Keeping your pantry organised can save you time & money, prevent waste, and even make you healthier.

A well organised pantry — *The benefits of an organised pantry are not just about aesthetics……..but we do think this recent pantry project is just a bit special….*

The benefits of an organised pantry are not just about aesthetics……..but we do think this recent pantry project is just a bit special….

It’s not overstating it to say that the below pantry organisation ideas will change your life - there are that many benefits of a well-organised pantry! With the cost of food set to spiral as inflation in Australia and worldwide increases, using all the food you buy before it goes out of date is a key one.

Knowing exactly where all your ingredients are when cooking up a storm can save you precious time. Have you ever been out and bought an ingredient that you couldn't find, only to find out later you had six packets hiding under the jumble of other stuff? That’s time and money wasted.

How often do you chuck out of date food that you’d forgotten you'd bought? According to the National Food Waste Strategy report, the average Australian wastes 312kg of food a year, every 1 in 5 bags of groceries goes to waste. That’s $2,000-$2,500 per household a year. Imagine what you could do with that extra cash (hmm spa weekend with the girls....a fortnightly cleaning service.....a family weekend away.)

Having a well-organised food cupboard with the right pantry storage can directly impact your health. When you can see and find those healthy products you've invested in (hello activated almonds, chia seeds, maca powder, hemp seeds…….), you are more likely to use them regularly.

Organising your pantry can seem a little daunting. That’s where our pantry organisation ideas come in. Of course, you’ll still need plenty of spare time - a medium-sized pantry takes us 4-6 hours, and we've been honing our skills for some time. There’s also a lot of decisions to make, what type of containers should you use, how should you organise it, what should you keep vs get rid of and what other baskets/organisers should you buy. It can all get a bit confusing.

There are so many practical (and beautiful) products available to make organising your pantry that bit easier.

Top 10 Pantry Organisation Ideas

1. Label

Label pantry containers and write the expiry dates on the bottom. Labels can be aesthetically pleasing (and we love them for that). They are also practical for kids who may not be able to distinguish between different items. Adding the expiry dates to the bottom of containers is advisable. You can buy wipe-clean labels or use a chalk pen to do this.

2. Add drawers

Add stackable drawers that help you use the full height of the pantry shelf. These are good for storing smaller items like snacks or packets of kids’ food.

3. Use pantry containers

Matching containers not only look great but are also functional, protecting your food from infestations. You do get what you pay for. Cheaper containers are often not entirely airtight and will deteriorate over time and with washing. Invest in the best quality you can afford. This is also important when you buy plastic; you want it to last the test of time and limit the environmental impact. Glass containers are a great alternative, but not as practical if you have younger kids.

4. Categorise

Grouping and storing similar items together helps your pantry function well. You’ll know where things belong. Think about the supermarket's aisles (pasta, rice and noodles, meal bases, breakfast and cereals.....).

5. Add a shelf to create extra storage

Similar to adding drawers, adding a shelf riser can help you use the entire space. You could also add an under shelf basket to store items like bread or wraps.

6. Create a system

Great pantries have a plan— decanted goods on shelves, and an area for unopened packets/tins and additional packets (overflow items), organised by date. As decanted items run out, just grab the new packet from the overflow, decant it and update the use-by date on the bottom of the container. Getting rid of excess packaging when you put away your shopping is also a good idea. The packaging just hides how much of each thing you've got (cereal bar boxes, the outer chip packets etc).

7. Stock your pantry

Before you buy containers, list out all of the pantry items you regularly use and need, not just the ones that you've got in your pantry right this second to ensure you buy the right amount of containers.

8. Placement is everything

To ensure it’s practical and functional, place the things that you use daily in the most accessible places (e.g. shelf at eye level, at the front, in the top drawer for instance). You probably want healthy kids’ snacks where they can reach them and the treats in a spot they can't.

9. Coach the team

Make sure your other half/kids understand the system - otherwise you may find it being derailed!

10. Use carousels

These are great for organising bottles and jars. They keep them all in place and when located in a corner can solve the problem of that annoying inaccessible spot at the back of the cupboard.

Hopefully, you found these pantry organisation ideas helpful, we wish you good luck with your project.....

Of course if it still all seems like too much work and you've got better things to do with your spare time. Get in touch and we can get it done for you.....

Get in touch

My Curated Life is a Sydney based decluttering & home organising business, you can follow us by clicking the links below.