In the spirit of tidy house, tidy mind, this week we’re channelling our organisational energy into the chaos of the kitchen pantry.
Having an orderly pantry arrangement can help avoid the mess induced stress come mealtime. With a few super simple storage hacks and zoning tricks, you’ll have a goal worthy pantry in no time.
Containers
Investing in a varied collection of sealable storage containers is the first step to achieving pantry success. Here’s why:
- They’re stackable, allowing you to make the most of your vertical pantry space
- Their consistent shape creates a synergetic pantry flow
- Their sealable, so your goods stay fresher for longer
- Clear containers make your items easily identifiable
- You can use varied jar and container materials to reflect your kitchen design
Containers work particularly well for storing baking ingredients, nuts and seeds, rice, or any loose items that are typically bagged.
Labels
Labelling is the partner in crime to container-ing. It might seem pedantic, but trust us, it’ll save you time and frustration in the long run. Afterall, there’s no point creating an immaculate container assortment only to realise your self-raising flour and gluten free flour look alarming similar.
The key here is to create simple, clear labels so your items are easily identifiable. We suggest using either a labeller, marker or getting creative with washi tape.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can even label particular zones of your pantry!
Zones
‘What do you mean zones of your pantry’ – you ask?
Most of us probably do this in some haphazard way without realising it. It simply involves dividing your shelves into distinct areas, based on similar uses.
The most effective pantry zoning will depend on your lifestyle. Here are some general tips we found helpful to get you started:
- Arrange by product purpose. For example, baking ingredients, breakfast cereals, sauces and spices, non-perishables.
- Distinguish between zones by using different containers, storage baskets, or shelf dividers.
- Keep the most frequently used items in each section in an easy to reach spot – be it the front of the shelf or top of the stack.
Consider Your Pantry Lay Out
Embarking on an organisation mission can feel futile if you have a poor kitchen layout working against you. Designing a considered, practical kitchen and pantry plan is the simplest way to tidy up your space.
The good news is that it has never been easier to create a design that’s a flawless as it is functional. When building your dream home, here are some tips to get a leg up on pantry organisation:
- Ensure there is ample countertop space to avoid having additional clutter relegated to the pantry.
- Keep large countertop appliances in mind – try and account for these when mapping out counter space.
- Don’t underestimate your storage needs, and get creative! There are a ton of innovative, discreet storage options available, so take advantage of them.