Organize Your Pantry in 5 Steps

Enlarge Image Image Gallery California Closets adjustable shelving is produced domestically, made of recycled materials and certified for low emissions. Photo Courtesy California Closets

Half-empty bags of flour. An assortment of seldom-used cooking oils collecting dust. A jar of pickled peppers older than your car. A disorganized pantry is an eyesore and can make meal planning a challenge. If you can’t see what you have, how can you use it? Whether you have a walk-in pantry or a humble cupboard, our smart storage solutions will help you get your goods in order.

1. Start from Scratch 

The first step to restoring order is the hardest, but it’s worth it. Remove everything—including food lurking in the back you forgot about long ago—and spread it out on the kitchen table or countertops. Examine each item. Is it expired? If so, can it be composted? Be honest. Will you really eat it? If not, donate unopened items to a local food bank.

2. Streamline Your Storage 

Sort what’s left into groups of like items. For example, place pasta, rice and other grains in one group. Place canned goods in another. Marry condiments, oils and flours. Whenever possible, transfer goods into clear glass jars so you can easily see what you have on hand. Do not use plastic containers; they absorb odors and oils and may contain bisphenol-A (BPA), a potentially toxic chemical that can leach into foods.

3. Take a Fresh Approach 

Now that your pantry is empty, take this opportunity to do a thorough cleaning. Use baking soda to eliminate odors. Stash sachets of crushed mint in cupboards or drawers to repel both ants and flies. Consider sprucing up your pantry with a cheery shade of no-VOC paint to help motivate you to keep things tidy.

4. Create Spaces 

Re-evaluate your empty space, and consider adjustments that might maximize storage. If you have adjustable shelving, can you move shelves closer together to create room for another one? If you don’t have enough shelving, install some. (California Closets adjustable shelving is produced domestically, made of recycled materials and certified for low emissions.) Also consider storage devices or organizers that might help you define areas. Retrofit drawers with dividers made from scraps of reclaimed wood. Mount organizing tools such as a magnetic spice rack, vintage wire baskets or a cork message board to the inside of doors.