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For busy women, keeping a deep pantry organized can feel like a never-ending battle. With so much on your plate, itâs easy for food items to get lost in the back of shelves, leading to waste and frustration. However, with a little planning and the right tools, you can transform your deep pantry into an organised, efficient space that works for you. Hereâs a step-by-step guide to help you organise your pantry from top to bottom, along with tips on the best types of organizers to use and strategies to maintain it.
ORGANISING YOUR PANTRY FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
The first step to a well-organized deep pantry is to think about the placement of your items. Itâs important to maximize your space by storing things in a logical way.
1. Top Shelves â Light and Infrequently Used Items
Start with the top shelves, which are harder to reach. These should be reserved for items you donât need often. Think spare condiments or baking supplies you only use occasionally. Since these shelves are more difficult to access, store light, easy-to-handle items to avoid the risk of dropping anything heavy.
Tip: Use clear storage bins to group similar items. This way, you can simply pull down the bin when you need something, rather than hunting for individual items. Label the bins so you always know whatâs inside.
2. Middle Shelves â Frequently Used Items
This is where you should store the items you reach for on a daily basis, such as breakfast cereals, snacks, and everyday cooking essentials like pasta, rice, and canned goods. Since this is the most visible and accessible part of your pantry, itâs important to keep it well-organized.
Tip: Use tiered organizers for cans and jars. These raised shelves make it easy to see everything from front to back, so items donât get lost at the back. With cans stored on a tiered system, you can access all your goods at a glance and avoid buying duplicates.
3. Lower Shelves â Heavier and Bulky Items
Your lower shelves should be used for heavier or bulkier items that are easier to lift from below, such as bags of flour, sugar, or bottles of drinks. To make it easier to access items stored at the back, consider using pull-out drawers instead of standard shelves. Drawers allow you to easily slide everything out, making even the deepest parts of the cabinet accessible without having to dig around.
Tip: Drawers are especially helpful in deep pantries as they prevent items from getting forgotten at the back. They are perfect for storing larger kitchen appliances or bulk food items like bags of rice or flour.
4. Floor Space â Bulk Storage
If you have any floor space in your pantry, this is where you can store larger bulk items like bottles of water, big bags of rice, or pet food. Using the floor efficiently helps keep your pantry shelves uncluttered and makes it easier to reach everyday essentials.
Tip: Rolling storage carts or sturdy bins are ideal for bulk storage on the floor, as they can be moved in and out easily when needed.
BEST ORGANISERS TO USE IN YOUR PANTRY
Once youâve determined the best way to store your items from top to bottom, the next step is to choose the right organizers to help keep everything neat and accessible.
1. Clear Containers
Clear, airtight containers are a must for storing dry goods like pasta, flour, and cereal. Not only do they keep your food fresher for longer, but they also let you see exactly whatâs inside, so you can avoid buying duplicates or running out unexpectedly.
Tip: Label your containers with the name of the item and the expiration date to ensure everything gets used in time. Stackable containers will help save even more space.
2. Baskets or Bins
Using baskets or bins is a great way to prevent items from getting lost in the back of your pantry. Group similar items together, such as snacks, baking supplies, or canned goods, and store them in labelled baskets that you can easily pull out when needed.
Tip: Assign specific categories to each basket, such as âbreakfast itemsâ or âdinner ingredients,â so you can find what you need quickly and without fuss.
3. Tiered Organizers for Cans
A tiered organizer is a game changer when it comes to storing canned goods and small jars. These raised shelves allow you to stagger your cans so the ones in the back are visible and accessible. This prevents anything from being hidden away and forgotten.
Tip: Use a tiered organizer on your middle shelves to store cans, jars, and even spice bottles. The tiered design will save space and help keep everything easy to reach.
4. Lazy Susans
A Lazy Susan is perfect for deep pantries. This rotating tray allows you to easily access items at the back of your shelves, making it ideal for storing jars, bottles, and condiments.
Tip: Use Lazy Susans for items like oils, sauces, and vinegars that are often used together. You can reach everything without digging around.
5. Shelf Risers
If your pantry shelves are tall, shelf risers are a simple way to create more space. These add an extra level, allowing you to store smaller items like jars on top while keeping larger items below. This is especially useful for canned goods or baking supplies.
Tip: Use risers on the middle or lower shelves where itâs easy to see everything and avoid stacking items too high, which can lead to things getting buried.
6. Door Organizers
Donât forget about the inside of your pantry door! Over-the-door organisers are great for storing smaller items like spices, seasoning packets, or snacks. This helps free up shelf space for larger items.
Tip: Choose a clear organizer so you can easily see everything inside. Keep lightweight items in the door organizer to prevent damage to the hinges over time.
MAINTAINING AN ORGANISED PANTRY
Once youâve organized your pantry, itâs important to adopt a few strategies to keep it that way. Organization isnât a one-time task â itâs an ongoing process.
1. First-In, First-Out (FIFO) System
To avoid food waste, follow the First-In, First-Out system. When restocking your pantry, place newer items behind older ones, so the older items get used first. This is particularly helpful for deep pantries where things can easily get forgotten at the back.
Tip: Regularly rotate your pantry items to make sure nothing gets left behind or expires.
2. Keep an Inventory
A simple inventory list can help you keep track of whatâs in your pantry. Stick the list on the inside of your pantry door and update it regularly. This will save you from buying items you already have and prevent overstocking.
Tip: A whiteboard or laminated sheet works well for easy updates. You can also use a pantry inventory app on your phone if you prefer a digital approach.
3. Regular Decluttering
To keep your pantry in top shape, make decluttering a regular task. Every few months, take a few minutes to go through your pantry and remove anything thatâs expired or no longer needed. This will keep your space tidy and prevent it from becoming overcrowded.
Tip: When decluttering, organise as you go. Use it as an opportunity to re-group similar items and refresh your organization system.
By following these simple tips and using the right organizers, you can transform your deep pantry into an efficient, organized space that works for your busy life. Whether youâre a busy mum or managing a hectic work schedule, a well-organized pantry will save you time, reduce food waste, and make meal planning much easier. With a little effort, your pantry will become one of the most functional and stress-free areas of your kitchen.
