Being able to prepare delicious meals for yourself and your family is such a good feeling. But, with a disorganized pantry, you might be feeling more frustrated than fabulous.
Pantries and food storage spaces are used by every member of the household every day, so it’s no wonder they can get out of control in a hurry!
The Benefits of a Pantry Organizing Plan
If your pantry is looking a little neglected these days, now is a great time to get organized. There are so many benefits to an organized pantry, like…
…you’re able to see what you have and what you need to buy, making grocery shopping a breeze.
…foods are less likely to be forgotten and go stale, saving you money and reducing food waste.
…your kids will become more independent when they can easily grab their own snacks or help make lunches.
…cooking is way less stressful when you can quickly find what you need.
In other words, organizing your pantry is an effective way to immediately improve your daily life!
How to Create an Organized Pantry that Works for You
Follow these tips to organize your pantry and make meal prep – and life – so much easier!
1. Take Everything Out
Seriously, take everything out of your pantry (yep, all of it!). Check expiration dates and discard anything that is expired or stale. Are you finding things that don’t belong in the pantry, like craft supplies or tools (hey, it happens)? Try to find a more appropriate place in your home for those items – we recommend keeping only food and food-related items in the pantry! Once you’ve cleared the space, give the shelves a good wipedown and vacuum the floor.
2. Group Like with Like
This is one of the biggest rules of home organization. Sort your foods into groups (like, breakfast foods, pastas and grains, crackers, kids’ snacks, sauces, etc.) so you can store them together. Use organizing products, like bins or baskets, to contain and clearly identify these categories.
3. Create Access and Visibility
If you have small children, store their snacks on lower shelves so they can see and grab them easily. Store healthy foods at eye level so you’re more likely to see and eat them. Keeping everything visible is important; tiered risers and turntables can be super helpful!
4. Maximize Your Space
Maximize the space you’ve got by using cabinet shelves or undershelf baskets. And don’t overlook the back of the door or any extra wall space where you can install additional storage, like an Elfa over-the-door rack.
5. Decant? You Can!
Decant bulk items into clear plastic or glass canisters with airtight lids. Not only does this help you take stock of how much you have, it keeps shelves neater and foods fresh for longer! You can also remove extra packaging to save on space and make items more accessible. For example, take snack bars out of their boxes and put them all into an open basket. So easy to grab and go!
6. Label, Label, Label
When multiple people are accessing one space, labels help everyone maintain the system. Label baskets and bins using chalkboard tape or clip-on labels. Keep category names broad (think “Pasta” or “Snacks” or “Baking”) so you don’t have to switch out labels too frequently.
Our Favorite Products for Pantry Organization
As professional organizers, we’ve tested a lot of organizing products in hundreds of pantries. But, there are a few products that we use time and time again because they’re so versatile and functional:
Water Hyacinth Baskets. Great for storing bags of chips or boxes of pasta. Use bin clips to label your baskets!
Divided All-Purpose Bin. Clear plastic bins let you categorize foods while maintaining full visibility, plus they’re easy to clean.
Turntables. Love these for grouping sauces, condiments, oils, and vinegars. Use them in the tricky corners of your pantry!
Large Expand-a-Shelf. Risers like this one are perfect for keeping your canned goods, jars, and spices more visible.
ProKeeper Containers. These work well for bulk foods like flour, sugar, or even snacks. They preserve freshness while letting you see just how much of an item you have left. Our tip for buying containers for decanting: buy them individually rather than in large sets so you only get the sizes you need.
Moxie Space offers professional home organizing services in Austin, TX and the surrounding communities. Book a free phone consult today and let’s chat about how we can help you!
