How To Organize Your Pantry In 5 Detailed Steps

We have all at some point in our lives googled “how to organize your pantry”. It is something that we strive to have organized so we can find everything easily. (and it’s esthetically pleasing!) We’re here to help you get it done once and for all! (if you stick to the steps!)

Staring at your pantry, squinting your eyes while you try to find the extra mayo you thought you had. Sound familiar? Ahh yes. The lovely pantry.

You thought you had organized it just last week, but for some reason, you can’t seem to find anything. There are opened chips going stale. Cereal boxes are half empty. Everything seems so out of place.

This scenario is easily one of the most frustrating ones to have. The thing with a pantry is that you need to be on top of your game. Everything in your pantry has to have a spot.

Every shelf has to be for something specific. Otherwise, it’s pretty much a dead end. Okay, enough about the pantry! On to these AMAZING tips on just how to organize your pantry AND how to keep it organized!

This post is all about how to organize your pantry with 5 detailed steps!

How To Organize Your Pantry ( 5 Steps)

STEP # 1 BUY CONTAINERS & BASKETS

This step is one of the most important; here is why. In our experience, it is nearly impossible to organize a pantry (or anything else for that matter) without these.

If you’re planning on “stacking everything up neatly,” it will go back to how it was within a week- if you’re lucky! Do your best to get your hands on a couple of these amazing containers and jars-they will change your organizing life!

Our recommended places to purchase containers: IKEA for wooden containers & glass jars, Tj Maxx/Marshalls for woven baskets if you prefer those instead, and Costco for OXO containers. We promise you these will be a game-changer! (If you want to order online, we are linking containers, baskets, and jars from Amazon, Costco, & Ikea at the end of the post!)

STEP #2 EMPTY OUT THE PANTRY SHELVES

The very first step when organizing just about anything is to empty the area. All the containers, boxes, and all items have to go.

Set everything onto the kitchen table or countertops. Whatever is easiest for you to reach!

Once the shelves are empty, get a wet rag and wipe those shelves off.

You will want to start organizing your pantry with a clean space.

STEP # 3 LOOK THROUGH ALL THE ITEMS

Now your job is to look through everything! Every opened chip bag, all the snacks, opened boxes of pasta, etc.

Everything that has expired and gone stale TOSS. Throw it out! (it will mostly be snacks and cereal that were open)

After going through everything, your table should only have items that you will use and eat. It will be much easier to organize your pantry when unneeded things are out of your way.

STEP # 4 DECIDE WHICH ITEMS WILL GO IN WHAT CONTAINERS

Most of your pantry items will go into containers. Meaning your pasta won’t stay in the original box, your cereal won’t either, etc.

Whether you decide to go with glass jar containers for this or OXO containers(or both), make sure there’s enough for all the items you usually purchase for your family.

The only products that will stay in the original containers are sauces and canned foods. Now you have two choices. You can either use a lazy susan for these items or a big wooden or woven container to put them all in there. (that’s what we recommend)

You should have at least two big containers, one for unopened items (things such as condiments and canned foods) and one for items that are opened and used more often. (like peanut butter & honey)

Once you have figured out where each item will go, you’re ready for the next step.

STEP # 5 DECIDE WHICH SHELVES THE CONTAINERS WILL GO

At this point, all of your smaller items should be in jars and/or oxo containers. Your pantry shelves are empty and ready to take everything back.

Map out where you want everything to sit. Figure out where you want the glass jars/oxo containers to be and where the big wooden containers will sit.

We recommend the bigger containers to sit on the very bottom. (last shelf or floor depending on how your pantry is)

The smaller containers and jars can sit more towards the top. When you have decided where everything will sit, fill up the shelves.

Put the wooden containers where they belong and fill them up. Place the glass jars and OXO containers on the shelves, and there you have it! Your very own clean pantry! (Optional; If you keep vegetables in your pantry (like potatoes), a metal basket is perfect for this.)

Before & After

BONUS TIP: REMEMBER EVERYTHING HAS A PLACE

After organizing your pantry, remember that now everything has a place. Don’t just set things on the shelf to “get to later.”

Make sure everything goes back to where it belongs. *Following this tip guarantees a clean pantry for a lot longer than a week *

We know that if you stick to these tips your pantry will be clean and it will stay clean! Go through each step thoroughly while you organize so you know exactly what to do.

Let us know if we helped you organize your pantry with these tips and steps! We would love to hear from you!

Links For Your Pantry Organization

Wooden Containers From Ikea (two different sizes, sold separately)

3 Pack Multisize Woven Baskets From Amazon

6 Pack Metal Wire Baskets From Amazon

9 Piece OXO Containers From Costco (different sizes)

Glass Jars With Lids From Ikea (different sizes, each sold separately)

This post was all about how to organize your pantry with 5 detailed steps!