5 Tips to Simplify Your Pantry Organization

my top + jeans + bracelets  ||  harper’s dress + similar top  ||  kid’s aprons

If you know me, then you know about my love for all things organization. There is just something about a clean organized space that makes it happier and of course more functional. When we first moved in, I worked with Neat Method + The Container Store to overhaul the pantry and you guys, they made dreams come true!! I’ve been sharing pieces of the pantry over on Instagram and thought it would be a great time to do a full refresh of this post with ALL the details + some tips!

baskets [similar option here ] + hanging label tags 

:: CONSIDER YOUR STAGE OF LIFE 

When it comes to organizing any space in your home, especially your pantry, consider your stage of life. As you know, we had our pantry all organized perfectly functional for us, but life changes. We no longer need a space for bottles, formula, sippy cups, or baby food. That is a lifestyle change and your organization needs to reflect that. Another example is how we have recently started putting a lot more focus on healthy living. When we first organized the pantry, we didn’t have a single supplement or protein powder, so of course we ended up just kind of throwing everything all together in one basket and hiding it. I love that everything has a home now that works and compliments our current stage of life.

drawer organizers [ similar here ]

:: MAKE IT USER FRIENDLY 

When organizing your pantry, think about what you use the most often. That should be in the most easily accessible place in your pantry. When it comes to your kids, think about what you do and do not want them to have access too. Items like snacks should be accessible. If you want them to help out with making lunch or breakfast, make those items easy for them to reach, use, and be able to put back nicely. The flow and how you line things up with be specifically to your family so make it efficient to your needs.

metal baskets [similar option here ] + labels  |  clear drawer bins [ similar option here ]

:: CATEGORIZE + CONTAIN

Another way to make things more user friendly is to categorize + contain. Keep things that go together, together. It is as easy as that! So have a “baking station” where everything from flour + sugar to chocolate chips + sprinkles live. A lunch station for your kids that is home to the peanut butter + bread as well as side snacks. I love that with this revamp, we were able to include a “shake station” where I can easily access all the ingredients I use in my protein shake. Making things user friendly encourages you to meal prep more too!

clear drawer bins  |  gray baskets + labels  |  baking containers [similar here]

white drawer bins  |  clear containers

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gray baskets + labels

:: OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND

With toddlers running around everywhere, one thing I really wanted to change in this pantry update was their access to certain products. I was getting really tired of constantly cleaning up snacks they had gotten into and spilled everywhere, or finding out how many pieces of gum or chocolate chips they had consumed when I wasn’t looking. That is why I love these gray baskets. In most cases I like clear, accessible containers. But when I am trying to hide things from my kids, these are perfect. They are great for things that are multiple sizes, like medicines or “extras” too, because your eye still just sees the nice uniform container.

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gray baskets + labels  |  pasta containers  [similar here]  |  clear drawer bins

:: THINK OF YOUR BUDGET STRATEGICALLY

Another pantry organizing tip is to think of your budget strategically. When we first did our pantry, I didn’t really think it was important to spend my limited budget on detail organization, like taking everything out of the package. But many stale bags of cereal and spilled chocolate chips later, this time around I am willing to invest in sealed containers I can transfer things over to. If you are starting small, you might just go with bigger baskets to categorize areas, and some labels. Really consider what is going to make the biggest impact on efficiency in your space and use your budget accordingly.

:: KEEP IT UP

Last but not least, is to keep it up. Don’t think that you are going to organize a space like your pantry one day and you are done. Take your kids on a “tour” of the space when its done. It will help them to how you keep it looking that way. Plan on doing a 10 minute “upkeep” every month to get rid of old food, take stock of what you need to replenish, and maybe reorganize spaces that aren’t working efficiently. It will take some maintenance but is so worth it!!

I hope these simple tips + tricks help make tackling your pantry just a little easier!

photos: aubrey taiese