32 Pantry Organization Ideas to Spice up Your Life

By: Andrew Saladino | 9 min

When you've recently remodeled your kitchen it's important to keep it looking good. For many, the dreaded pantry clutter sets in quickly and can feel out of control. Take a pause - Kitchen Cabinet Kings has you covered with 32 pantry organization ideas so your kitchen cabinets can stay picture-perfect.

1. Keep It Simple With Clear Storage

If you're an organization newbie who feels overwhelmed each time you need to dig through your shelves for the garlic powder, this tip is for you. Clear storage solutions like mason jars and acrylic bins keep each ingredient in your line of vision.

You'll never have to ransack through your bins or empty your shelves when you can see where each ingredient is at a glance. As a bonus, clear storage reduces food waste because you'll be able to see that one onion stuck at the bottom before it rots.

2. Look Up and Use Vertical Space

When you open your pantry and look up, you probably see a lot of underutilized space. Make sure you use every inch in your pantry by sorting out items you rarely use and placing them on your top shelf.

Keep a stepladder handy for when you need a boost to reach those top shelves. This tip is great if you have adjustable shelving because you can really hide away the items you only use for special occasions.

3. Stay Flexible to Your Needs

Many newbies to pantry organization struggle to find a system that works for them. It's important to stay flexible and recognize when a system isn't working for you. If your pantry is back in disarray after a week of use, it's time to reconsider your strategy.

Multipurpose containers make it much easier to switch your systems around. Let your systems change as your family does. For example, if you get a new pet, you'll have to accommodate their supplies in your pantry.

4. When in Doubt, Rack It Out

If you have a lot of uniform containers in your pantry, like an arsenal of canned goods or a spice collection that would make a chef jealous, then you should look into storage racks.

Racks are generally inexpensive and won't cause everything to fall off the shelf if you reach for an item in the middle, unlike the soup tower that you'll find in most pantries.

5. Set up a Permanent Grocery List

A grocery list might not organize your pantry, but it helps simplify your grocery shopping habits. Placing a whiteboard or chalkboard on your pantry door or wall allows you and your family to write down any items as you run out.

This way, everyone's on the same page about what you need. You'll never have to run next door for sugar again.

6. Bring Your Pantry up a Peg

Pegboards are utilitarian decor at its finest. You can paint them bright colors to complement your kitchen, and the storage possibilities are endless.

Use pegboards to hang measuring spoons, your favorite pots, and more. You can also find more than just hooks for hanging and add storage cups or bag clips.

7. Modify Shelf Space

If your shelves are too tall, there are a lot of pantry shelving ideas that don't seem to work for your space. Luckily, there are under-the-shelf or shelf-raising inserts that can double your storage capacity.

These accessories add another surface to place your goods on, so you can modify your pantry without making any permanent changes or hiring a contractor.

8. Give Produce a Home

Many of us struggle with using all our produce before it goes to waste. Keep all your perishable goods in your pantry at eye level. If you see these items first each time you open your pantry, you're more likely to use them up before they reach their expiration date.

9. Design Helpful Displays

Especially if you're working with a small kitchen, you might have to get creative and pull some items out of the pantry to store in your kitchen itself. To reduce stressful clutter, pull out items you can purposefully put on display.

Show off your baking supplies on a charming shelf with matching jars or thrift some containers for a more eclectic feel. This frees up valuable shelving space and cuts down on items you need to organize in your kitchen cabinets.

10. Craft a Coffee Section

There's nothing like a cup of coffee or your favorite tea to help you start your day. A coffee corner or hot drink section in your pantry helps you create a morning ritual and is inviting to guests.

Whether you're looking for a place to store your percolator when you're not whipping up your cafecito or just want to get rid of those coffee pod boxes, a coffee cart is the perfect way to store your supplies.

11. Turn up the Organization With a Lazy Susan

Lazy Susans are a favorite way to maximize space in irregularly shaped pantries or corner cabinets. You won't have to dig elbow-deep into a shelf to find the baking soda - you can simply spin the lazy Susan until it appears.

Lazy Susans make it easier to keep everything in its place because you can always pick out an ingredient without disturbing the rest of the shelf. Some lazy Susans have multiple levels as well, so you can maximize your pantry space.

