10 Tips for an Organized Pantry
When we originally redid our pantry in 2012-13 I really tried to give the project a lot of forethought and create pantry organization systems that would remain neat forever. Of course, that was wildly idealistic! In any organizing project, you are going to need to adjust and adapt over time. So today I’m sharing my new top ten best tips for creating pantry organization. Some of these are the old classics, and a few are things I learned with time and perspective. You can also check out five mistakes I made when trying to create an organized pantry here!
10 Pantry Organization Ideas
Originally Published April 17, 2013
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1. Plan your pantry out really well
The best way to start is to make a list of all of the challenges you have with your current pantry organization and brainstorm ways to solve them. For example, the former closet that served as our pantry was very deep. You will notice that in the new pantry that the shelves are set back from the two bottom cubbies. I am not very tall, and I have very short arms (cue the t-rex jokes). It is much easier for me to find and reach things when the shelves and drawers aren’t as deep!
This is just one example of a way to design the space so it best serves your family. You may find that you have a lot more bulk goods that need a home. In your case, the deep shelves may actually be a good thing! Make the space work for your unique needs
2. Make it pretty
Now, this isn’t a requirement, but I have definitely noticed that I’m much more likely to keep a space organized if it’s pleasant to look at. That goes for pretty much any organizing project. I have gone as far as to contemplate glass doors- I love my pantry that much!
3. Use labels
When I originally planned the pantry, I labeled everything. I was just a bit overzealous ;). However, I do feel like some labels are useful. I tend to label more by category now, especially as my boys are getting to the age where their chores include putting away groceries or grabbing something for me while I’m cooking. The labels keep us all on track.
4. Utilize slide-out storage
One of my favorite features in this project is still having the drawers for cans and other items that slide out. I feel like this is a must for any deep space that isn’t easy to access. We built the drawers from scratch, but there is a kit available here that is prebuilt.
5. Decant items into clear containers
I am a big fan of using glass jars in every room, and I think it truly helps to keep a space neat. You can measure quantities more efficiently, and there are no more empty boxes sitting on the shelves.
6. Create adjustable shelves
When we designed the pantry we adopted the concept of adjustable pegs and holes using the Kreg Pin Jig. In every section, we can adjust the drawer and shelf heights with our changing needs. We haven’t found that we had to do this very often, but I appreciate that the option is there.
7. Corral loose items with baskets, trays, and crates
Rather than having a bunch of small items kicking around, it’s so nice to be able to keep them neat and contained by corralling them in pretty baskets, trays, and crates. It can also save time- for example, you can store all your most frequently used spices on one easy-to-grab tray.
8. Make use of all available space
When we first built this space, I went way too long without making use of the real-estate on the doors. Now there are can and bottle organizers, which freed up even more space on the shelves and drawers!
9. Create a divided area for cookie sheets and cutting boards
In my experience, cookie sheets tend to get the raw end of the deal in the bakeware cabinets. They end up at the very bottom of the stack, meaning you have to take everything else out in order to get to them. Storing them upright in the pantry has been such a great solution in our home, along with the easily-accessible cutting boards!
10. Store less-used items up high
If you’re like me, you probably can’t reach the top shelf very often. I could store a footstool at the bottom of my pantry pretty easily, but I choose not to because of my children. In their reach, it would become a way up onto the counters, to the candy above the fridge, and other things I don’t even want to think of. Instead, I choose to store things up high that don’t get used very often. I can get to them if I absolutely need to, but that isn’t frequent.
I hope that you found these pantry organization ideas helpful! Creating a system for a particular space in your home can be a lot of work, but I find that it is always worthwhile. With minimum maintenance, our pantry stays very organized, even with my kids going through it constantly. I hope that if you tackle this project that you’ll share it by tagging me on Instagram @ninahendrickdesign, I love to see your organizing projects!
Marian says
I love the way it turned out! Beautiful and fresh…love it!
Where did you get the blue labels from?
Thanks
xox
Nina says
Hi Marian!
Thank you so much! :) I created the blue labels. I measured the little slips of paper that came with the Martha Stewart for Avery bookplates, and designed and printed a little label to fit!
Marian says
Nicely done! Thank you for answering so quickly. Also did you make the other labels yourself? They are cute!
Do you have a link to the pull out drawers?
Xox
Ps: I pinned you, so im sure you’ll be getting more traffic here ;-)
Nina says
I also made the blue labels on the Oxo containers- they are available for sale in our little online store: http://ninahendrick.com/shop/
My husband made the drawers from scratch, but here are the drawer slides we used: KV8450 Soft Close Side Mount Drawer Slide 22″
Thank you for the pin & the compliments :)
Nicki says
Love your pantry. If it were mine, I would use that bottom shelf as a ladder to get to the top shelf. Awesome idea!
