30 genius pantry organisation ideas to tame your clutter
When properly organised, the pantry is a convenient place to store baking supplies, snacks for kids or packaged products, like chicken broth and pasta. You can also reserve an upper shelf for small appliances — think the blender or waffle maker that you only break out for special occasions. But the pantry, because it's out of sight, can often becomes a repository for clutter. Luckily, these DIY pantry organisation ideas make it easy to maximise every inch of your space.
Simple hacks like using food storage containers, relying on wicker baskets and writing up labels make it easy to locate what you need, so time is not wasted rummaging through shelves cluttered with random spices and snacks. We also share tips for sorting, categorising and storing various pantry items, such as hanging a spice rack on a pantry wall, designating shelves for canned beverages and using mesh drawers for fresh produce.
Whether you've got a small cabinet in your organised kitchen or a well-decorated walk-in pantry, you'll find a storage solution to level-up your space. Plus, we've shared a few of our favourite organising products, so you can get to work right away!
Hide pantry items in wicker baskets
From baking supplies and fresh produce to extra paper towels, corral kitchen essentials in baskets to minimise clutter in your pantry. In case you forget what's what, be sure to label bins and jars, as Anastasia Casey of The Interior Collective does here.
Group food by type
Treat your pantry like a grocery store, putting similar items nearby. Designate areas for breakfast items, like cereal and oatmeal, plus canned goods, condiments and packages goods, such as pasta or rice. Here, Pearce Design Group puts canned beverages and non-food items down below.
Install a sliding door
Not only does a sliding door with glass panels exude charm, it provides easy access to your pantry without taking up additional space. Inside, designer Jess Weeth of Weeth Home installs a butcher-block counter for extra prep space and a brass rail for hanging pots and utensils.
Use a mix of storage
After blogger Elsie Larson painted her pantry a pretty pink, she layered in storage solutions, including woven baskets, metal bins, food storage containers and a canned goods organiser. Then, she tucks away a small stepping stool to make top shelves more accessible.
Decant items into glass jars
Stock up on large and small jars for your storage needs. You can even take the jars to a local grocery store that sells bulk staples, like grains and beans. These clear food containers really pop against bright blue shelves and botanical wallpaper, courtesy of 27 South Home Design.
Carve out space for small appliances
Clear clutter from countertops by storing small appliances — like the Crockpot, waffle maker and food processor — in the pantry. According to Laura Kinsella, founder of Urban OrgaNYze, reorganising is also the perfect time to take stock of what you've got and get rid of any appliances you don't use.
Use mesh drawers for food storage
Here, Ellen Lopez of El Design Studio opts for open shelving on top and closed storage down below. Everyday ingredients and snacks are stored in glass jars and canisters, then mesh drawers are used for storing produce like onions and potatoes.
Maximise vertical space
Take shelving all the way to the ceiling, storing infrequently used appliances, tools and ingredients up top, just as designer Kate Marker does here. Just don't forget to keep a stepping stool handy.
Add a rolling ladder
Worried about reaching the top shelf? Install a rolling ladder that makes it easy to grab pots and pans or spices as you cook. We love that this pantry has a butcher block counter, so you can use it for prep, too.
Don't forget to label everything
Detailed labels will save you from rummaging through every bin and basket when it's time to grab something you don't use often. Plus, it's important to label spices and baking supplies (you don't want to mix up sugar and salt).
Reimagine a closet
For a compact closet layout, keep spices, cans and everyday snacks in acrylic organisers and storage bins. This maximises space and makes packing school lunches a breeze. Meanwhile, cereal, pasta, rice and beans can be placed in clear containers to preserve their freshness. They're also aesthetically-pleasing and make it easy to see if you're running low and need to stock up.
Dress the door with shelves
Don't let any space go to waste! Store condiments, spices and other small items in a rack on the back of the door. You'll be surprised at just how many items can fit.