12. Play Hooky

Some kitchen items are a lot easier to hang on your pantry wall or under shelving for easy access. Items like oven mitts or serving spoons are convenient to grab so nothing burns in the excitement of cooking your favorite dish.

Hooks are also great for showing off your mug collection or favorite pans and give your kitchen a professional flair while keeping it tidy.

13. Make a Pantry Plan

It can be costly to plan a pantry renovation. Divide and conquer your pantry, upgrading one section at a time to keep costs down.

This way, you can figure out which systems work for you and which don't before wasting money on entirely new storage solutions or organization systems that are too complicated for you to use in your pantry long term.

14. Tier It Up

When you switch to tiered shelving, you'll never wonder how many cans of tomatoes you have left for your next pasta night. Shelves with two or three levels take up less space than shelf separators but still ensure no ingredient gets stuck in the back of your pantry.

15. Show Off Appliances

When your stand mixer is a prized possession, it stings to have to hide it from the world. Designate a shelf in your pantry to show it off with your other appliances so you're never stuck rummaging through drawers and wondering where your blender went.

If you really can't part with the counter display, choose one or two favorites to show off and make sure they're kept away from areas where you normally prepare your meals so you're not constantly moving them.

16. Let It Roll and Add a Cart

It's tempting to let heavier items like bulk ingredients and appliances stay on the counter, but this can make your kitchen feel overcrowded and messy.

Invest in a rolling cart to store bulkier items. It's much easier to simply roll a cart in and out of your pantry as you need it rather than lugging around your stand mixer and its accessories each time you're whipping up a batch of cookies.

17. Increase Visibility and Install Drawers

When you're designing your perfect cabinets or pantry space, consider adding drawers instead of just traditional shelving. Many people find drawers a lot easier to keep tidy compared to open shelves.

Not only can you hide away the clutter when it gets a little messy during a busy week, but it's also much easier to tackle cleaning one drawer at a time compared to an open pantry.

18. Create a Kids' Corner

It's difficult to keep a clean kitchen if you have kids of any age. Especially when they're young, snacks get left out or put in the wrong place and your system gets out of sorts in a snap. To reduce the chaos, reserve a lower shelf in your pantry for your kids' favorite healthy snacks and drinks.

With this system, you'll save yourself the headache of having to grab a snack for your kids each time they're hungry. It also keeps their mess isolated to a small section of your pantry for easier cleanup.

19. Go Package-Free

In most pantries, a majority of the space is taken up by half-empty boxes and excess packaging. If you're strapped for space, make a habit out of removing your groceries from the original packaging when possible to maximize space.

To save money and be eco-friendly, you can even shop at package-free shops, where you can buy dried goods in bulk and fill your own containers.

20. Execute a Pantry Makeover

Decorating a space, even one as small as a pantry, can be a great motivator to keep it clean and organized. What better way to kick off your walk-in pantry organization than with a stylish base?

You don't need to break the bank when you're updating your pantry. Inexpensive fixes like painting your shelves or adding some fun wallpaper can transform your pantry on a budget.

21. Line Your Baskets

Woven organization baskets are stylish but aren't always convenient, especially if your items are falling through the bottom. To reinforce the basket bottom and keep everything in place, use a square of shelf lining.

This also protects your baskets if they're made of natural fibers from any potential crumbs or spillage. Instead of ruining your basket, you can simply wipe away messes or replace the liner.

22. Choose Modular Storage Solutions

Your kitchen is as unique as you are - your storage solutions should be, too! Many options you can find now are modular. This means that they're made to be assembled in different ways to tailor to your space and needs.

Storage racks, shelf dividers, and drawer dividers are all common storage solutions with inexpensive modular options. What works for your pantry organization today might not work for you tomorrow, so modular solutions let your system evolve as you do.

23. Use Drawer Separators

We all have that one (or many - we don't judge) junk drawer that we just can't get under control. Reign it in by adding a drawer separator and give all those seemingly random items a home.

We won't promise this is the end of the junk drawer, but it sure is easier to look at when your junk is at least sectioned off instead of carelessly tossed in a drawer.

