Is your pantry a freaking mess? These six pantry organization ideas will get it whipped into shape in no time!
If you have your fair share of expired food lurking in the back of your pantry or you just want to get your pantry more organized and functional, this post’s for you! To catch up anyone who’s new here, our old kitchen had a teeny pantry that led me to figure out some great ways to organize it and keep it organized so everything was easy to find. We did a down-to-the-studs massive kitchen renovation about two years ago (you can check out the “before” and “after” pics {here}) and while my pantry got a major upgrade, I still use the same six organizing ideas. Today I’m sharing those six ideas with you! (post includes some affiliate links – see my full disclosure statement {here})
1. Group Similar Foods Together in Bins
My #1 tip for getting your pantry organized and keeping it organized is to use bins to group certain types of food together such as sauces, crackers, pasta, snacks, etc. It’s especially helpful for things in plastics bags and wrappers like chip bags and snack bars that can’t stay upright on their own. Clear bins are ideal because you can see everything inside of them:
Choose the size of bin that you expect that group of food to typically take up in your pantry. I’ve found that for most things, deep bins that are 5-6″ high work best. I have several different sizes in my pantry including two of {these medium bins} for “sauces” bin and the bin behind it, four of {these large deep bins} for “baking”, “nuts”, “rice & pasta”, and smaller “snacks”, three of {these x-large bins} for “breads”, “crackers” & larger “snacks”, one of {these medium handled bins} for “spreads” bin, one of {these large handled bins} for “soups” (I have the handles turned to the back for my handled bins).
If you have pull-out drawers like me and find that some of your bins shift around with repeated opening and closing of the drawers, a piece of non-skid shelf liner like {this} under the bin will help keep them in place (a remnant from a non-skid rug pad works too!).
2. Take Advantage of Vertical Space with Tall Baskets
I recently added a pair of {these 12″ square woven baskets} (also available {here})to the bottom shelf of our pantry and it gives me a good bit of extra space to stack things that would otherwise fall over when pulling the shelf in and out:
The basket on the left holds canned dog food and the basket on the right holds garbage bags, napkins, paper plates, and a few other things. The baskets are completely foldable which is great for if you ever need to store them.
And for those of you who have shallow pantries with fixed shelves, {these console baskets} are awesome for tall storage. I use a pair of them in the bottom of our kitchen closet to store our paper shopping bags and reusable grocery bags:
3. Make Everything Easy to See with Lazy Susan Turntables
Lazy Susan turntables like {this one} that I have in our pantry work great for making everything easy to see and access since you can give them a quick spin to see what’s in back instead of having to dig around and lift bottles up one by one to get what you need:
They’re not as necessary for pantries with pull-out shelves since you can see to the back more easily but in our previous pantry with fixed shelves, they were invaluable! I like turntables with 3-4″ sides so nothing falls off when you spin them. And unless you’re using them for small things like snack bars, I like the nondivided spinners (some are divided into sections inside) because you can fit more in them.
And if you keep your spices in your pantry, consider a spinnable for that too! While I keep a few of my most commonly used spices in small containers by my stove, I store my larger bottles in a revolving spice rack at the back of one of my pantry shelves (I took it out to photograph so you could see it better!):
I don’t have a link to this exact one because I’ve had it forever (it was actually a wedding gift!) but {this revolving spice rack} looks identical.
4. Create Extra Storage Space Under-Shelf & Back-of-Door Storage
The design of the pull-out shelves in our current pantry doesn’t allow me to use any clever under shelf storage tricks but in our old house with typical fixed wood shelves in our pantry, {these under-shelf baskets} were awesome!
I had one that held my wraps and foils and another that held my loaves of bread and bagels. You can also use them in your cupboards or refrigerator and they’re great for linen closets too!
And if you have enough space behind your pantry door to allow for it, one of {these door racks} can give you a TON of extra space. In our previous house, I actually used our old behind-the-door VHS tape storage rack on the back of our pantry door (I’m totally dating myself here!) and it worked great too.
5. Rack Up Your Cans!
If you keep a lot of canned goods in your pantry, a great way to store them so you can pack a lot in yet keep them easy to access is with a can rack organizer such as {this one} in our pantry:
I just got this a month or so ago and LOVE it! There’s room for a TON of cans – you can fit nine of the larger cans like the Progresso soup size on each row (27 total cans on the rack) or twelve smaller cans like Campbells (36 total cans on the rack). If you don’t have that many cans, you can just use two of the shelves for cans and remove the dividers from the third shelf to store something else.
