By S. Nickse
An organized pantry simply makes life easier in the kitchen. Food items are visible, accessible and easy to find. But the abundance of items many people store in the pantry can make this versatile kitchen closet an especially tricky space to establish order.
The first step of organizing a pantry is simple-remove every item from the pantry. You may also want to use this first step as the opportunity to discard any expired items. Emptying the pantry will allow you thoroughly wipe shelves clean and erase any preconceived organization scheme that may be holding you back from a truly organized, clutter free kitchen pantry. Set the contents aside on countertops or a table so that you can assess what items you have and what quantities.
Next, divide the pantry items into broad categories. For instance, group canned food in one category, boxed meals in one, snacks in another, and so on. Determine the categories to select based on the types and amounts of items you store in your pantry. Then, within categories containing many items, divide the items further by type or purpose. For instance, the canned food category may be further divided into canned soups, vegetables and cooking ingredients (such as chicken broth, cream of mushroom, and the like).
Making and keeping your pantry organized and clutter free may involve establishing designated containers for items that tend to scatter or otherwise become jumbled. Examples of such items would be batter mixes, gravy mixes or any other items contained within irregular packets that do not necessarily stand neatly on their own. Determine what groups of items would be best stored inside containers, and find appropriately sized baskets, trays or bins to serve each purpose. Establishing designated containers for certain items not only gives your pantry a streamlined appearance, but makes it simpler to maintain your organization as you use and restock the items over time.
Now that all of your pantry items are neatly organized, you can get an accurate idea of the amount of shelf space needed for the items in each category. This phase may require some creative thinking to determine the best arrangement for the space in your pantry. Items that need to be most frequently accessed, for example, should be placed on the most easily reached, visible shelves. If your pantry is home to an abundance of canned items, for instance, you may consider doubling your functional shelf space by inserting a standalone shelf to hold a second row of cans on the same pantry shelf. If your pantry is also the place you store nonfood items such as a broom and mop, consider finding a place to hang such items flush with the wall so that they do not affect the accessibility of other pantry items.
Keeping your kitchen pantry neat and tidy involves establishing a clutter free, logical system of organization in the first place. If you have narrowed down, categorized and organized, yet still do not have enough space in your pantry, you may be unnecessarily storing too much in the pantry. If you need more space for food storage, consider relocating items such as paper plates and cups, pet food and sodas to another area of the home. Ease of access and upkeep are key objectives in creating and maintaining order in a kitchen pantry.
An organized pantry simply makes life easier in the kitchen. Food items are visible, accessible and easy to find. But the abundance of items many people store in the pantry can make this versatile kitchen closet an especially tricky space to establish order.
The first step of organizing a pantry is simple-remove every item from the pantry. You may also want to use this first step as the opportunity to discard any expired items. Emptying the pantry will allow you thoroughly wipe shelves clean and erase any preconceived organization scheme that may be holding you back from a truly organized, clutter free kitchen pantry. Set the contents aside on countertops or a table so that you can assess what items you have and what quantities.
Next, divide the pantry items into broad categories. For instance, group canned food in one category, boxed meals in one, snacks in another, and so on. Determine the categories to select based on the types and amounts of items you store in your pantry. Then, within categories containing many items, divide the items further by type or purpose. For instance, the canned food category may be further divided into canned soups, vegetables and cooking ingredients (such as chicken broth, cream of mushroom, and the like).
Making and keeping your pantry organized and clutter free may involve establishing designated containers for items that tend to scatter or otherwise become jumbled. Examples of such items would be batter mixes, gravy mixes or any other items contained within irregular packets that do not necessarily stand neatly on their own. Determine what groups of items would be best stored inside containers, and find appropriately sized baskets, trays or bins to serve each purpose. Establishing designated containers for certain items not only gives your pantry a streamlined appearance, but makes it simpler to maintain your organization as you use and restock the items over time.
Now that all of your pantry items are neatly organized, you can get an accurate idea of the amount of shelf space needed for the items in each category. This phase may require some creative thinking to determine the best arrangement for the space in your pantry. Items that need to be most frequently accessed, for example, should be placed on the most easily reached, visible shelves. If your pantry is home to an abundance of canned items, for instance, you may consider doubling your functional shelf space by inserting a standalone shelf to hold a second row of cans on the same pantry shelf. If your pantry is also the place you store nonfood items such as a broom and mop, consider finding a place to hang such items flush with the wall so that they do not affect the accessibility of other pantry items.
Keeping your kitchen pantry neat and tidy involves establishing a clutter free, logical system of organization in the first place. If you have narrowed down, categorized and organized, yet still do not have enough space in your pantry, you may be unnecessarily storing too much in the pantry. If you need more space for food storage, consider relocating items such as paper plates and cups, pet food and sodas to another area of the home. Ease of access and upkeep are key objectives in creating and maintaining order in a kitchen pantry.
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