24. Get Friendly With a Labeler

If you struggle to remember where everything is in your kitchen pantry no matter how organized it is, it's probably time to start labeling your shelves and drawers. You can invest in a dedicated labeler but printable labels or tape and a marker will work.

You can start by labeling items as you look for them or restock your pantry. This targets the items you use most and saves you some time and effort in your pantry organization journey.

25. Establish an Accessory Dress Code

For items like baking supplies, spices, dried goods, and other staples, choose uniform storage jars. When storage is the same shape and size, it's easier to maximize your shelf space so you have more room for your favorite snacks.

26. Let the Light In

Whether or not you have a walk-in pantry to maintain, you're never going to be able to keep up with an organization system in the dark. Luckily, you don't need an electrician or even a screwdriver to install lights in your pantry.

There are many battery-powered strip lights or flush mount lights that you can install with a removable adhesive. Some are even motion-activated, so they'll turn on and off automatically as you need them.

27. Don't Neglect the Door

In walk-in pantries or other cabinets, many people neglect the door itself as a place to store even more items. Regardless of your pantry size, the back of the door is valuable real estate.

As long as you can still close your pantry, take the door as an opportunity to hang hooks, spice racks, or extra shelving. This is the perfect spot to store items that you reach for most because they're the first thing you'll see when you open your pantry.

28. Stack Your Arsenal

Especially if you're deciding to go package-free for goods, investing in some stackable containers can prevent spillage or broken containers when you're stocking up your pantry.

Airtight containers keep your food fresh for longer, and when containers are stackable, they're more stable, so you're less likely to have an avalanche of rice when you're trying to get to your cereal.

29. Don't Overthink Your Systems

It's tempting to go all-in on your new organization systems, but if you overcomplicate your pantry organization, you and your family won't be able to keep up with it.

To avoid wasting your time and money, get input from other members of your household so you can create a system that works for everyone.

30. Use a Dedicated Lid Storage System

Most people can easily stack or hang their pots and pans, but lids throw a wrench in any organization plan. Luckily, you can find shelving inserts that are specifically designed to solve this problem.

These inserts have narrow slots to hold lids upright, like a magazine holder but for lids. If you have enough wall space, you can also strategically place hooks so you can slide your lids into place and keep them flush against the wall.

31. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

For a thrifty pantry makeover, you only have to go as far as your recycling bin. Clean out old jars, shoe organizers, or other bins and repurpose them as storage for an eco-friendly pantry do-over.

32. Install Clear Doors

If you keep your kitchen in tip-top shape but struggle with your pantry, a solution might be to replace your doors. Being able to hide the mess is helpful in a pinch but can also reduce your motivation to keep your pantry clean.

Try installing clear doors on your pantry. Not only will you be more familiar with your pantry layout from seeing it more often, but clear doors are great motivators to keep everything tidy.

Pantry Organization Ideas FAQs

Looking for more guidance on your pantry project? Take a look at these common questions.

What is the easiest way to organize a pantry?

The easiest way to organize your pantry is to divide it into sections that you can tackle one at a time. Start by removing items section by section, getting rid of expired items, and re-sorting your food before replacing it on your shelves.

How do I maximize my pantry space?

You can maximize pantry space using storage solutions like modular shelves, lazy Susans, and spice racks. If you have more space like a walk-in pantry, you can also use over-the-door storage and accessories like pegboards to make otherwise empty space useful.

How can I organize my food pantry for cheap?

There are many household items you can use to organize your food pantry on a budget. Mason jars and old crates can be repurposed into storage containers for various pantry items.

How do I organize my pantry like a pro?

Professional organizers recommend starting by completely clearing out your pantry. Odds are, you’ve got some expired items hiding in there and taking up valuable space.

Once everything is cleared, consolidate your food and separate it by category. This gives you a better idea of how much food you need to store and allows you to visualize your new organization systems better.

Your kitchen is the heart of your home, so it's important to create a space that works for your family. Pantries are a common pain point because they can be an overwhelming space to tackle. With our pantry organization ideas and tips, you have everything you need to get started and revive your kitchen.