How to Organize Your Pantry (From a Raleigh Professional Organizer)
Are you…
Sick and tired of not being able to find anything in your pantry?
Irritated because no one puts things away properly?
Disgusted with all the expired or spilled food?
Cans of tuna from 2017…five jars of mayonnaise…eight cake mixes. As professional organizers in the Raleigh, NC area, we find multiples on multiples of food items in our clients’ pantries. The pantry was full of items shoved in every nook and cranny, but they didn’t know what they had, so they kept buying the same things, resulting in shame, waste, frustration. Whether you tackle it yourself or hire a professional organizer, having a clear system makes all the difference.
Imagine opening your pantry and immediately finding what you need, because it’s labeled and organized. Keep reading to discover a doable process and some inspiration.
Whether you’re single, a busy mom, or an overwhelmed homeowner, you deserve a pantry that works. Because finding what you need quickly reduces food waste, lowers stress, and saves time, energy, and money.
Does this look familiar?
Decluttering and organizing an entire pantry can take hours depending on the condition and the size. If that feels like too much, break it into smaller sections. The key here is to only pull out what you know you’ll be able to finish.
The Process
First, designate a clear table or countertop to unload the space. Have a trash bag handy!
Second, start pulling things out, but place them on the table in categories. Categories might include: breakfast, baking, grains, pasta, dinner prep, condiments, sweet snacks, salty snacks. You might wind up creating sub-categories (gluten-free, kids, cans, etc.) later.
Check expiration dates as you pull things out!
Next, give the shelves a good cleaning. If you have shelf–liner, does it need to be replaced? If you don’t, do you want to put some down?
Before putting anything back, plan zones for the food based on the categories.
Think about how your family functions.
Do you want the kids to have access to their snacks? Be sure they are on a reachable shelf.
Do you have an adult food stash? Make sure it goes up high (and in an opaque container).
Use painters’ tape or sticky notes to plan things out to easily make adjustments before anything goes on the shelves.
Now, the fun begins…
Resist the urge to buy all the cute bins - until you know what you actually need. Figure out what will work well for your family…and measure before anything is bought! Use one type or a combination to create a space you’ll love.
are perfect for visual organizers or ADHD/neurodivergent family members who need to see items to remember they exist.
Provide visibility while visually softening the space.
create a clean, streamlined look. These favorites from The Container Store are durable and versatile.
provide amazing access to things that would normally be hard to reach - like deep corners. I use them for condiments, sauces and cleaning supplies under a sink.
What about “decanting”?
Decanting is putting the food contents into jars, containers, or bins. There’s no right answer to this one - you need to know your own lifestyle to know if it will work. It looks beautiful, but if you aren’t willing to maintain it, it’s a waste of time and money!
I personally am a fan - even if you don’t want to decant all the sugar, flour and cereal, putting all those individual packs of fruit snacks, granola bars, and drink mixes clarifies what’s available and what you need to replenish.
Pros:
Clearly see how much you have of the item
No empty boxes left in the pantry
Easy to find what you need
Less chance of things going stale from boxes that aren’t closed properly
Can save space - often uses height of pantry better than original container
Cons:
Takes time when you return from buying groceries / requires effort
Some jars don’t seal as well as others
What’s a good organization system without labels?
The most important part of labels is the clarifying piece…everyone knows where to find the items, and where to return them. No excuses as long as everyone in the family can read!
You can use anything from masking tape to an index card to a label-maker to custom Cricut labels. I also like this line of adhesive labels on Amazon. They’re inexpensive and have almost any category you can think of.
For more inspiration, here’s my Amazon Storefront. (As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a small commission from your purchases connected to the product links. Thanks for supporting my small business!)
Imagine opening your pantry and feeling calm instead of overwhelmed.
If you’re in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, or the surrounding Triangle area, schedule your free phone consultation today, and let’s create a pantry that works for your family.
If you’re out of our physical area, still fill out the form and let’s work together to get you the help you need.
