How do you tidy up your pantry and organize it?
An organized pantry makes daily life much easier: you always have a clear overview, prevent food waste, and save both time and money. But where do you start if your pantry has become a mess, or if you simply can't find what you need? In this article, you'll find tips for tidying up your pantry and how to organize it properly afterward—so you won’t have to tidy it up again
Step 2: Tidy up your pantry
Now that you’ve decided how you want to use your pantry, it’s time for step 2! Before you can organize it properly, it’s important to start with a clean slate: a tidy pantry. But how do you go about tidying it up?
Step 1: First, take everything out of the pantry and place it on your dining table, kitchen counter, or the floor. Separate items into categories like storage containers, food items, and miscellaneous things. This makes it much easier to sort through everything and gives you a clear overview of what’s in your pantry.
Step 2: Next, start sorting. Begin with the food items. What’s expired or what have you never used? Throw it out immediately! Then move on to the storage containers. Toss any broken or discolored containers, as well as any without lids—you won’t want to use those anymore. Finally, go through all the miscellaneous items. Do they really belong in the pantry, or would they be better stored elsewhere in your home?
Step 3: Lastly, start thinking about your habits—this will help you determine how many storage solutions you actually need. Replenish your pantry so you always have the right setup.
Step 3: Organize your pantry
Now that your pantry is empty and tidy, you can start organizing it. A smart layout ensures that everything is easy to find and restock. By using shelves, storage units, wire baskets, and shelf inserts, you’ll make the most of your pantry space.
- Start with a sturdy wooden shelf. Choose a solution with adjustable shelves that you can move and adapt to your needs. Add as many units as you need (and have space for). Do you store a lot of bottles? Then go for a bottle rack next to your shelving unit. Sturdy bottle racks protect both full and empty bottles from tipping over and getting scratched. They also offer a clear overview, so you know exactly how many bottles are full and how many are empty.
- Large plastic bins with lids keep items neatly sorted and protected from dust and dirt. They come in various sizes and are usually stackable.
- Smaller items get a designated spot in wire baskets that you can attach to a shelf and easily move around. They stay out of the way but are easy to find when you need them.
- Shelf inserts help you divide the taller pantry shelves, so you can store more items without having to stack them on top of each other.
