The Step-by-Step Plan to an Organised Kitchen Pantry
You'd rather stick pins in your eyes than sort out your pantry? I hear ya, but it doesn't have to be that painful
Liz Durnan
5 February 2015
Houzz Australia Contributor. Previously a freelance writer and editor at a variety of magazines and websites in London, New York and Sydney. Now I live in the Blue Mountains bush in a strawbale house that we built from scratch. I write about my passions – mainly books and sustainable housing – while writing a book and attempting a permaculture garden.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Previously a freelance writer and editor at a variety... More
Take a deep breath, turn the music up, just do it. I wrote an ideabook a few months ago about organising the pantry but my attempt to follow my own advice was somewhat half-hearted; so after Christmas, New Year, and Australia Day, my pantry needed another big (and better) sort-out. An old friend staying for the weekend helped me after being shocked at the mess in there, so I thought I would share some of her tips with an easy-to-follow, nine-step plan.
1. Plan your reward
Some people I know like to begin these sort of tasks with a large glass of wine and their favourite music pumped up really high. If that sounds like your kind of thing to get you in the mood for cleaning the pantry, go right ahead. It doesn’t work for me though; I would just fall asleep. I’m more effective if I plan a big treat at the end of it – a nice bottle of wine for after my pantry resembles the one in the photograph.
Some people I know like to begin these sort of tasks with a large glass of wine and their favourite music pumped up really high. If that sounds like your kind of thing to get you in the mood for cleaning the pantry, go right ahead. It doesn’t work for me though; I would just fall asleep. I’m more effective if I plan a big treat at the end of it – a nice bottle of wine for after my pantry resembles the one in the photograph.
2. Take everything out
You’ll need to start early in the day too because it’s likely you’re going to need to stop halfway through and go shopping for new containers.
Don’t do it by halves, just shifting a few things around, throwing out a jar of mouldy jam and thinking you’re done. Get everything out – yes, every last thing – and line it up on the kitchen benchtop so you can see everything you have, ready for the big cull.
You’ll need to start early in the day too because it’s likely you’re going to need to stop halfway through and go shopping for new containers.
Don’t do it by halves, just shifting a few things around, throwing out a jar of mouldy jam and thinking you’re done. Get everything out – yes, every last thing – and line it up on the kitchen benchtop so you can see everything you have, ready for the big cull.
3. Throw out
Once you’ve done that and can see exactly what you’ve got to deal with, go through each item and if you haven’t used it in the last 12 months, simply chuck it in the bin. (More ruthless pantry-cleaner-outers would say much less but I’m a hoarder by nature.)
While it’s hard to waste food, there’s no point in hoarding packets with use-by-dates that have a 19 in front of them! And following these steps will help to reduce waste in the long term. Even things like spices, rice and flour have a shelf life. More than a few years is really too old.
Once you’ve done that and can see exactly what you’ve got to deal with, go through each item and if you haven’t used it in the last 12 months, simply chuck it in the bin. (More ruthless pantry-cleaner-outers would say much less but I’m a hoarder by nature.)
While it’s hard to waste food, there’s no point in hoarding packets with use-by-dates that have a 19 in front of them! And following these steps will help to reduce waste in the long term. Even things like spices, rice and flour have a shelf life. More than a few years is really too old.
4. Clean it
Get back to the pantry, whether it’s a walk-in, a pull-out or some open shelves in your kitchen. Really clean every surface. Get in there and get all those horrible oily bottle and old spice stains out with a good cleaning solution. Diluted eucalyptus in a spray bottle is a great way to give it a last, hygienic clean off. Bicarb is effective in reducing any lingering odours.
More: Odour Busters: How to Banish Bad Smells From Your Home
Get back to the pantry, whether it’s a walk-in, a pull-out or some open shelves in your kitchen. Really clean every surface. Get in there and get all those horrible oily bottle and old spice stains out with a good cleaning solution. Diluted eucalyptus in a spray bottle is a great way to give it a last, hygienic clean off. Bicarb is effective in reducing any lingering odours.
More: Odour Busters: How to Banish Bad Smells From Your Home
5. Take stock
Now turn your attention back to the stuff on your benchtop. Think about what you have got and what you need for storage. Go through every product – nuts, flours, cereals, beans, crackers – they’re all better off out of their packets and in containers. They’ll stay fresher, you’ll know exactly what you have so you’ll know what to shop for, and you won’t have lots of bags everywhere messing things up.
Now turn your attention back to the stuff on your benchtop. Think about what you have got and what you need for storage. Go through every product – nuts, flours, cereals, beans, crackers – they’re all better off out of their packets and in containers. They’ll stay fresher, you’ll know exactly what you have so you’ll know what to shop for, and you won’t have lots of bags everywhere messing things up.
6. Invest in useful storage
Now consider whether your current storage systems – if you even have any – are currently working for you. Would it be better to simply start from scratch? Do you need new airtight canisters for products, wire baskets to group things in, baskets for vegetables you keep in the pantry? This sounds expensive but having good containers is going to save you money in the long term and doing this part well will make you more likely to stick with a clean and organised pantry.
Now consider whether your current storage systems – if you even have any – are currently working for you. Would it be better to simply start from scratch? Do you need new airtight canisters for products, wire baskets to group things in, baskets for vegetables you keep in the pantry? This sounds expensive but having good containers is going to save you money in the long term and doing this part well will make you more likely to stick with a clean and organised pantry.
If you decide to opt for new storage or at least some new containers, go shopping before you put everything back. Before you go, figure out exactly what you will need, how big your containers need to be, and write a shopping list. Remember that large containers are useful but measure your shelves to make sure they are big enough to take really tall ones.
