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33 Pantry Organization Ideas! {DIY Storage Ideas to Declutter Fast}

March 11, 2012 By Heidi 26 Comments

I may get paid for ads or purchases made through links in this post.

Take back control and say goodbye to the clutter taking over your kitchen with help from these easy Pantry Organization Ideas!

Pantry Organization Ideas

Does the chaos in your pantry bring you close to tears? 😉  Then it’s time to tackle that clutter and create a gorgeous pantry with some help from these EASY Pantry Organization Ideas!

You can really make your life so much easier with just a few new pantry organization hacks.  When you know how to organize pantry items better, meal planning will be so much easier.  Plus there is the added benefit of how much money you’ll save when you skip buying groceries you don’t even need!

It’s always the perfect time to get organized and put some genius Home Decluttering Tips to work.  So don’t wait until tomorrow.  Start using these creative pantry ideas today to create a system that will organize the chaos once and for all…

Pantry Organization Ideas

Related: 

  • Free Bed Bath and Beyond Gift Card + 20 Money Saving Tips!

Are you ready to kiss that wild clutter goodbye?  Let’s get started!

Stackable Containers: One of the first things I did when organizing my pantry, was purchase some sets of Rubbermaid Modular Containers.  They stack well, so you can work up and use that vertical space too!  I use them to store my Flour, Sugar, Powdered Sugar, Brown Sugar, Coconut Flakes, Popcorn, Rice, etc.  They keep everything sealed and fresh, and are easy to grab and go with the clear containers.  The best part?  They use so much less space as opposed to the bags and boxes the items come in.

Pantry Food Storage Containers

Pantry Organization Ideas

Janice said: “One thing I found so helpful years ago is getting Rubbermaid Modular Containers.  These stack so well and they have charts telling how much of each thing can fit in the container.  It’s easy to see if something is getting low. The food stays fresh, and best of all, the cabinets and pantry stay so neat! It is a little work after shopping, but I find it so satisfying to have an organized pantry that it’s actually fun.”

Jennifer said: “I love these containers! They make everything uniform and findable!”

Bonnie writes: “I have these and I love them. In fact I bought a couple more today”

Erika writes: “I have these too… they are awesome!!  I redid my pantry with them 8 years ago, they are still like new and everything is so neat and accessible”

Shelia said: “I did my whole pantry about a year ago with plastic containers and some glass jars too, easy to keep in order and clean now, i labeled everything too. I wish i had done this years ago.”

Shannon said: “All dry ingredients/products are stored in 32 oz mason jars. (pasta, raisins, choc. chips, rice, flour, etc)”

Patti said: “Jars are such a space saver in the cabinets and so much easier to see and re-seal after using!”

Gayle said: “Use mason jars to store food and spices.”

Mason Jar Snack Tip: I personally love storing nuts, trail mix, and dried fruits in jars. I seem to grab for the healthy snacks when I can see them easier!

Coffee and Oatmeal: Even larger Larger Mason Jars can be used to store things like Coffee, Oatmeal, Cereal, etc!

Pantry Organization Ideas DIY

Cupcake Liners: I even like to use Wide Mouth Mason Jars for storing my muffin and cupcake liners!  They stack up perfectly, take less space, and are easy to spot!

Organizing Cupcake Liners in Mason Jars

Stackable Can Racks:  Are cans taking over your shelves?  Stackable Can Racks are one of the easiest ways to organize your canned goods.  You can easily spot and grab just what you need!

Stackable Can Racks

Melissa said: “I use Storage Baskets in the pantry to keep snack foods together and easily accessible.”

Pantry Storage Baskets

Jody said: “Pantry Organization Ideas?  I use a closet door shoe rack.  Great for all my toddler snacks, jello, rice, spice packets… endless options!!”

Pantry Shoe Organizer Hack

Stacey said: “I bought a label maker and put labels (e.g. cereal, canned fruit, pasta, etc.) so my family would know where to put the stuff.  It has worked pretty well.”

Chalkboard Labels: Chalkboard Style Pantry Label Stickers also work great!  Just write, stick and you’re done!

Pantry Label Stickers

Mandi said: “I have a small dry erase board on the inside of my pantry door. That way when I take the last of something I can write it down. It also makes its easy to jot down what “else” you need to buy for a recipe as you are looking for ingredients. Then on grocery day, I refer to the dry erase board when making my list.”

Grocery Shopping List

Ashley said: “Our pantry is ‘sorta’ organized with items that go together.  Example: peanut butter & bread/ taco shells & taco meat packet mix, cereal on another shelf (with cookies hidden behind tall boxes), cans of soup & ingredients, baking goods on another shelf.  The only problem I’ve had is, my hubs doesn’t put the items back in their proper spots, which is why I said ‘sorta’ organized.”

Luise said: “My pantry is sorted by type, (sides, baking, canned, cereal) as well as by expiration date.  Any time I buy stuff (on sale!) I sort it in by date. That way things don’t get forgotten in the back of the shelf and nothing expires.”

Erica said: “I actually used the large size coffee canisters for storing sugar, floor, etc… Works great!”

