How to Design a Home Pantry

Designed for Organization

Designing your own pantry will help keep food products organized for easy access. If there is an existing pantry or if one needs to be built, pantry organizers can help alleviate some stress if you are not a homeowner who likes woodworking projects. Even if you have to build the basic shelf unit, you can still use the pantry organizers.

Things You'll Need

• 1-by-12-inch lumber
• Carpenter's square
• 1-by-2-inch lumber
• Skill saw
• Variable speed drill
• Countersink drill bit
• Philips head screw tip
• Wood glue
• 1 ¼-inch drywall screws

Instructions

1. Make a normal grocery list. Next, try to separate each product by size. If this is not feasible, separate them by item. For example, put all the products in cans together and then those that are in boxes or bags.

2. Measure the height of the tallest product in each category established in Step 1. This will help to determine which manufactured pantry organizers can be used. (If you are going to build a basic shelf unit, the next section has instructions for that.)

3. Next, measure the shelf space available in the existing pantry or the cabinets that are being used as a pantry. Measure the distance between a shelf and the one above and below it. Also measure the width of the shelf.

4. Research the available products that can help organize a pantry to see which ones will work for your needs. "Pantry Organizers/ Blind Corner" in the Reference section of this article is an example of organizers that are designed to go in the "blind" corner areas of cabinets.

5. Purchase the needed units and install them according to the manufacturer's instructions. Remember to account for the weight of the food products that will be stored in the units.

Basic Shelf Unit

1. Place the 1-by-12-inch lumber on a worktable. Measure and mark one of the pieces to the height needed for your pantry. For 8-foot ceilings, 84 inches is the normal height, but you can make yours as tall or as short as needed.

2. Place the carpenter's square on the mark and draw a line. Repeat this on another piece and cut them with the skill saw. These are the ends of the shelf-unit.

3. Measure and mark another piece of the lumber for the width of the shelf unit. Remember to subtract 1 ½ inches from the width to allow for the ends. Cut as many as you need for the desired shelf unit. Along with the shelves, cut a 1-by-2 the same length for each one.

4. Drill countersink holes down one long edge of each shelf. Keep them with 3/8-inch from the edge and drill one every 6 inches. Apply glue to the other side of that same edge, place a 1-by-2 on it and secure them to the shelves.

5. Measure and mark the ends you cut in Step 1 according to the space determined by Step 2 in the previous section. Place the carpenter's square on each mark and draw a line across the width of the lumber. Next, drill two countersink holes for each shelf on each of the ends. Apply glue to the ends of the shelves and secure them to the ends with the drywall screws.Stand the unit up and place it in the desired location. Secure the unit to the wall through the 1-by-2-inch strips. Install the pantry organizers as indicated.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the weight limit on organizers to be certain they will do what is needed. Paint the basic shelf unit before installing it.

• Do not leave power tools in reach of small children. Do not paint or stain in an unventilated area.

References

• Pantry Organizers/ Blind Corner
• Five Easy Steps to Organize Your Pantry

Resources

• Designing a Kitchen Pantry