How to Organize Your Pantry: Tips, Ideas, & Storage Solutions

Why Organizing Your Kitchen Pantry Actually Pays Off

We all allow clutter to overtake some areas in the house (hello, junk drawer). The pantry shouldn’t be one of them. An organized pantry helps you keep your budget in check by ensuring you don’t double- or triple-buying items you already have stocked. When everything is where it should be, it’s also easy to see what you’re running low on, so you’re never left without the kids’ favorite snacks or lunch essentials. You’ll cut down on food waste, too.  

Step-by-Step Guide for Organizing a Pantry

Where you start the pantry reorganization process makes all the difference. And taking things one step at a time is key to keeping mid-organization overwhelm from getting the best of you. Follow these easy pantry organization and storage tips to transform your space in no time. 

Pull everything out of the pantry. In every pantry, there are items you don’t need anymore taking up space (think cookbooks and extra coffee makers). Pulling everything out allows you to take stock of what you have so you can get rid of duplicates or things you simply don’t use. 

Clean the shelves. A good vacuum followed by wiping down surfaces with a non-toxic all-purpose cleaner, like Truly Free Everyday Cleaner, and reusable cleaning cloths eliminates dust, debris, and crumbs, and sets you up for a successful reorg. 

Take a deep breath. By now, everything from your pantry will be piled on your kitchen counters. Before you start spiraling, take a deep breath, grab a glass of water, and take a quick break to keep from getting burnt out. 

Use storage baskets. Not only do storage baskets keep things tidy, they look great on pantry shelves. Use narrow baskets for snack bars, coffee, and small appliances, and larger options for storing seasonal items like paper plates and cutlery. 

Organize paper items. Keep your paper towels neatly in place—and from being an eyesore in the kitchen—with this hack. Use an expandable curtain rod that’s tall enough to place between the top and bottom of a shelf and stack your paper towels between the rod and the wall. 

Utilize can racks. Get everything from soups and beans to peanut butter and Nutella jars organized with can racks. You’ll maximize space and be able to see what you have or are running low on in seconds. 

Invest in glass containers. Display your rice, flour, seeds, sugar, and other frequently used items in glass containers to keep clutter at bay. If you buy in bulk, swap the glass for food-grade gallon buckets. 

Place appliances in one area. Make it easy to see your appliances by stacking them all in one place. When they’re not stuffed in a corner, you’ll use them more.

Put your feet up. Congratulate yourself on a job well done and a successful pantry makeover. Time to sit back, relax, and let the kids take care of dinner tonight. 

How to Keep the Pantry Organized and Clean

Now that your pantry is organized and clean, don’t let all that work you put in go to waste. Here are a few easy ways to maintain an organized pantry.

Put things back where they belong. When you do pull out a cookbook, the immersion blender, or a container of rice, return it to it’s rightful place when you’re done. Communicate this to the kids, too. Keeping the pantry organized is not a solo job. 

Follow the first in, first out rule. When you restock granola bars, pasta, and other staples, push older items to the front and put the new ones behind. This keeps things from expiring in the back and reduces waste.

Do a weekly 2-minute tidy. Pick one day—grocery day works well—to do a quick scan: pull stragglers back to their zone, toss anything expired, and wipe up crumbs with Truly Free Home Everyday Cleaner. Two minutes of maintenance beats an hours-long reset every few months.

Shop your pantry before you shop the store. Before every grocery trip, glance at what you already have. This prevents buying duplicates that crowd shelves and push things out of order.

Keep a "use soon" bin or zone. Designate a small basket or front-of-shelf area for items close to expiration. Utilizing a “use soon” bin keeps these items visible so you’ll actually use them, and cuts down on food waste.

The real key is lowering the effort required to maintain an organized pantry. The easier the system is to follow, the better your chances your pantry will stay tidy for the long haul.