Alyssa said: “I have one shelf for “quick foods” like cereal, mac & cheese, oatmeal, ect. And another one for ingredients, such as canned veggies, pasta noodles, rice, ect.  Then the last shelf is entirely soups, since my husband takes a can to work every day.  It makes it easier in the morning, so he doesn’t end up accidentally grabbing a can of green beans for his lunch, and when we come in tired, we can just grab a quick food from the main shelf and know it only takes one or two ingredients to make a meal.”

3 Tier Spice Shelf {I have 2 of these}

Stephanie said: “I have turned our hall closet into an extra pantry, full of BOGO’s from Publix.  I put the newest stuff in the back.  Our kitchen pantry is organized by type of food.  One shelf is for baking, one is canned and jarred, one for boxed, extra soda & k-cups are on the bottom and my cookbooks & cutting boards are on the top shelf.”

K-Cup Organizers

Angie said: “I have a shelf for baking (flour, sugar, etc) and pasta, another for canned goods, another for boxed dinners for nights we’re in a pinch, one for boxed snacks, and a 2 tier sliding tray for packet gravies and soups!”

Robin said: “I put boxed foods in clear plastic boxes for the pantry.  Instead of changing/making labels, I simply cut off the box top or part of the name of the product and put it in the container with the food.  I can easily SEE what’s in the container and KNOW by name exactly what it is.  If it needs directions, I also cut that out and put it in the container where it can be seen.”

Suzanne said: “Last year we took our tax refund and turned part of the garage into a pantry that leads off the kitchen.  Best investment ever.”

Lorraine said: “I have 3 shelves in my pantry… The top for sides like mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, pastas yatta yatta.  The second is for the breakfast foods.  And our bottom one is for everything else.  I have a storage bin for the randoms like single ramen noodles and anything else that has cluttered the other shelves.  I also have a cabinet cleared out just for cans.” :)

Alison said: “I recommend a Lazy Susan for canned and small items!”

Double Decker Lazy Susan

Amy said: “I save all my empty containers, (i.e. butter and sour cream tubs) and use them instead of buying expensive Tupperware or Ziploc tubs… and my children get to decorate them so I know whats in it”

‎Stephanie said: “Never underestimate the power of BINS!  Micro organize things in your cabinets like band-aids, things you use in the bath, things you use for your manicures/pedicures, pet supplies, etc….  In the kitchen you can use a bin for spice packets too, or baking items in a large bin!  PURGE! If you haven’t used it in a year, donate it! Feel good for paying it forward and you will live better with less clutter.”

10 Kitchen Organization Hacks That Will Change Your Life

Venessa said: “I use clear storage containers.  I also have my spices in a rectangular container and they are alphabetized with the 1st initial on the top of a lid.  It helps a lot!”

Kathy said: “I also attempt to use baskets or bins for meal planning.  For each meal, all non-frozen ingredients go in a basket.”

Vi said: “Take a Sharpie and write the date on your groceries the day you buy them. With this written on the package in larger print, you can read it easier and use the older dated items first.  That is what I do before I put the items in my pantry.”

37 Easy Timesaver Kitchen Tips

Kitchen Timesaver Tips

Elizabeth said: “I go through mine every Wednesday and get rid of expired items and make a list of what I need to get at the store.”

Debi said: “If I was smart, I would let my daughter organize it!  She doesn’t hesitate to throw things out that we don’t use! ;0)”

Lynn said: “I am getting ready for vacation by NOT grocery shopping.  Cleaning out the freezer and pantry both. When I get back in a month, we’ll start from close to empty!”

And finally… Dawn just admitted that “ours is a freaking disaster!” 😉

Related: Free Pottery Barn Gift Card & 12 Shopping Hacks to Save BIG!

Pantry Organization Ideas

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So do you have any Pantry Organization Ideas or tricks that work for you?

Share with us in the comments below!

Pantry Organization Ideas Food Storage Organizing Tips for Small or Walk In Pantries
Pantry Organization Tips at TheFrugalGirls.com

Filed Under: DIY, Home Decor, Kitchen Tips, Mail, Most Popular 1, Organizing, Popular Tagged With: Kitchens

Comments

  1. DENISE HOOKS says

    January 5, 2021 at 9:03 pm

    I live in AZ too ! 🙂 ❄️☃️️

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      January 7, 2021 at 3:05 pm

      How fun, Denise! Arizona is such a beautiful state. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Danielle says

    January 5, 2021 at 6:35 pm

    These are great tips and products! I always love to look at organization!

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      January 7, 2021 at 3:05 pm

      Thanks, Danielle! I agree… it really can be so inspiring to see how other people organize and keep things tidy!

      Reply
  3. Letscurry says

    June 8, 2020 at 12:45 pm

    This is such a helpful post coming now Heidi, during this lockdown my pantry needed much attention and being the organised person I was before lockdown,now with everyone in the family having access to it mean a chaos in my pantry. I liked the idea of not underestimating the power of bins. I always use ziplocks to keep the packets that I have opened to retain the freshness of any item that has no container of its own.

