In the search for an efficient and well-organized kitchen, small pantry organization emerges as a key challenge for many homeowners. “There’s no room for my pantry to get organized.” “I don’t even have a pantry.” These are common challenges and frustrations we have seen regarding a small pantry.
Affiliate Disclosure:
We want to be transparent and inform our users that some of the links on this website are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services that we believe will add value to our readers. Your support through these affiliate links helps us maintain and improve our content. Thank you for your support!
THE IMPORTANCE OF SMALL PANTRY ORGANIZATION
The first step with any project is assessment. Understanding where the challenges are will help you determine where there is opportunity for improvement.
Dimensions are even more critical with smaller pantries because there’s minimal room for error. These are the dimensions you’ll need, be sure to write them down for quick and easy reference.
Length x Width x Height
Save yourself the headache and get out the tape measure. Once you have the numbers, then it’s time to start figuring out how to make things function better. Can you add stackable bins? Is there room for a turntable or storage container?
FOOD STORAGE CONTAINERS
When it comes to small pantry organization, decanting is a game changer.
Clear canisters give you a better visual and provide an organized look and feel while also optimizing space. Food storage containers add vertical space due to their stacking nature and provide uniformity, eliminating the decluttered look and feel.
Adding vertical storage prevents anything from piling up or falling over. With shelves or rolling drawers, there’s only so much space that’s available before things start falling. Canisters eliminate that frustration.
ADDING SHELVES
Incorporating shelves into a small pantry offers several benefits.
Shelves create more space and make it easy to maintain a small pantry, they make the most of every inch available.
Use a freestanding unit like this one or create a custom-built one from The Container Store like this.
By using vertical space, you can create additional tiers for categorizing and organizing items, from canned goods to spices and kitchen essentials.
This not only maximizes storage capacity but also makes items visible. Shelves also reduce clutter and create a visually pleasing pantry. The modular nature of shelves also allows for customization, allowing you to adapt the pantry layout to suit your specific needs.
USE STACKABLE BINS
Adding shelves may not be in the budget, but stackable bins are a great alternative for small pantry organization. Stackable bins create more space, making sure space is completely utilized.
Consider the opening of stackable bins as an essential factor, aiming for easy access to your items.
In our experience with stackable bins, we’ve encountered challenges reaching items at the bottom, and sometimes the top bin would shift easily.
Make sure the bin fits your tolerance level for accessibility.
EMPTY ITEMS OUT OF PACKAGING
Large and cumbersome, boxes take up unnecessary space, hindering efficiency.
By removing items from their original packaging, more space becomes available, allowing multiple items to be consolidated.
Consider cereal bars, fruit snacks, and fruit pouches – typically packaged in boxes. Placing them in a bin or container not only maximizes space but also offers a clear view of the remaining stock.
Moreover, bins equipped with dividers enable the organized storage of various categories, allowing space to be optimized.
USE DEEP DRAWER BINS
With small pantries, it’s common for shelving to be deep making it challenging to get items from the back. Utilize deep drawer bins to act as “rolling drawers.” This will make it easier to access items by taking them out of the drawer.
These bins are particularly effective on lower shelves where visibility is limited.
Bending down and rummaging through items can be quite bothersome, especially as you age—not the most enjoyable activity! The simplicity of these bins makes it easy; just take the bin out when you need something and put it back when you’re done.
USE THE DOOR
Integrating door organization into a small pantry can be a game-changer, optimizing every inch of available space.
Utilizing the often-underutilized backside of the pantry door allows for the creation of additional storage pockets, perfect for housing spices, condiments, or small kitchen essentials.
One of our favorite door organizers is Elfa from The Container Store. The flexibility of the adjustable bins makes this unit completely customizable, which is why we love this organizer.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Embracing the concept of small pantry organization unveils a world of possibilities within limited spaces. Through strategic planning, storage solutions, and utilizing often-overlooked areas such as the pantry door, you can optimize space and create a system of order and efficiency.
Small pantry organization proves that with a thoughtful approach, even the most modest spaces can become a source of inspiration, contributing to a well-organized home environment.
Frustration becomes a thing of the past and functional is the name of the game. When things function well, everything runs smoothly.
+ show Comments
- Hide Comments
add a comment