10 Tips to Organize Your Pantry

If you feel that your pantry is like a game of Jenga, one wrong move and everything will come crashing, then this post is for you! A well-organized pantry can make meal prep and cooking a breeze. In this blog post, we will provide you with 10 tips for organizing your pantry, as well as some product recommendations to help you achieve a tidy and efficient space.

• Take Inventory

Before you begin organizing your pantry, take inventory of what you have. This will help you determine what you need to keep, what can be donated or thrown away, and what needs to be replenished. Pay attention to the expiration dates and purge those items. Trust us, graham crackers a year over the expiration date don't taste good!

• Categorize Items

Categorizing items by type will help you find what you need quickly and easily. Group similar items together, such as canned goods, baking supplies, and snacks. Categorize items in a way that makes sense for you. There is no right or wrong way to categorize. This can be different for different households.

• Use Containers

Using containers can help keep your pantry organized and tidy. Using containers creates zones for various categories of foods. Store dry goods like pasta, rice, and flour in clear containers to make them easy to see and identify. There are so many different types of containers to use, here are a few of our favorite items:

*click on image for product pricing and information

The Home Edit 11 Piece Pantry Set

The Home Edit Small Open Front Bamboo Bin

The Home Edit Medium Bamboo Bin

The Home Edit 5 Piece Pantry Storage System

The Home Edit Canister Set

• Label Everything

Labeling containers and shelves will make it easier to find what you need and keep your pantry organized. Use a label maker or write on adhesive labels to identify each item. This is key so everyone in the household knows where to place items when not in use. Labeling your pantry is like giving your food a GPS - it'll never get lost again!

The Home Edit 24 Pack Pantry Labels

• Utilize Vertical Space

Maximize your pantry's vertical space by adding shelves or hanging organizers. This will help you make the most of your storage space and keep items within reach. Try these products to help:

Over The Door or Wall Mount Hanging Baskets/Shelves

3 Tier Wide Expandable Cabinet Organizer

• Keep Like Items Together

Keep similar items together to make it easier to find what you need. For example, store all baking supplies in one area and all breakfast items in another. Think of the Sesame Street game "One of these things is not like the other" when categorizing (Don't hate us if you find yourself singing this song for days afterwards)!

• Rotate Items

To avoid food waste, rotate items so that older items are used first. This will help ensure that nothing goes bad before it's used. Get into this habit every time you put your groceries away.

• Keep Snacks and Treats Out of Reach

If you have children or roommates, keep snacks and treats out of reach to avoid them being eaten too quickly or in large quantities. The side benefit, you'll always have a treat when you want one!

• Don't Overstock

While it's important to have enough food on hand, don't overstock your pantry. This can lead to food waste and clutter. By having specific zones for your food and knowing where everything is makes it easy to know what you need and vice versa what you don't need. An organized pantry is like having a personal shopper reminding you that you already have 12 cans of black beans at home!

• Clean and Tidy Regularly

Regularly cleaning and tidying your pantry will help keep it organized and efficient. Make it a habit to clean and organize your pantry every few months. You'll be amazed how quickly those expiration dates sneak up on you.

If you are tired of rummaging through cluttered shelves and feeling overwhelmed by your pantry, take a deep breath and commit to organizing it. Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you!

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