I have mine in our cabinet above the main pantry cabinet and even that high up I can still reach all three shelves on the rack:
6. Keep it All Organized with Labels!
Now that you’ve organized your pantry, you want to KEEP it organized right?! Labels will help! I never used labels in our pantry until I went on a pantry organization spree following our kitchen remodel (I used to think they were kind of excessive and un-necessary). But I’ve completely changed my tune after having them for a few years now – it helps keep my family from messing it up within a few days of me whipping it into shape because everything has a clear home. I have {these bin clip label holders} on my two woven baskets:
And printed out these smaller tags for my bins:
Most of my bins have handles that I just tied the tags onto but for those that don’t, I used some of {these small clothespins} to clip them on:
I created them using {these Avery printable tags} that allow you to completely customize them and even choose different designs (like the little lattice design on the bottom of mine) by using their online templates:
You simply go to Avery templates {here}, type in the template number and get designing! I’ll show you over on Instagram stories how it works (you can find me {here} on Instagram if you don’t follow me over there already):
That wraps up my pantry organization tips – I hope you found a tip or two that sparks a little organization in your own home! If you want to see how I organized the rest of my kitchen, check out {this post} where you can peek behind into all of my cabinet doors and drawers! Also check out {this post} on kitchen drawer organizers.
I have several other organization posts in the works so if you don’t already subscribe to be notified of new posts by email now’s a good time to do that. It’s only 1-2 posts per week and you can unsubscribe at any time! CLICK {HERE} TO SUBSCRIBE!
Delores says
You are very organized! I got a lot of ideas from you. Like labels. I need labels in my pantry! Thank you for sharing!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Delores! They really do help to keep it neat in the long-run!
classic casual home says
Kris, I love everything. That can storage is a great idea! I’m copying it! Everything looks so fresh and clean! Great idea with the Lazy Susans (such a funny name when you think about it)…we have them in the fridge and it helps with things in the back. But I like yours with the sides.
Thanks for participating with us. I knew yours would be amazing and it is!!
Mary Ann
Kris Jarrett says
You will love the can storage rack! I was out of them at the time I took the photo but I also put my soda/seltzer cans on it! Thank you so much for including me!
Celia Becker @ www.AfterOrangeCounty.com says
Hi Kris. WOW, you sure found great ways to maximize your space. Love those deep pull-out drawers! I see you are a wooden clothes pin person like me. I find them to be so useful in my own pantry. However, you’ve got it all going on with those nifty clip-on labels. Love that you shared how you made such professional looking tags using Avery labels. I’m certainly going to take that suggestion and run with it.
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you! These pull out drawers are about 100x better for storage than the pantry we had before we remodeled!!
Betty in Arlington says
I wish I had that storage space in my kitchen! Wonderful ideas!
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you!
cindy says
We definitely had some similar ideas…great minds think alike? I am dreaming you are the organization queen! Our pantry was completely non-functional, and it still isn’t the greatest but this post did force me to give it a small facelift. Since we no longer have any kiddies around we don’t have nearly the variety of food items we once had. Thank you so much for sharing your tips. I wish you would come work your magic on my home.
Kris Jarrett says
I love Project Design for that reason – super motivating to get to projects that I’ve put on the back burner! Thank you for including me!!
LA CONTESSA says
YOU must have little BEINGS as you have TWO BIG BOXES of CHEERIOS!!!
MY PET PIG LOVES CHEERIOS for a snack!Plus, they are Gluten Free!
Nice job on the pantry……………I have not bought canned soup in years as its so easy to make and most isNOT gluten FREE.
I am seeing it in EVERYONES PANTRY TODAY!Is it used as a meal or for other recipes?Just curious.
IAM enjoying the PANTRY TOUR…………..thank you for sharing YOURS!
Kris Jarrett says
Ha – I do have kiddos but the Cheerios are ALL mine – I eat them every morning! I will often have a can of soup for my lunch – I’m not an amazing cook like you are (but wish I was)!
LA CONTESSA says
I LOVE CHEERIOS TOO!!!!!!
I’m NOT AN AMAZING COOK ………I just HAVE TO COOK FOR THE ITALIAN!
IT’s funny as a child CHEERIOS were my GO TO COMFORT FOOD little did I know I would grow up with a Gluten intolerance and they still are MY COMFORT FOOD!
MY ACUPUNCTURIST wants me to eat soup for LUNCH………..hot meals for cold weather he says!
Lyn says
Hi – The cupboard I find the most difficult to use is the corner cupboard with built in storage unit – this is a base cupboard and you have to bend way down to spin it and retrieve things. In every home I’ve lived in, this one cupboard is seemingly useless! Would love to know how you use yours – or if you don’t have one – suggestions on what to store – how to store items – in it! Thanks so much for your response!
