31 Best Pantry Organization Ideas for Better Storage Space

Use different jars, baskets, and containers to keep your pantry items clearly separate from each other.

17 of the Best Pantry Storage Ideas for Creating a Tidy Space

From glass jars to smart shelving, these pantry storage ideas are simple yet transformative.

labelled woven pantry baskets

Any cook worth their salt knows that a great home-cooked meal begins in the pantry. One of the most frequently visited spots in any home, the pantry houses important ingredients for your favorite dishes and is where you store everything from extra snacks to drinks. But because this is such a popular area, keeping your pantry staples in order can be time-consuming and difficult.

If you keep it well-stocked with spices and everyday staples and do what you can to ensure those essentials are well-organized, your pantry will serve you well. We’re sharing kitchen storage ideas that will help keep your food fresh for longer and make the most of your space. Ahead, explore some of our best pantry storage ideas that will make your area neater and your life easier.

Mark Shelves with Bookplates

organized pantry

Rather than putting stickers on each container, designate zones (for oils, condiments, snacks) with bookplates. “They keep everything organized and add vintage charm,” says Lorna Aragon, Living‘s home editor. Using inexpensive crates—which allow for air flow—to store potatoes and onions extends shelf-life; putting your prettiest bowls to good use—we like Ohio Stoneware’s Utility Crocks (from $5.49, stonewareoutlet.com) and Shoulder Bowls (from $27.99, stonewareoutlet.com)—makes for a pretty display.

To cut down on visual clutter, Lorna also advises decanting nonperishable staples like rice and beans into canisters and taping their boiling instructions to the bottoms of the jars to avoid “How long do I boil this for?” moments.

Use Bins

spacious white shelving pantry filled with various items

Wicker bins, or bins of any natural material, help keep your pantry organized by storing anything from canned goods to children’s snacks. Clear labels describing exactly what’s inside each bin makes hunting for your midday snack or that last dinner ingredient a breeze.

Curate Canisters

pantry organization canisters of dry goods and snacks

Assign shelves a type of food or use, like baking essentials, dry ingredients, and snacks, and place boxed goods into glass canisters for effective pantry storage.

Keep It Sealed

Martha Stewart Collection Six-Piece Bakery Set

Ensure your baking ingredients are properly stored and organized in your pantry with these containers, which have air-tight seals. As an added bonus, they stack like a dream.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Six-Piece Bakery Set, $118, macys.com.

Install Smart Shelving

pantry-organized-open-2-0617-6378406

Use your pantry’s varying shelf heights to your advantage by storing taller items, like bottles, on the bottom.

Keep It Simple and Streamlined

A pantry in Remodelista: The Organized Home”

For a home with limited and open pantry space, opt for a uniform look by placing items like cereal and baking essentials in clear storage containers.

Color Code

kitchen-pantry-1216.jpg (skyword:371554)

While color-coding might not be feasible for your everyday pantry, arranging your favorite beverages on full display in a butler’s pantry is an aesthetically pleasing option.

Make It Kid-Friendly

pantry organization baskets of snacks

Designating a storage bin in your pantry (preferably on a low shelf) for your kids with a clearly written label is a great way to stash their favorite snacks where they can get them.

Opt for Magnets

Use unused areas in your pantry for storage, like the back of a door. Place your most-used spices in magnetic or adhesive tins for easy access.

Store Over the Door

Elfa Utility White Mesh Over the Door Rack

Hang an over-the-door rack on your pantry entrance to house anything from spices to oils.

Shop Now: Elfa Utility White Mesh Over the Door Rack, $214, thecontainerstore.com.

Go Vertical

If you’re lucky enough to have a ledge or shelf above your pantry door, it’s a great storage opportunity for your less frequently used items, like specific flours and oils.

Roll It Out

pantry organization broom closet and drawers in blue kitchen

Drawers that you can pull out instantly make the back of the pantry shelf accessible.

Separate

pantry organization alcohol bar bin drawer

Store spirits on a shelf or in a drawer that has enough height to allow the bottles to stand up. Here, vertical shelves separate the types of alcohol, making it easy to find exactly what’s needed.

Store Bags

What to do with those extra grocery bags? Reuse them with this handy holder—it even makes for a pretty addition to the décor.

See Clearly

Store ingredients in airtight containers, away from heat and light sources. These etched-glass storage jars are both functional and decorative.

