Creative DIY Ideas & Home Solutions

How to Organize the Kitchen Pantry

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How to Organize a Pantry like Martha Stewart

 

DIY pantry organization is crucial to keep food organized on a regular basis… food illnesses are no joke! There is also the issue of food waste, buying unnecessary items because you already had it in your pantry but forgot about it or it’s pushed to the back and expired. According to World Food Day “In the USA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, equaling more than 20 pounds of food per person per month.” Let’s try to reduce our food waste by eliminating food items we do not eat or care for. Keep reading to learn How to Organize the Kitchen Pantry.

 

 

Small Pantry Remodel Before and After with pictures

 

 

 

 

This post was first published on Februray 23, 2017… We moved into a new home since then, so I’m sharing the pantry in our last house and our current house.

 

The HUGE Pantry in our Last House

Our pantry is located behind the kitchen island (double doors pictured below) It’s a fairly large pantry so we are able to keep all our dry-good in this space. We don’t stockpile food (like extreme couponers) because honestly, it’s just wasteful. Sure somethings have long expiration dates, but it adds more clutter to your home, and most of the time, those stockpiled items do go to waste 🙁

 

The pantry is crucial to keep organized on a regular basis, food illnesses are no joke! There is also the issue of food waste, buying unnecessary items because you already had it in your pantry but forgot about it or it’s pushed to the back and expired. According to World Food Day “In the USA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, equaling more than 20 pounds of food per person per month.” Let’s try to reduce our food waste by eliminating food items we do not eat or care for. Here's How to Organize and Simplify Your Kitchen Pantry. Get organized, de-clutter, kitchen organization, organize the pantry, organized kitchen, pantry labels, free printable food labels, pantry jar labels, printable labels

 

If you don’t have a dedicated pantry, consider placing 2 to 3 bookcases together to create an open pantry like the one pictured below.

 

The pantry is crucial to keep organized on a regular basis, food illnesses are no joke! There is also the issue of food waste, buying unnecessary items because you already had it in your pantry but forgot about it or it’s pushed to the back and expired. According to World Food Day “In the USA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, equaling more than 20 pounds of food per person per month.” Let’s try to reduce our food waste by eliminating food items we do not eat or care for. Here's How to Organize and Simplify Your Kitchen Pantry. Get organized, de-clutter, kitchen organization, organize the pantry, organized kitchen, pantry labels, free printable food labels, pantry jar labels, printable labels

 

 

Supplies Needed to Organize Your Pantry:

Baskets

Large Jars (I used old pickle jars from Costco)

Acrylic drawer organizers

Acrylic shelves (for spices or canned goods)

Printable Labels (Premier Members can print these at Craft & Create Club)

Get organized with printable labels!

Organizing Your Pantry: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Clutter-Free Kitchen

A well-organized pantry can transform your kitchen experience, making meal prep faster and more enjoyable. No more sifting through cluttered shelves or expired items—just easy access to everything you need. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you create a pantry that’s not only functional but also a joy to look at.

Step 1: Clear and Clean

  • Start with a Blank Slate:
    Begin by removing everything from your pantry. This step allows you to see the available space clearly and gives you the opportunity to clean the shelves thoroughly.
  • Wipe Down Shelves:
    Use a gentle cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water to wipe down all surfaces. This will remove any dust or spills and ensure your pantry is hygienic.

Step 2: Sort and Categorize

  • Group Similar Items:
    As you remove items, start grouping them by category. Common categories include grains, canned goods, snacks, baking supplies, and spices. Sorting now will make it easier to organize later.
  • Check Expiry Dates:
    This is the perfect time to check for expired items. Discard anything past its prime and take note of what needs to be replenished.

Step 3: Plan Your Space

  • Assess Your Pantry Layout:
    Consider the size and shape of your pantry. Think about how you can maximize the space using shelves, baskets, and bins. Make a rough plan of where each category might fit best.
  • Prioritize Accessibility:
    Place frequently used items at eye level or within easy reach. Less commonly used items can be stored higher up or at the back.

Step 4: Invest in Organizational Tools

  • Containers and Bins:
    Transparent containers are great for storing bulk items like pasta, rice, and flour, as they allow you to see the contents easily. Bins can help group smaller items together.
  • Label Everything:
    Labels are your best friend in a pantry. They ensure everything has a designated spot and make it easy for everyone in the household to find what they need.
  • Use Vertical Space:
    Install additional shelving or a pegboard to make use of vertical space. This can be perfect for storing items like cutting boards or small kitchen tools.

