28 Smart Pantry Organization Ideas You'll Wish You Tried Sooner
Keep everything tidy, no matter the size of your kitchen.
Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Organizing a pantry is no easy task, something Ree Drummond knows all too well. When she showed her pantry refresh on social media, she admitted she "immediately regretted" pulling everything out at first. But, once she was done organizing, it was pure #pantrygoals. And if you want your kitchen space to be just as satisfying, browse these best pantry organization ideas.
First, start with a clean room: Take inventory of your existing stock of pantry staples, including spices, sauces, cereal boxes, rice and grains, canned goods, and stored baking supplies—by sorting through what's good and what's expired. Next, corral all items by category—it's helpful to organize them in transparent, stackable food storage containers. (P.S. A label maker is handy for this step!)
Even if you don't have a dedicated pantry in your home, these tricks will still improve how you organize your spices, baking goods, and small appliances. You could hop on the open shelving kitchen trend and turn floating shelves into a DIY pantry that displays spice jars and glass canisters or grab a handy under-shelf drawer organizer. You could even make a multipurpose space that's part storage and part coffee bar station like in Ree's new house. These might even inspire some larger kitchen storage ideas, like organizing your kitchen cabinets to make the entire room more styled and tidy!
Continue your kitchen refresh with these ideas:
Use a Ladder
In both The Lodge and her new home, Ree uses a library ladder to reach the highest shelves in her pantry. It's a clever way to make use of every inch of storage space—no more wasted room on those hard-to-reach spots!
Divide and Conquer
Reorganizing your pantry can feel overwhelming, but breaking it into sections makes the process much easier. Working area by area helps you stay focused and find the best system for each space. Ree separated hers into sweet and savory zones, but you can create categories that fit your own cooking style and needs.
Make It Multipurpose
If you want to make the most of your pantry, think multipurpose! In her new home, Ree designed hers with an extra sink for easy dishwashing and a built-in coffee station to keep the caffeine flowing while she cooks. Extra cabinetry is great for storing all your dishware and appliances, too.
Go Magnetic
If your pantry's feeling cramped, free up space by transferring spices (or other small items) into compact tins. Magnetic tins can stick right to the fridge for easy access, or you can use adhesive to mount them on a wall or the inside of a cabinet door for a clever, space-saving solution.
See more at A Beautiful Mess.
Use Over-the-Door Organizers
Take a cue from your closet and add an over-the-door organizer to your pantry. These handy racks are perfect for holding everything from spices and oils to canned goods and snacks, giving you extra storage without taking up shelf space.
Invest in a Pull-Out Pantry
If you're willing to renovate to get your dream pantry space, make this cool pull-out pantry. It may look like a standard cabinet from the outside, but inside you'll find hidden shelves with tons of storage for food, spices, and other essentials.
Utilize Your Counter Space
Don't forget—countertops can double as storage space! Add a few small shelves to hold canisters, jars, and other pantry staples. Wooden shelves like these are both practical and stylish, giving your kitchen extra storage with a touch of warmth and charm.
Put in Rod Racks
Rods are a simple yet smart way to boost your storage space. Install metal rods along your backsplash to hang racks or utensils, or use tension rods inside cabinets and pantry shelves to organize items and keep everything within easy reach.
Add a Bookcase
If you don't have a separate closet or space to utilize, add a bookcase instead. They're affordable, come in a variety of sizes, and can be customized to fit your space. Plus, adjustable shelves let you store containers of all shapes and sizes with ease.
See more at Homemade by Carmona.
Try Out Under-Shelf Drawer Organizers
This nifty accessory has gone viral—and it's easy to see why. It attaches to the underside of your pantry shelves, making the most of a space you wouldn't normally use. Talk about strategic storage!
Set Up Baker's Racks
If you've got a large pantry but are running out of shelf space, just set up some more. Industrial wire racks like these baker's racks will give you plenty of room. To soften the look and help with organization, you can add wicker baskets, too.
Build a Hidden Pantry
While reorganizing your pantry is great, giving yourself a second pantry is even better. You can do this by transforming a kitchen hutch or armoire into a space to store food containers, cans, and more. Paint it a pretty color if you want to make it a focal point in your kitchen.
Create a Grab-and-Go Snack Section
Busy families who rely on prepackaged snacks, this hack is for you! Make the bags easier to grab by creating a designated snack section. Buy clear acrylic bins and place them in an easily accessible drawer or shelf. It will make your grocery list easier, too, because you'll see when you're low in stock.
Roll With It
For those of you who lack space in the pantry, but have substantial space elsewhere, try a rolling cart. Bonus: You can wheel it out when you need it and tuck it away when you don't. It's also great to use in a pinch as a bar cart for any events you host.
Repurpose Mason Jars
If you love mason jars, you probably have a lot hanging around unused. Even if you don't, they are relatively cheap to buy in bulk. So rather than investing in expensive storage containers, go for this affordable option instead. They can hold anything from spices and snacks to cereal and candy.
Invest in Cabinets with Pull-Out Shelves
Sliding shelves keep all your canned and nonperishable goods neatly tucked away in a cabinet. It allows easy access without needing to devote an entire closet to your pantry.
See more at Randi Garrett Design.
Organize Your Appliances
Ree also uses her pantry for keeping kitchen appliances tucked away on shelves and off the counter. She made sure the shelves were built tall enough to house her tallest appliance (in this case, her KitchenAid stand mixers).
Go Rustic Chic With a Pegboard
Give any kitchen or pantry wall an organizational makeover with a layer of pegboard. These easy-to-install sheets are speckled with holes so you can hang tons of spice trays, measuring spoons, or your favorite pieces of kitchen art.
See more at Inspired by Charm.
Convert a Nook
Turn a kitchen nook into a pantry by hanging shelves and making custom containers. These wire baskets have homemade leather straps, with DIY steps included so you can make your own.
Get the tutorial at The Merrythought.
Add Storage Hooks
Adding hooks to your pantry storage optimizes the space. You can hang utensils, measuring cups, and more.
See more at Inspired by Charm.
Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.
7 Gardening Tasks to Tackle Before the Summer Ends
22 Fall Landscape Ideas for Curb Appeal
Welcome Fall with a Wreath on Your Front Door
20 Cozy Ways to Decorate Your Kitchen for Fall
