4 Simple & Frugal Pantry Organization Tips
Are you starting the new year out organizing and purging like me? Does your pantry need a little attention? Today I am sharing some simple strategies along with photos from my pantry. The 4 tips below will help you to create a good looking and organized space without spending a ton of money.
Lazy Susans are your best friend!
I love these because they actually do hold lots of items and it’s easy to see exactly what you have. These are the Copco brand from Bed Bath & Beyond and start around $7.99. I’m thinking of adding them to my fridge too! There are different sizes to choose from and even a double decker option.
Use canisters for dry goods (and label them!)
For a period of several weeks, I would go into thrift stores and look in the houseware section specifically for glass and ceramic canisters for food storage. These items can be pricey new, but I scored many of mine for just few dollars each (I even found some at my local Goodwill “dollar day” sales!). Taking dry goods out of boxes and placing them in canisters saves space and allows you to see what you have easily. Finish by adding pretty labels – the labels pictured above were cut from chalkboard vinyl that I purchased at the craft store.
Use baskets for small items
Using baskets to group together all your smaller items saves space and looks so much more organized than a bunch of boxes. All of the kid’s snacks like apple sauce squeezables, granola bars, crackers, and cookies are grouped together.
Chalkboard vinyl on interior of cabinet door = Instant Grocery List
This is a fun and easy DIY that takes just a few minutes. Buy a roll of Chalkboard vinyl and place it on the interior of a cabinet door. It’s just like a giant sticker that can be removed easily if you don’t want it anymore. Use it to write a quick note or to create/update your grocery list!
chalkboard VINYL ?? wow who knew.. awesome!
Yes, love them! Got mine from Hobby Lobby along with a chalkboard marker to write on them with (reg chalk doesn’t seem to work as well)
I love how neat your pantry looks! I put some of mine in baskets too but it doesn’t look as pretty as yours.lol.. Thanks for sharing!
Wish to be creative and organized like you someday Lina!!
Oohhhh….lazy susan in the fridge for our yogurts! The kids are always asking me to dig through the dozen we usually have to read off the flavors. Thanks for the idea!!!!
I love your ideas…I am the queen of unorganized…I hope to get it together this year!
a turntable – why didn’t I think of that! great idea- thanks!
Love the ideas! I have been trying to get my house organized the past few days and the pantry was an area I was avoiding due to having no idea what to do with it! Thanks so much!
Love the lazy Susan idea Lina!! I use mason jars to keep my dry goods in I like that they are clear so I can see them – the only downside is that they don’t hold that much so it only works for beans, quinoa and rice (stuff I only buy smaller quantities of)
In the south, the last thing you want to use in a pantry is wicker baskets! Big ole nasty southern bugs love em. And if they breed…yikes!! MIL had to tear out her newly renovated pantry and start over after it was debugged!! That was before my husband and I got married, and I remembered what happened, so when we bought our house, I went with 2 wire utility units and bought tight lidded storage containers and different sized mason jars for my bulk items and used plastic storage boxes in different sizes from the dollar tree for storing misc items (lids off for easy access). I also took an old baking sheet (the biggest one) and used it for things that needed a stable spot to sit.
If you tuck some bay leaves in your kitchen cabinets they will keep bugs away!
In the North East it’s usually mice that are the problem…only canned goods and cleaning supplies in my pantry 🙁
Thanks Lina, for the lovely look into your well-organized cabinets. They are so pretty and efficient! Mine sorely need redoing and I think you’ve given me a boost to at least give it a start. Thanks so much! I also use the lazy susans in my bathroom linen closet and under the sink in the cabinet. Works very well for me. Love your input in addition to Collin’s. Happy New Year to you and your family.
I’ll steal the idea of using lazy susan turntable
Where can I find a lazy Susan for a cheap price? Does the Solar Tree carry them?
Check your thrift stores for Lazy Susans I never paid more than a couple bucks. I have some singles and double decker ones. These also work well in your bathrooms.
Kathleen, Amazon has the same brand lazy susan mentioned above for only $4.99.
You can make a fairly inexpensive lazy susan yourself for about $3. All items are available at the dollar store. Buy two cake pans and a bag of marbles. Put the marbles in one cake pan and place the other cake pan on top.
What great tips! I’m currently getting ready to transform our coat closet into a pantry with built in shelves. I’m currently using a 3 tier wire shelf and its quite crowded with a large family. There is always random a nearly empty boxes of pasta and rice, too.
I bought some nice glass jars with lids in various sizes at Dollar Tree and Dollar General for storing rice and pasta. I taped the chart for how much rice to water under the lid so I don’t forget. Small square baskets for kool aid packets and free samples. I put all my spice bottles in a plastic paper tray(the kind you would keep on your desk) so nothing gets lost on the top shelf. I use Command Hooks inside cabinet doors for hanging pot holders, small cutting boards and other light items. I have the tiniest kitchen ever, so I really need to make good use of my space!😁
Kathleen
You can find them cheap at Walmart. They have bamboo, Rubbermaid white plastic and stainless steel. Look under turntable if your looking online. They may have more in store. Hope this helps 🙂
Thanks, Lina! I got a really nice sized Bed, Bath & Beyond gist certificate for Christmas that I didn’t even ask for! I know what I’m doing tomorrow 😉. Believe it or not, when I’m stressed, I love to organize. It gives me peace
Uber frugal turntable: buy 2 round pie pans and a bag of marbles from the dollar tree. Pour the marbles in 1 pan and place the other one on top. Love love love the chalkboard labels!
I just posted caked up a couple of turntables from Amazon. Thanks for the idea 👌
Love your pantry. I have that very same double-decker lazy-susan in my frig. Works great, and I can see things better. I bought mine at Aldi’s for $5, and I have had it for years. I find that Aldi’s houseswears and rugs are excellent quality. I have even purchased a few knives that I also love!
Chilichat, thank you for this tip! I had thought I had no need to return to Aldis so this will get me back in!
Where is a good place to get a pantry at?
I had amazing luck at TJ Maxx and found some massive jars for flour and sugar that seal. I bought three different types in slightly different sizes and I just keep them out on the counter since I bake at least two or three times a week. I really like the look and convenience. If doing that, make sure they have the rubber seal and that the opening is wide enough for a cup measurer. All three large glass jars were only ten dollars in total because one had a metal lid with a slight ding in it and I negotiated them down 30% in price.
I use one of those hanging pocket organizers to hold koolaid packets, gravy packets, taco seasoning packets, etc. That hangs on the wall with no shelves. I do have a basket for kids snacks so they can grab them quick.
Thanks so much! You’ve given me some great ideas. I will be collecting all my $5 BB&B coupons and heading to the store. I also found so e great hanging/stacking baskets at IKEA for only $3!!!!! OBSERVATÖR
Clip-on basket. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90311069/
I’m going to use some for hanging to hold onions and potatoes and some for stacking on the shelves.
Lazy Susan is add on item at amazon. https://amzn.com/B0036OQU1U
I use many office organizational items in my Cupboards and Pantry, such as stacked letter baskets, etc. and they can also be found for cheap at Goodwill type stores. Best ever discovery was when our plastic Chip Clip broke, I grabbed a butterfly metal clip used for organizing and clipping together paper and I was amazed at how sturdy they are! Now the metal office clips are all I use to seal up bags!