Today I’m sharing my best small pantry organizing tips. It’s been a while since I’ve shared updates in our tiny walk in pantry, but I made a few small changes over the holiday break that I think are worth mentioning. I’m also sharing some of my best tips on taking advantage of all useable space.
Best Small Pantry Organizing Tips
- decide on the function of the pantry (food items only or food and storage for the kitchen)
- create storage space with multiple shelves
- use a variety of clear food storage containers (jars and containers that are stackable)
- door and wall racks for small spaces
- keep floor clear as possible
- purge out dated and unused items at regular intervals
Creating Pantry Storage
When we bought our home, I removed shelves that were so deep I couldn’t even reach the back. Then I installed wire shelving on two walls turning it into a walk in pantry.
By taking advantage of the vertical space, and taking the shelving all the way to the ceiling, I have room for a lot more than just food. This is where I store our pots, pans, small appliances and paper goods in addition to food staples.
The trick is spacing the shelves close together. Notice how close the shelves are holding can goods. When the need arises I can adjust the shelves. Plus wire shelving gives me great visibility in such a tiny space.
Small Pantry Organizing With labels
Every year or so I re-evaluate the storage needs in the pantry to make minor adjustments. Several years ago I bought glass jars with locking lids for baking supplies and large volume foods.
After the update, I discovered how much I love the way they look lined up neatly on the shelves. Keeping food fresh in a space that is clean and uncluttered makes me really happy.
Now I’m adding new storage containers, but this time in a variety of sizes that are stackable. This way I can organize a few more food items in various forms more efficiently.
Having designated containers for food items, especially things that come in bags is a lot easier for me. No doubt I’ll be adding more stackable containers.
I’m also adding labels. Yep I didn’t have any labels on the baking supplies before, and as you can guess my luck finally ran out.
I accidentally added salt instead of sugar to a recipe. Stupid I know, but I was in a huge rush to make a recipe for a photo shoot. I didn’t discover my mistake until I was completely finished and took a big rewarding bite. Yuck!
So what have I learned? Labels are a good thing and I need them. Labels will also help the Mister, since he cooks as much as I do.
Don’t forget to mark the clear food containers with a purchase date or a best use by date depending on the contents. I’m using a removable blank label on the lid with the date written with a Sharpe.
Since I don’t have a label or a Cricut Maker, I picked the lazy girls way, and ordered a packet of pre-printed labels on-line. These are removable and have a minimalist design.
Pantry Door And Wall Racks
Wall and door racks are big space savers for me. The pantry door is currently holding extra items such as condiments that will eventually go in the refrigerator. Lower baskets hold plastic storage bags, foil, parchment paper, trash can liners and cleaning supplies.
To see more photos click on my post Updating Pantry Storage.
Wall racks are useful for small baking essentials, extracts, oils, vinegars, coffee supplies and even vitamin supplements. Easy accessible spice racks don’t take up much space either, and the labels are easy to see from the doorway.
A pet peeve of mine is clutter on the floor. It happens especially around the holidays when we’re buying lots of extras, but most of the time it is truly a walk in pantry.
Under the wire shelves I have a couple of dog food bins, a small recycle bin and a wine crate with casters for drinks. I love bins with casters, because it’s so much easier to clean when I can just roll them out of the way.
Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest, where the boards are up to date with seasonal inspiration that you can use right now!
Thank you for stopping by and letting me share our small pantry organizing tips. This really is the hardest working room in the house.
Cheers!
© 2022 Best Small Pantry Organizing Tips post first appeared on Thistle Key Lane.
Thanks for the inspiration Michelle. You’ve done such a great job with your pantry! Mine is incredibly small but you’ve given me some good ideas on organizing it. Thanks again and Happy New Year to you!
Thanks for the positive feedback and comments Denise! Small spaces are always such a challenge, but hopefully some of my ideas will be of help to you! Happy New Year!
Ahhh this makes me so happy! I just did a pantry purge earlier today (the birds are having an all-you-can-eat buffet of expired snack food on our deck!!) and we were juuuust deciding on storage containers – I’ve had a mish mash of baskets that aren’t really working effectively for what I need to store and it’s time for an upgrade so this is super timely – thank you!
Organizing or I should say making time for organizing always makes me happy. Have fun working on your pantry Janet!!
Bravo! Yours is the most helpful post on pantries I’ve seen. It shows can goods and bottled sauces, real foods people use. Thank you, just what I’ve been looking for😊
Thank you Pam for the positive feedback, and I hope my little tips will be of help to you! 😊
Those glass jars are adorable! I might need to get some 😊Pinned!
Pinned! Can you come over and do my pantry, Michelle?! I picked up some great tips like those bins on casters. Now I’m giving my pantry the stink eye because it looks like a wreck compared to yours. Adding it to my project list!
I wish the rest of my house was as organized as the pantry, but at least I can brag on that one space LOL. Thanks for the sweet comments Crissy!
So many great ideas for a small pantry. I’m sharing a link on Sunday’s Dirt road Adventures. Thanks for your inspiration.
Thank you so much for sharing a link Rachel! You made my day and then some! Hugs!
Great job on your pantry organization! So many helpful tips. I love the labels you used! Doesn’t it feel great to have such an organized space!
Yes it does Donna! It’s the best my pantry has ever looked!
Very helpful. I think I’ll be able to use some of the ideas for an area that has kept me stuck. Great layout. Thank you
I’m happy to hear you can use some of these organizing ideas! Thanks for stopping by!
Can someone say, #Goals!!! I can’t wait until our new home gets built. I want a super organized walk-in pantry, and you have nailed it! I’m pinning for later, so I can show the contractor exactly what I want! THANK YOU!
I’m so happy that you found my post useful Stephanie! Sometimes I feel like it’s the only organized space in the whole house LOL! Thanks so much for stopping by!