If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the pantry is its life source. It is, after all, where the snacks are. That’s why pantry organization ideas are not to be taken lightly. With extra time spent at home, whether your remote work at home is in full swing or you’re balancing life and work, pantry organizers are lifesavers—especially when it comes to whipping up multiple meals a day. The truth is, pantry organization ideas can make your cooking (and eating) routine a lot easier. “Your pantry is a space in your home that you use almost every day,” says Carly Cicero, principal at Cicero Design Group in Youngstown, Ohio. “If this space is organized and more importantly, functional, it’s one last thing to worry about.”
So why isn’t your pantry makeover underway yet? The thought of rearranging, let alone fully organizing, can be intimidating and overwhelming. The benefits, like easy access to curated yummies, will easily outweigh the time put in with a label maker, for instance.
Another bonus? Taking stock of spices, condiments, and extra jars of peanut butter can reduce waste and save you some cash. Stop these small items from piling up, hiding somewhere in the back. Time to get organized.
London–based home organization retailer Joseph Joseph conducted a study showing that people’s mental well-being was impacted positively after cleaning, organizing, and decluttering their homes—96 percent of participants reported feeling more positive and motivated. “By being clever, you’ll be able to free up space you didn’t even know you had,” says the brand’s co-founder Richard Joseph.
To help you get some pantry organization peace of mind, here are 17 pantry organization ideas that will make your kitchen routines that much easier.
How do I organize my pantry like a pro?
If you’re looking to reach expert-level pantry organization, start from square one—clear out all your items and really look at the potential of the space you have for storing essential pantry items.
Start anew. For a true pantry makeover, clear out old boxes and food items—throw out snacks with old expiration dates and donate unwanted canned goods. Then, wipe down shelves and place liners or contact paper. “Liners prevent damage to the wood and paint and make future clean-ups so much easier,” says Catherine Benson, cleaning and organization aficionado based in Lexington, Kentucky.
When it comes to having a top-notch pantry, labels immediately come to mind. After you’ve organized your goods, use a label maker or tap into your inner calligraphist and write over the ceramic or glass containers. Now you won't ever confuse the jar of salt with the jar of sugar.
If you need extra pantry space but don’t have the square footage, build one into a preexisting wall or kitchen island. This compact and space-saving storage solution will keep you organized with pantry staples at the ready.
Using vertical containers can help you monitor your items and their levels. “All the containers I use in my pantry are transparent and pretty much vertical,” says Shweta Thota, a lifestyle content creator and Intel hardware engineer based in Sacramento. “It makes it easier to see if they are running low.” After moving into her new home, pantry organization was the first thing she tackled.
Laura Cattano, a professional organizer and personal and interior stylist based in Brooklyn, advises organizing your pantry based on typical recipes you follow. “This is good for those with specific dietary needs, as it’s easier to grab things from one large bin or drawer, or go to one shelf to get everything they need,” she says.
How do I arrange things in my pantry?
Arranging your items intentionally is a huge space saver, so make sure you aren’t overlooking this essential step. Try out new containers and innovative storage solutions to make sure you’re taking full advantage of the space you do have. Food storage can be simplified if you group items by category: baking, grains, spices, and so on.
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Two words: game changer. Opt for drawers that easily glide in and out of the pantry for a smooth snack-getting operation. It may seem like a big investment, but well worth it.
“One issue with cluttered cupboards is visibility—there’s always one item buried at the back that takes too much effort to fish out,“ Joseph says. Turntables, otherwise known as lazy Susans, are a great way to save space and stay organized. No more rearranging jars and cans when searching for Nutella. Choose a tiered turntable for even more storage.
For items like spices, flour, and grains, glass jars and containers are the way to go. These storage containers make things easy to spot, especially if you label them properly. Since they are reusable and easy to clean, this storage solution is also great for anyone looking to stock a sustainable kitchen. Clear bins are another good option for bulkier items and will make pantry storage that much more accessible. “While containers may seem like a waste of money, they keep your food fresher longer and actually save money in the long run,” Benson says. “As an added bonus, clear containers allow for at-a-glance additions to your weekly shopping list.”
Categorizing food items is definitely one of the most practical pantry organization hacks. Pair canned goods with canned goods, cereals with cereals, and you'll never have to frantically search for soup—not to mention, destroy all the hard work you put into an organized pantry. Make sure stackable items are grouped together to take advantage of available vertical space. “Make it as efficient but simple as possible,” says Julia Pasieka, cofounder of Natti Anne in Chicago. You can also group dry goods into a wider category, like sweet and savory, breakfast foods and lunch snacks. Separating the kitchen pantry by size can also help maintain order: check that small items are not hidden in the back. Perhaps put a stack of apple sauce containers used for school lunch in front of the jars of apple sauce that you open at home.
