Look, I get it. You open your pantry, and it’s basically chaos central. Half-opened bags of chips falling out, spices you bought three years ago hiding in the back, and that one can of beans that keeps photobombing every shelf. Your pantry doesn’t have to be a disaster zone, though. With a few clever hacks, you can transform that cluttered mess into an organized dream space that actually makes you smile when you open it.
I’ve tried more pantry organization tricks than I’d like to admit (some failed spectacularly, FYI), but these 17 hacks? They’re the real deal. Let’s jump in.
Use Clear Containers for Everything
Seriously, this one changed my life. I used to keep everything in its original packaging, and finding anything was like a scavenger hunt gone wrong.
You can quickly see exactly what you have in clear containers. Because you couldn’t see the three hiding behind the flour, you were unable to purchase your fourth jar of cinnamon. Additionally, they stack beautifully, so you’re making the most of every available vertical space.
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|---|---|---|---|
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Pro tip: Label them. I know it seems obvious, but trust me—quinoa and rice look surprisingly similar when you’re half-asleep making breakfast.
Install Door-Mounted Racks
Why waste perfectly good door space? The back of your pantry door is prime real estate you’re probably ignoring.
Spices, snacks, and cleaning supplies can all be neatly stored in over-the-door racks. After installing one in my pantry, I found that I had space for all of the sporadic sauce packets that had previously cluttered my shelves. It’s similar to discovering undiscovered storage.
Lazy Susans Are Your Best Friend
Ever reach into the back of a deep shelf and knock over three things trying to grab one? Yeah, lazy Susans solve that problem.
These rotating trays are perfect for:
- Oils and vinegars
- Condiments and sauces
- Canned goods
- Baking supplies
Just spin it around, grab what you need, and you’re done. No more pantry avalanches. IMO, every deep shelf needs at least one.
Create Zones for Different Food Categories
Here’s where organization gets fun. Stop randomly shoving things wherever they fit and start creating dedicated zones.
I organize mine like this:
- Baking zone: Flour, sugar, baking powder, chocolate chips
- Breakfast zone: Cereals, oatmeal, coffee, tea
- Snack zone: Chips, crackers, nuts
- Canned goods zone: Soups, beans, tomatoes
You always know where to look thanks to this system. Additionally, being able to view your entire “dinner ingredients” section at once makes meal planning much simpler.
Use Tension Rods as Dividers
This hack blew my mind when I first saw it. Tension rods (the kind you use for shower curtains) can create vertical dividers in your pantry.
Use them to:
- Store baking sheets and cutting boards upright
- Separate different types of snacks
- Keep lids organized
They’re adjustable, removable, and dirt cheap. What’s not to love?
Basket Everything
The unsung heroes of pantry organization are baskets. They organize tiny objects that would otherwise be strewn all over the place and give the appearance of purposeful shelves rather than disarray.
I use wire baskets for:
- Onions and potatoes
- Individual snack bags
- Baking mixes
- Tea and coffee supplies
Plus, you can just pull out the entire basket when you’re cooking instead of grabbing items one by one. Efficiency level: expert. 🙂
Magazine Holders for Canned Goods
Here’s a weird one that totally works. Those cheap magazine holders from the office supply store? Perfect for storing canned goods on their sides.
All of the labels are visible at once, making it simple to grab what you need and avoiding that annoying can avalanche that occurs when you take one from the bottom. They’ve changed my life, and I got a couple for about two dollars each.
Utilize Shelf Risers
You could have two levels instead of just one. Shelf risers create tiers so you can actually see what’s behind the front row.
Before I got these, I had no idea what lurked in the back of my shelves. Spoiler alert: expired soup from 2019. Now everything is visible, accessible, and I actually use what I buy instead of letting it collect dust.
Hang a Pegboard for Flexible Storage
Want to get really creative? Install a pegboard on one wall of your pantry. This gives you completely customizable storage that you can change whenever your needs shift.
Hang baskets, hooks, small shelves—whatever works for you. I use mine for:
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Kitchen tools
- Small jars of spices
- Recipe cards
It’s like Pinterest came to life in my pantry, except actually functional.
Use Clip-On Spout Pourers
Trying to pour from those giant bags of flour or sugar is a recipe for disaster (pun intended). Those clip-on spout pourers that attach directly to the bag? Brilliant.
They cost about a dollar each, seal the bag, and make pouring neat and simple. You can stop your counter from exploding with flour every time you bake cookies.
Stack with Purpose
Not all stacking is created equal. You can’t just pile things randomly and hope for the best—ask me how I know. :/
Lighter items should be stacked on top of heavier ones. Items you use often should be at eye level, while items you don’t often need should be on the lowest or highest shelves. This reasoning alone will save you a great deal of frustration, even though it seems straightforward.
Repurpose Baby Food Jars for Spices
Before you judge me, hear me out. Those little baby food jars are perfect for storing spices, especially if you buy in bulk.
They’re:
- The ideal size
- Completely free (if you have a baby or know someone who does)
- Clear, so you can see the contents
- Easy to label
I adhered these jars to the inside of my pantry door using magnetic strips. A chef would be envious of my spice collection now.
Create a “First In, First Out” System
Ever notice how the new groceries always end up in front, and the old stuff gets buried? That’s how you end up with expired food taking up space.
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Push the older items to the front when adding new ones. You genuinely use what you purchase before it spoils thanks to this easy rotation system. Both your conscience and your pocketbook will appreciate it.
Use Chalkboard Labels
Regular labels are fine, but chalkboard labels are better. Why? Because you can change them.
When that flour container becomes a quinoa container, just wipe the label and rewrite it. No peeling off sticky residue or dealing with permanent markers. Plus, they look cute in a farmhouse-chic kind of way.
Install Pull-Out Drawers
If you’ve got the budget and DIY skills (or a handy friend), pull-out drawers are the ultimate pantry upgrade. They make deep shelves actually functional.
You can stop scuttling halfway through your pantry to get to that coconut milk can that’s tucked away in the back corner. Simply open the drawer, take out what you need, and then shut it again. You can’t truly appreciate this type of luxury until you’ve had it.
| Storage Solution | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Clear containers | Dry goods, visibility | $$ |
| Door racks | Spices, small items | $ |
| Lazy Susans | Deep shelves, oils | $ |
Dedicate a Snack Station
Have children? (Or, let’s face it, do you enjoy snacking?) On a lower shelf, set up a special snack station where everyone can quickly get what they want.
Use clear bins or baskets to hold individual portions. This prevents people from rummaging through your entire pantry every time they want a snack, which means less mess overall. Plus, portion control becomes way easier when everything’s pre-divided.
Keep an Inventory List
It may sound excessive, but bear with me. Maintain a basic inventory of the items in your pantry, whether it’s on your phone, a whiteboard, or another location.
When you run out of something, you’ll actually remember to buy it instead of discovering you’re out of olive oil when you’re halfway through cooking dinner. I use a shared note on my phone that my partner can access too, and it’s eliminated so many “we’re out of WHAT?” moments.
Final Thoughts
Your pantry should work for you, not against you. These hacks aren’t about creating some Instagram-perfect space (though if that happens, cool). They’re about making your daily life easier.
Start by implementing one or two hacks that deal with your main problems. Perhaps it’s the deluge of canned goods or the chaos of spices. Implementing all 17 at once is overwhelming and completely unnecessary.
The finest aspect? The majority of these solutions are inexpensive or even free. All you are doing is rearranging your current items and possibly adding some containers from the dollar store. What are you waiting for, then? Both your sanity and your pantry will appreciate it.