New Pantry Organisation

ORGANISATION

10/25/2022

Earlier this year, we sold our home amongst the trees & cows to move to a rental while we plan our new home build.

I was SO excited to finally have a walk in pantry again after 5 years.

So of course the first thing I did once we'd moved everything in was a PANTRY MAKEOVER.

This pantry is fairly small compared to the one I have planned for our new home, but I was still able to make it all fit with some good organisation!!

HERE'S HOW TO DO IT!

1. FIND YOUR STYLE

The first thing I did scroll through Pinterest for some style inspo. I really liked the mix of white lid labelled containers, wooden boxes, white & clear tubs and mesh baskets.

I knew from my pinterest search that Kmart and Ikea would have what I need.

2. PICK YOUR STORAGE ITEMS

Look online at shops such as Kmart & Ikea to see what they have available. Look for containers that come in varying sizes and tubs/boxes that will fit the height, width & depth of your shelves.

These are the items I chose

Ikea White Mesh BasketIkea White Mesh Basket
Ikea Green Mesh BasketIkea Green Mesh Basket
Ikea Wooden BoxIkea Wooden Box

ikea...

Kmart ContainerKmart Container
Kmart JarsKmart Jars
Kmart White TubKmart White Tub
Kmart Clear ContainerKmart Clear Container

kmart...

3. WORK OUT HOW MANY YOU NEED

The next job is to work out how many containers you need in each size and how many boxes, tubs & baskets.

To do this, move everything out of your pantry onto a bench or table.

What I did was group all of the packet items together that I intended on emptying into containers, I grouped the cans & condiments together that would go in tubs or boxes, grouped all of the spices & stock powders together and then the large bulkier items together that would go in larger tubs or baskets.

Next write a list of all of the items that will be emptied into containers and write next to each items what size container you think it will need. Total up the number of each size so you know how many to buy.

Then looking at your groups of cans, condiments and bulk items, guess how many tubs, boxes, baskets you should buy, do the same with spice & stock jars (and be sure to throw out items you hardly use!)

Now head out and purchase your items!

While your out shopping, look at additional items such as a spice rack, papertowel holder, wall hooks, tubs for non-food items like medications, cling wrap/foil/bags, etc.

4. FILL & LABEL YOUR CONTAINERS

Empty the contents of your packet items into you containers and label them as you go so you don't forget what is in them.

I created my own minimalist labels that I have turned into a DIY pantry label kit so you can create your own!

diy pantry label kit.

EDITABLE TEMPLATE + STICKER PAPER

5. ARRANGING THE SHELVES

Now the fun begins... time to start organising and styling!!

Start with the easy stuff first.

I started with the wall that would hold the rows of tubs/boxes for cans, condiments and packet items. I could then see how much room I had left for the smaller items and to make it look pretty!

The next part might take a bit of time playing around with making the smaller items and containers fit, and creating a layout that looks good and that is functional and you are happy with.

Like me, you may end up making another trip to the shops to buy more or exchange items!

6. GETTING CREATIVE & FILLING SPACE

When you have everything neatly in it's place, you might find you have more space to fill or it may look a little plain still. This is where you can get creative.

I was left with some space on the top shelves and on the floor under the bottom shelves. I purchased a woven basket to place on the floor and fill with empty shopping bags that can be re-used, I displayed my vases and cupcake holder on the top shelf that just so happened to make the colour scheme, I even used a office file rack to store my oven trays!!

What decorative items do you have tucked away in a cupboard that could be used to display or store things in your pantry?

Kmart Woven BasketKmart Woven Basket