“Every pantry is its own custom project,” says Kim Longoria-Bruce, the Rockwall, Texas–based founder and CEO of Organizing Spaces by Kim. “Pantries of different sizes and shapes [suit] clients’ different needs.” She recommends placing snacks down below, providing easy access for small children, and then storing items you use less often higher up. The more accessible your pantry is to everyone and their needs, the better it’ll feel.
Thota notes that you may want to take into account the time of year and items you’re most likely to reach for in organizing your pantry. “Depending on the season, you may purchase different ingredients or cook different types of meals,” she says. “This may require rearranging your pantry to accommodate seasonal items.” For example, in the winter, you may want to have a setup that accommodates more canned goods.
How do I organize a large pantry?
A larger pantry means you have plenty of space to play around with storage ideas. It’s also a way to implement your DIY prowess and actually customize the space to fit your needs. When you’re brainstorming a storage system, think about how it can declutter the pantry, and keep it that way.
By installing custom shelving units, you’re offered the luxury of controlling shelf height depending on the items in your pantry. Have several juicers or baking accessories? Store these items on the bottom shelf and move your way up with smaller and lighter items. This tip works especially well for walk-in pantries that have more space for additional storage options.
If your pantry door is paneled with glass, cover it with window film to prevent guests from peeking inside, should your pantry organization tactics slip every now and then. No one will be any wiser that a toddler went rampant looking for crackers a few hours prior.
Organization has never been easier with hanging door racks. Place these handy storage bins on the inside of your doors and you won’t ever have to worry about finding a condiment ever again.
If you’re looking for a creative way to keep track of what’s in your pantry, decorate the pantry door with chalkboard wallpaper. Have your kids help take inventory and give recommendations for the next meal menu or ideas for the grocery list.
If you’d rather not stock up on glass or plastic containers to optimize your space, try out some wired baskets or Patton bins. They’re not very susceptible to wear and tear and will offer a refined yet eclectic look if you have to add different baskets later down the line.
Variety, variety, variety. Organize with a mix of containers, from baskets and mason jars to pan lid holders and acrylic trays. The storage containers have no limits! You can also try mixing and matching different sizes of the same container or stacking them to take advantage of your vertical space.
How do I organize my small pantry?
A kitchen with a small pantry doesn’t have to be a dumping ground for canned goods, and the like. Here, pantry organization is crucial because you need to have a clear system that is maintainable and will keep the storage space tidy over time.
Think outside the pantry for pantry organization ideas. While it may sound like an oxymoron of a hack, repurposing furniture, like an armoire or an old IKEA shelf can help you declutter your kitchen. The best part: It can come with you if you move.
“Don’t be fooled by social media: A system should be easy to keep up,” Cattano says. “Not everyone is motivated or has the time to decant every single thing they buy. Being organized is just knowing what you have and where to find it.” Don’t feel pressured to buy things you don’t need or to perfectly match someone else’s system. If it works for you, then it’s a great system.
Similar to building a mini pantry into a wall, save square footage by installing tall shelves over your countertops or a lean a bookcase on an empty wall for extra pantry space. You can even use these under-shelf drawers to maximize all the space possible.
Your shelf space will feel so much more put together with dividers installed on the pantry shelves and in any drawers. Keep items separate but still visually appealing. Keep tall bottles from toppling down, even if you’re grabbing something in a hurry.
Take advantage of an exposed pantry by styling it with colorful glassware. You can display your favorite vintage items or DIY pieces. Party conversation starter alert! All your guests would love to see your iconic drinkware collection dating back to the ’50s and hear about how you acquired each piece.
Cattano also recommends going through foods regularly to toss anything expired. This will ensure you keep your pantry clear of clutter and ready for more food for you to enjoy. Consider organizing your setup by placing any more-perishable items front and center so that they’re top of mind for timely use—and so that their condition is visible right away, preventing the risk of past-their-prime items withering out of sight.
Don’t be afraid to recruit friends, family, or other loved ones to help you tackle your pantry. Borrow ideas from neighbors, friends and accounts you follow. Have a big family and need lower space for children to contribute? There are resources and ways to adapt pantry tips to all needs. You may just have to get a little creative!
