Foolproof Pantry Organization

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Best Ways to Organize a Pantry

If your pantry is an unorganized mess, then today’s post is for you. Read on for our favorite ways to make pantry organization easy!

Tip #1: Easy Access

Have you ever noticed that the cereal aisle in the grocery store stocks all the kid-friendly cereals on the bottom shelves? That’s what we call kid-height friendly, and your pantry should definitely embrace that same concept. Use those upper shelves for the daily non-essentials and keep the lower shelves and drawers dedicated to easy-to-grab snacks and food. Your kids love it, but they’ll also be way less likely to accidentally tip over your olive oil bottle searching for what they need.

In this pantry, non-essentials like cookbooks are stacked on the top shelf out of the way; bottom shelves are reserved for baskets of snacks and easy-to-grab items for the whole family.
In this pantry, non-essentials like cookbooks are stacked on the top shelf out of the way. Bottom shelves are reserved for baskets of snacks and easy-to-grab items for the whole family. Source
Drawers make this pantry a total organization station with snacks at the ready and easy-to-reach for kids.
Pantry drawers stocked with snacks at the ready and easy-to-reach for kids. Source
Kid-friendly snacks stay on display on the lowest shelves of this pantry, and by grouping them according to color, it makes the space both accessible and fun.
By organizing your pantry and grouping snacks according to color it makes the space both accessible and fun. Source

Tip #2: Use Drawers Whenever Possible & Create Countertop Space

When space allows, incorporate drawers and countertop space for pantry organization. They not only look sleek by keeping the clutter out of sight, but drawers eliminate you having to bend over to reach a bottom shelf or crawl into a cabinet to find what you need. Countertops work wonders for a pantry by essentially extending your kitchen’s space. Countertops provide an easy access space to pack lunches or do meal prep. It’s also a great place to keep your small appliances without cluttering your main kitchen countertops.

Related:  Quartz vs. Granite, How to Choose the Right Countertops for your Kitchen

This farmhouse-inspired pantry space incorporates a spacious counter for everything from baking essentials to small appliances that make school morning prep quick and simple.
This farmhouse-inspired pantry incorporates a spacious counter for everything from baking essentials to small appliances making meal prep easy. Source

Related: Are White Kitchens Timeless or Trendy?

This butler’s pantry keeps the microwave, toaster, mixer, and espresso machine all in one place, leaving the main kitchen with beautiful open and spacious countertops.
in this butler’s pantry design, the microwave, toaster, mixer, and espresso machine all in one place, leaving the main kitchen with beautiful open and spacious countertops. / Source
In this stunning butler’s pantry, breakable dishware is kept on the highest shelves, but a sliding ladder still provides easy access when needed.
In this stunning butler’s pantry, breakable dishware is kept on the highest shelves, but a sliding pantry ladder still provides easy access when needed. Source

Tip #3: Simplify It Visually for Pantry Organization

As much as a pantry is meant for function, it’s also nice to keep it looking sharp visually so there’s a seamless transition into the rest of your kitchen. Pantry organization with uniform bins, containers, or baskets creates a streamlined look. Then, go ahead and ditch all those boxes and containers that all of your snacks and essentials come in. By keeping your items on display it makes it easier to know your inventory and it’s a lot quicker to find when you’re looking for at any given time. Oh, and one more thing – for an added organization trick, consider color coordinating your items. Your pantry will look like it’s straight out of a magazine!

Identical glass containers give this pantry a beautiful and crisp aesthetic while also allowing for easy identification of cooking essentials.
Identical glass containers give this pantry a beautiful and crisp aesthetic while also allowing for easy identification of cooking essentials. Source
A color-coded pantry is both convenient and visually appealing, and by keeping all the kid-friendly foods on the lowest shelves, it offers the highest level of functionality for the space.
A color-coordinated pantry is both convenient and visually appealing, and by keeping all the kid-friendly foods on the lowest shelves, it offers the highest level of functionality for the space. Source
Black, grey, and white serve as a chic color palette for this pantry, making it visually beautiful while also providing convenient areas for storage.
Black, grey, and white serve as a chic color palette for this pantry, making it visually appealing while also providing convenient areas for storage. Source

RELATED: Get Fast and Professional Interior Design Advice

Tip #4: Create a Menu/Note Area

Need a convenient way to keep a list of items to stock up on during your next grocery run? Install a menu/notes area right in your pantry. You can get creative with this and use everything from a chalkboard to a sleek roll of butcher paper.

A convenient chalkboard and corkboard duo offers an all-in-one organization space to keep track of lists, upcoming family events, and recipes to try.
A convenient chalkboard and corkboard duo offers an all-in-one organization space to keep track of lists, and upcoming family events. Source
A small butcher paper roll, this beautiful brass number is ideal for smaller pantries that need a notepad area but can’t sacrifice on space.
A small butcher paper roll, this beautiful brass number is ideal for smaller pantries that need a notepad area but can’t sacrifice on space. Source

Tip #5: Pantry Labels for Pantry Organization!

Finally, the key to making and keeping pantry organization is to label everything. Whether you’re using a pared down label maker like you’d find in any office setting or investing in beautiful chalkboard signs that you can change up as needed, labels will make your life so much simpler. Label everything, and voila! Your essentials are always easy to spot. 

An easy-to-access spice drawer with clearly readable labels makes cooking an enjoyable task.
An easy-to-access spice drawer with clearly readable labels makes cooking an enjoyable task. Source
Stylishly-labeled baking items gives this pantry area a streamlined and contemporary look.
Stylishly-labeled baking items gives this pantry area a streamlined and contemporary look. Source
Classic labels for both the clear glass storage containers and storage baskets helps to keep things organized and neat.
Classic labels for both the clear glass storage containers and storage baskets helps to keep things organized and neat. Source

So, here’s to keeping things simple – because life’s too short to spend it digging through stacks of cheese crackers and pudding.

Related: How to Update Your 1990s Era Kitchen

Cheers

Hi, I’m Carla

carla-bast-interior-designer-and-blogger

I’m glad you’re here! You are in the right place if you are feeling overwhelmed at the thought of embarking on a remodeling or interior design project. Living with an outdated home and don’t know where to start? I’ve helped families like yours update their home and create spaces that reflect what’s important to them for over 25 years.

I’ve been honored to be featured in:

Real Homes

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One Response

  1. I can’t wait to organize my pantry. My daughter and I love to come up with ideas for this and we found your blog post really helpful.

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