We live in a world where cleanliness is next to godliness. And we need to do everything that we can to make our space cleaner, more efficient and organized. If you’re the kind of person who is messy and has a hard time keeping things in order when it comes to your kitchen, living room or anywhere else for that matter, then this article is for you. In this article you are going to learn how to maximize your space with these 10 helpful small pantry organization tips!
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1. Take inventory
Don’t let those tiny spaces in your kitchen go to waste, take inventory of the items you have and make a list of what you need or want. Now that you have an idea of what is needed and not needed, it’s time to shop! But before shopping, do some research on how much space is available in your pantry so you can be more strategic with how much food you purchase. This small pantry organization step will keep your pantry from piling up with unused items over time.
2. Be sure to label everything
Labels are an essential tool for making the most of your small pantry organization. Not only do they help you find what you need at a glance when the urge strikes to bake a batch of cupcakes, but they also make it easier to find expired ingredients and restock them before you’re elbow-deep in flour with no baking soda on hand. There are many ways to label, but here’s one method that we recommend: use a label maker. This is a system that’s easy to maintain and will prove useful even as your pantry organization evolves over time.
Here’s a few ways to label your food items:
- Label by name
- Label with an expiration date
- Label the list of ingredients (for allergy purposes).
3. Get creative with small containers
Realistically, your small pantry might not have the space for all of your groceries. In that case, consider getting creative with your storage containers by switching to smaller containers for things like spices or snacks. This will help you make the most of your space without needing to throw out any perfectly good food—just store it in smaller quantities than usual. Plus, a small container is an excellent excuse to eat up those leftover chips before they get stale.
4. Store in clear bins or containers
In a small pantry, clear containers are your best friend. It’s easier to see what you have (so there’s no hoarding again), and it makes putting things away a breeze. It also keeps food fresher longer, because the lid creates an airtight seal that prevents moisture and bugs from creeping in.
Opt for clear bins or containers for dry ingredients like flour, sugar, oats, grains and rice. They’re stackable and easy to move when necessary. You can use them for cans and jars too!
5. Maximize your storage space with Lazy Susan’s
Lazy Susan’s are a must-have for your small pantry organization! These spinning wonders are a great way to store small items. You can use them in the corners of your pantry or on the shelves to store spices, canned goods and snacks. They can be found at just about any home improvement store or online.
It doesn’t matter if you have a large or small pantry, Lazy Susan’s are great for maximizing your storage space.
6. Line the shelves
A great way to make your pantry look nicer and be more functional is to use some type of contact paper or shelf liner on the shelves. This can make the shelves appear cleaner by covering stains, allow you to wipe up spills more easily and cost less than purchasing a new set of shelves. You don’t have to use boring white paper either. Shelves liners come in fun patterns and colors that can match your kitchen decor.
7. Simplify meal planning by keeping like items together
A helpful hack for small pantry organization is to keep like items together. Think about it: what’s easier, picking up a can of chicken noodle soup and knowing you have the egg noodles and broth at home, or needing to run out to buy all three ingredients? When everything you need is in the same place, you save time, money and stress.
To take this idea further, try arranging your pantry by category rather than alphabetically. Keep baking items together: flour, brown sugar, baking soda and more within reaching distance of one another. Canned fruit and vegetables are next door. Canned meats are right around the corner. Spices are right there too! You get the idea.
8. Keep your pet food in an airtight container or out of sight
While you may think it’s tempting to leave your pet food in its original bag, that actually makes it more accessible to pests. This can be true whether or not you have a pet. Since animal and people food is so similar, this can attract pets too.
Keep all of your pet food out of sight, closed up in an airtight pet food container, and off the ground on a shelf. If you want to keep your pantries looking tidy and organized, place all of your pet food in a decorative canister or bin with a seal-tight lid. You will appreciate how much less messy your pantry looks when you label and organize every last container!
9. Make your pantry functional
There are a few basic rules that apply to any small pantry organization, no matter what the room’s size or shape is. First, your pantry should be organized in such a way that those items you use most often are within easy reach and view. Meanwhile, those things you need less often should be placed in the back of the pantry.
Another rule is to put heavier items on lower shelves and lighter items above them so that it is easier for you to lift/lower them. Finally, if there are items that you use daily (for example, your coffee maker), these things should be kept on display nearby so that they can easily be accessed when needed
10. Use risers for cans and jars
Many pantries have deep shelves that make it difficult to see what’s in the back. The solution is to use risers—wire racks that elevate cans and jars so you can fit more in one spot. Risers are perfect for canned food, which tends to be heavy and bulky; they help prevent toppling by organizing items into neat rows.
If you want to take it a step further, stack smaller items on top of the cans or jars as well; then, when you take something off one of the bottom rows, you’ll find something new behind it!
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed reading this post on “10 Helpful Small Pantry Organization to maximize your space.” Small pantry organization is ideal for people who want to make the most out of the space in their kitchen. Having proper small pantry organization can help you save so much money, improve efficiency, and even provide more space for your everyday cooking processes, too.