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      June 8, 2020 at 4:25 pm

      Right? Mine got a little wild with the constant cooking at home, too, so I was so happy to get it all organized again a few weeks ago.. And that’s a great tip about the Ziplocks!

      Reply
  4. Christie says

    May 22, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    So many great ideas that you’ve shared to help organize the pantry better! I love keeping organized. Never thought of using the shoe organizer to help with this!

    Reply
    • Heidi says

      May 22, 2020 at 3:44 pm

      I’m so glad you liked the tips, Christie! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Donna says

    January 24, 2015 at 4:07 am

    This is a great idea, I must have 4 bottles of oregano because I couldn’t find it in my cupboard ! I’ll get busy doing this today !

    Reply
  6. barb beverly says

    February 19, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    TUPPERWARE-guaranteed replacements, worth the cost…seals great, keeps food fresh, no waste.

    Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    October 11, 2013 at 5:36 pm

    I carry my cell phone with me everywhere – yes, I’m one of those – so I put my grocery list on it. Then if the hubby goes to the store and calls to ask what I need, since he forgot by the time he got there, I can just text him the list no matter where I am.

    Reply
  8. donna duree says

    August 18, 2013 at 7:21 am

    I have a deep pantry, so I purchased pull out shelf’s so that I can reach everything! One for boxed items, one for baking/pasta and rice/beans and one for cans and jars. I even put them in for my pots and pans. I really love being able to reach everything, one of the best investments I have made!

    Reply
  9. Maryann says

    February 21, 2013 at 6:45 pm

    I have found that using those plastic shoe boxes work great for storing packets(taco seasoning,ranch dip, etc) also I put labels on the ends telling what they are. This started when we got a mouse in the house. I was determined it would starve if he insisted on living in my house.

    Reply
  10. Kathy Jones says

    February 21, 2013 at 5:34 pm

    I also attempt to take baskets or bins and when I do my meal planning if I have meals that I have frozen that needs a few items I put them in a basket for each meal, if not frozen all ingredients go in a basket.

    Reply
  11. Mandi says

    December 11, 2012 at 5:56 pm

    I have a small dry erase board on the inside of my pantry door. That way when I take the last of something I can write it down. It also makes its easy to jot down what “else” you need to buy for a recipe as you are looking for ingredients. Then on grocery day, I refer to the dry erase board when making my list.

    Reply
    • norma says

      April 6, 2013 at 5:18 am

      Like!

      Reply
  12. Robin says

    November 16, 2012 at 12:17 pm

    When I put boxed foods in clear plastic boxes for the pantry, Instead of changing/making labels, I simply cut off the box top or part of the name of the product and put it in the container with the food. I can easily SEE what’s in the container and KNOW by name exactly what it is. If it needs directions, I also cut that out and put it in the container where it can be seen.

    Reply
    • Mandi says

      December 11, 2012 at 5:58 pm

      I do the same thing!

      Reply
      • Susan says

        September 7, 2014 at 8:22 pm

        I do the same thing. I will cut out the name of what I’m putting in plastic containers and the directions and I will tape it to the outside of the container. I do a lot of vacuum packing for the freezer and I will cut the labels from the package with the directions and I will vacuum it with the product.

        Reply
  13. Amy says

    October 7, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    I save all my empty containers i.e. Butter tubs and sourcream tubs and use them instead of buying expenssive tupperware or ziplock tubs.. and my children get to decorate them so i know whats in it

    Reply
  14. Brandy Clegg Newell says

    July 16, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    13th way for organizing MY pantry: Have someone else do it!!!! hee hee

    Reply
  15. Lorraine says

    March 11, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    I have 3 shelves in my pantry……The top one is for sides like mashed potatoes, rice in bowes, mac n cheese, pastas yatta yatta. The second is for the breakfast foods: cereal cream of wheat, morning muffins, oatmeal. And our bottom one is for everything else on the left i keep my pasta noodles extra sauces the middle i have a storage bin with randoms like single ramen noodles extras of anything that cluttered the other shelves and to the right I have snacks and crackers.

    I also have a cabinet cleared out esp for cans which has only 2 shelves top shelf is for veggies bottom shelf is for the few canned fruits i have and pie fillings 🙂

    Reply
  16. debi CA) says

    March 11, 2012 at 3:10 pm

    if i was smart, i’d let my daughter organize it! she doesn’t hesitate to throw things out that we don’t use! ;0)

    Reply
    • Connie says

      April 20, 2015 at 4:06 am

      The cute little boy (above) looks like a good organizer too!

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        April 29, 2015 at 11:14 am

        Aww ~ thanks, Connie! It’s my oldest son, and he’s quite the organizer! 😉

        Reply
  17. Angela Christopher says

    March 11, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    Mine is different every week. Plus I have things all over the house in cabinets. I try to organize it some, but we use everything so fast, and coupons give us different types of deals each week it’s hard to keep a system.

    Reply

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Hey there... it's so nice to meet you! I'm Heidi: a Frugal Girl living in sunny Arizona! I love sharing Easy Recipes, DIY Decor, Style & Beauty Hacks, Gardening Tips, Travel Hacks, and Creative Ways to Live the Sweet Life on a Budget. I'm so glad you're here!
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