Having a pantry in your kitchen is a game-changer and opens doors to tons of new opportunities. Whether you like cooking new recipes or prefer warming up something quick, how you organize this space makes a crucial difference. No one wants to walk into a pantry and feel lost or spend valuable cooking time searching for an ingredient. That’s why organizing your food can be highly beneficial and make your life much easier. Holland Homes, an elite group of home builders in Auburn, Alabama, offers designs that include pantries of all shapes and sizes, making Holland Homes knowledgeable when it comes to maintaining this room. If you have a lot of food already stored in this space, it may be difficult to decide where to start, so keep reading to get on the right track.

Start Fresh

Chances are, your pantry is currently being used for food storage, whether it’s organized or not, so the first thing that will help is clearing off the shelves. This gives you the chance to look through any old or expired food and sort out any ingredients you don’t need anymore. If you have a local food bank or fundraising group, you could donate any food or cans that you discover you won’t need. On the other hand, going through everything you own might make you realize you need to take a trip to the grocery store to restock.

Once your pantry is completely empty, you’ll have a much better idea of what kind of space you’re working with. During this time, it may be helpful to take measurements of the room and shelves so you know exactly what can fit where. You should also take note of any extra wall space you have because this can be utilized later on. If possible, you should consider the size of your pantry in your home design if you’d like to plan ahead.

Group Like Items

This method is definitely one that will save you some time in the future. When you start to organize your food, make sure similar items are grouped together to avoid clutter or mix-ups. Having your items put with other like ones will make it easier for you to find what you need since you’ll know where similar food is stored. For example, try storing your pasta and pasta sauce on the same shelf and your flour, sugar, and baking soda on another.

Another useful strategy to try when organizing your pantry is putting foods higher or lower on your shelves depending on how frequently you use them. If you have supplies for Christmas or Halloween, you may choose to keep them on a higher shelf where they’ll be out of the way for the rest of the year. Things you use often should usually go on shelves that are shoulder height so you can easily access them when you need them. Finally, if you have kids, use the lower spaces to store snacks or food for entertainment.

Use Containers

While it isn’t necessary to use containers to organize, this trick comes in handy and can make it faster for you to find what you need. Many people recommend using clear containers so you’re able to see what you’re grabbing before you do so. Having a see-through container especially comes in handy if you have deep shelves in your pantry. Before you begin transferring everything to these bins, however, make sure you have taken the time to wipe them down and clean the space so as to avoid contamination.

Using transparent containers also tends to give your pantry a more uniform appearance and helps you avoid unnecessary clutter. To make it easier to grab what you need, look into containers with handles so you can lower your chances of dropping something. Using this extra storage will keep you from having multiple boxes of food that may each be half empty, giving you the opportunity to consolidate. You’ll never have to wonder how much of something you have left with this organization method.

Labels

This is a step that you may consider depending on your preferences and time but can prove to make a big difference. Labeling your containers will make it easier for not only you, but any other guests you may have in your home. If you have kids, you won’t have to worry about being asked where to find things over and over because they’ll know where to look. Choosing what each label should say will also be determined based on what works for you and your strategy. You may choose to use broader terms like “dinner” or “breakfast”, or get more specific by labeling “pasta” and “baking mixes”. This organization hack is something you should consider trying as you clean your pantry.

Utilize Extra Space

If your pantry has a door or extra wall space, put it to good use by adding more organization opportunities. Consider using mounted racks or baskets under shelves to store anything you may not have space for beforehand. There are many options for back-of-the-door organizers where you may choose to keep frequently used items or things that can’t necessarily be categorized elsewhere.

If your pantry shelves don’t line every wall, you could have space to put a freestanding set of shelves in case you don’t want to use your door. When you first clean out your space, take into account how much available room there will be once everything is put in its spot. However, keep in mind that you should avoid overstocking and if you don’t feel the need to use extra space, that’s okay!

How We Can Help!

At Holland Homes, we dedicate our time to giving clients the best experience and outcome possible. Whether you’re looking for property to buy or considering building a new home, we have services that will fit your needs and preferences. Organizing your home pantry is only part of the process when it comes to moving, so we want to be there to help you every step of the way. If you’re looking to build your home in Auburn, Alabama, our team will work to make the process as smooth and rewarding as we can. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help and start your journey with a group that’s trustworthy and qualified!