The Ultimate Guide to Pantry Organization: Expert Tips and Tricks for a Stress-Free Kitchen
The pantry is a hot spot in any home, and keeping it organized can be a daunting task. With so many options available for pantry storage and organization systems, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we tapped five professional home organizers for expert advice on how to keep everything in your pantry in order, including canned goods, condiments, cookware, spices, cereal, and more.
Our Top Picks for Pantry Organization
– Best Food Storage Containers: OXO Good Grips 8-piece POP Container Baking Set, $66
– Best Turntable: Granny Says Wicker Lazy Susan Organizer, $20
– Best Large Capacity Storage Bins: Open Spaces Medium Wire Baskets, $72
– Best Door Organizers: Elfa Utility Large Mesh Over the Door Rack, $170
– Best Free-Standing Shelving System: IKEA Bror Shelving Unit, $80
– Best Clear Food Storage Container Set: The Home Edit Stacking Pantry Bins Set of 4, $80
Pantry Organization Tips from the Experts
1.
Remove Bulky Packaging and Place Dry Goods into Clear Containers
Remove dry goods like rice, pasta, and beans and baking essentials like brown sugar and flour from the bulky boxes they came in. Once removed, sort these pantry items into tall glass canisters or other clear containers so you can see exactly what’s inside.
– Gencywe Glass Storage Jars with Bamboo Lid Set of 6, $24
– Laramaid 26-3 Minimalist Pantry Label Set, $17
– OXO Good Grips 8-piece POP Container Baking Set, $68
2.
Store Individually Packaged Items in Organizer Bins
Fill storage bins with similar items, such as snacks, to keep your pantry looking organized and make it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.
– AOZITA Stackable Wire Basket with Bamboo Top Set of 2, $40
– Proland Recycled Wicker Storage Basket Set of 4, $30
3.
Use a Lazy Susan to Make Everything Accessible
A lazy Susan is the perfect solution for organizing bottled products, such as oils, dressings, and sauces in your kitchen pantry. The rotating feature makes everything accessible.
– Granny Says Wicker Lazy Susan Organizer, $20
– Auam Acacia Wood Lazy Susan Organizer, $20
4.
Shelf Risers Help You Maximize Your Shelf Real Estate
Shelf risers are a game-changer in a pantry. They allow you to see everything at a glance, save space, and keep cans accessible in one location.
– YouCopia ShelfSteps Can Organizer, 3-Shelf, $20
– Songmics Cabinet Organizer Shelf Set of 2, $30
5.
Don’t Forget to Also Contain Your Back Stock
If you’re someone who likes to keep a back stock of kitchen items, you’ll definitely need a system of pantry storage containers. Use deep acrylic storage bins to house your back stock and immediately see what you have on hand.
– The Home Edit Stacking Pantry Bins Set of 4, $80
– Hudgan Stackable Pantry Organizer Bins Set of 8, $34
6.
Use Wire Baskets for Miscellaneous Non-Food Items
Wire baskets are effective for organizing food storage products such as plastic storage bags, tin foil, and parchment paper. By placing not-so-aesthetically-pleasing storage items in baskets, you’re able to keep the uniformity in your pantry and easily access them when you need to.
– Neat Method Grid Basket, $30
– Open Spaces Medium Wire Baskets Set of 2, $72
7.
Pour Cereal and Other Dry Goods into Cereal Containers
Empty cereal into cereal dispensers with airtight seals to keep it from going stale and to create a more uniform look on the shelves.
– HoneyCanDo Bamboo Cereal Dispenser, $35
– OXO Good Grips POP Cereal Dispensers with Airtight Lids Set of 3, $56
8.
Adding Dividers Between Different Types of Items
If you want to use up all the space your shelves have to offer, then dividers might be the way to go for you. Set up a few on your shelf to separate your canned goods and boxes of pasta from your snacks.
– Roufa Clear Acrylic Shelf Dividers Set of 4, $26
– SSAWcasa Metal Shelf Dividers Set of 8, $30
9.
Don’t Overlook the Pantry Door
Get even more storage with a storage rack. These utilitarian wonders create storage space out of thin air.
– Elfa Utility Large Mesh Over the Door Rack, $170
– Moforoco 9-Tier Over The Door Pantry Organizer, $40
10.
Add a Step Stool so Your Top Shelves are Easier to Get to
Make the most of your vertical space by keeping a step stool inside your pantry, that way you’ll always be able to get to those top shelves.
– Hasegawa Lucano Step Stool, $263
– Handy Laundry Foldable Step Ladder, $71
11.
Short on Space? Get More Kitchen Storage with a Free-Standing Cabinet or Pantry Unit
If you live in a smaller apartment that doesn’t have a designated pantry or food storage space, consider purchasing a free-standing cabinet or pantry unit to maximize empty wall space.
– IKEA Bror Shelving Unit, $80
– HomCom Traditional Freestanding Pantry Cabinet, $288
Additional Resources for a Tidier Space
– 59 Home Organization Ideas for a Tidier Space
– 33 Best Closet Organization Ideas to Maximize Space and Style
– Essential Home Organization Tips to Follow When You Move Into a New House
– 48 Desk Organization Ideas to Clear Up Your WFH Space
– 19 Jewelry Organization Ideas for Your Most Delicate Treasures
– 7 Organization Hacks That Will Transform Your Messy Home
– 47 Kitchen Organization Ideas That Declutter Cabinets, Countertops, and More
– 23 Fridge Organization Tips to Make Meal Prep a Breeze
– 31 Garage Storage Ideas to Maximize and Organize the Space
– 5 Home Organization and Cleaning Tips for Hibernation Season
What are the best food storage containers for pantry organization? OXO Good Grips 8-piece POP Container Baking Set
Which turntable is recommended for making pantry products accessible? Granny Says Wicker Lazy Susan Organizer
What are suitable large capacity storage bins for pantry items? Open Spaces Medium Wire Baskets
Which door organizers are ideal for pantry space? Elfa Utility Large Mesh Over the Door Rack
What is a recommended free-standing shelving system for a pantry? IKEA Bror Shelving Unit
Which clear food storage container set is suggested for pantry? The Home Edit Stacking Pantry Bins Set of 4
How should dry goods be stored in the pantry? Remove from bulky packaging and place in clear containers
What is a good method for storing individually packaged items? Use organizer bins for similar items
Why should a lazy Susan be used in pantry? Makes bottles, oils, dressings, and sauces accessible
How do shelf risers benefit pantry organization? Maximizes shelf space, saves room, keeps cans accessible
What is important when containing back stock in the pantry? Use deep acrylic storage bins to see stock clearly
Which items can be stored using wire baskets in pantry? Plastic bags, tin foil, parchment paper
What containers are ideal for storing cereal and dry goods? Cereal dispensers with airtight seals
How do dividers help in pantry organization? Separates items like canned goods, pasta, and snacks
What are some storage rack options for pantry doors? Elfa Utility Large Mesh Over the Door Rack, Moforoco 9-Tier Over The Door Pantry Organizer
How can you improve access to top shelves in the pantry? Keep a step stool inside pantry
What free-standing cabinet or pantry unit can maximize kitchen storage in small spaces? IKEA Bror Shelving Unit, HomCom Traditional Freestanding Pantry Cabinet