Ward Off Pests

Insects are unwanted little guests that can nonetheless creep their way into the crevices of your pantry. Protect them with an age-old trick: Drop a dried chile pepper or bay leaf into each jar. These colorful plants are nontoxic and have natural insect-repelling properties.

Sugar and Spice Stored Nice

Stored the right way, spices will last up to one year. So keep them in airtight, light-proof containers, away from heat. Use clip-art labels for organizing and identifying each one.

31 Best Pantry Organization Ideas for Better Storage Space

pantry organization ideas

Organizing a pantry is no easy task—even Ree Drummond knows that 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. It may have left you feeling disappointed with your own, wishing you could swap kitchens. But no swapping necessary to beautify your pantry! We’re sharing our best pantry organization ideas to prove that your own kitchen can become one of these utterly satisfying spaces, too—worthy of a Ree-inspired restock.

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!) But even if you don’t have a dedicated pantry in your home, these tricks will still improve how you organize your spices, baking goods, appliances, and more. For example, you could try putting a spice drawer together or invest in a coffee and tea organizer. You could also hop on the open shelving kitchen trend and turn floating shelves into a DIY pantry that displays spice jars and glass canisters. They might even inspire some larger kitchen storage ideas to make the entire room more styled and tidy.

Repurpose Mason Jars

pantry organization ideas mason jars

86 Lemons

If you love mason jars, you probably have a lot hanging around unused. Even if you don’t, they are so easy and relatively cheap to buy in bulk. So rather than investing in expensive storage containers, go for this affordable option instead.

Borrow Ideas from Other Closets

pantry organization ideas shoe organizer

The Krazy Coupon Lady

If you have a pantry door free, why not buy a hanging plastic shoe rack to fill with smaller items like flavor packets or snacks? And why stop there? You can use pant hangers as chip clips, too!

See more at The Krazy Coupon Lady.

Divide and Conquer

Much like Ree did with her recent pantry refresh, consider organizing your pantry in sections. It makes the task more manageable, and it helps you focus on what’s best for each area. Ree divided her tasks into sweet and savory, but you can do what you feel is best for your needs.

Create a Grab-and-Go Snack Section

Prepackaged snacks are great for families on the go. Make them easier to grab by creating a designated snack bin 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

If you lack space or have great space that’s far from your kitchen, try a rolling cart. 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 parties!

Invest in a Coffee and Tea Organizer

If you’re constantly rummaging through drawers looking for the right tea bag then you need a coffee and tea organizer like this adorable one from The Pioneer Woman. Not only is it super cute and floral, it makes managing your morning coffee craving a breeze.

Use a Ladder

In Ree’s pantry at The Lodge, she uses a library ladder to access tall shelves. This is a great way to ensure you store items on these hard-to-reach shelves rather than waste the space.

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).

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.

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.

Mix Up Your Containers

Use different jars, baskets, and containers to keep your pantry items clearly separate from each other.

See more at Design Improvised.

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.

Make a Chalkboard List

This pantry uses its space efficiently by placing a chalkboard on the inside of the door. You’ll always know what you need to pick up at the store with this handy shopping list.

See more at Not Just a Housewife.

Optimize Cubby Space

A tiny kitchen oftentimes means a tiny pantry. Make the most of your small space by utilizing turntables and expandable, tiered shelves. Turntables are perfect for cabinets that are above eye level because they allow easy access to items you use frequently.

Lean Into the Theme

The supermarket sign above this shelved storage cart pantry is a sweet touch. Even a blank wall in your home can become a simple pantry with some cute décor and shelves.

Make Produce Baskets

Keep potatoes and onions tucked away with their own baskets. It’ll be a breeze to just grab what you need when you’re cooking dinner.

Get Creative with Space

If you’re tight on space, use a small cabinet for storage. Keep the top for bigger kitchen items, such as cutting boards and pitchers.

See more at A Bowl Full of Lemons.

Maintain Unity

It’s easy to create a tidy pantry when you use uniform labels and containers. Invest in a label maker or purchase a pack of preprinted ones designed especially for a pantry!

See more at Neat Method.

Make It a Multi-Purpose Room

If you’ve got a big enough space, use your pantry to store more than just food and appliances. Aprons, reusable water bottles, cookbooks, and anything else food-adjacent will be a perfect fit.

See more at Fresh Mommy Blog.

Headshot of Erin Cavoto