Everything You Need for a Perfectly Organized Pantry
This has been one of my favorite pantry updates to date! We took a totally drab pantry and transformed it into a showpiece space in my client’s home.
One reason in particular I love this transformation, is because it clearly shows that having the correct organizers can not only help keep you organized, but also adds beautiful design to your home. The homeowner had LOTS of bins and organizers, they just weren’t the right ones for her and her family’s lifestyle.
The other reason I love this overhaul, is that it so clearly demonstrates that you can still have beautiful organization, even with kids. This family includes three daughters (between 8 and 15 years old) with busy schedules and their own dietary preferences. One thing I always hear is “I just have too much stuff to make my space look like that!” With the correct organizers, and an organizational system that fits the lifestyle of your family, you can achieve beautiful design and functional organization!
Keep reading to see the BEFORE and AFTER photos!
The ceilings in this pantry are about ten feet tall, so the top section wasn’t ideal for anything that needed to be regularly accessed. We decided to go with large glass jars filled with chocolate chips, pasta, taffy, pecans, and cashews to match the aesthetic of the rest of the pantry. Small hyacinth bins house candy and treats up and away from younger hands looking to sneak something sweet.
People often don’t know what to do with pantry or cabinet corner spaces. Here' we used the space for large canned goods, a wine rack, double decker produce stand, and a lazy susan for backstock condiments.
Clear acrylic bins allow you to easily see what food you have and what may need to be restocked. I love these bins with dividers to group similar foods together, but still give separation from different items.
Since this family still has younger kids, we put the kid-friendly snacks in bins close to the floor. We also utilize wire milk crate and small mesh bins so the kids can see exactly what’s in them without having to read, or dig through closed baskets. Healthy, nut-free snacks all go on the same shelf so the youngest daughter can pack her own snack for school without having to ask if it’s a school-approved!
Lided canisters are perfect for flours, sugars, oats, grains, dried rice, noodles and so much more. These are stackable and modular, so perfect for smaller spaces, and clear so you can easily check contents without the need to open them.
Expandable Shelf Risers are used to easily see soups and canned goods. Overstock beverages and stocks are stored in rainbow order for an aesthetically pleasing visual.
Serving-ware and overstock teas and snacks are store in the higher up levels in coordinating glass jars that match the aesthetic of the pantry. Rarely used serving-ware is stored on the top shelf for an extra touch of beauty.
Small wire grid bins are at a higher level to store the homeowner’s protein bars and adult-approved snacks.
Chalk markers are used on the acrylic bins and the chalkboard bin clips to create a system that helps the homeowners stay organized, but also allows for modification as the family grows and dietary preferences change.
One of my favorite features of this pantry is the Coffee Bar. We added additional electrical outlets to plug in a Ninja, a Keurig Coffee Maker and a coffee grinder, leaving the kitchen counter free of added gadgets that cause clutter. A wire shelf riser allows for extra storage of coffee cups and mugs. I used a wood drawer organizer as an inexpensive way to add more storage for coffee flavorings. and lidded jars for sweeteners and K-Cups. These adorable spice mason jars perfectly match the vibe of the rest of the pantry. Coffee grounds and instant coffee is kept nearby in large matte black metal baskets, open to easily check contents.
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Large Cube Hyacinth Bins on the floor store larger overstock items like olive oil, rice, baking goods, and dry dessert mixes.
Here we also use these divided clear acrylic bins to hold healthier snacks like crackers, rice cakes, and nuts. I used the dividers to separate the crackers from rice cakes, and the various peanut flavors, from the various almond flavors.
The homeowner’s health food mixes are also stored file-folded to see each flavor clearly and to easily remind her when she needs to place a new order in gorgeous metal bins with wooden handles.
Below is the BEFORE picture! The client was thrilled with her total transformation!
Interested in hiring Olive & Pop to help get you organized?
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