Kris Jarrett says
I don’t know what the design of your corner cupboard looks like but some corner cupboard can fit wedge-shaped clear bins that work really well!
sheri silver says
I loved everything about this post! The clean lines, neutral colors, and I love how you used every inch of available space! And labels!!! I always get stumped on the process; thank you for sharing the how-to! 🙂
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you Sheri!
Annie Diamond says
Kris! I always love seeing your kitchen! Your pantry looks beautiful!
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Annie! And thanks for including me!
Ashley Stringfellow says
So many great tips Kris! And I love your printable labels too. I am going to update my bins with them. Thanks for sharing! xo
Kris Jarrett says
I’m a little bit obsessed with all of the different Avery printed labels now – so many useful ones!
Nippon says
Great info thanks buddy! Will surely utilize your research resources.
Kris Jarrett says
Thank you!
Margot says
My pantry is like yours and you are so right about others taking less care when using it. We use the cabinet on top for small appliance storage (griddle, hand mixer, etc.). We felt we had plenty of vertical space in ours so we purchased an additional roll-out shelf. That shelf is only about 4” from the shelf above it and is where I store my canned goods. Cans the size of a Campbell soup can and smaller I store on end but taller cans I store flat . I can see what I have at a glance and it works great for me!
Kris Jarrett says
That sounds like an awesome solution!!
Susan says
My vote is number 5! I need a can organizer! An organized pantry to be admired!
Kris Jarrett says
You will love it!
Heather W says
Hi there! May I ask where you found the pull out shelves? We have a similar size deep cupboard that we need to find these pull outs for, but are having some difficulty because of the width (36″).
Kris Jarrett says
Ours actually came as part of our pantry cabinet – they are MasterBrand Cabinet’s Diamond line so you could check and see if they sell them separately!
Karen B. says
Kris,
I just organized my pantry. This post gave me additional ideas for items, especially canned goods.
What great timing for this series.
xo,
Karen
Kris Jarrett says
Glad you enjoyed it Karen!
Kim says
I absolutely need to organize both my pantry and my linen closet. Have you done a similar post on linen closet organization ideas? This post will be so helpful!! Thanks!
Jenni says
This is beautiful and it’s actually what would fit best for our kitchen reno. But… I’m thinking having to open all those pullouts every time I need something when I’m cooking and then again for put away will make me crazy. Am I wrong? Is it really great? I had a shallow but wide pantry at our first house and I miss it so much! Your kitchen is beautiful by the way 🥰
Sara says
Where is the pantry cabinet from??
Erma Brooks says
Love the pantry. I just did mine and used the same can good holder. Could you share where I can get the label holder for the wicker baskets! Thanks & blessings’
Erma
Holly says
I have a pantry closet with pull-out shelves which I love, but also fell I’ve got wasted space. One more shelf would be great, if we knew the company. Your post may have saved me with 1) the suggestion of large baskets and 2) the under shelf baskets, of which I just so happen to have a couple. Off to try them. Thanks!
Cece Inyang says
I come from Nigeria in Africa, i am an aspiring Interior Designer, i love your posts and hope to get ideas for my jobs here.
Laura Belle says
Hi Kris, I’m planning a kitchen renovation and our pantry cabinet will be similar to yours – right next to the fridge. Is it ever awkward or difficult to open the pantry doors with the fridge right there? Do your pantry doors ban up against the fridge? We are trying to plan some pieces of wood between the pantry and fridge in case this would be an issue but I’m really not sure and would love your insight
Kris Jarrett says
Every now and then when we’re all in the kitchen either looking for something to eat or making a meal there will be one of us opening the pantry and one of us opening the fridge and you can’t have the right pantry door and left fridge door open at the same time. But it’s not frequent enough for it to be an issue. If you’re just worried about the pantry door banging against the closed fridge, all you need to do is have 135 degree hinges installed on the pantry doors and that shouldn’t be an issue!
Susie Grovey says
Where can I get the can organizer??? I’m trying to organize my pantry in our camper
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Susie – right above the photo of it is a clickable direct link 🙂
Elaine says
Currently working on house remodel & your kitchen is similar in layout to ours. What are the dimensions of your kitchen? Area between sink and island? I like your corner drawers as I hate wasted space. We have lazy Susan’s in each corner & have lost items behind. Absolutely scary upon retrieving those lost items!! Enjoy your emails Thanks
Rose says
Just today I was going through my pantry to make a grocery list & said to myself I didn’t even know I had this or that.
Great ideas with the bins.
Just ordered a few plastic bins & the stainless steel bar of soap.
You have such a way of putting things together.
Thank you.