How many times have you opened your pantry and thought, “I really need to get this organized”? Whether that’s a daily frustration or just a nagging thought, these simple hacks will help you reclaim your space and create a pantry that actually works for you.
Start here first
Start with a label maker—it is the secret weapon for any pantry project. Labeling your containers doesn’t just look great; it makes everything easy to find and helps you see exactly what you have at a glance.
Jars for food stuffs
The great thing about jars is that so many types of food fit in them. They’re easy to get a hold of and keep your items such as nuts and pasta fresh. Try washing out spaghetti sauce jars and mason jars to save some money.
FIFO – first in, first out
Make sure the oldest items in your pantry are used before the items you buy expire. This is another money-saving way to organize your pantry.
Shelf baskets
Stylish and useful, baskets make it easy to organize food by type. If you have an open pantry, you’ll have another area that’s clean and tidy.
Shelves just for kids
With this hack, you can make your kid(s) their own shelves. Put the healthiest snacks in the front and at eye level. We suggest choosing other snacks with this in mind. Swipe on the photo below to see what this pantry looked like before organizing it to better suit the space.
Avoid buying one-offs
Everyone loves new recipes that may require specialized ingredients. Try to avoid buying items that you’ll only use once. Otherwise, your pantry becomes loaded with sauces and spices, etc. that won’t be used regularly.
Condiments that are used on a regular basis can be stored using lazy susans.
Stack your cans
Have you ever had a can roll out of your pantry and fall directly on your foot? Well a stackable can rack solves that problem. No more rolling or toppling, just easy access and great organization.
Hanging wall baskets
Oftentimes, by a pantry, there is unused wall space. Hanging baskets to hold items such as onions, potatoes, and anything that doesn’t need to be refrigerated can fill the hanging baskets.
Make your pantry portable
Perfect for smaller spaces, a rolling rack/cart makes your pantry portable. It’s also a great way to expand your storage space and is easy to bring your items closer to your preparation area.
Of course these hacks are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to pantry organization. Look at the space you have to plan before you buy. Many items are available at discount stores and even thrift stores.
About Howard Hanna
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services proudly provides real estate, mortgage, title, and insurance services across 15 states. As the largest family-owned and -operated real estate brokerage in the United States, Howard Hanna operates more than 500 offices with 15,000 sales associates and staff. The company’s proprietary Hanna Success System helps its agents achieve 53% more business than agents at the top 1000 brokerages nationally. Learn more at www.HowardHanna.com.
