Is your pantry out of control, stuffed to the brim, without any semblance of order? Stop the madness and start the New Year right by giving your pantry a much-needed makeover! Here at Willow Lane Cabinetry, we know an organized kitchen is a happy kitchen. Follow these helpful tips to organize your pantry like a pro!
Step 1: Sort And Purge
Before you can tidy up your pantry, you need to sort and purge. That means pulling everything out of your pantry and sorting like items: Pastas in one pile, canned goods in another pile, cereals in the next, and so on. Toss out anything that is stale or past its expiration date. And since it’s the New Year, the same goes for anything you really don’t need, such as unhealthy snacks and sweets.
Step 2: Clean And Spruce
Now that your pantry is empty, pull out those cleaning products and thoroughly wipe down all surfaces and crevices. You may also want to spruce things up by adding some decorative shelf liner, and if necessary, giving the walls a fresh coat of paint.
Step 3: Zone And Label
Once you have eliminated any expired and unwanted pantry goods, and sorted everything accordingly, it’s time to assess what is left. Identify the categories that your remaining items fall under, and create designated, easily accessible zones in your pantry to contain everything. These zones might include breakfast items, baking necessities, jars and sauces, healthy snacks, breads and grains, or whatever suits your needs. Sort canned goods into sub categories such as fruits, vegetables, soups, and beans, and group them neatly on a lower shelf. Place items you use on a daily basis at eye level, and items you use the least often on the top shelf. Once you are finished, label each zone so you can stay organized and quickly find what you need.
Step 4: Organize And Accessorize
Here is where the fun begins! Professional pantry organizers advise that you store your dry ingredients in clear, stackable, airtight containers. This includes flour, sugar, rice, pasta, cereal, and dried beans. Plan your meals at the beginning of each week, and group non-perishable recipe ingredients in separate bins, one for each day. Bins are also great for corralling paper goods, potatoes, onions, coffee and tea, bags of pretzels and chips, and even breads. A well-organized pantry also makes room for cooking necessities, like oils, dried herbs, and spices. These staples should be readily on hand in your pantry. Or better yet, install a door mounted spice rack inside a cabinet door close to your stove for easy access. In addition, our vertical door rack fits an 18” wide wall (or base cabinet), and is the perfect solution for housing foil, plastic wrap and zip-top bags.
Once your pantry is in tip-top shape, you may want to take it step further and organize your kitchen cabinets with additional storage solutions. Visit Willow Lane Cabinetry and browse our online selection of inside cabinet accessories, including cutlery trays, pull out waste containers, tray dividers, cookware organizers, and more!
Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!
Written by Tiffany. Tiffany honed her skills as a writer and editor working in the fast-paced newspaper, magazine, and television industries. Tiffany is also an award winning graphic designer, with extensive experience in the worlds of mass media, publishing, and advertising. As a designer, she also has a strong eye for interior decorating and color. Tiffany has a BA in Communications and a minor in Fine Art. She is a natural cook just like her mother, and rarely uses a recipe. She also enjoys reading, photography, painting—and most of all, spending time with her husband (a skilled DIY’er) and two sons.