Keeping the pantry free of any clutter and mess is kind of a big deal, especially if you’re living with a bigger family and/or kids. Having said that, having a tidy and well-arranged pantry setup is a gamechanger. And that will make operating in your kitchen a quick and enjoyable process. This is why we’ve rounded up the cleverest pantry organization ideas.
No more panic finding ingredients or important utensils. And all your half-empty containers, snacks and other usual items will be stored in a functional, pleasing and easily-accessible way. (feel free to check out our organisation tips for your home sweet home)
Keep everyday items at an arm’s length
Installing a cabinet just near the sink and your busiest counter is the way to go. This way, you could keep the everyday supplies like sugar, flour and plates at the lowest accessible part of the shelf. And keep sentimental cockery out of reach. Also, there isn’t unecessry use of items and everything is safe and on display! Besides that, your wooden utensils and cutting boards can chill in peace right next to the sink—again this is how you create accessibility without cluttering your kitchen.
Make use of the space above the counter
When you have a tiny kitchen and a decent counter with ceiling space, install a steel rack. And make the best use of this space by adding your cutest ceramics, plants and even a basket with little things like keys, label stickers, etc. What’s more, it’s highly accessible and creates an elongated look for any kind of kitchen.
Have healthy food within reach
One reason we don’t eat healthy is because all the body-friendly foods and drinks are usually tucked away or take time to prepare. And here’s why we keep reaching for the chocolates in the fridge. However, by keeping the oranges, lemons and pineapples out in little baskets. You are turning your pantry into a healthy zone.
Don’t let any space go to waste
It’s always best to spread out your items than have them all stacked in one spot, this way you would avoid clutter, very easily. Make best use of the little corners of your cupboard with hangings baskets and little vertical trolleys. And to make it look seamless, match these tiny additions to the wall. So, you could fill this with keys, reusable bags, extra cans of any food.
Play with pastels and white
No matter how tiny or big your space, is a pastel and white combination will transform your kitchen. Your pastel shade of choice could be mint green, baby blue or honeydew, once you’ve decided on one ,paint your cupboards in that colour. And leave the rest of the racks and utensil holders in white. This instantly brightens up the space and make it look bigger. And it’s quite easy to find anything with your things popping against the white. Oh, add something cute, floral and artsy to bring a bit of warmth and style.
Install a plate organizer
Stacking plates on top of each other and having them around the counter is the usual way. Having said that, having a neatly organised vertical plate organiser makes it easy to grab and go. So, if you find the right spot in your pantry or shelf, have your own little plate organiser. You won’t be able to keep all your plates but just the regular ones hanging in there is going to make things so much easier for you. And if you think about it, this looks quite nice and architectural too.
1) Chrome finish plates rack with translucent drainboard
2) Stylish design and color fit mostly kitchen decoration and cabinet
3) Dish Rack with sturdy metal construction
4) Dimension: 16.6″W x 9.2″D x 2″H
Bring in the good vibes
If you’re looking for pantry organization ideas, it’s best to look for beyond practicality. Mainly because that alone won’t transform your kitchen for the better. Therefore, take your time to add a little painting on the countertop. It can be anything like your children’s paintings or something sentimental. This will balance neutral, practical glassware and ceramics very well. And that a brass container to hold your wine bottle? *chef’s kiss*
Extend the storage vertically
Make use of a long ceiling and wall by extending your pantry a little bit. You can keep your occasional cookware or anything needed to dine and host. Because you can easily reach the highest cabinet with a ladder , which can stay in your kitchen. And if your planning on doing this, make sure it’s a glass pantry so you know what’s in what at a glance.
Add a mulitasking setup
Got a small counter top? You can keep all your spoons, salt and pepper holders, sugar containers and little essentials without creating any clutter. Get a reactangular holder to keep your wooden spoons. Add a tray to keep the every-day containers and stack all the cutting boards against the wall. This will leave you enough space to even add a candle and pot or two. So, it instantly transforms your tiny kitchen into a space filled with warmth and life.
Ditch the spice rack for a drawer
A spice drawer is easy to clean and access. And all it takes is one pull to grab what you need. Unlike in a rack where your spice bottles can easily be scattered around, especially if you’ve got busy cooking lifestyle. You can easily DIY this with pine board and wood glue. On that note, go for a compartmentalised spice drawer for a much more effective use of these pantry organization ideas.
Turn your wall into a pantry
Instead of stacking everything near the counter top or trying to make a small space work for you, create a pantry haven. This is where you should keep the extras and anything you don’t on the regular.. Start by making a list of everything you need to add here and get a cupboard with enough compartments for all your needs. Then add all in by organising them into wicker baskets, massive jars, steel trays and clear bottles.
