Kitchen Tips: Better Organize Your Pantry

For many families, the kitchen is the most important room in the house. That's why it's imperative to prioritize the kitchen when purchasing a home and choose one that suits your family's needs and lifestyle. Inform our real estate agents what you're looking for in a kitchen and which features are non-negotiable, so they can find you houses that are up to your standards.

One of the key features you should consider is storage and workspace; there's no such thing as too much kitchen storage space. Even when you have enough space, your kitchen pantry can quickly become overrun with all the canned goods, cereal boxes, and miscellaneous cooking ingredients that tend to pile up.

Read on for some kitchen organization tips that will keep your pantry organized and clutter-free.

1. Take inventory for labeling
   Make a list of your pantry staples and designate areas for different types of items such as baked goods, boxed or canned stocks, condiments, cereals, and dry food items like rice, pasta, and flours. Food items like grains and nuts tend to come in bags and containers of all shapes and sizes, making organizing awkward. You'll want to stock up on clear jars for this reason and label them accordingly.
   
   
2. Embrace baskets
   Use clear bins and baskets to store items that don't stack well. This way, you don't have to cause a mess each time you have to dig through your pantry for baking supplies. Baskets are also great if you have a shortage of jars. Tightly roll up opened packages and place them in a basket to keep them from spilling.
   
   
3. Create extra shelving with dividers
   Shelf dividers can double your space and maximize vertical space making it easy to arrange and find items. You can further maximize space by using stackable bins and containers. Arrange ingredients so the taller items are in the back and shorter items in the front.
   
   
4. Utilize the pantry doors
   You're missing out on extra storage space if you're not using your pantry doors. Hang organizers over them to free up shelf space you can use to store spices, condiments, canned goods, and oils. It's a great way to store your most used items as it makes for easy access.
   
   
5. Make a kid-friendly spot
   You don't want your kids causing an avalanche as they search for their snacks. Use your bottom shelf for this reason and make sure everything is visible and labeled to keep up the organization. The bottom shelves can also be a catch-all for non-food pantry items like napkins and tablecloths.
   
   
6. Put in drawer separators
   Drawer separators can help keep your bottles, cans, and jars from toppling over or clanking together. But these organizers are handy for anything in your pantry drawers. You can also optimize your pantry space by turning your cabinets into drawers.
   
   
7. Organize your food in a way that makes sense for your family
   In other words, place your most used items on a shelf at eye level and less frequent ingredients on hard-to-reach spots. The idea here is to make sure everything in your pantry is visible. Cooking and baking become much easier when you don't have to search around for that ingredient you think you might have.

Find a Home With Your Dream Kitchen

Buying a home is the most significant investment most people will ever make, partner with an agent with the marketing and negotiating expertise to get you your dream home. Contact us so we can help you throughout the entire buying and selling process.