5 Tips For Getting a Messy Pantry Organized 

Whether you have a walk-in pantry with tons of storage or a small cabinet where you store your pantry items, you need a system to keep everything organized, visible, and easy to find. It’s tempting to pile things up as you buy them, but the problem with that is you will never be able to remember what you have or where it is, and you’ll end up buying things you don’t need and throwing out items that are expired because you’ve forgotten about them. Our tips will get your pantry organized and save you time and money.

1. Find Storage Solutions that Work For You

The first thing you need to decide is what type of organization will work best for you. One person’s solution is another person’s frustration. Some of the choices available include:

• Pull-out shelves: These are great for deep cabinets that have plenty of storage space but lack functionality because it’s difficult to see what’s on each shelf. Pull out shelves will allow you to easily find that one last can of chopped tomatoes you need for your marinara sauce, even though it’s hidden behind all of your other canned goods.
• Clear containers: Clear containers are a good option for large, walk-in pantries where many different kinds of things are stored. Large pantries are terrific for storage, but they can quickly become a mess of disorganization because they are so big. Clear containers stacked neatly will make it easy to spot what you’re looking for without having to search shelf by shelf. Use labels on the clear containers to make your pantry even easier to manage.
• Woven Baskets: If you prefer to keep your pantry looking minimalist, woven baskets are the best option. You can store items in the baskets and use tags to identify what is inside the baskets, and your pantry will be a visually restful place.

2. Store Dry Goods and Other Items Without Packaging

Many of your pantry items are taking up a lot of space because of how they are packaged, and most are easier to access in containers with larger openings. Use vacuum-sealed storage products to safely keep many ingredients and snacks fresh longer, including:

• Ingredients such as flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and breadcrumbs
• Oats, barley, quinoa, and pasta
• Dried fruits like raisins and apricots
• Chips and cookies
• Breakfast bars and breakfast cereal
• Pre-packaged, grab and go bags of snacks

Make sure to label what is in the container. That way you don’t confuse the sugar and the salt. And be sure to update the expiration date for the items whenever you restock.

3. Maintain Organization Every Time You Open Your Pantry

Stay organized daily, especially after going to the store and bringing home pantry items. Rotate your items so the ones in the front are the oldest and will be used first. For example, chicken and beef stock has a somewhat limited shelf life. So you want to use the older cans or containers first to avoid wasted money and wasted space in your pantry. Once you get used to keeping your pantry organized and updated, it won’t seem like work at all.

4. Use Your Pantry for More Than Food

If you have a large pantry, you can use it for more than just food. Use the bottom shelves to store appliances that you don’t use daily, such as stand mixers and bread makers. You can store big bowls, large platters, and other oddly-sized trays and serving pieces in your pantry as well. It’s also a good idea in a large pantry to have a stepstool handy for reaching the highest shelves. Make the most of your pantry by using containers, baskets, hooks, rods, and anything else that will give you more storage space.

If you have a small pantry, it’s best to keep it just for food items— but by getting organized, you will have a lot more room for all of the snacks, canned goods, breads, pastas, and ingredients you need to make delicious meals.

5. Choose Art of Drawers for Your Custom Pantry Storage Solutions

Art of Drawers has a wide range of choices for storage, whatever size your pantry is. Art of Drawers will make your pantry easy to manage with options like pull-out drawers, draw inserts, over-door storage, and more. Once Art of Drawers gets your pantry organized, it will be easy to keep it that way.

For more information or to schedule a free design consultation with Art of Drawers, please contact us online or at 770-800-8410.