A Pantry Makeover

Is your pantry a  mess like mine is? Then you’ll want to keep reading, as I give you ten tips for a pantry makeover that will leave your pantry fresh and organized.

1. Some people like these cool baskets, but I find they become a repository for all kinds of junk. I suggest getting at least a couple of bottle baskets (shown on the right), which have dividers to separate and organize your stuff.

2. Color! To make your pantry fun and fabulous, pick a  color and paint the shelves, then apply a vinyl backing to the wall behind the shelves to make it pop. (or vice-versa- the vinyl on the shelves and paint on the back!)

3. If you can afford it, buy some airtight containers. You can store rice, couscous, grains, sugar, cereals and so much more, and they’ll stay fresh. You can even write cooking instructions on the containers,  taping on  a piece of paper or typing up a large label. Or cut the cooking instructions off the bag and tape it on. Look for them at garage sales or dollar stores as well.

4. Arrange items so like is by like. Have part of a shelf with flours, baking powder, baking soda, yeast, brown sugar and vanilla for those baking days.  Put all the canned goods together, and all the spices on one shelf. Extra drinks such as soda, water bottles and flavored mixes can go together, as can crackers, cookies and other snacks.

5. Are you like me, with a ton of spices, none of which you want to give up? Or do you have just a few old favorites you keep by the stove? If you’re a spice maniac like me, here are a couple of ideas for organizing them so you can see them all.

a. Find a lot of little jars that will for into a drawer. Fill the jars with your various spices and label the tops. The excess can go into the freezer, where the spices will keep quite well. Here’s a wonderful, clever way to do this: Chalkboard spice jars

b. If you have a little bit of carpentry skill, you can make a spice rack for a shelf. This will work really well on your pantry shelf.

c. A lot of people like the tiny magnetic spice jars.

6. Put rarely used items on the top shelf. But only if they’re light, you don’t want  a creuset in the head. 🙂 Put buckets, sponges, plastic basins, platters you only use once ins a while, and.. let’s be honest… the quinoa you may never cook again.

7.  Don’t make your shelves too deep, or you’ll lose the stuff in the back. This may seem really obvious, but put taller stuff in the back, shorter items near the front.

8. Use the back of your pantry door if you have one.  Buy an over the door storage rack.

9. Leave the bottom shelf deep, so you can store those kitchen things you don’t use often but are too heavy for the top shelf. Think deep-fryer, juicer, toaster oven, turkey roaster..

10. Finally, get a cookie sheet organizer, and stand those sheets and cutting boards upright for easier access!

Enjoy the project , and send pictures!!