Today Mary Ann, Annie and I are joining seven other bloggers for a little Pantry Organization. I am almost embarrassed to share mine but I did the best I could with what I have. Of course, it’s easy to keep your pantry organized if you have a huge walk-in or a butler’s pantry, but many of us don’t have that luxury. Our pantry is 30″ wide by 80″ tall Let’s face it at best it is a teeny closet. It hasn’t been modified since we built our house over 30 years ago. I could have featured a more fancy pantry from a client but I thought it would be a challenge to try and make it presentable. What was I thinking of? I wanted to update and organize it (organization is not my strong point) without any physical changes. For me, there is no motivation unless I can make it more interesting in the process. Here’s how to make a small pantry large on style and space. Everything I used to update this pantry came from Target and they are all linked at the bottom of the post.
This is what my pantry looked like before. As you can see it wasn’t pretty. The shelves need painting (well they still do), everything was crammed in, all that crap on the bottom was stuff that was rarely used.
Here is what it looks like now, still not glamorous but much more organized and a tad more stylish.
I let the colors and texture in my kitchen be the jumping-off point.
The rug in front of my sink just made it’s way to the trash and I am replacing it with a more interesting jute rug from Rejuvenation. I almost always create an inspiration board even when I work on a small project. I want to make sure I know what I am doing.
I am not a big fan of plastic wares and if I was going to redo the “pantry” I wanted it to be semi stylish. So here is what I did. If you have a small pantry you might find these steps helpful.
1. Get Rid of Packaging
All of the boxes and bags are different sizes and are difficult to keep sealed. I bought glass containers for all of these items and now I can see what I have without digging through boxes and bags.
2. Sort By Category
I placed my narrow trays on the worthless top shelf, coffees on the next shelf, all of my pasta, beans, grains, and nuts on the third. The next two shelves house canned goods, and I placed cutting boards and chargers in the baskets at the bottom.
I also made labels on canva in case I forget what is lurking in each bin!
3. Add texture and interest with baskets and bins
You can corral things that aren’t very pretty in baskets and bins and they are much less unsightly.
4. Use See-Through Containers for pasta, beans, grains etc.
and add these cute little scoops from Magnolia for Target
5. Corral Oversize Items in Bins or Baskets on Floor
You saw what my floor looked like before!
#6 Utilize the Back of the Door
You could certainly get one of those hanging contraptions for the back of the door if you need more space. Since there are just two of us now it wasn’t necessary in our case. I chose to hang my favorite apron from my pal Mary Ann, and one of those great Target boards.
SHOP THE POST
I know some of our blogging pals have some really pretty pantries so you might want to click over there in a hurry!
You read How to Make a Small Pantry Large in Style and Space first here on Rough Luxe Lifestyle.
I’m late to the pantry party—I was on a mission to eat and drink all of San Francisco—but I did want to weigh in on the pantry ideas. When I decided against upper cabinets in my kitchen remodel, I knew I’d have to get creative. I annexed the hall coat closet, very similar to yours and squeezed in a Metro shelf. It’s not pretty! Unlike you, I can’t throw things into a beautiful bag with beautiful labels and ribbon because if I don’t see it, it’s not there! I have accepted that the best I can do is use clear pull out bins, keep like with like, labels out, items upright so I can see at a glance. But what I wanted to add: I repurposed a Habersham Plantation hutch that was in my old living room that I used as a bookcase. When I annexed that part of the living room into my new kitchen, I used the shelves for holding baking ingredients (labeled) and installed heavy duty roll out shelves behind the 3 doors below. The microwave sits on the top shelf surrounded by glass canisters of sugar, flours and salts. My new kitchen is somewhat industrial and this is a nice contrast. Another “pantry” storage in plain sight I used eight large acrylic canisters with air-lock lids to hold chips and crackers. These sit on top of my fridge in the back part of my kitchen, not seen from the first view of the kitchen. For serious stock up items, they are in the basement.
ps Love your new rug. It’s gonna be fab! I had to laugh at your poor Kitchen Aid mixer sitting forlorn on your pantry floor!
Hi Patricia!
I hope you had a fabulous time in SF next time give me a shout out and maybe we could meet up for lunch or if you don’t mind the drive come down for dinner!
Cindy,
Your pantry is a work of art. I recently reorganized my pantry and was surprised at how much easier it is to find items I’m looking for. Ha.
I hope to find some additional ideas. Thank you for this.
Karen
Ha! Karen so true! Organization is not my strong point. I have to force myself to get things in order!
Your pantry makeover is insanely beautiful! I love the woven textures and the bold graphic labels. It’s like right out of Hudson Grace! I love that you tied your labels with pretty black ticked ribbon too. I’m truly inspired to add some style to my boring pantry!
