We all dream of having a beautiful, organized, and tidy pantry – but achieving it can be a struggle.
From overflowing shelves to mismatched storage solutions, pantries can often end up looking more chaotic than coordinated. Not only does this make finding specific spices and ingredients harder, but it also seemingly gets worse instead of better over time, as nothing has a proper place when it comes to putting things away.
So, why not some pantry organization ideas from those who have achieved the (seemingly) impossible? According to professional organizers, these are the things people with organized pantries always do, and what they buy to help them keep it that way.
7 things people with organized kitchen pantries always do
1. Declutter regularly
First things first, the key to any pantry organizing tricks is decluttering, says John Barrett, founder of DishFacts.com, a culinary resource for home cooks and professionals.
He says, 'Remove expired items and consolidate duplicates, like merging half-full containers of flour.' This will help you keep your shelves streamlined, and prevent overwhelm.
If you're not sure how to declutter a pantry, start, as Barrett suggests, by removing anything that is old or expired and putting it directly into a strong trash bag, like the Hefty Strong Large Trash Bags available at Amazon.
Then take stock of what is left – is there anything you've been saving for a special occasion but never yet used, or any items you don't like? Donate those to a better home, and plan a time to use up anything else, which is a great opportunity to test out new recipes and find a new favorite.
2. Choose airtight containers over glass jars
Glass jars might look gorgeous as part of your pantry ideas, but they're often heavy and easily broken warns Tina Priestly, professional home organizer and founder of Ready, Set, Refresh.
'Instead, use Vtopmart Airtight Containers available at Amazon, which are lightweight and shatterproof,' she says. 'They're perfect for decanting food goods, and storing items like cereal, flour, or snacks, without the worry of breaking.'
They also look just as good, and as organized, but are a more practical, long-term solution.
At home, I love using these airtight food containers, which are also top-rack dishwasher-safe. They're space efficient design means they're suitable for stacking.
3. Organize with dovetail drawer boxes
Organizing drawers can often feel a tricky task, but Andrew White, general manager at Kitchen Wise recommends using dovetail drawer boxes, such as the Bamboo Office Supplies Organizer Box available at Amazon, which also work well to make the most out of shelving space, too.
He says, 'Reaching into deep cabinets doesn’t have to feel like an Olympic feat. For those of us who prefer to keep both feet on the ground, dovetail drawer boxes are a perfect solution. These sturdy, custom-fit drawers maximize space while keeping everything easily within reach.'
With 14 boxes in different sizes, this set is everything you need to organize your pantry drawers. They're also biodegradable and water resistant, made from renewable and sustainable wood sources.
4. Make the most of baskets
People with properly organized pantries always know how to use storage baskets properly.
Ryan Eisland, professional organizer at Home Sort, says, 'From woven to hide the items inside, to wire that look modern and fresh, we love baskets. They are sturdy enough to hold a lot of items, and look great, too.'
There are plenty of pantry storage baskets to choose from, so there's something for every space. Go for matching sets if you prefer a streamlined look, or why not mix and match for a customized solution
These nesting baskets will look great in any modern rustic kitchen ideas, and are made of hand-woven, eco-friendly water hyacinth.
These nesting baskets have a durable soft-cloth lining, to protect your pantry from spillages. With a stackable design, they take up minimal space when not in use.
With a cutout at the front, this basket makes it easy to grab any items you need with rubber handles for easy lifting and moving.
5. Keep everything accessible with Lazy Susans
One of the best things people with organzied pantries invest in is a lazy susan. These simple organizers are one of the kitchen organizers that professionals always buy., helping to keep everything in sight
Kitchen expert White says, 'For those tricky corners, elevated Lazy Susans (such as the LAMU 4 Pack Lazy Susan Organizer Turntable for Cabinet available at Amazon) are a game changer. They rotate smoothly, ensuring that nothing is left forgotten in the back.'
Even Khloé Kardashian's organized pantry features them, and if they're good enough for the queen of organization, they're certainly good enough for us!
This Lazy Susan is ready for use straight out the box, made of sturdy and durable wood that is mildew-resistant and easy to clean.
Made of durable PET and PVC material, this Lazy Susan can be cleaned with soap and water, and also works well for organizing makeup.
If you have a lot in your pantry, a two-tier organizer might be the way to go. This one is sleek and stylish, and will look great to reduce visual clutter on kitchen countertops, too
6. Perfect their spice rack storage
As professional organizer Priestly points out, 'Spice racks often run out of room quickly and can be hard to organize.'
Therefore, people with organized kitchen pantries always nail organizing spices, by opting for something suitable for their space, and the way they use them.
For example, Leah Mari, professional organizer at Leah Folds, says, 'For spices, we see a lot of modern options on social media, but my favorite is The Counter Top Rack available at Evermill (which one reviewer described as 'six star worthy'). They also offer an in-drawer option.' There are also plenty of affordable options available, like the bestselling Kamenstein 16-Jar Chrome Wire Revolving Filled Spice Rack available at Walmart, which comes readily stocked with spices for just over $20.
With a number of clever ways to use spice racks for organization around the home, if you ever do decide to switch out your storage, you can put them to use elsewhere.
While definitely a pricier investment, the aesthetic look and feel of this spice rack can't be disputed. It also comes with 18 organic spices included, so you will be ready to get cooking straight away.
7. Invest in custom shelving
Undeniably, if you're looking for the perfect solution for your space, custom is the way to go. While custom kitchen shelving ideas are an expensive investment, nothing will work better, says kitchen expert White.
'When it comes to closets and pantries, the real hero is custom shelving,' he advises. 'We’ve all wrestled with wire shelving that doesn’t quite cut it. Swapping it out for custom options transforms not just the look but the function of your storage, creating a space that works as hard as you do.'
Much like stock vs custom kitchen cabinets, these are designed to fit your space perfectly, boosting storage space tailored exactly to your specific kitchen, so it's certainly worthwhile to consider the splurge.
Next, learn about these small pantry mistakes which may wind up making your organization ideas a chore to maintain.
