Food Pantry Organization Made Simple: 10 Tools You Need
If you’re like me, your kitchen is probably the highest traffic space in your home. It doesn’t matter the size of your kitchen; it always seems like there isn’t enough space to house everything that you use when cooking and entertaining. Keeping it organized is a no-brainer. It ensures that you use the space most efficiently, and who doesn’t love that?
Below are the ten best pantry organization tools you should include to help you on your journey to keep your pantry organization on point. The best part is that you can find items in practically any budget!
How to Organize a Pantry
Start small and focus on the most used space first. That way you can immediately reap the benefits of your efforts since it’s the cabinet that you frequent most.
Once you decide which cabinet needs attention, clean it out and measure the space. Review the tools below and determine what will make your pantry work for you instead of against you.
The items on this list have been essential in my kitchen and many others. They ensure that you get the most out of your money by keeping your food fresh and your items used.
{Related Post: How to Organize your Kitchen Cabinets}
Pantry Storage Containers Ideas
1. Clear Storage Containers with Airtight Lids
Why you need these: Colored containers are pretty, but impractical. Clear containers let you know exactly what you have and how much you have of it quickly. Choose glass containers for items that you plan on taking to work, so you can reheat without any concerns.
Perfect for: glass - food prep, lunch on the go; plastic - shelf containers (like this one) for items like rice, cereal, cracker, pasta, and baking storage.
The benefit: Sealed containers keep your goods from going stale while also letting you know what you have left.
User tip: Use a label maker to add expiration dates to your containers. These can be easily removed and replaced.
2. Lazy Susans
Why you need these: I didn’t even know I needed this until I got it. Deep pantry shelves are notorious black holes where condiments and oils go to hide. Lazy susans bring everything within reach with a simple spin.
Perfect for: Condiments, cooking oils, vinegars, salad dressings, canned goods, and vitamins.
The benefit: You know what you have and don’t lose anything to the deep crevice in your pantry. With a quick rotation, you can see everything you have, allowing you to use everything that you buy.
User tip: Here are sizes for every occasion. I love my oval one that corralled my vitamins and made it easier to find everything. The one below is similar to the one I use. I love it.
3. Shelf Organizers
Why you need these: Dividers are perfect for the woman who wants access without chaos. Adjustable dividers let you create the space you need for your sheet pans, cutting boards, and even pans. Now, you simply have to pull out one without removing ten others to get to it.
Perfect for: Cutting boards, baking sheets, serving trays, and pans.
The benefit: When everything has its own slot, grabbing what you need becomes simple.
User tip: Measure your cabinet first, so you can find the perfect size. Or, look for expandable ones that will grow with you.
![Fikoksol Cutting Board Organizer, [2-Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41knthxfamL._SL500_.jpg)
Pantry Organization Ideas for Deep Shelves
4. Pull-Out Drawer Systems
Why you need these: Pull-out systems make your cabinets more user friendly. Deep, hard-to-reach areas are now fully accessible. No need to get down on hands and knees to find what’s sitting in the back of your cabinet.
Perfect for: Small appliances, cleaning supplies, and liquor.
The benefit: These shelves make your cabinets user-friendly by keeping everything visible and easy to grab.
User tip: Measure your cabinet depth before purchasing. If you check the product page, they usually provide you with information on how to measure correctly. Also, products range from drill into the base of your cabinet to strong adhesive stickers that you can add to your cabinet.
5. Snack Station Caddies
Why you need these: I love taking snacks out of the boxes and putting them in clear containers because it lets me know when we are low on something. I don’t know how many times I thought we had granola bars only to learn that the box was empty in the cabinet. It also reduces the amount of space snacks take up in a cabinet.
Perfect for: Individual snacks, granola bars, fruit pouches, crackers, and lunch box items.
The benefit: In addition to saving space, your kids will be able to grab a snack without destroying the entire pantry. It makes for fewer messes, less supervision, and more independence for kids.
