I’m spring cleaning all month and organizing my pantry was first up on the list! Spring is the perfect time to purge and clean your pantry. An organized pantry can make all the difference in decluttering your kitchen. So, I gave my pantry an overhaul and now I’m sharing all my tips to show you how to organize your pantry.
Whether large or small, these tips on how to organize your pantry can work for any space. Besides being instagram worthy, you’ll be able to clearly see what you have, what you need and make meal planning so much easier.
Remove everything
Completely clear the pantry shelves. Throw away any items that are stale or expired. Donate any non-perishables that you do not want or need. Wipe down the shelves with a disinfectant.
Measure your shelves
Measure the depth and width of the shelves to help you determine which containers, bins, and baskets will best fit the space. Use shelf liner to cover wire shelving and prevent items from tipping over. Shelf liner will also make it much easier to clean spills and messes.
Coordinate your containers
When it comes to creating a uniform, consistency is key! Decide if you are going to with glass, acrylic, bins, baskets, or a combination. Even if they are not all exactly the same brand or design, they should still match. I prefer clear containers for food items so I can easily recognize the contents. Get several shapes and sizes to hold various pantry items. I recommend buying more than you think you need and returning what you don’t use. Everything should look good together.
Decide what items you will put in each container
Before you choose a container, be sure to consider the package size that you usually buy. You don’t want to waste space by putting something that comes in an 18 oz bag into a 32 oz container. Don’t feel the need to put everything in a container. I have about 10 types of pasta, but I only put the ones I use the most in containers. The rest go into bins. If I have an item like a large box of cereal that won’t completely fit into the container, I store the rest of it in the box behind the bin. Once everything is where you want it, add labels to clearly note what’s in each container. Cream of wheat and grits are almost identical when in a clear container and you don’t want to mix them up!
Consolidate what you can
You will be surprised at how boxes are almost empty and taking up precious space. If there’s only one sleeve of crackers or two tea bags left in a box, see if you can consolidate with a new box or a similar item.
Group like items together
Putting like items together makes it easier to find what you need. I have my baking items together with all types of sugar in one row and all types of flour in another. All of my pasta, sauce, and grains are on the same shelf. You should also make sure that the kid’s snacks and other items that you use most are easily accessible.
A Few Tips…
- Create additional storage by adding a door organizer.
- While it’s ok to store onions and garlic together, do not store potatoes and onions together as they will spoil faster.
- Cut the directions off boxes and put them in a storage bag so you can refer to if needed.
- Use a smart speaker or a written list to keep track of when you run out of items.
Product List…
- Containers: A combo of TJX brands (TJMaxx, Marshall’s, Homegoods). I have 2 brands, Oxo Good Grips Pop Containers and Felli FlipTite Canisters. You may need to visit a few stores to get all of the containers you need but you will get them much cheaper here than buying them retail.
- Labels: Amazon
- Bins: Ikea VARIERA bins in various sizes
- Shelf Liner: Target
- Baskets and tags: The Container Store
The Finished Pantry…
I was so excited to get started that I totally forgot to take the “before” pics! But here’s how it turned out…
Make sure you follow me on Instagram to see some of my fav organization hacks and cleaning tips to refresh your home for spring.
Be inspired,
