Are disorganized kitchen cabinets causing you anxiety? Today’s article focuses on the optimal approach to arrange a kitchen pantry cabinet or closet. These suggestions would be applicable for a sizable walk-in pantry as well, but they’re particularly beneficial for a reach-in pantry where every bit of cabinet space is valuable. Continue reading for compact pantry organization concepts to assist you in maximizing storage space!
More articles regarding our pantry:
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1. Monitor Expiration Dates
A simple initial step to maintaining an orderly kitchen pantry is to discard expired items. While executing our pantry renovation , I discovered that some of our dry goods had passed their expiration dates.
To prevent this from recurring, I labeled my containers with expiration date tags! Furthermore, I set alerts on my phone to shop for dry ingredients like flour, grains, and oils.
Related:You can also apply these expiration date tags on glass jars for spices .
2. Categorize Comparable Items for Effortless Pantry Organization
In addition, I find it simpler to monitor what is in our pantry cabinet when I categorize food items by type. It is crucial to designate specific zones for various food types and adhere to them.
For instance, the right section of this shelf is designated for snacks. Allocating zones facilitates the organization of your shelf space. It also streamlines your daily activities, as all the items you commonly use simultaneously are positioned next to each other.
Here are some illustrations of pantry zones I established for alike items:
- Convenient snacks
- Cereal + breakfast goods
- Flour and oats
- Sugar + chocolate morsels
- Canned products
- Dry pasta
- Bottles of oil
- Paper supplies
- Additional storage + refills
3. Transfer Dry Goods Into Transparent Containers
The bulk of my expenditure for our pantry renovation allocated towards food storage containers . Transparent containers render a pantry both aesthetic and practical. It was an investment, but now all of our pantry goods are visible and easily reachable!
I selected these BPA-free transparent storage containers , but you could also opt for glass containers or mason jars. Most importantly, I notice that I am more inclined to cook if I don’t have to rummage for dry ingredients.
Is It Necessary to Have Food Storage Containers?
You might be curious, what is the rationale behind removing the original packaging and transferring dry goods? This is certainly a subjective choice, and as always, you should do what suits you.
Despite my diligent attempts to form a well-ordered pantry with storage bins (see the before ), we consistently lost items to the back of the pantry. Many times, the built-in zippers on food wrappers would break, leading us to use ziplock bags or chip clips to maintain the freshness of the food.
After several years of this, I chose to save and invest in the clear containers. Are they essential for a well-organized small pantry? No. But, in my view, they facilitate easier maintenance. I also believe it has aided us in diminishing food waste since everyone can see what we possess!
One final advantage of utilizing transparent containers is that you can reclaim vertical storage space. If your shelves are non-adjustable, you likely…
There is unutilized space between shelves that is inefficient. Stacking bins provides you with extra pantry capacity, and you can still effortlessly view and reach everything.
Related:I delve much deeper into the items I selected in the article Best Pantry Storage Containers and Organizers for Food.
4. Coordinated Labels for Small Pantry Management
If you possess food storage bins or are considering acquiring them soon, remember to add labels. This assists everyone in locating the products they desire when they’re no longer in their initial packaging.
These minimalist pantry labels work wonderfully for small pantry management. The kit includes 180 labels that are simple to read and can be wiped clean. (Alternatively, you could utilize a label maker which I have linked as well!)
In need of expiration date labels? I employed these labels on the backs of the containers.
Lastly, clip-on bin tags allow you to attach labels to baskets and bins too! I merely used scissors to cut the vinyl labels so they would fit on the metal clips.
5. Accessible Kids Snacks and Granola Bars
I recently made the decision to organize all of our children’s snacks in accessible clear bins on the lower shelves of the pantry.
These stackable bins are an excellent choice for smaller items such as fruit snacks and fruit cups, while this divided bin holds our granola bars. Lazy Susans can also be utilized! Now my children can locate a snack without digging through the kitchen pantry.
