How to Organize the Shelves in the Pantry

An organized pantry helps you find what you need faster.

A pantry closet provides a convenient, all-in-one solution for food storage. Unfortunately, without a plan, pantry shelves can quickly become a disorganized mess, making it difficult to find items you need or plan for grocery store trips. An organized pantry is not an impossible goal, but getting your food storage in order will take a complete overhaul of your current system and regular maintenance to keep it in good order.

Things You'll Need

• All-purpose cleaner
• Damp towel
• Label maker (optional)
• Plastic (or glass) storage containers with lids
• Wire bins

Instructions

1. Remove all items from the pantry. Wipe down shelves to allow a clean start.

2. Use a nearby workspace, such as the kitchen counter or dining table, to group canned goods and boxes by type and use. For example, group baking supplies together and group canned soups together.

3. Pour grains, beans, cereals and pastas from their original packaging into storage containers. These will save shelf space compared to bulky boxes or bags. Label the containers as desired.

4. Fill wire racks with snacks or other individually packaged items to save space.

5. Place items used most frequently to one side of the pantry. Create labels for this group of items and affix this label to the eye-level shelf. Place the items on the labeled shelf.

6. Put snacks and cereals on a shelf at your children's eye level. Place any items that should stay out of your children's reach, such as alcohol or diet foods, on a higher shelf. Label shelves accordingly.

7. Store paper products on a top shelf.

Tips & Warnings

• Storage containers are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Stacking containers can maximize space on narrow shelves, while tall, vertical containers work well with deep shelves.

• Use a lazy Susan or wire door rack for storage of spices.

• If you purchase in bulk, use multiple storage containers following a first-in, first-out rotation.

• Boxes of items that cannot be transferred to racks or containers should be placed with label facing outward in an orientation that takes up the least amount of shelf space.

References

• Real Simple: Organizing the Pantry Closet