Step 5: Restock Thoughtfully

  • Stick to Your Categories:
    As you return items to the pantry, adhere to the categories you originally sorted them into. This will help maintain order in the long run.
  • Practice FIFO (First In, First Out):
    Place newer items behind older ones. This way, you’ll use up older items first and minimize waste.

Step 6: Maintain Your Pantry

  • Regular Clean-Ups:
    Set a routine to check your pantry every few months. Remove expired items, wipe down surfaces, and reorganize as needed.
  • Adjust as Necessary:
    As your needs change, don’t hesitate to adjust your system. Flexibility is key to maintaining an organized pantry that works for you.

TIP: I go through my pantry once a month to see if there are unopened items that we have yet to eat and if so, I put them in a bag to donate to our church (they take any food donation)

 

 

 

The bottom portion of our pantry is used to store dog food (lol, because everyone buys the big bags like we do, right?), a step stool and a wire bin with larger miscellaneous items.

One day I will find the perfect container to hold the dog food, but throwing the bag in here is working for now 🙂

 

The pantry is crucial to keep organized on a regular basis, food illnesses are no joke! There is also the issue of food waste, buying unnecessary items because you already had it in your pantry but forgot about it or it’s pushed to the back and expired. According to World Food Day “In the USA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, equaling more than 20 pounds of food per person per month.” Let’s try to reduce our food waste by eliminating food items we do not eat or care for. Here's How to Organize and Simplify Your Kitchen Pantry. Get organized, de-clutter, kitchen organization, organize the pantry, organized kitchen, pantry labels, free printable food labels, pantry jar labels, printable labels

 

Now that you’ve organized the space, you need to one more crucial step when organizing: add labels! I did all the hard work for you designing every pantry label you could ever need, ready for you to print and cut right here 🙂

 

These pantry labels were one of the last projects that I designed for the CutCardStock.blog using my Cricut Explore Machine BUT I also created a printable version so you can organize your pantry like a pro too!

 

The pantry is crucial to keep organized on a regular basis, food illnesses are no joke! There is also the issue of food waste, buying unnecessary items because you already had it in your pantry but forgot about it or it’s pushed to the back and expired. According to World Food Day “In the USA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, equaling more than 20 pounds of food per person per month.” Let’s try to reduce our food waste by eliminating food items we do not eat or care for. Here's How to Organize and Simplify Your Kitchen Pantry. Get organized, de-clutter, kitchen organization, organize the pantry, organized kitchen, pantry labels, free printable food labels, pantry jar labels, printable labels

 

 

The labels can be adhered to baskets/bins/wire shelves using glue dots, glue, or 3M adhesive (if printing on cardstock) OR print on full sheet white labels or full sheet clear labels  OR hole punch the sides and string ribbon/yarn/twine to tie to baskets/bins/wire shelves (if printing on cardstock)

 

The pantry is crucial to keep organized on a regular basis, food illnesses are no joke! There is also the issue of food waste, buying unnecessary items because you already had it in your pantry but forgot about it or it’s pushed to the back and expired. According to World Food Day “In the USA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, equaling more than 20 pounds of food per person per month.” Let’s try to reduce our food waste by eliminating food items we do not eat or care for. Here's How to Organize and Simplify Your Kitchen Pantry. Get organized, de-clutter, kitchen organization, organize the pantry, organized kitchen, pantry labels, free printable food labels, pantry jar labels, printable labels

 

Print as many as you like after downloading the file and use it over and over! I recommend printing on white cardstock 65 lbs or heavier (110 lb card stock is recommended for best durability).

 

Supplies to make pantry labels:

Directions:
  1. Cut each label around the black border
  2. Hole punch sides to tie to baskets/bins/wire shelves using twine OR
  3. Use 3M double-sided tape or glue dots to adhere to the back if you prefer not to hole punch

The pantry is crucial to keep organized on a regular basis, food illnesses are no joke! There is also the issue of food waste, buying unnecessary items because you already had it in your pantry but forgot about it or it’s pushed to the back and expired. According to World Food Day “In the USA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, equaling more than 20 pounds of food per person per month.” Let’s try to reduce our food waste by eliminating food items we do not eat or care for. Here's How to Organize and Simplify Your Kitchen Pantry. Get organized, de-clutter, kitchen organization, organize the pantry, organized kitchen, pantry labels, free printable food labels, pantry jar labels, printable labels

The baskets in my pantry have holes to make it easy to attach these labels.

