have a place for everything
Along with creating categories, having a place for everything helps keeps the pantry organized long term!
14. Make use of open shelving for more space
Open shelving can create more space and give your pantry a refreshing look and feel.
15. Make use of the door
Need more space? Add a pantry organizer to the inside of your door!
16. Add a light (or several)
Most pantries tend to be dark. Add these shelf lights to help the pantry feel more open!
17. Remove anything that’s on the floor (Or add large baskets to the floor/stool)
It’s tempting to put larger items or things that don’t have a “place” on the floor. Before you know it, the floor can be covered it clutter! To truly organize your pantry from top to bottom, it’s important to allow the floor to be an empty space with selective items. Add a small step stool or a few large baskets if you need extra storage!
18. Be strategic about the top shelf
In a similar way, the top shelf can become the “everything drawer” of our pantry! While the top shelf is a great place to store items that are used less often, be strategic about what goes there and how you place it. Do these items really belong in the pantry? Can they go in a basket or glass container?
19. Clean your pantry on a weekly basis
I know this might seem daunting. But it’s actually not as bad as it seems! Once a week, do a quick clean-up in your pantry. Reorganize items and place things where they belong. You’ll be glad that you stayed on top of it!
20. Put things where they belong (right away)
Who else is guilty of coming home from the grocery store and throwing everything in random places in the pantry, deciding that you’ll deal with it “later”. Been there! Putting things where they belong immediately is a great way to save time in the long run and keep your pantry organized!
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