I thought I’d try something new and post some organizing ideas on this creative organizing blog of mine (ha ha.) It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? But here we go! I’ve been getting quite a few questions via email. (If I haven’t answered yours yet … hang in there with me just a little bit longer … an answer’s coming soon.)

So … let’s get started! Here’s the first question:

“I was wondering if you had any ideas as for organizing my kitchen pantry.  It’s not a pantry per-se.  It’s a whole wall of cabinets which I use as a pantry.  I have everything stuffed in there in no particular order and it’s driving me INSANE!”

The first thing I’d suggest is to take everything out of your pantry (or wall of cabinets) and group it by type. Put baking things together, canned goods together, snacks together, cereal and other breakfast foods together, and so on. Edit out anything that’s been hanging around for too long (like canned Yams that have been there since two Thanksgivings, ago.) If you know you’re not going to eat it, and it’s still in good shape, donate it to a local food pantry.

Once you’ve downsized, reload your cabinets, grouping like things together. Prioritize where things go based on how often you use them. Keep daily use items, like cereal, bread and other breakfast foods, at eye level and in reach. Keep less frequently used items on higher shelves, and store heavy items on lower shelves.

Using bins inside your shelves can help keep items contained and grouped together. Plus, bins can act as a make-shift drawer, allowing you to access things at the very back of your shelves. Bins are also handy for storing things on high shelves, that you can’t see from below. Simply pull down your bin, pull out what you want, and tuck the bin back up on the shelf. (Use this strategy for lighter weight items like spices that you can easily maneuver off the top shelf.)

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Add labels to your containers or right on your shelves to remind you where things belong. This will help you reap the benefits of your organized pantry for even longer!

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Happy organizing!