Pantry storage and organization ideas

Kitchen pantries are always jam-packed, and we are honest, always an after-thought when it comes to organizing. A lot takes place in a pantry.  Whether it's just a cabinet in your kitchen, a walk-in cupboard, or a separate room altogether, all pantries have one thing in common; organizing them should be a top priority. Food expires, pantries do get cluttered and you forget what you have in there. I've put together pantry storage and organization ideas (and solutions) to help keep the pantry in shape, and in the long term save from food wastage.

Pantry storage and organization ideas

Invest in clear jars

Glass Jar with Bamboo Lids Urban Green, Glass Airtight Food Storage Containers, Glass Canister set, Spice Jar, Glass storage containers with lids, Pantry Organization and Storage set of 5

 

Why clear jars? 

It's simple, you won't need to open the containers to know what's inside. I use plastic containers for my cereals, and it is a nightmare. The opening and closing isn't only a waste of time, but results in faster wear and tear on the lids. You'll also be in the know about which pantry staples are running out.  You'll save by only replenishing what is actually running out.

Labels

Talented Kitchen 157 Script Pantry Labels – 157 Kitchen Pantry Names – Food Label Sticker, Water Resistant Pantry Labels for Containers, Jar Labels Pantry Organization and Storage (157– Script Pantry)

 

If you have opaque containers (or even clear ones), labeling them will benefit you in many ways. You can achieve this in two ways i.e use an oil-based marker to label your jars or buy label stickers. Both work. The key is to keep your pantry organized, but I am biased towards purchasing nicely designed stickers.

Storage Baskets

If you have an open pantry, you may benefit from using baskets to organize your pantry. Of course, you won't be storing cooking oils there, but rather tinned and dry foods. I love drawers and feel like I organize better with them. Baskets do double as drawers in this instance. Make a point to label them though, to avoid confusing them when looking for your staples.

Lazy Susan turntable containers

Lazy Susan - 2 Pack Round Plastic Clear Rotating Turntable Organization & Storage Container Bins for Cabinet, Pantry, Fridge, Countertop, Kitchen, Vanity - Spinning Organizer for Spices, Condiments

 

Rotating Lazy Susans can be versatile storage organizers for your pantry, especially for bottled staples like cooking oils, and sauces. The rotation is ultra-useful for reaching items and preventing things from tipping over while you are trying to reach the other side of the turntable. Most Lazy Susans are made from transparent material, another plus in your pantry storage efforts. Digging stuff up just to find one tin wastes time, and clutters up the pantry very easily.

These also work well for fridge storage.

Pull out pantry organizers

Household Essentials 1215-1 Glidez 1-Tier Sliding Organizer | Pull Out Pantry Shelf | White | 12 Inches Wide

 

The simplest way to declutter your pantry is by installing a pull-out organizer. This way, you can slide out shelves from the back of the pantry to gain access to what's been shoved in the front. You can also have a designated magnet board for items that don't go in the same place like spices and coffee filters.

This is also a great way to free up counter space as it utilizes vertical space. It makes it easy to grab what you need in a hurry when you're in a hurry. It saves time, money, and effort.  Pull-out pantry organizers function as a drawer. They can also be mounted on the inside of your cabinets. These work well for items that you use often. You can adjust them to sit higher or lower to accommodate taller objects, like canned goods and bottles.

In a nutshell, pull-out pantry organizers will do two things: better organize the pantry, and open up more storage space. This idea is about as cheap as it gets--you can find these organizers at most stores for about $30 each, which means you could outfit your entire kitchen with them for less than $250.

Overdoor pantry organizer

Bee Home Over the Cabinet Pantry Door or Wall Mounted Heavy Duty Metal Basket Organizer Storage Rack for Kitchen, Bathroom, Office, Toy Room includes hooks for over the door or wall mounting (4 Tier)Household Essentials 6-Tier Basket Over-The-Door Organizer, RedHome Basics Over the Door Pantry Spice and Jar Rack Organizer 5-Tier Storage for Multipurpose Use For Kitchen Cabinets, Bedrooms and PlayroomsLavish Home (White) 6-Tier Adjustable Pantry Shelves and Door Rack for Home Organization and Storage, (L) 19” x (W) 5” x (H) 56-64Panacea Grayline Back-of-The-Door Organizer, WhiteWetheny Over The Door Pantry Organzier 3 Tier Hanging Wire Storage Basket Spice Rack Shelf with Hooks and Towel Rack for Bathroom Kitchen Craft Room Heavy Duty Black

 

Eliminate clutter and make your pantry more efficient and easy to organize with an over-the-door pantry organizer. This ingenious product is quick and easy to install and enables you to store all of your pantry goods on the inside of the door, making them easier to access.

Over-the-door pantry organizers are also great tools for maximizing space. They do not take up any floor space and can be hung on any sturdy door. They can be mounted to either side of a cabinet and offer a tidy, easy-to-access storage solution. This organizer is perfect for storing spices, small appliances, or canned goods.  

Tea Organizers

RoyalHouse Natural Bamboo Tea Bag Organizer Box, Organizers and Storage, Drawer Organizer Tea Box, 12 CompartmentsGlass Canister Set with Stainless Steel Lids 57/44/29 Ounce for Coffee, Sugar and Tea (3-Piece Assorted)

 

One of my favorite tea organizers is the Tea Chest. It's a great way to organize your tea by type or by flavor. You can also use this organizer for other spices, loose-leaf teas, or coffee beans. Another option is clear jars. I love using glass jars for storage because they're easy to see through and look nice on the countertop. Label them to ensure that the flavors do not mix.

What is the best way to organize a pantry?

• Clear out the pantry and start from scratch.
• Categorize by grouping similar foods together e.g grains, oils, spices, tinned foods.
• Know what goes together e.g cumin does not go well with flour due to its strong smell.
• Containers must be practical - you should be able to fit your hands and measuring cup inside the containers. The last thing you need is your hand being stuck inside a jar, therefore wasting your time.
• Consider your lifestyle and storage (grab and go items work better in open containers)

Organizing the pantry when you have limited space

If you have a limited amount of space in your pantry, one option is to stack jars and containers on top of each other. You can use this same stacking technique for canned goods as well. If you want to maximize the functionality of your limited space, hang storage baskets from your shelves so they're at eye level.

I hope these pantry storage and organization ideas are useful for you and will help organize your life.  Pin or share and spread the fun!