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It is annoying when you’re in the middle of cooking but can’t find the right ingredient from your messy pantry. It’s enough to make anyone throw a fit! An adept cook or not, an organized pantry is something every person should possess.
Everyone deserves to have an organized pantry to make their lives easier—this organization is easier than it sounds, really. All one needs is a feasible plan, some tools, some DIY skills, and elbow grease, and of course, the drive.
It is astonishing how big a difference organization makes, even if you would not think so upon first glance or mention. So, go ahead and check out the 21 different and super easy ways through which you can give your pantry a makeover.
21 Simply Beautiful Pantry Organization Ideas
1. Label Everything
The foundation stone of every organization procedure is without a doubt, labeling. Regardless of how spacious your pantry might be and how strategic your organization, it is common to notice general disarray within a few days.
Labeling solves this by assigning locations for different edibles, creating categories(pasta, baked goods, spices, etc.), and putting together a system where everything stays in its place. There are a few different ways to go about this—think color coding, visual implements, and colored highlighters.
Also, remember to use clear, large, legible handwriting.
2. Use Clear Containers to Store Food
Transparent storage containers are the key to easy organization and this is something that’s often overlooked. These types of containers provide instant recognition which translates into quick access—no fuss at all!
Use different sized containers to break the monotony and add structure.
3. Designation and Hierarchy
Organization is well and good but is only effective when implemented in a way that is actually functional. Designating shelves for specific foods is a good idea, as it helps one reach the items they want without having to hunt around in the entire pantry.
Implementing a hierarchical order in the pantry is also important. For example, keep the children’s food on the lower shelves, thereby facilitating easy reach. Food for adults can occupy the upper shelves.
4. The FIFO Rule
This is a rule coders are already acquainted with—FIFO stands for “First In First Out” and implies that what goes in first, is also the first to come out.
Use this rule when using the supplies in your pantry. Use up the oldest items in the pantry first, and work your way forward.
5. Rolling Carts
Rolling carts are those handy little pieces of furniture that work so well for indoor bars—they can work equally well for in-house pantries.
If your pantry happens to come equipped with floor space, do not hesitate to get a rolling cart. Pile it with supplies you need when hosting—taco night, for example—so you can wheel it out to the living room.
6. Space Savers
The key to any kind of organization is opting for options that save space. Pantry organization, likewise, is no different. Figure out a way to utilize available space as best as possible.
Hanging wire baskets are the best space-saving organizing tools. Wall space can be put to use by hanging this product there with the help of a hook. These wire baskets are best suited for stocking fresh produce as it allows good circulation.
7. Expandable Shelf Organizers
Expandable shelf organizers are tools that I wish I had known about sooner. They help us use the vertical space in our pantries, which in normal circumstances mostly remains unused.
They are perfect for storing canned goods or spice boxes.
8. Meal Plans
Meal plans might sound tedious but are also immensely helpful. Not only do they help one chart their weekly diet clearly and avoid last-minute frantic shopping, but also help keep pantries stocked with usable items.
The reason for this is simple. Having a meal plan to refer to cuts out excesses, and causes one to shop for only what is necessary.
9. Use A Rack Organizer
One often finds it difficult to store bakeware and other houseware in a graceful manner. Our methods of storage also use up a lot of space. A houseware organizer pantry rack can come to your rescue—it effectively utilizes the given space and helps you stack your houseware neatly.
Because the filing system is vertical instead of horizontal, it lets you use the cabinet space to its fullest height.
10. Add Lights
I know this might sound like an obvious tip—and yet it is astonishing how lights are often overlooked when constructing pantries or larders.
It is difficult to find things from a too-dark pantry space and most of the time, you will end up knocking things over.
In case rewiring to add lights is not an option, look into battery-powered alternatives.
11. Inventive Storage
Extra storage is always a good idea, even when it might seem difficult to implement.
A handy tip is to use the sides of the pantry door to hang up aprons, oven mitts, kitchen towels, and other useful items. Use removable or adhesive hooks—they are our saviors!
12. Put Lids On The Door
This clever hack gives one an easy and convenient way to stack pot lids. Pots and pans, with their general propensity to be quite sizeable, already take up a lot of space in the pantries they reside in. Their lids are a whole another issue.
A door rack provides the perfect solution for this quandary and gives one easy access to all the lids. Just attach it to the inside of your pantry door and you’re good to go.
13. Keep Packets and Sachets Together
Use sink caddies and hooks to build wall organizers to hold all food packets and sachets. Keeping them all in one place prevents them from getting misplaced and also keeps the contents from spilling out. A vertical arrangement will make use of any ignored wall space.
14. Use Zip Ties Or Cable Ties
Zip ties or cable ties can help simplify the organization of cooking tools like ladles, spatulas, and whisks. All you need to do is put a zip tie through the hole at the end of the ladle and hang it from a hook. Easy!
15. Add Lazy Susans
Lazy Susans are what make pantries cool. Gone are the days of rummaging for tins and cans at the back of your pantries, as are the days of misplacing some tasty treat, never to find it again.
Lazy Susans are basically revolving disks, made to hold objects. A spinner solves most pantry problems, truly.
16. Use A Can Rack Organizer
If you love canned food but have trouble stocking them up, then you should definitely go for a can rack organizer. You can keep this on your pantry shelf and double up the storage capacity. This will keep all your cans stocked in a manner that’s neat and easily visible.
17. Use Slim Shelves
Using slim shelves to store dry goods not only saves space but also enables the use of vertical space in pantries (slim shelves tend to be tall). Ikea’s Billy Bookcase is tall and slim and can be repurposed as a pantry shelving.
This hack lets one pack in more items in a given amount of space and is also an elegant, uniform storage solution.
18. Hanging Display For Chips
Hanging display strips are ingenious tools that can be used to store and stack chip packets, candies, and much more.
Worth only a few bucks, a hanging display strip can be installed in any space. You can hang any lightweight items on this organizer. Hang it behind your pantry door or on an unused wall—everything works!
19. Wicker Baskets
Baskets are a fun way of storing edibles in organized and efficient ways.
Wicker baskets, especially, are particularly stylish—they provide a uniform color scheme, add rusticity to the decor, and are, of course, eco-friendly. What could be better?
20. Pegboards to Hang Utensils
Pegboards are perfect for hanging up stuff, especially kitchen utensils on the heavier side, like pots and pans. The benefits are many—space is saved, it is safer to hang up the utensils from a board than to stack them, and most importantly, you an easy range of access.
Oh, and it’s definitely a cool display component.
21. Use a Shoe Organizer
Shoe organizers are not just for shoes, at least they don’t have to be—they can be used in the pantry too. A shoe organizer provides storage space for bottles of spice, frosting, sauces, and dips.
A clear shoe organizer will also enable easy access as you will be able to spot all the items quickly. You can hang this on the back of your pantry door.
Pantry organization, or indeed organization of any kind, is a mean feat—it requires planning and incentive, and drive. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible! Dedicate an entire day to organize your pantry and your coming days in the kitchen will be more fun! And give yourself a pat on the back once you’re done with all the work.