Easy Ways to Organize Your Kitchen Pantry

Abby Greenhill
Don't you just love your pantry? If you are like most people, when you get home from the grocery store you just toss all the items into the pantry without much thought. That may be the easy way, but it actually makes life harder for you in the long run. An organized pantry will help you save money too!

Let's get your pantry organized!

Easy Ways to Organize Your Pantry - #1

Start off by removing everything from the pantry. You may have to recruit some help from the kids for this project. Once you have removed everything, wipe off the shelves and sweep the floor. If your pantry is looking a little ratty, you might consider giving it a fresh coat of paint. If the interior looks good, then move to the next step. I

Easy Ways to Organize Your Pantry - #2

The bulky items need to be on the lower shelves and the items you use the most should be on the middle shelves. As you pick up an item to return it to the shelf, check the expiration date. If it's past it's time, toss it. Try to keep like items together. Put all the soups together on one shelf and all the baking items together. It will make it much easier to make a shopping list if you can see what you have.

Easy Ways to Organize Your Pantry - #3

Keep a small notebook or pad in the pantry. When you use your last box of pasta, make a note. Don't forget to use that information when you make up your shopping list!

Easy Ways to Organize Your Pantry - #4

If possible, put the newer items to the back of the shelves and older items in front. That will enable you to use items before they hit the expiration date. Throwing out food is costly and can be avoided.

Easy Ways to Organize Your Pantry - #5

For small items that may get lost way in the back, use a small plastic bin that you can buy at the dollar store.

Note: If you don't have a pantry, and use your kitchen cabinets for food storage, the same basics apply. Try to delegate certain cabinets for food storage and don't buy more than you have room to store.

Even a small pantry can hold a lot of necessities, if it is well organized. Make good use of the space you have and keep it organized and when dinner time comes along you will be one step ahead of the game!

Source:

Personal Experience

Published by Abby Greenhill

Abby is a retired Administrative Assistant. She is a pet lover who has many years experience as a dog owner. She loves to take road trips anywhere up and down the East Coast and tries to stay current on ne...  View profile

32 Comments

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  • Agnes Farside3/20/2011

    Good tips.

  • Michael Segers3/16/2011

    Excellent tips!

  • Allana Calhoun3/15/2011

    Good advice!

  • Julia Bodeeb3/14/2011

    I long for a pantry. I use an old, solid dresser to store food and baking stuff.

  • Tracy Vanderford3/12/2011

    Great tips which I dearly need to follow! :)

  • Patricia Sicilia3/10/2011

    Excellent tips.

  • Memmay Moore3/10/2011

    Come on over and help me do mine.

  • Susan Jane3/9/2011

    NOT A GUEST - I have the big pantry, now I just need to follow your excellent instructions. Thanks for the motivation, Abby.

  • Jennifer Wagner3/9/2011

    Now I just need a pantry! All my stuff is crammed into cabinets.

  • John Myers3/8/2011

    Great suggestions!

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