The pantry is one of the most used spaces in a home, and one of my favorite spaces to organize. When it is working well, it helps everything else run more smoothly. When it is not, you feel the frustration every single day.
When your pantry is neglected, it gets harder to find what you need, harder to keep things organized, and harder to stay on top of what you already have. Platters and paper products end up stacked awkwardly, shelves are not being used as efficiently as they could be, and food categories start to blur together. Before long, you can end up buying duplicates of some items while running out of others.
The good news is that updating your pantry can make a huge difference to your kitchen! Lets get started.
first, take everything out
Depending on the size of your pantry, and how long it has been since you have cleaned it out, this step can be a bit overwhelming. Stick with it!
This gives you the chance to check dates and throw away expired items, see exactly what you have, and regroup everything in a way that makes sense for how your household really shops, cooks, and lives. That step alone often brings a surprising amount of clarity. Often when I am helping a client with their pantry, we find that almost all of their canned goods and condiments are expired, so it feels great to clean out and start fresh. Sort your food into categories like rice & grains, baking supplies, canned tomatoes, snack bars, pasta, soup, etc. Each household is different, so as your sort it is great to set the categories up that work best for you in your current season of life. Our home has an entire bin for mexican food!
Re-evaluate Your Pantry Space
From there, it helps to evaluate whether the shelving is still serving your needs. Most of my clients have pantry spaces that just need tweaking, and the lucky few have large pantries with lots of space. Even if you are only using a cabinet in your kitchen for your pantry, you can usually still adjust the shelving for more functional storage.
This client lived in an apartment and only had one cabinet to use as a pantry, but we were able to rearrange and add labeled containers and turntables to greatly improve the space.
Choose Containers & Turntables
Containers can make a big impact for change, because putting each category of food into a container helps you see what you have. Turntables help to make condiments and canned goods on pantry shelves. easy to find. Labeling is another simple but important step. When each category has a clear home, it becomes much easier for everyone in the household to find what they need and put things away properly, and that is one of the keys to creating systems that last.
Take Time To Plan
It’s so much fun to buy new containers, but I always encourage clients to slow down during the planning stage. Measure the length and depth of your shelving and space carefully. Think specifically about what needs to be stored, and make a list before shopping for containers and turntables. The more intentional you are in the design process, the more functional the finished space will be.
What Type of Bins are Best?
I like clear bins because they make it easy to see what is inside, and they are often a practical and budget-friendly choice. I often use white containers from IKEA and Target when working with my clients. Amazon, The Container Store, Target, HomeGoods and Marshalls can all be great resources for bins, clip-on labels, and other organizing supplies. Even though it is visually helpful to have all of the same type of containers, the goal is not to create a pantry that looks perfect for a photo. The goal is to create one that works beautifully for everyday life.
Thing Strategically
Sometimes it is the smallest changes that make the biggest difference. Move anything out of your pantry that you don’t use regularly, like roasting pans, crockpots, and seasonal items. They can be stored in an overflow area like a basement or storage closet, making room for the things you need to access every day. Consider storing trays, serving platters, and baking sheets vertically with shelf dividers instead of stacking them. Moving lighter items like paper goods and baskets higher up or simply creating better-defined categories can solve frustrations that have been nagging at you for years.
Creating More Space for Life
A well-organized pantry does more than look nice. It makes daily routines easier. It reduces stress. It helps your home function more smoothly. That is really what organizing is all about — creating more space for life.
If your pantry is no longer working for you, a thoughtful update may be all it takes to turn it into a space that feels calm, efficient, and manageable again. And if you need help, I would love to help you create a pantry that truly works for your home and your life.