Hey there! 🙂 If you take the time to declutter your pantry, you’ll start to notice your grocery budget shrinking. This will happen because once your pantry is decluttered and organized, you will know what’s in there and where everything is, and you’ll stop buying things you already have.
You will also be able to use everything in your pantry before it expires. While meal planning, you will be able to go to your well-organized pantry and put the items left in your pantry on your meal plan for the following week.
Before you begin to declutter your pantry, I suggest taking a look at Pinterest or browsing online at stores like The Container Store, Walmart, Target, and Amazon for pantry inspiration. Looking at these photos will help you get a feel for how you’d like your pantry to look.
How Do You Declutter A Pantry?
When you declutter your pantry, the best way to begin is to empty everything out and place the items on your kitchen table or counters. Keep a trash can nearby, and immediately throw away anything that’s expired.
Once everything is out of the pantry, start grouping similar items together: canned goods, baking supplies, breakfast items, pasta, snacks, condiments, etc. If your pantry is on the larger side, you can store small appliances in there as well.
Now you can begin putting the items back into the pantry. Be sure to keep like items together. Now is the perfect time to jot down the organizing supplies you’ll need to purchase. I don’t recommend buying anything until you have sorted through everything and put them back into the pantry.
Depending on the size of your pantry, this job shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect, just organized.
To keep your pantry organized going forward, add labels (see below!) to the containers, so everyone knows where the items belong. Make sure you are always able to see everything, and once a week, take a few minutes to straighten up.
Once you have everything the way you like it, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without an organized pantry! 🙂
How To Organize A Food PantryÂ
Airtight Containers
I absolutely love this 6-piece storage set to store dry goods in the pantry. They are a little pricey, but well worth it! I can’t say enough positive things about these containers. They are airtight and stack nicely to save space in the pantry. One of the things I love about these storage containers is that they each have a particular function. For instance, the larger container holds a 5-pound bag of flour and has a built-in leveler. The sugar container can hold a 4-pound bag of sugar and has a pour spout to make it easier to use. The powdered sugar container stores a 2-pound bag of confectioner’s sugar and stores a leveler and sifter inside. The brown sugar container holds 2-pounds and includes the disc to keep the sugar from getting hard. The smallest containers have a shaker top and can be used to store sprinkles, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts. All of the containers are very versatile, and you can use them to store whatever your heart desires!
Pantry Labels
These labels are perfect for the pantry. They are so pretty and look great on pantry containers. They are waterproof and tear-resistant, and I keep tons on hand because I use them so often! They also look great on the 6-piece storage container mentioned above.
OXO Lazy Susan/Turntable
OMG! I use these lazy susan turntables EVERYWHERE! They are perfect for condiments, spices, cans, pasta, cleaning supplies. Basically, anything you need to store that will fit on them! I use them in the corners of all of my client’s pantries. I also use them in cabinets to hold spices, oil, salt, and pepper. Another great place is under your sinks to store cleaning supplies or bath products. They are available in multiple sizes so they will fit into any cabinet. These turntables are great because you can see everything just by spinning them around.
Pantry Baskets
Baskets in the pantry are useful for holding snacks, onions, and potatoes. They can also contain seasoning packets, drinks, and seasonings. I use these baskets in just about every pantry I organize, and my clients love its versatility!
Shelf Maximizers
These shelf maximizers are perfect for the pantry and also for inside cabinets. They create extra storage space for cans, dishes, spices, and cleaning items under the sink. I love them because they have a solid surface, and small pieces don’t fall over!
Wire Shelf Liners
This shelf liner is what I use to keep small items and pointy storage containers (like the shelf maximizers pictured above) from falling through the cracks when my clients have wire shelving. It is made specifically for wire shelves, is easy to apply, and non-adhesive, so it is easy to remove. The best part is that if it gets really gross, it can be cleaned in the washing machine!
Canned Goods Organizer
I love to include this canned goods organizer in a pantry when my client has a lot of cans to organize. It is very sturdy, holds a lot of cans, and is easy to rotate items to keep the newest in the front. It doesn’t take up a lot of space, and the chrome finish looks great and goes well with any style. If you prefer to store your cans upright, this tiered organizer will do the trick!
Plastic Bag Holder
And last but not least, is this plastic bag holder. I use these in multiple locations in my client’s homes. They work well in pantries, laundry rooms, linen closets, and anywhere else you’d like to store plastic bags. It installs easily to the wall and goes with any decor.
Now you have no excuse! You have all of the tools necessary to declutter your pantry and create the space you’ve always dreamed of. What are you waiting for? What is stopping you from decluttering your pantry? Feel free to ask questions or comment below! 🙂
If you’re ready to get started, but don’t want to go it alone, check out this post to learn about the virtual organizing services I offer, and let’s get started today! 😉
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