How to Design a Kitchen Pantry

Designing a kitchen pantry that is organized and functional

Kitchen pantries are functional spaces that are specifically designed for the storage and organization of food and other common household staples. There are a myriad of ways to add a pantry space to a home from utilizing a closet to using a pre-made, standing unit. No two pantries are alike, due to the varied ways different cooks use items and types of foods they prepare. Adding a kitchen pantry space is an desirable project for many homeowners who have large families or who enjoy cooking or baking. Pantry design is fairly easy with the incorporation of a few organizational tips for a pantry that is functional for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Closet
• Sponge
• Household cleaner
• Interior paint
• Paintbrushes
• Paint roller
• Paint roller pan
• Wire shelves
• Wire shelf supports
• Screwdriver
• Shelf paper
• Wicker storage baskets
• Chalkboard

Instructions

1. Utilize a closet space. Use a closet in or near the kitchen area for a kitchen pantry design. Clear out the closet completely and wipe down the inside with a sponge and household cleaner,

2. Paint the closet interior. Pick a pleasing color for the inside of the kitchen pantry space, and paint the inside of the closet with a water-based interior paint.

3. Add wire shelves. Measure the width of the closet, and purchase wire shelves and shelf supports for the kitchen pantry design. Assemble them in the closet according to the shelf instructions.

4. Incorporate shelf paper. Add brightly colored shelf paper to all the shelf surfaces to serve as a decorative accent to the pantry shelves.

5. Arrange kitchen items according to level of use. Organize the kitchen pantry design by choosing the top shelves for items that get infrequent use, as it is difficult to access them. Organize daily food staples on the middle shelves, making them easily accessible, and store once-a-month items on the bottom shelves.

6. Store like-food items together. Group items, such as canned soups, applesauce containers, spaghetti jars and cereals, together for a kitchen pantry display that is functional and provides an easy way to track inventory.

7. Use baskets to organize food. When designing the kitchen pantry, fill wicker storage baskets with like-food items, and also make a few baskets with the ingredients of a favorite meal to make food preparation easy and fast.

8. Rotate food staples. Check the expiration dates on the packages or cans of food, and rotate them, keeping the fresher food to the back of the kitchen pantry, to ensure proper utilization of pantry items.

9. Hang a chalkboard on the outside pantry door. As a final touch, hang a chalkboard on the door of the kitchen pantry to make grocery lists of food or other staples, so grocery shopping is easier and more efficient.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint the interior of the kitchen pantry closet a light color to make it feel more spacious.

• Keep a jar of clothespins handy to close open snack bags to prevent stale items.

References

• Target Woman: Designing a Kitchen Pantry
• Lunch in a Box: Kitchen Reorganization Series: Kitchen Pantry
• Organized Home: Organized Pantry: Beginner Guide to Pantry Pride

Resources

• Kitchen Bath Ideas: Kitchen Pantry Ideas
• TLC: How Stuff Works: How to Design a Kitchen Pantry
• Country Living: Efficient Kitchen Pantry Ideas