Getting your pantry organized can seem like a daunting challenge, and if your family is anything like mine, it doesn’t take long before its a mess again and you can’t seem to find the crackers you bought the other day (we’ve all been there). I am a person of structure and find it easiest when everything not only has a place, but is functional!
Pantry organization is one of those spaces that craves functionality! If you have an organized pantry that doesn’t flow right, chances are it won’t stay put together for long. Sometimes a system that works for you, may not work for everyone else in the family – which will only cause frustration.
Here is the step by step guide to creating an organized system for your pantry that everyone in the family will buy into!
This post is all about the best pantry organization tips that will keep your pantry looking fabulous and functional!
1. Purge Your Pantry
Okay, first things first! When organizing your pantry, the first step should always begin with a purge of any expired items. Removing unnecessary items will free up space and will instantly provide more room for your everyday essentials.
2. Establish Everyday Essentials
In order to make more room for these everyday essentials, we first need to establish what exactly they are.
If you pack lunches frequently, maybe you need easy access to the bread and snacks. If you love to bake, maybe you need the flour and sugar handy. But lets not just stop with your needs… in order to have a functional pantry, we must account for everyone.
Do your kids need access to quick grab and go snack bags? Does your husband do most of the cooking? If so, which side items does he prepare the most? Pasta, potatoes, rice?
All of these are things to consider when organizing your pantry. Once you’ve narrowed down the “everyday essentials” we can begin putting them in a space that is readily available to the person who uses them the most!
3. Sections!
To make life easier for you, and your family, sections are the best way to organize a pantry! For example, having a bin labeled “Snacks” might prove to be more effective than having 3 different bins labeled “chips” “crackers” and “cookies”. Putting them all in one section will eliminate the step of choosing which snack goes where; instead, your kiddos will know all snacks go in the snack section.
Some different sections you may have could be:
- Baking
- Canned Goods
- Wraps/Bread
- Breakfast
- Sauces and Soups
- Condiments
- Pastas and Grains
Setting your pantry up in sections gives a clear place where everything should go without being too specific!
4. Bins and Baskets
I have gone through several stores and websites to find the best bins, baskets and more that are stylish and affordable that will unify your pantry and keep your sections together! I recommend using clear bins that add function and order to your space. These are the best bins I’ve found and love that they fit together side by side to really maximize every inch of your pantry!
To add some warmer tones, throw these baskets in and add your labels for essential items with ease!
5. Utilize Your Space
If you have space under the bottom shelf or a tall top shelf, take advantage of this and store large paper goods, bulky cleaning supplies, or pet food. Keep the easily accessible shelves for your everyday essentials and as you move higher or lower, the less essential the item should be. This is an easy way to add function to your pantry and will keep it from being cluttered with items you don’t use very often.
Sticking to these 5 tips will definitely help you manage your pantry more efficiently and won’t leave you so overwhelmed when you’re looking for your favorite snack or protein bar! Tackling this project can seem daunting, but once you’ve implemented these ideas, you will be able to maintain a clean and organized pantry SO much easier!