Discover DIY Pantry Organization by AuntieKat: Professional Organizer

Organizing The Pantry

The seasoning for life!

Pantries are vital in kitchen organization, food storage, and household management. Whether large or small, a well-organized pantry can help simplify your daily routines and create a more efficient and enjoyable cooking experience.

Saving Money and Time by reducing food waste, preventing duplicate purchases, facilitating meal planning, enabling bulk buying opportunities, encouraging home cooking, improving inventory management, and enhancing emergency preparedness.

By knowing what you have and where it is, you're less likely to let items expire or buy unnecessary duplicates.

This leads to more efficient use of ingredients, fewer impulse buys, and better meal preparation, ultimately cutting down on food costs and promoting financial savings over time.

-Auntie Kat updated on Mar 26th, 2024

You will find in this article:

#Declutter and clean

#Common categories in the pantry

#How to create zones and tips

#An illustration from an professional organizer

#When is the best time to organize the pantry

Preparation

Before diving into the project, gather boxes, bags, or bins to help sort items into categories such as Keep, Donate, and Discard; and organize tools and supplies such as bins, baskets, shelf dividers, labels, and storage containers. Having these items on hand will help you effectively categorize and store your pantry items.

Step I: Declutter

Declutter and Clean

Assessing Your Inventory

Take stock of what you have in your pantry. This involves removing all items from shelves and categorizing them.

Dispose of any expired items to ensure your pantry is stocked with only fresh and safe-to-consume goods.

Additionally, consider contributing unopened, unexpired items that you no longer need or want to a local food bank or charity.

This act of generosity not only helps those in need but also declutters your pantry while minimizing waste.

Cleaning

Once the pantry is empty, give it a thorough cleaning. Wipe down shelves, walls, and surfaces to remove any dust, crumbs, or spills.

This creates a fresh and welcoming space for your newly organized pantry.

Step II: Sort

Common Categories of the Pantry

Dry and Canned

Grains (rice, pasta, quinoa), cereal, and oats
Cornmeal and oatmeal
Pancake mix
Syrup and honey
Peanut butter, jams , nutella or other spreads
Canned vegetables, fruits, beans, soups, sauces, and tuna
Snacks and beverages

Seasoning

Oils and vinegar
Ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, salad dressing, soy sauce, mayonnaise and marinades
Salt and pepper
Garlic powder and harbs
Cinnamon and nutmeg

Baking Ingredients

Flour and sugar
Baking powder and baking soda
Yeast
Vanilla extract
Baking chips, coco powder, nuts

Miscellaneous

Instant noodles or ramen
Bread crumbs
Protein powder
Supplements
Disposable plates
Napkins and paper towels
Plastic wrap and aluminum foil
Food storage containers and bags

*These are just examples, and pantry items may vary based on personal preferences, dietary restrictions, and cultural backgrounds.

Step III: Create Zones

Frequent Use Items

Light on top,
Heavy on bottom

For easy access, store frequently used items in your pantry at eye level or within arm's reach. This means placing them on shelves that are easily accessible without needing to bend down or reach up too high.

Items like spices, cooking oils, commonly used sauces, snacks, and staple ingredients should be positioned at this level.

Arrange lighter items, such as cereals, snacks, and baking supplies, on higher shelves or toward the top of your pantry.

On the lower shelves or towards the bottom, store heavier items like canned goods, bottles, and bulkier items.

By following this method, you create a well-balanced pantry layout that optimizes both convenience and safety.

Labeling Tips

*Use clear, easy-to-read labels

*Use the same style of labels

*Provide descriptive labels

*Place labels in a prominent and easily visible location

*Consider using color-coded labels to further categorize items

*Update Regularly

*Including expiration date if necessary

Storage Vessels

Select your storage vessels thoughtfully, or opt out of using them altogether.

Certain foods maintain their freshness adequately in their original packaging, especially those consumed promptly or those not requiring an airtight seal to preserve quality.

Be cautious of weak, formless, or non-resealable bags.

Moreover, if you recognize that you're unlikely to transfer pantry items into separate containers, there's no obligation to do so.

Pantry Project from a Professional Organizer

A professional organizer helps clients declutter, organize, and optimize their pantry. Here is an overview of a project completed and permitted to be shared here:

"Completed my biggest pantry job to date. $1000 in labor and $500 in product, TCS mostly and a few things from Amazon. Cricut for all labels." -Beth Koehler Spiroff, Professional organizer from Northville, Michigan

@http://bethspirofforganizing.com/

BEFORE

AFTER

Categorized

Labelling

When is the best time to organize Pantry

Organizing your pantry is important for maintaining efficiency, cleanliness, and accessibility of your food supplies.

Here are some occasions when it's particularly beneficial to organize your pantry:

After Grocery Shopping

After bringing groceries home, it's a good time to organize your pantry. Take the opportunity to arrange new items, rotate older items to the front, and discard any expired or stale products.

Before Special Occasions

Before hosting gatherings or holidays that involve cooking and baking, it's wise to organize your pantry. This ensures that you have all the ingredients you need and that they are easily accessible for meal preparation.

As Needed

Ultimately, the need to organize your pantry can arise at any time. If you notice clutter building up, have trouble finding items, or simply feel that your pantry could be better organized, take the time to reorganize and declutter as needed.

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