Organize Your Pantry Like a Pro: 9 Simple Steps

We all know that feeling when you need something specific from your pantry and you are 100% sure you bought it the other day, but you JUST CAN’T find it. Why? Because your pantry is like a ‘black box’ – anything that gets in there – somehow disappears. 

Now, we both know what the reason for that is…and we both know the solution to this messy problem – yep, you got it right – it’s time to organize your pantry!

What is the best way to organize your pantry?

1. Take Everything Out of Your Pantry

This step is pretty straightforward. Before deciding what kind of pantry organization containers or bins you will need, or what to buy to organize your pantry – you need to know the real-time situation: what do you already have, what type of foods dominate, and what could be re-used for the organization. No need to over-spend and over-crowd your pantry with more unnecessary stuff that takes up space.

2. Organize your stuff

Now that you have everything in front of you, it’s time to organize your things: check for expiration dates of all the foods, and get rid of the stuff you haven’t used in months or even years (no excuses!). This way you will free up a lot of space. After you’re done, clean every shelf and drawer nicely.

3. Group and categorize

When you are done with organizing your pantry items, group them by type, frequency of use, etc. 

For example, keep your oils or salad dressings in one place, grains, and pasta – in another group, snacks – too, and so on.

Also, items you use the most frequently – put upfront, on the middle shelves, up to your eye level. On the contrary, the ones that have a long expiration date and are used less frequently – should be put in the back or on the very top/bottom shelves.

4. Plan to organize your pantry

Now that you have organized your stuff and you are left with only those items that will go back to your pantry, it’s time to make a list of things you’ll need to organize your pantry: containers, bins, baskets, bags, labels for baskets. Also, if you can see that you need to refill on some kind of groceries – make a list too.

TIP: Decide the dominating style/color/functionality of your pantry first. E.g. – do you want the storage bins to be transparent, or not? Do you want them to be made of plastic, wood, or any other material? What kind of color palette you’d like to dominate? When you choose the main design of your pantry – stick to it and pick your containers accordingly.

5. Use storage containers and bins

Nothing makes your pantry look messier than different types of packages. Also, there’s a person in your family who likes to leave the empty packaging after he takes the last pack of snacks – your pantry can easily become messy in no time. That’s why it’s very important to get rid of any plastic or cardboard containers beforehand. 

E.g. keep your pasta and nuts in glass storage containers instead of in their packaging. Put all the little bags of snacks in one bigger container where they will not mix up with any other items in your pantry. Don’t leave your vegetables in their plastic bags – put them all nicely in the special sustainable bag you can hang somewhere in your pantry, or simply dedicate a separate basket for them. And the list goes on!

6. Label, label, label

That can’t be said too often because labeling your containers is a game changer! Especially, if your pantry containers are not transparent. Simply put a label on each of the pantry bin, container, and basket – you’ll thank yourself later.

If you want to organize your pantry in a way that it would last – labels are very important!

7. Don’t forget the pantry doors…

Many people forget this brilliant pantry spot – the doors! Pantry doors can be used in a variety of ways: you can hang over the door basket and free up the space on shelves. E.g. hang your bags of vegetables there. Another beautiful idea to take advantage of the pantry doors – is to hang a spice rack.

Not only it’s super convenient to store your spices there, but it also looks very cool!

8. … and wall space!

Not only doors but also walls can be also perfectly used to free up some space in your pantry. Hang your aprons, towels, or cleaning items, such as brooms, over there. It can also be used to hang some more shelves for your jars and oils.

9. Keep your pantry organized

Now, your pantry can become cluttered and messy again very fast if you do not do anything to keep it organized. Create some simple rules and ask your family members to stick to them: always put items in their place, take the groceries out of their packaging (if you decided to go with that), and clean your pantry once in a while to make sure the items haven’t expired, and so no. By doing this, you might never have to deep organize your pantry again.

PRO TIP: Protect your shelves

Shelf liners are a great way to keep your pantry organized longer. It protects your shelves from wet foods, like oils. Also, it ensures that your jars and other bottles won’t slip off the shelves.

For more inspiration on how to organize your pantry, visit our less.is.a.new.more Instagram page.

3 Useful Pantry Organization Tips

• Go for transparent storage bins. No matter how beautiful those dark glazed storage bins may look – they won’t be more convenient than the transparent ones. Transparent storage baskets allow you to see what’s inside them without taking everything out or even picking the box out of the shelf. It helps you to find what you’re looking for much faster and track your storage supplies much more conveniently.
• Stack your storage bins. Especially if your pantry is on the smaller side. Before planning to organize your pantry, think about how your storage bins will stack on each other. E.g. rectangular or square containers in this case are much better stackable than round ones.
• Make it simple. Avoid ‘exotic-looking storage bins that require specific knowledge on how to pen them and seal them correctly, etc. Pick the ones that are easy to use so that your family will have no trouble using them and help you keep the pantry organized for longer. Shortly speaking, organize your pantry in a way that is convenient and easy to use, not vice versa!

List of Essential Products to Organize Your Pantry

We have made a list of the items necessary to organize your pantry. They are the best in terms of the relation between the price and value. Besides, they can be used universally.

1. Transparent Storage Containers Set (24-pack)

2. StorageWorks Water Hyacinth Storage Baskets

3. Spice Rack Organizer (36 empty jars + 396 labels)

4. Wall Mount Spice Rack Organizer (5-Tier)

5. Pantry Cabinet Baskets/Organizers (Set of 2)

6. Turntable Organizer With 3 Bins

7. Airtight Plastic Food Storage Containers (15-pack)

8. Floating Wood Shelves (36” Set of 2)

9. Rolling Storage Organizer (5-shelf)

10. Foldable Storage Baskets with Iron Wire (Set of 4)

11. Wooden Nesting Countertop Baskets (Set of 2)

12. 4-Pack XXL Stackable Wire Baskets

13. Wire Basket Organizer with Handles for Organizing Pantry Shelf

14. White Baskets with Handles (Set of 4)

15. Vintage Wire Egg Basket

16. Elegant Oil and Vinegar Bottles

20. Over The Door Pantry Organizer Rack w/ 6 Baskets

21. Detachable 3-Basket Over The Door Organizer

P.S. – check this list for more up-to-date Amazon deals for your house organization!