Label eveything for clarity
It can get a bit overwhelming when cooking on the daily. And when things aren’t labelled, it’s so normal to stop in between to question what’s in the jar. Or worse, you end up using the wrong ingredient! Even when you let a guest or family member help you, they might struggle because they don’t know what’s where in your kitchen. So, label using stickers or if you have a good handwriting, you can depend on sharpies too!
Invest in a cart
Whether it’s a coffee nook or mini bar, it’s always nice to have one of those. If you don’t have one yet or have a limited budget, it’s best to start with a cart. You can move it around the house, and any spontaneous craving for drink will leave you with less mess. And it also frees up your pantry and cabinet space.
Go for a pullout pantry
The most efficient way to make use a modern pantry is to install a pullout pantry. This makes arranging, cleaning and accessing the products 10 times easier. And it’s also got a cosmopolitan feel to it.
Use all kinds of crates and baskets
One easy way to conceal all the multi-coloured packages and packeted products is to add them in different baskets. They are easy to reach out for and refill. In addition to that, labelling them makes the organising so much more better.
Believe in the power of wicker baskets
We spoke about the use of baskets, trays and crates to organise and declutter. But with wicker baskets, you could conceal any inevitable clutter like fresh veggies, extra mugs. Or anything that doesn’t look the best when exposed. Why adding baskets made of wicker or any wooden material is a one of the good pantry organization ideas? They create an alluring atmosphere while hiding away your essentials.
Install a cookbook stall
It’s easy to misplace your treasured cookbooks in a sea of cooking essentials. Therefore, add a sleek shelf in your pantry room or anywhere close to where you store the ingredients.
Make use of the blank space
This is not to say that you have to make use of the entierity of your backsplash, but to use the little space below your open shelf. You could use it to store the absolute essentials needed for cooking or baking here. Especially, the colourful ones.
Fill your drawers with turntables
Think about this: You have the flexibility of pullout drawers that extend all the way out AND you can fill it up with little lazy susans. In other words, the latter are mini turntables that can make reaching out for your supplies more fun and quicker! Also, if you label the products, it will only take seconds to find what you want.
Make use of clear shelves
Want your well-coordinated spice containers to be stacked somewhere very accessible? With the use of clear racks or shelves, that can be done quite easily. This way, you don’t have to have it in a drawer to reduce clutter as this setup makes it look very minimal.
Hang the kitchen tools across the wall
Here’s a simple yet clever way to clear your counter top: Hang them on the wall against the counter. Eventhough, it’s simple, this can be a bit tricky if you are not choosing the right items. So, pick the nice looking mugs, wooden brushes, cutting boards, measuring cups, etc.
Invest in a dual pantry
A great pantry cupboard with spacious pullout drawers is a wise move. Now, if you add a side cupboard to that, you’ve hit jackpot. You could DIY this or get it done by craftspeople. Either way, make the best use of this smart addition with many compartments as possible.
Move the pantry under the stairs
If you’re the type of person who stocks their entire groceries for months, you should consider this. Even if you see a tiny space under the stairs or by the door, turn it into a mini pantry room. This clears the clutters from the kitchen and instantly elevates your list of pantry organization ideas.
Expand your pantry around the corners
Convert your regular single pantry cupboards to an adjoining piece extending it around the corners. If you are DIYing this, you can use a a strong curtain to conceal it.
Organise with separators
Either you have a pullout drawer or regular static installation, it’s always wise to have dividers in them. While, it’s great to have drawers with built-in compartments but real flexibility comes with adding dividers in them. Make sure these separators are firm and are made of materials that won’t your utensils. Then, you’re all set!
Utilize the sides of the doors
One of the cost effective pantry organization ideas is to add a steel holder or plastic shelf on the side of the door. It’s a smart way to store the pot lids and anything that may not fit anywhere else in your pantry.
Take Bread Storage Seriously
Bread is a regular food staple that can cause quite a crumbly situation. So, storing them separately either in a fridge or drawer is key. You could take things up a knotch by adding a sliding lid to one of the drawers. And that will make it look simple, chic and accessible.
Have clear storage in the fridge
If you find yourself rearranging and trying to locate items, everytime you open the fridge, it’s time to switch to clear containers. At one glance, you’d know what’s where and in a way, this would make it all so colourful. And for items with packaging, you can use clear crates to stack them up.
Use counter risers
Got a small countertop or simply want to avoid any clutter at all? Get a few counter risers. They help to keep all the kitchen essentials at one spot, giving you the all-in-one benefit. And it’s one of the cost effective pantry organization ideas to double the available counter space without any major installations. And picking it in white, black or natural wood will make it easy for it blend with the other items on your countertop.
Add a chalkboard
Find an empty space close to your oven or coffee nook, or anywhere you’d stop to think for a bit and add a chalkboard. This takes all your efforts to stay organised one level higher. Because you’d know what you will be eating that week so you won’t be doing any last-minute raids in the kitchen. So, the more you know, the less messy it can get.
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