Tips For Organizing Your Pantry Shelves For Efficient Storage
If your pantry shelves have been disorganized for too long, it’s time to give them a thorough clean and organize. With just some spare time, you’ll be able to regain your space with organized storage!
No matter the size of your pantry, these tips can help maximize the space.
Organize by Category
Organizing your pantry shelves by category can make a major difference in how efficiently you store food. Doing this allows for easy access to essential items whenever they’re needed.
Start by clearing away expired items on your shelves and donating non-perishable foods that you won’t use soon to a local food bank. Doing this will free up space for new pantry storage options.
Next, eliminate any loose-fitting food packaging such as bags and boxes that is taking up shelf space. You can also take the lids off cans to provide a better view of what’s inside them.
If you frequently purchase canned goods, try using a can rack organizer to keep them neatly organized and stacked. This can save you the trouble of lifting lids to locate an individual item.
Another option is to utilize baskets and bins from the dollar store for pantry organization. These items can easily be grouped together by type of product.
They’re an ideal way to store odd-shaped items, like chip bags and root vegetables. Plus, it adds visual interest to your shelves and prevents them from appearing cluttered.
Once your shelves are tidy and organized, use a label maker to assign each item an assigned location. Doing this will guarantee that everything has its place in the pantry and that everyone in your family knows where it’s stored.
Group items together based on type or frequency of use. For instance, you could store all spices together or create a coffee station or breakfast foods shelf.
Finally, you could create a snack section or food storage area for kids’ snacks such as protein bars or fruit gummies. Doing this will guarantee the kids have access to healthy treats while helping you manage grocery expenses more easily.
Finally, make sure to regularly update your inventory and monitor what’s in the pantry. Doing this can help avoid overstocking shelves and keep food fresh for longer.
Sort by Use
When organizing your pantry shelves, always organize them by use. Doing this keeps the items you use most often within easy reach and prevents them from getting pushed out of sight.
For instance, if you frequently use baking powder or granulated sugar, it may be wise to store them on the top shelf where they will be easily accessible. Doing this will also save time in the future since you’ll know exactly where to look for them.
Organizing your pantry by use can be the most efficient way to maximize storage space and avoid food waste. Professional organizers suggest working in zones, grouping similar items together so it’s easier to locate them later.
It’s essential to organize your pantry by expiration date, so items with the freshness date next to older ones. Doing this helps prevent waste due to spoilage when newer items sit behind those with expired dates.
Professional organizers recommend storing lighter items like canned goods in the front, and heavier items like jars or glasses at the back. This helps avoid placing fragile items like jars or glasses on top where they could break if not handled with care.
Another tip for organizing a deep pantry is using bins and containers that match the depth of your shelves. This makes it simpler to see what’s inside and can be pulled out quickly if you need access to heavier items.
A clear bin with a cut-out handle is ideal for organizing deep shelves, as it makes it simpler to see what’s inside. This is especially helpful if you have multiple family members and want everyone informed about what’s on each shelf.
Bins and containers on your pantry shelves can help you organize ingredients efficiently and conveniently. Just be sure to choose the right ones, label them clearly, so you can locate everything quickly.
Organize by Shape
Pantry organization can often go overlooked when organizing a kitchen, yet it’s an integral space to keep organized. Pantry storage usually holds leftovers, bulk goods and other items that would otherwise go unused if kept in regular drawers or cabinets.
Organizing your pantry shelves by shape is an effective way to guarantee all items are always accessible and organized. Whether your shelves are deep or shallow, there are some simple tricks you can use without needing a major renovation.
For instance, stacking tins and packets at the back of your deep shelves is an efficient way to store them without risking their contents. Use a shelf riser for easier visibility into what’s at the back, then replace tins as needed.
Storage containers are an effective way to organize your pantry shelves. They’re easy to label and organized according to category, making it simpler to locate what you need quickly. Choose clear food storage containers for a unified aesthetic.
To maximize storage space, start by placing general foods that have a long shelf life on the shelves first. You should also set aside an area for non-edible products like lunch items, napkins and toothpicks.
For instance, you can group fast-fix appetizers, trays and napkins into baskets for convenient access during parties and family get-togethers. Doing this prevents them from obstructing more useful products on shelves, making it simpler to grab what you need quickly.
Put canned goods and vegetables on shelves in groups of two or three for easy retrieval when you need them. Straw bins or baskets make great storage solutions too, since they are lightweight and easy to stack and tuck away.
For even better pantry organization, hang baskets and bins from the wall. This can free up valuable shelf space if your pantry is narrow or deep. Or add an insert to your pantry door that makes it simpler to reach out and grab something from inside; such as a basket or bin.
Organize by Color
No matter if you’ve never organized your pantry shelves before or just need to freshen things up, there are a few simple tricks you can use to make kitchen storage space more effective. From organizing by color to creating designated zones, these tips will help get your pantry back in top condition and reduce meal prep time significantly.
Organizing by color is the quickest and simplest way to make a small space appear more organized. By grouping similar items together in the same hue scheme, you’ll be able to quickly identify what’s available without having to open every drawer or cabinet.
When selecting storage containers for your pantry, opt for clear bins. This will enable you to clearly see what’s inside and keep track of how much is left.
Additionally, transparent storage bins make it simpler to locate items when needed and keep everything looking aesthetically pleasing. You can usually find these bins at most retailers.
Containers with handles, such as Bino Clear Plastic Storage Bins ($22 at Bed Bath & Beyond), can also be useful for people who have difficulty reaching down low to pull items out of a shelf.
It’s wise to organize your pantry according to how often you use items. “If you purchase a lot of dry ingredients like quinoa or rice, keep them on lower shelves where they are easier to reach,” recommended Abramovici.
Pantry essentials like spices and baking supplies should also be organized by category. To avoid opening each box to read labels, store all ingredients in clear food storage containers for easy organization and a unified look.
Though it may be tempting to go all out and create a Pinterest-worthy pantry, the reality is that functionality is more important than aesthetics. That is why Abramovici recommends focusing on functional containers and shelving rather than striving for perfection in your pantry designs.
Getting your pantry organized requires some forethought and organization, but the effort will reap rewards in the future. Once everything is in its proper place, check in periodically to make sure everything continues working optimally. This gives you an opportunity to replace ingredients, adjust storage systems accordingly and address small spills before they turn into major issues.