User tip: If you have a child with an allergy, you can put specific snacks in an assigned caddie to help your child know what to eat and what not to eat.
6. Shelf Risers
Why you need these: I didn’t even know I needed this until I added it to my shelf! These little platforms use the same amount of space, but you are able to easily see items you would usually have to dig for.
Perfect for: Canned goods, jars, spices, and small appliances.
The benefit: It lets you maximize your vertical space. You get to see everything you have without having to remove half the items to find that one item you’re looking for.
User tip: Choose expandable models that can adjust to your exact shelf width for a custom fit that looks intentional, not thrown together.
7. Drawer Inserts
Why you need these: When redoing our kitchen, I needed to be thoughtful with where I was spending money. We didn’t get designer cabinets and we didn’t upgrade to drawers with the inserts. Instead, I checked Amazon and got these amazing organizers that you cut down to the size of your drawer. It’s been the perfect solution to our organization and budget needs.
Perfect for: Cutlery, small kitchen gadgets, utensils
The benefit: Your drawers aren’t chaotic. You keep everything organized which, in turn, makes the use of your kitchen seamless.
User tip: Keep your budget in mind and measure! If you don’t have the budget for cut to width inserts, get the individual organizers.
Baskets for Pantry Organization
8. Wire Baskets
Why you need these: Keep your fruit and veggies fresh by using wire baskets and allowing air to circulate.
Perfect for: Fruit, potatoes, onions, bread, and other veggies that don’t need to be refrigerated.
The benefit: Gives your fresh produce a chance to survive on your countertop. Wire baskets also provide a little design to your space.
User tip: I like to use them on my kitchen counter as part of my design. Keeping fresh fruit on the counter means the kids are more likely to grab it as a snack.
9. Pantry Liners
Why you need these: Protect your cabinets with liners. They help keep your cabinets looking good for years to come. They make clean up a breeze when you have spills or leaks.
Perfect for: All of your cabinets.
The benefit: Protecting the base of your cabinets means that they stay looking newer longer.
User tip: Measure once for each size cabinet and use as a template for your drawers and cabinets.
10. Label Maker
Why you need this: Labeling your items makes for a more sustainable system. You don’t want to have a bunch of containers in your cabinet where the only person who knows what’s in them is you.
Perfect for: Every container, bin, and designated zone in your pantry.
The benefit: Everyone in your house is able to know what you have so they, too, can use your efficient kitchen. Also, labeling the expiration date is a great way to know when something needs to be replaced as well.
User tip: If you want to make your containers look beautiful, use a Cricut to make labels that last a long time. However, a basic label maker like this one here will give you everything you need and allow you to update as needed.
How to Build Your Organized Pantry
Tips for pantry organization
Start small and build: Trying to reorganize your whole kitchen in the span of a weekend will probably destroy your budget and your motivation. Choose one or two cabinets to tackle. Select cabinets that are high traffic areas and in most need of organization.
Plan for mini-resets: Even the best of us can’t keep it organized all the time. Set aside time to reorganize your cabinets so that you will always love your kitchen.
If you want more information on how to organize your cabinets, I wrote a post that details what to do, and you can find it here.
Budget-Friendly Pantry Organization
While Pinterest images of organized pantries will have you looking to take out a second mortgage, you really should be aware of your budget. I love Mason jars to keep food fresh and they are super inexpensive.
The Dollar Tree offers inexpensive containers that can help you streamline your kitchen while you gradually upgrade to make your kitchen easier and more efficient.
An Organized Pantry Is the End Game
We all want an organized kitchen because we want to love being in there. Create systems that help you do that. Brainstorm what you use most, least, and anywhere in between and organize with that in mind.
Ready to transform your pantry? Start with the organizers that address your biggest frustrations, and watch how quickly your entire kitchen routine becomes more efficient. Your future self—and your family—will thank you for taking this step toward a more organized, stress-free home.
{Related Post: How To Do A Kitchen Cleaning For Best Results}