Nina says
Thank you, Nicki! I do use it for that sometimes ;)
Sarah says
In LOVE with your pantry! I have just about the same size pantry as you and you are now my inspiration! We’re currently in the process of buying a short sale and it’s twice what we ever thought we’d get for our first house and I need to start a “list” like you to keep myself organized and goal oriented. Replacing the burgundy carpet with new carpet & dark hardwood floors are first, and then maybe the pantry. So swooning over the pull outs in your new pantry! :) Can’t wait to follow your blog with bloglovin’! Found you on Hometalk :)
Nina says
Congratulations on your new house and thank you for your kind words! “The List” can be a blessing and a curse- sometimes it keeps me on track, and other times it seems so huge that we will never get to it all! But I know that someday we will have our complete dream home, and we will have worked hard to get there!
Patricia (Pat) Winters says
I used to get so frustrated with myself if I didn’t get everything on my list done in a day. Then I would start my list for the next day and have to add my uncompleted item(s) to that list. Very frustrating. Then I went to a seminar and learned that I need 2 lists, my daily list and long term project list. Now I complete my daily list, feel content with what I accomplished, but I don’t have to keep seeing all those time consuming projects as uncompleted daily. Hope this helps someone. Thanks for all your organizing tips.
Nina says
That sounds like a great strategy, Pat! Thank you so much for sharing and for stopping by!
Jill Robson says
I love your pantry, if only i had that much room. sigh!!
Nina says
Thank you, Jill! :)
Kelly says
True inspiration right here. We have an pitiful excuse for a pantry but really do not have any way of making it bigger so slide out drawers is a wonderful idea!!
Nina says
Thank you Kelly! The drawers are really my favorite feature!
Kayla Sue says
If you are still having trouble finding can organizers, check out this DIY: http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2012/10/pantry-ideas-diy-canned-food-storage.html.
I think this is the route we will have to take with our own pantry!
-Kayla Sue
Nina says
That is an awesome tutorial! Thank you Kayla Sue!! I will definitely have to add that to the list :)
Melanie says
Beautiful! How wide is your pantry? How wide are the pull-out drawers? It is providing some much-needed motivation for my pantry, although I won’t be able to copy yours exactly.
heather says
I love those wire baskets….but I can’t seem to find similar ones:(
gale says
I love this. I would love to find the pantry kit components but can’t find anything on the lowe’s website. Can you provide the brand name?
Nina says
Hi Gale,
The pantry was actually custom built out of wood by my husband, we opted not to use a pantry kit.
Nichole says
Hi. Can you tell me what kind of wood your husband used and how thick? I doubt I can get my husbAnd to do this but I’ll try. Thanks, great job!
Nina says
Hi Nichole,
We used standard 3/4″ cabinet-grade plywood and trimmed it out with pine 1×2″ trim! I hope that helps!
Celeste says
Love your pantry – every inch of it! Definitely providing major inspiration for my own pantry redesign! Could you share the source you used for your custom doors? Thanks!
Nina says
Hi Celeste! Thank you so much! I’m glad I was able to provide inspiration :) They are from Lowes, they have several different sizes: http://goo.gl/ItRqlv
Alex K says
Hi!
I’m so lucky I found your blog. I have major problems with my pantry and I need organization ideas so your post was the answer to my problems. I love the idea of having drawers installed but I was wondering where you got them from and if they have a certain name so I can find them at the store because it seems like they are only half tall compared to regular drawers and also they are open at the top. Were they easy to install? Because I would have to do it myself!
Thanks for your help!
Nina says
Hi Alex,
The drawers were custom built by my husband! I know that Martha Stewart makes a line for Home Depot that includes drawers, but I’m not sure of the specifics. I hope that helps.
Best,
Nina
Alex K says
OH, gotcha! Since you had a link to the Martha Stewart drawer I thought you guys bought them. I guess I could buy the drawer and get the sliding brackets separate right?
I’m new to this. Thanks
Kriste says
I know I’m commenting on an old post, but we are in the middle of building a walk in pantry and I’m fishing around pinterest for ideas. I’d love to see a picture of the “box” before it was all painted and prettied-up.
I love all the wire baskets! Perfect!
Nina says
Hi Kriste,
Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of that step- I was a very new blogger at that point. Sorry :(
Heather says
Love everything about this!!! Researching pantry ideas and love!! So, dumb question, where and how did you go about buying the wood for shelving, etc.? Thanks!
Selena says
LOVE everything about this pantry!! I so wish there were step by step instructions because I am not handy AT ALL but my pantry is so pitiful and I need it to look like this, lol
Laura says
Ahhhhh, the stuff of my dreams… Except you are real- proof that I can do this! Thanks for inspiring me!
Nina says
You are so welcome, Laura! :)
Jill says
I love your pantry! What size or what are the dimensions of your pantry?
Thank you.
Jill
Rachel says
I know this is very old, but can you tell me where you got your wire baskets?? I’m working on my pantry and looking for baskets exactly like these! It shouldn’t be hard, but for some reason I’m struggling to find any. Thanks !
Nina says
Hi, Rachel! They are available here!