A pantry is the location where a persons good intentions often get lost in a sea of expired cans and mysterious box. Pantries may contain just one bag of rice. However, they often contain half-empty bags of pasta, lentils, and other item that have multiplied in number over time.
A small pantry area does not have to be a cramped closet. However, if a person utilize the correct methods for organizing the items in that pantry, it can become an efficient and calm area within the house. An efficient and calm pantry will allow a person to cook in their kitchen instead of causing stress before each dinner meal.
The key to organizing a pantry is to treat the pantry as if it is a workspace. Every inch of the pantry and every container that can be utilized within the pantry should be dedicated to a specific task within that small workspace. The organization system within the pantry should reflect the way in which the person shop and cooks in the kitchen instead of the way in which the person wishes that they shop or cook.
Eight idea can be implemented into a small pantry that allows individuals to make large improvements within those small areas. Some of these idea can be completed during the weekend. Other idea will take more commitment from the individual, but will still provide those benefits for many years.
Eight Simple Ways To Organize Your Pantry
1. Clear Containers and Uniform Labels
Using clear containers with uniform label will immediately make changes to the pantry. The individual will never buy duplicate items of the same kind because they will be able to see how much of the item remains within each container. Using square or rectangular container will make it so that items take up less space within the pantry.
These container will allow items to be stacked against the walls and against each other. The individual will likely save space because rectangular container will take up less space than crinkly bags of the same item. Furthermore, using label will make the pantry look calm and organized.
The individual will decant items into these container, which will allow them to get rid of items that have passed their expiration date. This process will make it easy for the individual to rid their pantry of clutter. Installing shelf riser will allow the individual to utilize the space between the shelves.
2. Shelf Risers for Vertical Space
Most shelves within a pantry allow for item to be stored between those shelves, but the individual waste space within the shelves. Shelf riser made of metal or acrylic can create half shelves that allow the individual to store items like canned goods or spice. The best shelf riser will come with a lip at the front of the shelf so that items will not fall off the shelf.
Using shelf riser will allow the individual to make use of one of the lower shelf within the pantry. Over-the-door rack can hold item that are often ignored by the individual. The back of the pantry door can hold items, but is often left empty.
3. Over the Door Racks
Using an over-the-door rack will allow spice or other item to be stored. Using shallow basket will allow the door to be able to close on the item. Using fabric pocket instead of wire basket will allow the pantry door to swing into high traffic area.
The individual will balance items on the rack so that heavy item are near the bottom of the shelf to prevent the door from sagging over time. Using an over-the-door rack allow the individual to gain storage for their pantry without taking up any space. Lazy Susans allow the individual to gain access to item that may be deep within the pantry shelves.
4. Lazy Susans for Deep Shelves
Items that are stored within corner of cabinets or deep shelf are often swallowed by the shelves. Additionally, items within deep shelf may be difficult to find, such as vanilla extract. Using a Lazy Susan allow the individual to rotate item to gain access to them.
Lazy Susans with raised edge will prevent bottle of item from falling off the shelf. Additionally, Lazy Susans with a grippy base will not move when item are rotated. Using Lazy Susans will allow the individual to store item such as baking spice, vinegars, or canned product within the back of the shelves that would otherwise be difficult to find.
Pull-out basket can be installed on the shelves to gain access to item within the pantry. Pull-out basket will allow the individual to gain access to item without having to move other item on the shelf. Using pull-out basket for root vegetable or onion will allow the individual to store item in mesh bag.
5. Pull Out Baskets
Using just one pull-out basket will allow the individual to gain access to all item within the pantry. Pull-out basket require measurement of the shelves with a screwdriver to install. Installing these will allow the individuals pantry to be organized as if by a professional manager.
Zone the pantry according to how often the individual cook. This will allow item that are used most often to be stored near where they are most often used. Item can be grouped according to the type of food that are cooked.
This strategy work best in large pantry. However, it waste movement of the individual within the small pantry. Instead, item should be grouped together in a way that makes cooking task easier.
For instance, if Italian food is cooked often, item like pasta, sauce, and olive oil should be within easy reach on the same shelf. Item like baking soda, flour, and vanilla extract can be grouped together near the counter for cookie recipe. Item used by child can be stored at the eye level of the child for easy access.
6. Zoning by Cooking Frequency
Installing hook will allow odd-shaped item to have somewhere to stand. Item like reusable grocery bag, measuring cup, and cutting board can be hung on a tension rod that is installed across the middle of the pantry shelf. Using another tension rod higher within the pantry will allow lightweight item like garlic and shallot to be stored in a dry area that is visible for the individual.
7. Hooks and Tension Rods
Adhesive hook can be used on the wall of the pantry to store apron, oven mitt, or a grocery list written on a clipboard. Finally, the individual should store one item for one item and perform a seasonal reset of the pantry. No matter how well organized the pantry is, it will eventually become filled with item.
To avoid this, the individual should make a habit of buying rice or another item only if they finish or donate the old bag of rice that is currently stored in the pantry. Additionally, once or twice a year, the individual should empty the pantry. Item should be wiped down, expiration date checked, and the individual should reorganize the pantry with fresh eyes.
Item that are half used may no longer be wanted by the individual. Periodically emptying the pantry will ensure that it remains functional for the individual for many year. A well organized small pantry will eliminate frustration that are experienced within the kitchen.
The individual will waste less food and have more confidence in the food that they prepare for dinner. The act of opening the pantry door will be associated with the enjoyable task of cooking instead of dread of the avalanche of item to unpack. Implementing one or two of these idea over the weekend will lead to the other idea being implemented in a short time period.
Soon, the small pantry will feel very organized, no matter how small the pantry may be at four feet in width.
