Perfecting the Pantry
Our pantries are heavy hitters in the kitchen.
The holidays brought cooking, cooking, and more cooking. Our pantries were in constant use from November through the end of December! And they probably need a little help right about now.
If your pantry has seen better days and you loose more items than you can find, you’re not alone! Sometimes it’s just easier to put that item on the shelf and worry about where it’s supposed to go later. I get it (I’ve done it before, too, eeeeek!). But we’re only human, we need to give ourselves a break.
I’ve put together a few pro tips to help you get started on your way to your dream pantry, no matter how big or small it is!
Organize items by type
Take EVERYTHING out of the pantry. It’ll create a temporary mess, but you need to know what you’ve got and how much. Plus, you’ll be able to see what products you don’t use and can toss. If it’s expired, toss it. If it’s something you tried and don’t like, toss it. If the container is almost empty, toss it. It’s all about creating space where you didn’t have it before!
Measure each shelf
Measure, measure, measure! You need to know the height, length and width of each shelf and drawer in your pantry. This is the only way you’ll know which containers will fit and how many you’ll eventually need to buy. Don’t get ahead of yourself! Only buy containers once you know what will be staying in the pantry.
Use door and wall space
Will an over-the-door rack create much-needed space? Do you have empty wall space where you can hang a small shelf or basket, or two? Take a look at your pantry and see what empty spaces you can possibly utilize. Be sure to account for the space a door rack takes up when the door is closed!
Pick a material (or two)
You know you need to buy product to get yourself organized. Working without “homes” for each type of item has led to the disaster that’s your current pantry situation, right?! Creating designated spaces for food storage is the key to getting and STAYING organized. Now you’re ready to answer this question:
What types of material do I want to look at? Acrylic? Bamboo? Baskets? Metal containers?
Pantries can end up being deep, dark holes. I like to see what’s in there at a glance, which makes acrylic containers a personal favorite. Mix that with whatever material makes you feel at peace (I’m not kidding, you need to feel calm in your home!), whether it’s metal or baskets or bamboo.
Use containers strategically
Now you get to create the “homes” I talked about earlier. Grab your acrylic container, your woven basket, and your tubs for bulk items.
Give yourself a finite amount of space to work with. If you have 20 different types of crackers, create a home for them and if something doesn’t fit, either toss or donate it to a food bank (if unopened).
The whole point of organizing the pantry is to make room to find what you actually want to use/eat. By getting rid of the extras you’re creating that space.
Label, label, label
Once you create designated spaces, make sure to label! That way everyone in your family will know where items came from and where they go back to. If you label the basket, container or shelf, you take away the excuse that someone didn’t know where to put it.
Shelf Risers are your friend
Pantry construction can sometimes feel like a mystery. Why are the shelves so deep? Why aren’t they deep enough? Why is there so much space between shelves (nothing is that tall!)? I guess that’s why organizing is like solving a puzzle - we’re given crazy parameters and get to figure out the best ways to use them.
I love shelf risers! Whether they’re stepped for use with cans/spices, or metal risers that create an extra level between shelves. They fit that puzzle piece of how to create more space and you’re able to see what you have.
Now you’re set to start the New Year off with a well organized pantry!
And if you need a little extra help, schedule a free phone consultation with Sleek Home Solutions today.
“Life can be crazy, messy and chaotic. Your home doesn’t have to be.” -Natalia Chappelow