Hi Ashley
Thank you so much! I didn’t have much to work with but it certainly looks better and is more functional!
Cindy
Cindy! I love everything you did with your pantry. It looks so beautiful and fits perfectly your home and kitchen. I love the baskets you chose, the glass canisters with wood lids, the labels that you made on Canva and even the ribbon you used is perfect! And I love you you hung the apron and the pizza paddle on the door. Brilliant and it looks pretty too!
Hi Annie
I am in awe of what you did with that space! And I love those IKEA shelves! I avoid IKEA like the plague as ours is nearly two hours away. I know they have great stuff. We have used them many times in our fixers!
Cindy, OMG this is gorgeous! I am so copying all of this. I adore how cute the glass jars with wood tops are- so Cindy, and the striped baskets and the dark wood. The tags and striped ribbons are darling and make the space. What a good idea also using the big bottom space for baskets holding cutting boards. So smart! Love doing this with you all! Yours is my favorite, just lovely! xx
Thanks Pal-you did the same for me. My office is so disorganized it is pathetic and it is a really great space. I am bookmarking your ideas for tackling that job sometime soon!!
You’ve inspired me to once and for all get rid of all the horrible packaging my food comes in and transfer it to prettier canisters, jars and containers! This was just the inspiration I needed!
Hi Sheri
Nothing like an organization post to get us in shape, right?!! Mine was pathetic!! I love your recipes. Thank you so much for joining us again. Your posts are always so inspiring!
Perfect timing for inspiration. I have read all of the posts and cannot wait to use lots of these ideas after my kitchen cabinets are painted in just a few weeks. Thank you talented ladies!
Hi Vicki!
I am so happy to hear this! Everyone had great ideas. Send us a pic when you get it done!1
Your gorgeous tags tied on with pretty ribbon simply make your pantry. You’ve turned it into a lovely gift to yourself. Doesn’t it just feel great to have brought your pantry to its full potential? I know I am feeling so much better thanks to you, Mary Ann and Annie for inviting me to clear the clutter, clean up and then get to enjoy the outcome. By the way, I just put that very jute rug into my last renovation and it was fabulous! I always knew we had similar taste.
Hi Celia
Well your pantry and organization was dreamy! You always amaze me with all that you do! Everyone has inspired me to step up my organization game So happy to hear about the rug!
Seems like I’m always reorganizing especially those worthless high shelves. I do love the scoops! I thought finally cute ones that aren’t glass. Going to check the other pantries for more inspiration.
Hi Linda!
The scoops are the best aren’t they? I feel exactly the same way. Why do scoops have to be so darn ugly!! You will love all the other ideas. So inspiring! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Cindy
These last two blog posts have been great! You ladies are awesome.
One thing I was surprised I didn’t see a lot of was lazy Susan turntable type of cabinet accessory. I have them all over my kitchen, laundry, any my refrigerator. It makes looking for something so easy.
Hi Nancy
I have turntables in my corner pantry cupboard and could not do without it. This pantry would not accomodate them for the items I store in there!
I can figure out how to organize but those tags!!!! Do you print them at home? I see that your create them in Canva but tell us more about how to make gorgeous tags, print them cut them out. I want to know about the whole thing. Love them. You have so much style that I even love your tags! Of course I’ll be reading all of the ladies content. Can’t wait.
Hi Sandra
They are super easy on good old canva. I can walk you through it on the phone. That pantry was a challenge and getting pictures of it even more because of the depth and odd shape!
Beautiful Cindy! I too love those labels and your black stripe baskets.
Thanks Delores-Can we trade?!!
BEAUTIFUL AND TASTEFUL!
JOB WELL DONE!
XX
You know organization is not my strong point!!
You are so organized. I love those labels!
Hi Jen
If you only knew how disorganized I am! That is why the pantry looked the way it did before. This forced me into action!!
I’m definitely buying those cute scoops! This looks so pretty, Cindy!!! Love how you used the floor space.
Mary Ann
Those scoops are from our pals Chip and Jo! I love them too!
Picked this tip up from a different blog. I have a VERY small gallery kitchen in my apartment. Few drawers that hold a measuring spoons, tongs, etc. So I’ve took some of those stick on/easily removable hooks and attached them to the inside of each cabinet door. Then I hook my collapsible colander, small tongs and scrapers on the hooks. It’s now easier to find these small, but necessary cooking utensils.
Hi Maura
Great suggestions and thank you so much for sharing!
I love seeing pictures of your home! Your kitchen is so unique, and stunning!
Hi Valerie
Thank you so much!