How to Organize Your Pantry to Work for You: 8 Easy Tips

Without a proper organization system, your pantry can become cluttered with expired goods and duplicate products, leaks and spills can go unnoticed for days or longer, and items you need and want can get lost in the chaos. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your pantry organized, such as categorizing items, using clear bins, labeling containers and shelves, and more.

The guide below will walk you through how to organize your pantry, with some of the most popular and effective tips for keeping this beloved space clean and tidy.

Take everything out of the pantry

Start by emptying your pantry and placing it on the counter. It may seem counterintuitive to empty your pantry, but many home organizers believe that emptying your pantry is a necessary first step to creating and maintaining an organized space.

Cleaning out your pantry will help you identify expired or unused items and sort your pantry contents into categories. Plus, cleaning out your pantry will give you a chance to thoroughly clean your shelves.

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Deep clean and tidy

Before you start storing your pantry, make sure you sort through each item and get rid of anything that could potentially be wasting space. This could be expired products, old goods, or items you know you won’t use. Be intentional about what you choose to keep and why, especially if you’re organizing a small pantry. Throw away or donate the rest.

This is also a great time to clean out your pantry. Wipe down the shelves, especially if there are any spills or leaks that can leave behind dirt and other residue over time.

Categorize the items in your pantry

If you want to create an organized system for your pantry, categorizing your items into categories is a big step in the right direction. Categorizing your pantry items will help you keep track of what you have (or don’t have), help you avoid buying items you already own, and ensure that nothing gets lost in the crowd and expires before you have a chance to use it.

Some common pantry items include spices, canned goods, dry goods, baking supplies, oils and vinegars, beverages, and snacks.

Choose a transparent container

One of the many reasons pantries can become overcrowded and cluttered is because of all the colorful packaging crammed into a small space. Placing pantry items in clear containers not only creates a space that looks and feels less cluttered, but also makes it easier to find what you need when you need it, identify items that might go bad, and notice which items need to be replenished before they run out.

Define storage area

Now that you have sorted your pantry items into categories, it’s time to determine the ideal location or “zone” for each category. Start by assessing the size of the categories and the space available. The layout of your pantry can dictate what goes where. If possible, consider changing your pantry shelves to accommodate certain categories.

You should also consider how often you use it. For example, if you bake a lot, keep your baking supplies at eye level, front and center for easy access. Finally, determine the ideal arrangement for each item. A tiered arrangement is great for canned goods, as it allows you to find the item you need without having to dig through your collection of cans. Similarly, a turntable is ideal for items like oils and vinegars, and it can also make good use of the corners of your pantry.

Shelf and container labels

Once you’ve updated your bins, go back to your labeling machine. Labeling your bins and different containers will help you keep your pantry organized, but you should also take this opportunity to label the shelves themselves.

The face or spine of each shelf should indicate the areas you selected in the previous step, so everyone in the house knows what goes where. Labeling can help keep you and your family from carelessly stuffing items into the pantry and accidentally losing products in the process.

Make the most of vertical storage

If you are having trouble fitting all of your pantry staples into the space available, consider using the back of a pantry door or any open wall space. For example, door cabinets are a great option for canned goods and spices. You can also use hooks along the pantry wall to hang items like aprons, plastic bags, baking tools, etc.

Don’t forget to use the floor

Another area of ​​the pantry that many homeowners often overlook is the floor. This is prime space for bulkier items like paper towels and napkins, large kitchen utensils, or even stools. If you want your pantry to look more aesthetically pleasing, this is also a great place for large baskets. You can fill these containers with snacks like chips and cookies.