When you return, start filling up your new jars. This is the fiddly and time-consuming part – moving everything into the right containers – but believe me, it’s worth it for how much easier it will make the shopping/cooking/eating process. And you can save time on this process – and money – by buying items you use a lot of, in bulk.
When you return, start filling up your new jars. This is the fiddly and time-consuming part – moving everything into the right containers – but believe me, it’s worth it for how much easier it will make the shopping/cooking/eating process. And you can save time on this process – and money – by buying items you use a lot of, in bulk.
7. Label
I’ve often wondered whether labelling is really necessary. I mean, most of us can tell by sight the difference between basmati rice and arborio, a cashew nut from a peanut, a lentil from a kidney bean, etc. However, if you’re storing all your flours in jars, you won’t be able to tell the difference between plain and self-raising, and there’s something quite nice about having everything labelled. You can use chalkboard paint, or a really easy way to label, if using glass jars, is to buy a paint marker in your favourite colour and write it straight onto the jar.
I’ve often wondered whether labelling is really necessary. I mean, most of us can tell by sight the difference between basmati rice and arborio, a cashew nut from a peanut, a lentil from a kidney bean, etc. However, if you’re storing all your flours in jars, you won’t be able to tell the difference between plain and self-raising, and there’s something quite nice about having everything labelled. You can use chalkboard paint, or a really easy way to label, if using glass jars, is to buy a paint marker in your favourite colour and write it straight onto the jar.
8. Create a logical system
Most organisation experts will tell you that one of the key aspects of any organisational system is having a place for everything. Nowhere is this more important than in the pantry where, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be rushing to find things as you cook (I’ve never got quite into the good habit of preparing it all in advance). If everything is a big mess and you can’t find anything, cooking will be harder.
Most organisation experts will tell you that one of the key aspects of any organisational system is having a place for everything. Nowhere is this more important than in the pantry where, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be rushing to find things as you cook (I’ve never got quite into the good habit of preparing it all in advance). If everything is a big mess and you can’t find anything, cooking will be harder.
So put like products together – canned products; condiments; breads; crackers and biscuits; oils and sauces; baking products; cereals. Even label your zones if you think it will help.
Once you’ve worked out where everything goes, and have a place for everything, carefully put it all back in its place. You might find you need to move things around if they’re in bigger containers. If you have a large pantry, store things you use often near the front.
9. Claim your reward
Okay, that’s it. Sit back and reward yourself.
Enjoy your new organised pantry but try to keep it up by putting everything back in its rightful new place, and write lists before you go shopping so you don’t over-shop. That way you shouldn’t need to sort it out again for another six to 12 months – depending on how neat or messy you are!
TELL US
Have you sorted out your kitchen pantry lately and learned some useful tips? Please share them in the Comments section.
MORE
Stylish Storage: 10 Steps to Planning the Perfect Kitchen Pantry
6 Nifty Ideas For Storing Your Kitchen Amenities
10 Kitchen Design Solutions Your Didn’t Know Existed
10 Ways to Take Control of Your Kitchen Pantry
Okay, that’s it. Sit back and reward yourself.
Enjoy your new organised pantry but try to keep it up by putting everything back in its rightful new place, and write lists before you go shopping so you don’t over-shop. That way you shouldn’t need to sort it out again for another six to 12 months – depending on how neat or messy you are!
TELL US
Have you sorted out your kitchen pantry lately and learned some useful tips? Please share them in the Comments section.
MORE
Stylish Storage: 10 Steps to Planning the Perfect Kitchen Pantry
6 Nifty Ideas For Storing Your Kitchen Amenities
10 Kitchen Design Solutions Your Didn’t Know Existed
10 Ways to Take Control of Your Kitchen Pantry
Related Stories
Most Popular
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Kitchen Designer
The right designer can bring your dream kitchen to life – three kitchen designers reveal where to look and what to ask
Full Story
Most Popular
Key Heights to Consider When Designing Your New Kitchen
By Anne Ellard
Create a user-friendly kitchen and avoid excessive stretching and bending with these design tips for recommended heights
Full Story
Storage
Renovation Insight: How to Choose & Work With a Cabinet Maker
Custom joinery allows you to tailor a space to suit your needs – here's how to choose the right firm for the job
Full Story
Most Popular
Reno Insights: Don't Rush It! Why Kitchen Planning Takes so Long
Preparing to renovate can take up to four times as long as building, but it's crucial for a good result – here's why
Full Story
Kitchen Expert Advice
10 Times You Should Hire a Kitchen Designer
These specialists can solve layout issues, save costs, update an older space and create custom design details
Full Story
Most Popular
From Planning to Pendants: Kitchen Lighting Essentials
By Joanna Tovia
This valuable guide will give you all you need to know about choosing kitchen lighting for fabulous form and function
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Control the Cost of Your Renovation, Room by Room
Where to save, where to spend (and all the tricks in between) for keeping the cost of your renovation on track
Full Story
Kitchens
A Kitchen That Uses Special Elements to Punch Above Its Weight
This couple wanted a well-designed kitchen that incorporated their pre-bought furniture; this designer delivered
Full Story
Most Popular
Key Measurements to Consider When Designing the Perfect Kitchen Island
By Anne Ellard
Discover the correctly proportioned kitchen island bench dimensions so your space works as well as it can
Full Story
Most Popular
Shoestring Budget: Getting the Best Kitchen Cabinets for Less
It can be daunting choosing the right kitchen cabinets with limited funds, but these UK design experts' tips will help
Full Story
It's fairly typical but not the most practical. You'll need to be careful about how you organise your pantry items so that you can reach the items at the back of the shelf.