Hi there! My name is Nina Hendrick and I blog at NinaHendrick.com, where I chronicle the journey of transforming a basic builder-grade 80s colonial into a modern day farmhouse. When we first moved into the house, I knew that the pantry was going to be the first project we tackled. It by far made the biggest impact on our day to day, and the former space was in rough shape with sagging, deep shelves, and broken sliding doors. When I began planning my pantry remodel in 2012, I didn’t realize that there would still be a process to getting the pantry organized after construction was complete. For some reason, I assumed that the carefully planned processes I put into place initially would run on autopilot.
It didn’t take me long to figure out that even with the most thorough planning, the actuality of organizing is always a process. Strategies need to be periodically edited and streamlined for maximum efficacy. Here are five lessons that I learned along the way that improved the organization in our pantry!
1. Corral items in baskets and bins.
I think one thing that stands out about my pantry is that I’m a big fan of baskets and bins. I love that they keep things contained and tidy, and I love that they make groups of items more portable.
2. Utilize slide-out storage to better access depth.
While I planned the pantry with the slide-out drawers, it took me a little while to actually put them to use. Once I did, I realized how much easier it is to get to things that would otherwise be unreachable. We also added another drawer to the bottom of the pantry to better utilize that deep space.
3. Use labels, but don’t over-label.
I initially used labels on everything, and they weren’t chalkboard labels. I found out the hard way that not all labels peel off. Now I primarily use labels that wipe off, and I use them sparingly. They are extremely useful, but overuse can push things into the realm of redundancy.
4. Keep popular snacks in clear containers.
I keep snacks that tend to be eaten quickly in clear containers to keep track of quantity. As I mentioned above, I skipped the labels here because you could already see what was in the containers.
5. Maximize storage capabilities
For the longest time, I was running short on small jar storage. One day it dawned on me that I was wasting valuable real estate by ignoring the space on the back of the doors. An inexpensive rack from the hardware store can quickly and dramatically increase your storage space. I strongly recommend auditing your space and wracking your brain for any way you may be able to gain a little more space.
I hope that those tips can help you as much as they helped me! To see more of my pantry and kitchen space, please check out the August 2016 issue of Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, and you can also visit my blog here.
Thanks for stopping by!
Nina
