Do you find yourself getting frustrated constantly looking for things in your pantry and cabinets? Or buying something only to discover later that you already had it? If you answered yes, then it’s probably time to organize your pantry.
The new year is here and it’s time for a fresh start. One thing I like to do every year is go through my house and get rid of that old, unused stuff. The Home Edit is my calling. If you haven’t binged watched it on Netflix already, I highly recommend you do so.
The kitchen is always a good place to start because it’s the heart of the home. Don’t worry, it’s a lot easier than you might think to organize your pantry and cupboards! Plus this will save you a lot of time when it comes time for grocery shopping and deciding what’s for dinner.
Find more kitchen organizers here!
Tips for Pantry Organization
First things first. Remove everything from the cabinets, shelves and drawers. I mean everything. Check the expiration dates and toss anything that is expired. Then toss anything you don’t actually use.
Group like items together
A really simple way to start organizing your pantry and cupboards is by putting similar types of foods together in one area. It doesn’t take very long, is simple to do, and makes it a lot easier to find what you need. This is also a good time to take inventory of items you may need.
Dedicate a shelf or bin for those like items. If you have multiple boxes of crackers or bags of chips, put them all on one shelf or in one bin. That way when you’re looking for a certain type of chip, they’re going to be in that one place. This is the simplest way to start organizing.
Use Containers
If you want to use containers in your pantry organization, I highly recommend clear ones for several reasons. When you have a clear container, you can clearly see what is in that container. Not only can you see what’s inside, but you can also see when that item is running low and then you know it’s time to buy more.
Another factor to consider when using containers is their stackability. Every inch of cabinet space counts so remember you can always go up. Look for containers that are square or rectangle and that can stack on top of each other.
Utilize Doors
If you’re lacking storage space, don’t forget you can utilize doors. Hang organizers over them to free up shelf space. There are many types of door organizers for spices, those darn ziplock bags that always seem to get in the way, tin foil, parchment paper, etc.
Consider Using Lazy Susan Turntables
Adding some lazy susan turntables in your cabinets and pantry shelves is a big game changer. These rotate in a circle, so you can access what is in the back of cabinets without having to move everything aside. Yes, winning. You didn’t just have to pull out 5 bottles to get the one you needed that was way in the back of the cabinet! That’s a win in my book anyway.
Do you have a lazy Susan cabinet? You can easily organize that too! These clear Triangular Lazy Susan Organizer Bins are great to help you group similar items together.
Labels
When organizing your pantry and cupboards, factor in your commitment to maintaining organization. Labels will be your friend. You can use a label maker or get some cute pre-printed labels. I love these ones from the Talented Kitchen and use them in my kitchen, bathroom, garage and for my arts & craft supplies.
Organization is always a good thing. Now is the time to stop thinking about doing it and take the leap and actually do it! You’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to actually see what you have when everything is neatly in its place.
Looking for more organization ideas? Here are 7 products to help keep your home neat and tidy.