Over the Winter, I seem to accumulate stuff everywhere: Kid stuff. Dad stuff. School stuff. Food stuff. Stuff-Stuff.
I am always buying more food and clothes, and I end up throwing it all in the pantry and closet. Then Spring hits. I want everything clean, but it can be a daunting task. It feels like I never have time, but then I end up frustrated trying to find things.
When it came time to construct our home, I waited to build out our pantry until after we had taken up residence. That way, I was able to get a better idea of what I needed for space.
Here are a few things I did to make my life easier via a well-organized kitchen pantry:
Use containers: Can I just say, I love containers? I transfer dry goods like pasta, cereal, and granola (the list goes on!) into clear, airtight containers. It keeps them fresh longer and makes it easier to see what I have available. Add labels to the back or bottom with contents and expiration dates, especially for items that might not be used regularly. I also use white containers to hold the bulk items and keep the space clean.
Categorize and zone: I did this throughout the kitchen and pantry. It makes it easier for the whole family to know where to find things. We have the snack foods all together and breakfast items all on one shelf. Canned goods are all in the cupboards out of sight. (This area tends to get a little messy). Having zones not only makes it easier to find what you need, but also helps you maintain organization over time.
Vertical space: I make the most of vertical space everywhere in my home. I take cabinets all the way to the ceiling throughout our residence, so it was no surprise when I asked my husband to build the shelves in the pantry to the ceiling. “You can never have too much storage” is my philosophy. I also love the use of stackable shelves and risers to store items.
Create a snack area: With four boys, I need all snacks readily available. To achieve this, I added drawers with dividers to hold grab-and-go snacks for the kids: one drawer for the younger boys and another for our older sons. This makes it easy for all of them to grab age-appropriate snacks. I keep the extras in the white containers that I mentioned above.
Regular Maintenance: I try to declutter every couple of months or at least every turn of the season. I like to swap out foods for the time of year, so this is a perfect time to declutter and reorganize if and as needed.
Lights: Bright lights always make me want to keep a space more organized, so I made sure to install enough overhead as well as under-the-shelf lighting. Since this is an area I’m in multiple times daily, I added a family calendar to keep us organized so we don’t miss any activities. I also have a designated space where I keep a running grocery list. This is ideal for jotting down items while you’re taking stock of what you need.
If you’re considering building a pantry or redoing one, start by keeping a list of the things you like and don’t like. Keep it in the kitchen so you can note down your ideas as you think of them. This will help you plan your space to your specific needs.
It’s time for me to jump off the computer and start baking some cookies for the kids. Happy planning!
This article is part of a series chronicling the design-build of Michelle Horst’s Midwest coastal retreat home in West Omaha. Follow her at ThymeandTheory on Instagram.
This article originally appeared in the May 2024 issue of Omaha Home magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
