7 Steps to Pantry Perfection
Learn from one homeowner’s plan to reorganize her pantry for real life
Christine Tusher
April 26, 2014
Houzz Contributor
When we installed pullout pantry cabinets during our kitchen remodel last year, I thought my organizational problems were solved. I envisioned rows of neatly stacked spices and easy-to-see bins of pasta just waiting to be whipped into something delicious.
The reality is that my pantry has turned into a game of spice-and-go-seek that generally ends in frustration and guilt. The bins I bought for my pasta are there, but there aren’t enough of them, and they aren’t the right size. Worse, the myriad packages, from cans to cellophane-wrapped cookie boxes, create chaotic clutter in the rest of my pantry. So I’m taking time out this weekend for a thoughtful organization project based on my real life, not something I saw on a cooking show.
Here’s my seven-step plan for pantry perfection.
The reality is that my pantry has turned into a game of spice-and-go-seek that generally ends in frustration and guilt. The bins I bought for my pasta are there, but there aren’t enough of them, and they aren’t the right size. Worse, the myriad packages, from cans to cellophane-wrapped cookie boxes, create chaotic clutter in the rest of my pantry. So I’m taking time out this weekend for a thoughtful organization project based on my real life, not something I saw on a cooking show.
Here’s my seven-step plan for pantry perfection.
1. Install a spice shelf. I love my roll-out pantry, but my spices are getting lost in the mix. Because they’re stacked one behind the other, they waste space, and it’s hard to see what I have. To remedy this problem, I’ll install door-mounted spice shelves inside the cabinet where I keep my cookbooks.
The trick will be finding a rack that doesn’t require heavy mounting hardware that might poke through to the outside of the cabinet. So while I would absolutely love a wooden rack like this one, I’ll likely need to find one made of wire.
The trick will be finding a rack that doesn’t require heavy mounting hardware that might poke through to the outside of the cabinet. So while I would absolutely love a wooden rack like this one, I’ll likely need to find one made of wire.
2. Keep go-to items at eye level. Judging by where these cereal boxes are kept, I’d guess that a couple of self-directed kids hit this pantry for breakfast every morning. I’m taking a cue from this smart parent and organizing my pantry based on how often my family uses individual items.
I’ll reserve eye-level shelves for cereal, pasta and other staples while keeping baking supplies and treats higher up.
I’ll reserve eye-level shelves for cereal, pasta and other staples while keeping baking supplies and treats higher up.
3. Optimize containers. When I first organized my pantry, I figured that every bulk, pourable item belonged in an airtight container. So I went to my local wholesaler and got container sets that featured boxes in various sizes. Big mistake. Because really there are only two sizes I use: large and medium.
Not only that, but I didn’t think carefully enough about what went into the containers. We don’t buy our cereals or snacks in bulk, so trading a slim box for a clear container did nothing for improving my organization.
Instead, I’ll take a cue from this pantry and use containers only for items that need to stay fresh and come in messy bags, like baking supplies.
Not only that, but I didn’t think carefully enough about what went into the containers. We don’t buy our cereals or snacks in bulk, so trading a slim box for a clear container did nothing for improving my organization.
Instead, I’ll take a cue from this pantry and use containers only for items that need to stay fresh and come in messy bags, like baking supplies.
I’ll also pay attention to the shapes of the containers I add to my collection. I love the look of mason jars, but rectangular containers like the ones in this pantry nestle together more neatly, conserving precious shelf space within my narrow pullouts.
4. Invest in pretty labels. Every time I pull out a container of a white, powdery baking product, I have to taste it to see if it’s corn starch, flour or confectioner’s sugar. I put all three in containers, but I didn’t like the business-like look of the labels from my label maker, so I simply stopped marking them.
So now I’m hunting for pretty kitchen labels like the ones here so I’ll know what everything is, when I bought it and when it’s ready to be tossed.
So now I’m hunting for pretty kitchen labels like the ones here so I’ll know what everything is, when I bought it and when it’s ready to be tossed.
5. Use baskets for anything round. I usually keep round, nonperishable items like onions and potatoes in their bags on the lowest shelf of my pantry, but as the shelves roll, a few veggies inevitably escape and make a mess. Baskets like those used in this pantry keep food organized and still allow air to circulate, preventing the food from getting prematurely moldy.
6. Keep awkwardly shaped items down low. At my house a search for an afternoon snack inevitably ends in an avalanche of chips, trail mix and other bagged foods. By moving the packages to a lower shelf, as this homeowner did, I’ll be able to see how they’re shifting and prevent potato chip rainstorms and other messes.
7. Be mindful. The pantries that inspire me most are never packed to the gills with snacks and canned goods. So as I reorganize, I won’t just toss expired items. Instead, I’ll note what I’ve been purchasing too much of and avoid those things in the future.
And when I do come home from the grocery store, I’ll think about not just where I put things away but how they’re put away, taking care to face containers with the labels out and align similar items.
Because, yes, some people’s spaces actually do look like the one shown here. And I intend to be one of those people.
More:
How to Clean Out the Pantry
The 15 Most Popular Kitchen Storage Ideas on Houzz
And when I do come home from the grocery store, I’ll think about not just where I put things away but how they’re put away, taking care to face containers with the labels out and align similar items.
Because, yes, some people’s spaces actually do look like the one shown here. And I intend to be one of those people.
More:
How to Clean Out the Pantry
The 15 Most Popular Kitchen Storage Ideas on Houzz
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Ment to say "I label one side of the JAR, and the lid"
In my VERY TINY kitchen I cannot afford to waste an inch. I detest deep storage as I am totally visual, so keep items in bins (IKEA white plastic for uniform appearance and economy) which I can remove from a deep shelf (by deep, I mean deeper than 4 inches!) and take to the stove or work area. Bin contents are labeled by USE and all contents are visible from top of bin. I save attractive jars that fit in bins like a puzzle so not an inch is wasted space - larger for items used in quantity, diminutive for items used sparingly. Refills are stored behind these convenient-to-u
small bins -
MEASURES - measuring utensils
THICKENERS - flour, cornstarch, arrow root, gelatin, tapioca, cream of tarter, potato starch
LEVENERS - baking powder, baking soda, dry yeast, as well as items often used with them in small quantities while baking or making Asian sauces - salt, sugar, brown sugar.
Other bins, contain
SWEETENERS - honey, molasses, corn syrup, etc
FLAVORINGS - vanilla, almond, and other extracts. espresso instant coffee, etc.
CHOCOLATES - cocoa, bars with various cocoa contents from milk through darkest to unsweetened blocks, chips, etc.
DRY FRUIT - cherries, cranberries, raisins, prunes, apricots etc.
CRACKERS that have been opened go into small jars
nuts are in the freezer or refrigerator
ASIAN - dried mushrooms, seaweed, spring roll wrappers, noodles, mung beans, etc
DIPS/SAUCES - emergency gravy packets when I need to stretch recipes,
GRAINS - barley, corn meals, oats and other hot cereals
RICE - there are several kinds, used in different ethnic cuisines
BREADS - pita, corn and flour tortillas of various sizes
If there is no room in the bin, I need to use what is there before buying more - easy to check before shopping.
Basement pantry and canning room