Side note: My hope was that easy-to-access kids snacks would reduce the “I’m hungry!” exclamations that seem to occur every 15 minutes. It may have helped… somewhat? I’m no conjurer. However, being able to see what snacks we possess and what we need to buy definitely aids the grocery shoppers in our household 😉
Also, these accessible bins are ideal for the bottom shelf of your refrigerator as well.
6. Optimize Storage Space with Pantry Organization Reviews
Another effective method for maintaining an organized small area is to conduct regular pantry reviews. A review simply involves assessing what you have and determining what you no longer require. You may empty the pantry to conduct a review, but it’s not a necessity.
Previously, I would occasionally buy or keep items just in case. Conducting a review (for any area in our home) encourages me to be more conscious of what we truly utilize and appreciate.
If it proves beneficial, you can document a list of everything in your pantry. Highlight the foods you adore and prepare frequently, prioritizing those items while grocery shopping and organizing.
If there are items in your pantry that you haven’t utilized for an extended period, feel free to part with them. Instead of feeling guilty about not cooking that spaghetti or using those breadcrumbs, remember that a review is a positive thing. You are discovering which pantry items you genuinely use and love, and which ones merely exist out of routine. This review approach is applicable to any part of your home!
7. Utilize Large Storage Bins for Pantry Replacements and Surplus
When organizing your kitchen pantry, you’ll want to assign a location for replacements and additional storage. In our area, it was logical to maintain a few large baskets at the bottom of the pantry. We utilize them for bags of chips that would be tricky to transfer, alongside cereal surplus.
Pro tip: Clear pantry space by discarding cardboard boxes promptly, keeping only the inner plastic bags to conserve space. If a full bag won’t fit into your food storage containers, attach a durable chip clip to the plastic bag and place it in the basket for easy visibility.
I suggest utilizing a clip-on label for the spacious baskets. This method will assist you in maintaining organization, allowing for quick reference of back stock while planning your grocery purchases.
8. Swap Wire Shelves for Improved Pantry Organization
If you possess a standard grade pantry closet like ours, it might be wise to exchange wire shelves. I opted toset up affordable track shelving, which has proven more useful for us since boxes and containers don’t topple. The wooden shelves also appear more appealing, in my view!
Related: I have an entire post dedicated to this subject! VisitReplace Wire Pantry Shelves on a Budget if you want to undertake a similar project in your pantry closet.
If you are a renter, or prefer not to alter the existing wire shelves, consider using a plastic shelf liner to enhance wire pantry shelves. I haven’t tested this personally, but it has good reviews. I appreciate that the locking tabs keep the liner from shifting, and you can trim the plastic using scissors to match your shelves. This liner provides a smooth surface for food storage containers.
9. Make Use of the Pantry Door for Additional Storage
In need of more storage? Consider employing hanging organizers on the reverse side of cabinet doors! I adore over-the-door pocket organizers for keeping things orderly throughout the house. Here’s an example from our craft closet. Alternatively, try a door rack for spices.
10. Involve Family Members After a Grocery Shopping Trip
Lastly, this final suggestion is somewhat different yet worth noting! Once the grocery shopping concludes, we like to enlist our children’s help to replenish the pantry. They delight in opening all cereal and granola bar boxes, discovering where everything goes. Moreover, this ensures everyone knows where to locate their favorite pantry items. Success!
Compact Pantry Organization: Conclusion
I trust you found this blog post beneficial if you’re facing a disorganized kitchen pantry scenario! It might appear excessive to devote this much time to a pantry, and perhaps it is. Regardless, having a functional storage system has streamlined food preparation and grocery shopping significantly. As a person easily impacted by clutter, maintaining an orderly pantry contributes to my mental well-being and serenity. I’ll regard that as a win!
Now that I’ve addressed the pantry, I’m eager to focus on additional challenge areas within our home. Specifically, our mudroom closet and toy organization. Both aspects of our home significantly impact our daily routine, so I anticipate it will yield a considerable improvement! Update: The tasks are finished! Click the links to view them.
Did I overlook any essential pantry organization strategies? Feel free to share your favorite storage techniques in the comments below. Happy organizing,