The pantry is crucial to keep organized on a regular basis, food illnesses are no joke! There is also the issue of food waste, buying unnecessary items because you already had it in your pantry but forgot about it or it’s pushed to the back and expired. According to World Food Day “In the USA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, equaling more than 20 pounds of food per person per month.” Let’s try to reduce our food waste by eliminating food items we do not eat or care for. Here's How to Organize and Simplify Your Kitchen Pantry. Get organized, de-clutter, kitchen organization, organize the pantry, organized kitchen, pantry labels, free printable food labels, pantry jar labels, printable labels

 

 

The TINY Pantry in our Current House

 

Our small pantry with ugly wire shelves was begging to get remodeled. We are limited on space in our small kitchen but luckily enough, we have a dedicated pantry closet. We decided to remodel the pantry after revamping the pantry barn door (see my DIY post for the tutorial) with a plan to renovate our pantry over a long weekend.

 

 

 

How do I expand my kitchen pantry?

You can expand your kitchen pantry by using the back of the pantry door for storage. This handy back-of-the-door organizer helped us organize more items in our pantry without an expansion.

 

 

–>You can see the full pantry remodel in this post

 

 

I used an organization rack to store all of my various baking trays and baking pans in our pantry! I used to store these pans on top of each other in the cabinet above the refrigerator and they were always such a hassle to get to. Now I can reach up and grab what I need! This also makes it easier for my daughter who loves to bake.

 

small Pantry Remodel Before and After

 

 

Another storage hack I did was using smaller wicker baskets to hold all of my pie pans (I like to bake pies!) and casserole dishes behind food storage containers.

 

Pantry Remodel ideas

 

 

I changed our Flour and Sugar canisters from big, heavy glass jars, to these lightweight and ergonomic OXO containers. Now my daughter won’t have an issue lifting these from the pantry to the countertop when she’s baking!

 

I also hid some small wicker baskets behind the Baking Containers to store small baking items (cookie cutters, food coloring, cupcake liners, cake decorating, sprinkles, etc.). I used some DIY wood pieces to create hanging labels on the baskets.

Pantry Remodel Before and After

 

 

 

So long — and good riddance — to orphaned and unlabeled cans and jars. Here’s how to replace them with a pretty new system. Take a few simple steps to get your pantry ready for kitchen entertaining! An organized pantry can save you time, reduce stress, and even save money by preventing food waste. With a little effort and planning, you can create a pantry that not only meets your functional needs but also inspires you to cook and create with ease. Happy organizing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Organize Your Home Fast

 

Get ready to have your mind blown. This method to organize house clutter quickly is not a new method or secret hack. Do you think the organizing pros have been keeping this secret method with how to declutter your home fast all to themselves? I think my mother used this “secret” strategy to quickly organize the house with 6 kids in the 1980’s… it’s definitely not a new way to clean a house fast… but it’s so easy that anyone with a laundry basket can do it.

 

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My friends and family always asked me how to declutter fast because our house looks like a model home (not to brag). So I shared my secret with how to declutter a house fast with my friends and family and then they started doing this trick to quickly organize house declutter.

 

I bet you are dying to know how I organize my house fast with a family of 4 and a dog…

 

–>>Go here to learn my secret to Declutter Your Home Fast!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Organizing Resources…

 

–>>Want more tips to de-clutter your life? Check out Your Home Made Simple in 30 days.

 

Not sure if you’re ready to commit 30 days? Try my FREE 3- day course to organize your kitchen here!

 

–>>Want freebies to help you get organized? Sign up to get access to my private digital library here!

 

Get a full list of top organizing resources HERE.

 

 

 

 

The pantry is crucial to keep organized on a regular basis, food illnesses are no joke! There is also the issue of food waste, buying unnecessary items because you already had it in your pantry but forgot about it or it’s pushed to the back and expired. According to World Food Day “In the USA, 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, equaling more than 20 pounds of food per person per month.” Let’s try to reduce our food waste by eliminating food items we do not eat or care for. Here's How to Organize and Simplify Your Kitchen Pantry. Get organized, de-clutter, kitchen organization, organize the pantry, organized kitchen, pantry labels, free printable food labels, pantry jar labels, printable labels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psssssttt…Right now I’m offering a FREE 3-Day Course to Organize your Kitchen FOR GOOD!  The free course includes instructions, tips and pictures for how to de-clutter, simplify and organize your kitchen in only 3-days!  Hurry up and sign up here!  (Course instructions will be sent after subscribing)

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links or a sponsored post. All opinions are always 100% mine and I don’t partner with any product or company that I don’t use and love. Please see our Full Disclosure for more information.

 

How to Organize a Pantry like Martha Stewart