How to organize your pantry?

**FrugalMomof3** · 02-11-2006, 11:25 AM

Anyone have some great tips or ideas about stocking the pantry?

Meaning what goes where, what to keep with what?

Hubby is building me a pantry for the kitchen and I really want it to be neatly arranged but want to know what shouldn't go with what and stuff.

I know about chemicals shouldn't be with food items but what else is there to know?

Thanks!
~Tracy~

**SewCrafty** · 02-11-2006, 11:38 AM

Tracy, I think it is really a personal preference type of thing. But this is how I do mine. My pantry is a converted closet so is very deep.

I keep baking supplies all together, canned goods and I also break these down into veggies, beans, tomatoes that sort of thing. Then I have a shelf just for pastas, crackers, rice etc... any dry goods. The very top shelf which I need a chair to reach, I keep all my new, unopened things like extra pickles, mustard, ketchup, things I don't need on a daily basis.

I'm sure you are going to find your way, and like the rest of us will change it around several times till you find what works for you and your family. Enjoy your new pantry!

**FrugalMomof3** · 02-11-2006, 12:02 PM

Thanks for your tips Dee! I will surely keep them in mind.

I agree about making the top shelf for "extras" so to speak, since it's high up.

I can't wait for hubby to finish it I am excited I have always wanted a pantry but with us remodeling the kitchen to make it look bigger I am just impatient. lol

~Tracy~

**Nath.** · 02-11-2006, 12:13 PM

LOL this is so cool, how nice of your DH to built you a pantry! Funny thing is that I asked my DH the same this week.

I'm not sure I'll built me one doh LOL....I might just end up converting a closet into pantry.

**FrugalMomof3** · 02-11-2006, 12:20 PM

Well having the materials is one thing but actually putting them together is another... lol Hubby has the stuff but getting him to actually do it well....... you know.

I have this small room off the kitchen that we made into a little room with sorta like window seats... I could put cabinets above them (ones I find at yard sales or thrift shops) and can use them as a pantry as well.

We have this one place over here called the Re-Place, it's where businesses donate building materials, room dividers, cabinets, chairs, desks, etc.. I will have to check it out and see if they have any cabinets in good condition ....

Thanks!
~Tracy~

**Nath.** · 02-11-2006, 12:32 PM

I was thinking the same, about finding a use cabinets, even if it ugly melamine or in not so good condition, I'm very good at restoring things and changing the appearence of things with faux finish

I'm sure this would give my the pantry I want quicker than waiting for my husband to make me one LMAO!

**FrugalMomof3** · 02-11-2006, 12:38 PM

LMAO! That's how I feel!

~Tracy~

**littlemotherhaywood** · 03-02-2006, 03:16 PM

My dh arranged out pantry which is some far off little room in the basement, lol. I would love to have one in the kitchen, but at least I have one right

Everything is sorted according to cooking category. Baking items together, veggies together, pastas together, sauces, mixes, etc... It's not really a system or anything, but the canned goods are where the kids can reach them (afterall, I had to teach them to fetch, lol), the breakable stuff is out of their reach, etc... We came from a house with a ton of cupboard space and here (after over two years) we still have some dishes in boxes. Perhaps I should sell that stuff. You'll have to let us know how you decide to arrange it.

**Minner77** · 04-15-2006, 01:43 AM

I spent a great deal of today working on organizing my pantry. I actually love doing this sort of thing. Today's the first day off I've had since we've lived in this house, and I was tickled that I had a chance to tackle it. I'll let you know if I have any briliant solutions -- but I've been working with (1) no sleep and (2) my usual migraine, and have resorted to the lower energy effort of trying to surf the web for an Excel spreadsheet that could helpe manage inventory. I'm trying to do a huge stockup for emergencies in addition to the usual day-to-day stuff, so a spreadsheet would be dandy.

Good luck to you!

Mary

**miss_thrifty** · 04-15-2006, 10:31 AM

I usually put all dry goods, canned goods, anything not opened u bought in bulk, jars etc.,
cereals, pancake mixes in plastic bins from dolarama, homemade mixes or master mixes should be close to the bottom so u can get them at arms reach.

**wendy** · 04-15-2006, 02:30 PM

Ours is in desperate need of organizing. It's on my to-do list, but not for today.

**Minner77** · 04-15-2006, 02:31 PM

Miss Thrifty -- thank you for sharing. And for sharing your beautiful, beautiful avatar on this most Holy Saturday. No kidding: it made me cry. Yesterday's work was, believe it or not, a Good Friday offering. I've been in a lot of pain, physical and emotional. Thanks again!

God Bless You!
Mary I.

**YankeeMom** · 04-15-2006, 03:45 PM

Our house has a Butler's Pantry. It has ceiling to floor cupboards/drawers. It's a long closet like room with a window on the opposite end of the doorway and the cupboards/drawers are on either side of the doorway. On the left side (facing in the room) I have my food stuff - organized to my preferences - and on the right side I have all my dishes, silverware, storage bowls, pots, pans, small appliances.

I don't keep anything remotely "chemical" in my pantry. My vinegar is under the sink (I do keep separate bottles for cleaning and using in cooking), any other chemical type stuff like bleach or disposal cleaners etc are kept under the sink. We have a child-proof lock there. Laundry stuff is kept downstairs in the laundry room (extra laundry stockpile stuff too). Extra bathroom cleaners are kept in my master bedroom closet (walk-in off the master bathroom).

I think it's all about what works for you.

**CanadianTreehugger** · 04-16-2006, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by YankeeMom

Our house has a Butler's Pantry. It has ceiling to floor cupboards/drawers. It's a long closet like room with a window on the opposite end of the doorway and the cupboards/drawers are on either side of the doorway. On the left side (facing in the room) I have my food stuff - organized to my preferences - and on the right side I have all my dishes, silverware, storage bowls, pots, pans, small appliances.

I don't keep anything remotely "chemical" in my pantry. My vinegar is under the sink (I do keep separate bottles for cleaning and using in cooking), any other chemical type stuff like bleach or disposal cleaners etc are kept under the sink. We have a child-proof lock there. Laundry stuff is kept downstairs in the laundry room (extra laundry stockpile stuff too). Extra bathroom cleaners are kept in my master bedroom closet (walk-in off the master bathroom).

I think it's all about what works for you.

OMGoodness..I'm so glad you posted on this thread and I read it...I had seen your blog space awhile back and forgot to bookmark it and couldnt find it on blogger.com while doing a search

I love your blog