Few things remain as perfect after 25 years, but in the case of Martha Stewart's pantry storage method, timelessness rings true. Stewart first offered a tour of her set's pantry back in 1998 – but her tips translate to the most contemporary of spaces. Her most translatable lesson? Glass storage jars and boxes will always have a place on every pantry (or kitchen shelf).
'This is perhaps my favorite room in my new set – this is the pantry. Every home, if you can have it, should have a pantry,' Stewart begins.
'A room like this can be so orderly and so old-fashioned at the same time. Many of my older friends have pantries in their basements or in closets, but to have a whole room devoted to the storage of all this delicious excess is really handy. This is also an excellent place to keep dog food, cat food, scales, twine, and my collection of old French bread boards on the wall,' Stewart begins.
She then demonstrates how to use glass refrigerator jars (much like these from Amazon) to organize a pantry – and ensure it stays tidy. 'These are old-fashioned refrigerator jars, and sugar is layered with vanilla beans. On the top shelf, [I keep] things that I need but I don’t use very often. It’s really great to have a pantry.'
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Much like the glass containers seen in Stewart's pantry, these storage solutions combine an old-fashioned aesthetic with modern practicality built in. They're designed with removable silicone seals and 4-hinge snap locks to ensure zero leaking or spilling, which also keeps food fresh.
For a vintage-inspired look like Stewart's, we love this glass jar set – perfect for storing dry goods in excess. They have oversized knobs for easy gripping and substantial weight to stay sturdy on any counter or pantry shelf.
As Stewart shares below, she loves old-fashioned Canning Jars, and nothing beats the original. The authentic Kilner® Jar, invented by John Kilner and Co. in England is as much loved and successful now as it was over 180 years ago.
Stewart's old-fashioned refrigerator jars are not the only glass storage solutions on her shelves. She goes on to show off her giant jars (with painted green lids that complement the gray-green hues of her pantry cabinets.
'What a great way to utilize great big oversized jars that you find at antique shows and tag sales. We painted the cap of these big jars to look good in the pantry; this is great for dog food, cat food, and whatever. Grains [should also be kept] in tightly covered jars,' she says.
'Spices [should be] tightly covered, teas tightly covered, jams and jellies[should not be kept] in bright sunlight. Homemade jams will last a lot longer if they’re kept in a cool, rather dark place. It’s also very important to use containers to [your] best advantage. These old refrigerated jars look great in a pantry. Also, if you’re going to buy six or ten boxes of brown sugar, always use the box in front first and keep the newly bought product in the back of the line.'
Plus, in true Stewart style, she brings a unique flare to her pantry. 'Let me point out that I collect old-fashioned canning jars that have good, tight caps. It’s also very important in a pantry to know what things have to be kept out,' she says. We can't all have an antique canning jar collection as expansive as hers – but they do serve as a reminder that pantry storage can be personal, sentimental, and good-looking.
The new year is the perfect opportunity to rethink pantry and kitchen storage – and if there's any method that will prolong in 2025, it's this. After working for over 25 years, we really can't go wrong.
