How to Organize a Pantry So It Works for You: 8 Easy Tips

Without a proper organization system, your pantry can become crowded with expired goods and duplicate products, leaks and spills can go unnoticed for days or longer, and items you need and want may get lost in the chaos. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to keep your pantry organized, such as categorizing goods, using clear bins, labeling containers as well as shelves, and much more.

The guide below will teach you how to organize your pantry, with some of the most common and effective tips to keep this well-loved space clean and clutter-free.

Remove Everything From the Pantry

Start by removing all of the contents of your pantry and placing them on the kitchen counter. It may seem counterintuitive to pull out all of your pantry goods, but many professional home organizers say emptying the pantry is a necessary first step to creating and maintaining an organized space.

Removing everything from the pantry will help you identify items that have expired or goods you don’t use and divide the contents of your pantry into categories. Not to mention, clearing the pantry gives you an opportunity to deep clean the shelves.

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Deep Clean and Declutter

Before you put the contents of your pantry away, make sure you sort through every item and remove potential space-wasters. This could be expired products, stale goods, or items you know you won’t use. Be intentional about what you choose to keep and why, especially if you’re organizing a small pantry. Discard or donate the rest.

This is also an ideal time to deep clean your pantry. Wipe down the shelves thoroughly, especially if any products have spilled or leaked, leaving grime and other residue over time.

Categorize Your Pantry Goods

If you want to design an organized system for your pantry, sorting your goods into categories is a big step in the right direction. Categorizing pantry goods will help you keep track of what you have (or don’t have), which will help you avoid buying items you already own and will ensure that nothing gets lost in the crowd and expires before you’ve had a chance to use it.

Some common categories for pantry goods include spices, canned goods, dry goods, baking supplies, oils and vinegars, drinks, and snacks.

Choose Transparent Storage Containers

One of the many reasons pantries can feel overwhelming and untidy is because of all the brightly colored packaging stuffed into one small space. Placing your pantry goods in clear containers will not only create a space that looks and feels less cluttered, it will also make it easier to locate what you need when you need it, identify items that may be going bad, and notice what items need to be replenished before they’re completely gone.

Identify Storage Zones

Now that you’ve sorted the contents of your pantry into categories, it’s time to determine the ideal home, or “zone,” for each category. Start by evaluating the size of your categories and the space available. The layout of your pantry may dictate what goes where. If you can, consider modifying your pantry shelves to accommodate certain categories.

You should also consider frequency of use. For instance, if you bake often, store your baked goods at eye level, front and center, so they’re easy to access. Finally, determine the ideal organizer for each category. A tiered organizer is a great option for canned goods, since it can help you locate the item you need without having to dig through your collection of cans. Similarly, a lazy Susan is an ideal choice for items like oils and vinegars, and it can also make good use of the corners of your pantry.

Label Shelves and Containers

Once you’ve updated your storage containers, return with a label maker. Labeling your bins and assorted containers will help you maintain an organized layout in your pantry, but you should also take this opportunity to label the shelves themselves.

The face or spine of each shelf should indicate the zones you selected in the previous step, so it’s clear to everyone in the home what type of items go where. Labeling can help prevent you and your family members from mindlessly stuffing items in the pantry and inadvertently misplacing products in the process.

Make the Most of Vertical Storage

If you struggle to make room for all of your pantry staples in the space available, consider using the back of the pantry door or any open wall space. For example, a door organizer is a great option for canned goods and spices. You can also use hooks along the walls of your pantry for items like aprons, plastic bags, grill utensils, and more.

Don’t Forget to Use the Floor

Another area of the pantry that many homeowners often overlook is the floor. This is prime real estate for bulkier items like paper towels and napkins, large kitchen appliances, or even a step stool. If you’d like a more aesthetically pleasing look in your pantry, this is also a great location for large baskets. You can fill these storage containers with assorted snacks like chips and cookies.