Kitchen Pantry Organization & Design Ideas

This might seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised at how many people are content with half-full and messy bags of flour or smooshed boxes of cereal. The experts at House Beautiful recommend using sturdy, clear, leak-proof jars and reusable chalkboard style labels for storing these kinds of dry goods. You'll be able to see exactly how much you have and nothing will go stale.

Consider investing in a label maker. These aren't your mother's clunky label guns either - the ones on the market now connect to your cell phone and are super simple to use. If you enjoy baking, labeling ingredients like flour, salt, and sugar will save you infinite possible headaches. You can also have large plastic containers with lids labeled for your family members, roommates, or multiple pets to help keep things neat and tidy.

Potential pantry storage space can be easily overlooked. Don't let this valuable organizational real estate go to waste - here are a few tricks to let you make the most of it:

• Over the door racks- that hang from the top of your door can hold a plethora of your favorite seasonings, kids' snacks, or dog treats. They can be on the front or back of the door - or both!
• Up high - Many homes have a high ceiling in the pantry. Why not utilize that overhead space to store seasonal items like holiday linens or Christmas cookie cutters?
• Down low - Lidded boxes or attractive storage baskets at a lower level can hold things for the kids like snacks or activities.

The DIY Network suggests purchasing a library-style ladder or a multi-purpose step stool. It will have uses all over the kitchen and also enable you to use the overhead space in your pantry creatively.

These days, they make racks for just about everything. From spices to soup cans to exquisite wines, there's a rack for that. Displaying your goods like this will help you ensure you're using the oldest things first and rotating new stock to the back.

If you struggle daily with finding something to make for a quick lunch or locating that one elusive ingredient for your cookie recipe, slide-out racks can be a lifesaver. They're also incredibly affordable and durable. Wall-mounted racks can assist with wrangling cleaning stuff like brooms and mops, bulk amounts of paper products, and all of your favorite drinks.

A beautifully organized pantry means nothing if you can't see what you need when you need it. The right light fixture adds class and style to an otherwise utilitarian storage space. Some homes come equipped with a pantry light and some do not. If you're in the "nope" camp, never fear, there are actually some really cool products that provide plenty of light with long-lasting batteries and can be mounted in your pantry with little or no hardware.

Home and garden gurus at The Spruce have several favorites for pantry and under-cabinet lighting. Environmentally friendly LED lights are great for this small space as they put out very little heat, which could ruin wine, chocolate, and other fragile ingredients.

A simple storage idea that never fails is grouping similar items together. Keep all of your hot sauces, cooking oils, or cake-decorating supplies right at your fingertips with a Lazy Susan - a rotating round platform that's perfect for pantry use. These ingenious spinning storage hacks will also help you stay on top of expiration dates and cut product waste.

Wire baskets and boxes can also hold just about anything, from pet food to place settings, to ramekins and casserole dishes. If you keep items used for the same purpose together, your pantry will stay tidy and uncluttered.

Better Homes and Gardens advises dividing your pantry into zones of like items - beverages, snacks, baking, condiments - you get the picture. Reminiscent of the grocery store aisles, this family-friendly organizational concept will save you both time and money. 

Sliding drawers and wheeled baskets are convenient for storing whatever you need to indulge your kitchen passions. From scrapbooking to pickling, you'll have your supplies close at hand when in use and beautifully stored away when not.

Bar carts are a charming and useful, multi-purpose design element that should be a part of your kitchen pantry organization. Adaptable to a myriad of kitchen and culinary uses, the majority typically feature at least two shelves on a sturdy wheeled frame. Some models come with attached storage bins, included cutting boards, or a trash receptacle.

Your kitchen is the heart of your home and a gorgeously organized space will bring you happiness and peace of mind. Actually designing and organizing your pantry may seem like a major challenge, but keeping your household running smoothly is definitely worth the investment!