The big day is behind you, and you’ve finally moved into your new home! It’s an exciting time for everyone, and we understand you can’t wait to finally settle into your new home. Whether you’re a passionate home cook or a weekend baking enthusiast, we know it’s tempting to rush straight to the kitchen and get to work.
But not so fast! You’ve just moved in, and your pantry likely needs organizing. That means it’s worth exploring pantry organization and storage ideas that will keep your kitchen in top shape.
In today’s article, we’ll talk about how to organize a pantry in a new home and offer some storage ideas that will keep not only your kitchen but your entire home clean and clutter-free.
Our best ideas for organizing and storing your pantry
We include creative approaches to common organizational challenges and DIY pantry storage solutions for those willing to get their hands dirty in the name of extra storage space.
Find out what type of pantry storage is right for you
Pantry organization is largely a matter of personal discretion, as it depends on what you find convenient. But even that depends on how you utilize the space and what you intend to store in it. Otherwise, you risk keeping things that shouldn’t be there and having difficulty finding them when you need them.
If you’re a cook who needs everything within easy reach, consider mid-height open shelves where you can store your most frequently used ingredients, or if you like to work at a kitchen island, make sure you have a shelf or alcove that can easily accommodate all your equipment.
Proper identification, storage, nd labeling
When moving into a new home, experts recommend that the first thing you should do is go through all your food and ingredients to determine which ones you use regularly. If you’ve already done this before leaving your old home, it’s a good idea to throw out anything that’s past its expiration date. These items will only take up valuable space in your new home, so there’s no point in keeping them.
Place dry foods like pasta, whole grains, popcorn, and legumes in clean glass jars or stainless steel containers. Labeling them is a good idea so you know exactly where everything is and what’s in each container. This will help you avoid mistakes in the long run.
Open shelves? Yes, please!
There’s a reason interior designers and professional chefs are big fans of open shelving: they’re great for putting things out of sight and ensuring they’re always within reach. But remember, open shelving works best when it’s organized properly.
Dedicate one shelf to all your spices and oils, with the labels facing out. Use a larger shelf for all your baking equipment, from ingredients to baking pans and boxes. Dedicate a shelf to canned goods that you can easily open for quick and easy meals.
Put it on the line
Maximizing vertical space is a great solution for those with smaller kitchens or pantries. Instead of lining the walls with shelves—which can significantly limit space—we suggest building shelves from the floor to the ceiling.
Pots and pans can be easily hung from a rack placed on the ceiling, and a handy little ladder can be used to reach up.
To higher shelves.
Advice:
Remember to
Use the top shelves for ingredients and equipment you only use seasonally, like Christmas cookie cutters or Easter cookie cutters. Don’t store anything heavy on the upper shelves to avoid accidental collisions and injuries.
Even doors have their purpose.
Whether you have a small pantry or a more spacious and luxurious walk-in pantry, the back of the door also serves as storage and organization.
The pantry door is the perfect place to mount small racks for oils and spices, or even a whole host of cake decorating supplies like jars of edible glitter, tins of pre-made icing, or tubes of decorating gel. You can even hang racks to store pots and pans, making them easier to find and store than in a closet or drawer.
The rails and hooks attached to the back of the pantry door can also be used to hang reusable shopping bags, as well as baskets for carrying or storing fresh produce.
And speaking of baskets. Take the most of it.
own
baskets
Large and deep baskets are a great (and aesthetically pleasing) alternative to traditional plastic containers for kitchen organization and storage.
Instead of storing items individually, group them by category and place them in baskets. For example, all your baking accessories, like whisks, rolling pins, and cookie cutters, can be placed in a large basket, within easy reach.
Tray-style baskets with built-in dividers are perfect for storing and organizing everyday cutlery. Box-style baskets, on the other hand, are a good place for table linens like tablecloths, tea towels, and napkins.
Long, narrow baskets that slide easily onto a shelf like a set of books are useful for storing root vegetables in cool, dry places. Wooden crates, on the other hand, can be used to store and display seasonal fruits.
Drawers
In the kitchen and shelves are a great way to maximize the space in the pantry, plus they are easier to access.
Drawers can be used for storing dry goods, especially if they are deep enough, or as an alternative to a wine cellar if you love wine but lack the space to store your precious bottles.