Deep Narrow Pantry Organization

Some items that help keep us organized:

Flip-Tile containers (from Walmart)

Clear bins (from Target)

Baskets (from Amazon)

Turntables (from Bed Bath and Beyond)

Step 1: Grocery shop

My first tip for beginning to organize your pantry is to do a large grocery haul before you start to strategize. Buy all of the “staples” for your home. This will help you see what you really need. I’ve seen so many beautiful pantries with glass jars, and risers for cans, and bread boxes, but that just isn’t practical for our products, or for our space.

Step 2: Plan

Look at your space and your “usual” groceries and start to devise a plan. If you have adjustable shelving you have a little more flexibility. Think about which organizational products would work best for you.

Clear containers are perfect for cereals, snacks (chips, pretzels, crackers, etc.), and baking products. Turntables are great for deep cabinets and can hold cooking oils, condiments, spices, or canned goods. Baskets work well for individually packaged items, or bread products. Risers help keep canned goods and spices organized if you have the space for them. Again, this is about finding what will work for you and your family.

Step 3: Stay flexible

It’s important to make sure your system is flexible, this way it can be adjusted as your grocery stock changes. This can be as simple as moving some things around to see what you have (like we did with our baking shelf, above).

Another example for this one is our candy shelf. We don’t usually have this much candy in the house (I swear!)… In the future, the plan is to use those plastic bins for granola bars or other individually wrapped snacks.

We also keep extra back stock behind the containers and baskets. This keeps open/common products easily within reach, but we always know to check the back stock before thinking were truly out of an item. 

Step 4: Get the family on board

My husband teased me about this project at first, but it's so simple that even he can keep it organized! I've seen some people use labels to help keep young kids on track. However you decide to do it, just make sure everyone is on the same page about the organized space.