TIP | Kitchen
How to Organize Your Pantry
Is the kitchen pantry a haven for culinary treasures or a disorganized abyss? For many of us, the correct answer is "both!"
But as big of a home organization project as a pantry makeover can be, you don't have to be a professional organizer to accomplish it. Check out our pantry organization ideas and hacks below.
Declutter & Categorize
- Start by emptying everything. Check expiration dates and toss out old items.
- Wipe down the shelves, and then protect them with shelf liners. (If you have wire shelves, these help add extra stability for all kinds of items.
- Create zones by grouping similar items (baking supplies, canned goods, snacks, small appliances) for easy access.
Maximize Vertical Space
- Maximize the vertical shelf space with tiered risers (for canned goods, spices, etc.) and stacking shelves.
- Don't neglect pantry doors! Elfa Door & Wall Racks provide helpful extra storage space for canned goods, spices, cleaning supplies, or even soda bottles. (If you have a small space, this is particularly helpful.)
Food Storage Containers & BinsÂ
- Decant bulk dry goods and baking ingredients into clear, airtight containers like OXO POP Canisters for freshness and visibility.Â
- Use clear bins with handles to group like items together. Clear containers give you an instant visual of what you're looking for, and make it easier when it's time to restock at the grocery store.
- If you're bored with clear plastic containers, you may opt for more decorative pantry storage bins instead. (Our assortment includes elegant options made from metal, wood, water hyacinth, bamboo, and more.) In this case, adding chalkboard or reusable labels makes the food items easier to find at a glance.
- Glass jars make great snack and dry good storage options that also look nice on countertops and open shelves.
Other Helpful Pantry Organizers
- Lazy susans and turntables, which are perfect for condiments and sauces, give you easy access to deeper pantry shelves and awkward corners.
- Shelf dividers prevent taller pantry items or rows of items from falling over.
- If you have a walk-in pantry, or a pantry with a lot of empty space between the floor and lowest shelf, consider an Elfa Drawer Unit. The drawers pull out easily to work as carrying baskets when needed. And you can even add drawer organizers to keep their inner contents tidy.
Kitchen organization isn't that hard, but does require some effort and consistent practice. Even if you have a small pantry, these organizing tips should help you make the most of every inch.
Check out all of The Container Store's kitchen storage solutions here!
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