How to Effectively Organize Your Pantry (and Actually Keep It That Way)
When you see a beautifully organized house on Instagram or Pinterest, it’s usually a picture of the pantry. You likely see that picture and scoff, thinking yours could never look like that…you have a husband and kids who would mess it up. You’re too busy to keep it looking perfect.
Well I’m here to tell you that with the following simple process, you can achieve a pantry that is practical, easy to maintain, and works for real life (not just photos).
Declutter First (Most Important Step!!)
Before buying woven bins or gold labels, you must declutter.
Take everything out and get rid of the following*:
Expired food
Items your family never eats
Duplicates you didn’t realize you had
Pantries can feel cluttered quickly, not because they’re too small — but because they’re holding too much stuff that isn’t being used.
Once you remove what doesn’t belong, the space instantly feels more manageable.
*When I say “get rid of” I don’t necessarily mean “throw away”. If the food is expired, yes you should probably throw it away. However, if they are items you never eat, you can donate them to a local food pantry. If they are duplicates, relocate them to a designated “overstock” location. This might be the bottom or top shelf in your pantry, or a cold storage room in another part of your house.
Group Like Items Together
A big game-changer in pantry organization is simple categorizing.
Instead of storing items wherever they fit, group them by type:
Baking
Breakfast
Snacks
Canned goods
Pasta and grains
Dinner
Oils, sauces, and condiments
When everything has a category, it’s easier to find what you need, put groceries away later, and know what you need at the store (aka SAVE MONEY).
Use Containers That Will Actually Help
Containers are great, but only when they’re used intentionally.
I recommend using clear/opaque bins for:
Pasta
Snacks
Items that come in bulky or awkward packaging
Baking Extras
If you like the look (and will actually keep up on it) you can also decant some items, like:
Flour, Sugar, etc.
Rice
Oats
& more
When you use containers and bins you improve visibility and use shelves more efficiently.
NOTE: If a container adds an extra step that feels annoying, it probably won’t last!
Set Up Your Pantry Based on How You Cook
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when organizing their pantry is focusing more on the look than the function. You want your husband, kids, or even a babysitter to be able to find and put things away in your pantry.
Think:
What do I use daily?
What do kids grab on their own?
What belongs near eye level vs. higher shelves?
What do I want out of the kids’ reach?
Every family cooks differently. A system that works beautifully for one household may not work at all for another.
The best pantry system is the one you’ll maintain.
Takeaways
Always declutter before organizing
Group food by category, not by size or shape
Use containers only where they are helpful
Organize based on how you cook, not how it looks
An organized pantry makes everyday life easier — from grocery shopping to meal prep to cleanup.
If your pantry feels overwhelming or you’re not sure where to start, I’d love to help you create a system that works for your space and your lifestyle.