Keep baking supplies within reach
Transfer common ingredients — flour, sugar, brown sugar, pasta and so on — into large glass jars with lids, and place them on the middle shelf for easy access. On the shelf above, arrange small glass jars full of more specialised ingredients, like spices, nuts and dried fruit.
Fill drawers with labelled containers
If you're using a storage cabinet as a pantry, make sure to load the drawers with spare linens, utensils and containers full of baking supplies for easy reach. Label each container on the top, so you can quickly see what's inside without having to dig.
Hang a spice rack
When it comes to cooking, you can never have too many spices. It's easy to confuse your preferred spice with another, especially if they're the same color and jumbled together in the drawer or cabinet. To avoid this, take advantage of vertical space. Hanging a spice rack on your pantry door, or stick it on the wall inside. Everything will be upright, so it's easy to see your go-to spices all at once.
Arrange baskets high and low
No matter if your pantry is out in the open or closed off in a dedicated room, leverage vertical wall space by positioning baskets on high and low shelves. Place seasonal items in the baskets up high (Christmas cookie cutters, for example) and kid-friendly essentials down below.
Organise drawers with labeled bins
It's no surprise that stocking up on food items can keep shopping trips to a minimum. The downside: Drawers might become crowded if you don't take extra time to organise. Try placing 16"-deep bins in your pantry's bottom drawer and label them. This will save time searching for desired spices, sauces and condiments.
Design a hidden pantry
Designer Kate Marker devised a secret pantry cabinet in this kitchen and chose a deep green shade to make it a focal point of the space. Replicate the nifty look to store coffee essentials. Here, a Native Trails Malibu sink and a compact counter workspace offer enough room to prep food. Mugs, jars, cutting boards and more are placed on the interior shelves, while the back of the doors offer extra storage.
Divide cabinets vertically
Divide and conquer! Tray dividers are simple yet effective ways to organise cutting boards, pizza pans and baking sheets. They'll work well in base cabinets, pantry cabinets or any deep upper cabinet spaces.
Opt for pull-out drawers
Rather than leaving the space below shelves empty, fill it with pull-out wire shelves, perfect for storing your kid's favourite snacks and lunch supplies. They're a kid-appropriate height, too!
Install frosted pantry doors
Cover up the inevitable clutter by installing frosted glass doors to the closet-turned-pantry. That way, you can get a glimpse of the items tucked inside without a clear view of the mess.
Take cans and jars off shelves
From up above, all jars and cans look exactly the same. When you arrange them by category — fruits, veggies, sauces and more — in a pull-out wire shelf, you can find exactly what you need without the hassle.
Transform a glass cabinet
Even if you don't have a designated pantry closet or room, you can still keep all of your non-perishable goods neat and tidy. Just stick everything in baskets and jars, and place them in a glass cabinet. An added bonus: It doubles as decor.
Paint walls a bright colour
Store dry goods against a colourful background to make your pantry instantly appear more orderly. Get creative with countertops to add contrast to the now-brightened space.
Add decals to jars
Keep track of what's what with cute, decorative decals marking flour, sugar and more. Pro tip: Use a dry-erase marker to write down the expiration date before you decant it into the container.
Use vintage soda crates for storage
For a rustic farmhouse look, scan thrift and antique stores for wooden soda crates to corral like items. These crates come in all shapes and sizes, making them a unique and functional addition to a pantry.
Enhance space with a Lazy Susan
Increase your available shelf space and allow for easy access to items with a two-tiered Lazy Susan. Featuring a smooth, rotating design, you'll see all of your necessities at a glance.
Build cubby shelves
Cubby shelves, rather than wall-to-wall shelves, make it easier to place like items together. Divide spices, ingredients and food into different categories to fill each cubby.
Add inspiring wallpaper
Line the walls of your pantry with graphic patterned wallpaper to instantly jazz up the space. By having a pretty background visible, there's a chance you'll be motivated to keep your contents in order day after day.
Fill tiered shelves
Store cans and spices on bleacher-style shelves (whether built-in or purchased) that allow you to easily see the label each item. You'll never have to worry about using salt instead of sugar!
You Might Also Like
