A Messy Girl’s Guide to an Organized Pantry
This small organized pantry closet on a budget with shelves and baskets is full of cheap and easy ideas to keep all your food visible and easy to access!
Let’s be honest – pantries are the hardest spaces to keep tidy because they’re in constant flux. Food comes in, food goes out, and somehow the shelves always end up looking like a food explosion. This guide is for the rest of us: the people who weren’t born with an organizing gene but still want a pantry that works. No Pinterest-perfect glass jars with three almonds inside – just real, budget-friendly solutions that actually survive a busy family.
1. How to organize the pantry…
Before you buy a single basket or label, take a breath. Organizing a pantry is a process, not a one‑day miracle. Set aside a few hours (or split it over two days), gather your supplies, and prepare to be ruthless. The goal is visibility and accessibility – if you can’t see it, you won’t eat it, and it will go to waste.
2. Gather Supplies
Don’t you dare go shopping for pretty containers yet! You’ve got some work to do first, my friend. Here’s what you’ll need to get started: a few hours of designated time (maybe over 2 days), some cardboard boxes or baskets to sort into, post‑it notes, a pen or marker, a shop‑vac or flexible hose vacuum, cleaning wipes or spray, and a trash can and recycle bin close by. Keep these close so you can work efficiently.
3. Pull Everything Out & Declutter
This can get overwhelming, so take it one shelf at a time. Throw away stale chips, expired anything, old opened bags of snacks no one likes, and that questionable jar of pickles from 2019. Ask yourself: Are we really going to eat this?
Unlike your grandma’s wedding dress, the stakes are lower here – it’s a can of beets, not a family heirloom. I once found an unopened box of turmeric tea from a healthy spree and almost kept it. But I asked myself honestly: would I ever drink it? The answer was no, so out it went. Your pantry space is valuable – don’t waste it on things you’ll never use.
4. Make Categories As You Go
As you pull things out, begin sorting them into categories. It’s okay if you haven’t nailed them down yet – just get a rough idea. My current categories include snacks, pasta & grains, sauces, condiments, cereal, canned goods, Asian food, breakfast, fruit & nuts, and rice. I also have drawers for a few specific items. Your categories will depend on your space and what makes sense to you – sort by meal, country, or whatever helps you cook faster. And it’s perfectly fine to have a “miscellaneous” bin, as long as it doesn’t become a black hole.
Who knew I had 5 unopened bottles of sesame oil? Exactly – categorizing helps you see your duplicates and stop buying what you already have.
5. Clean As You Go
This is the perfect moment to wipe down your shelves, vacuum up onion skins, and scrub those sticky spots you’ve been ignoring. A clean canvas makes the rest of the process so much more satisfying.
6. Line Your Shelves
If you have wire shelving like I do, plastic shelf liner is a lifesaver. It prevents leaks from dripping down to the next level. Just roll it out and cut it to size with scissors – quick, cheap, and effective.
7. Decide Where Everything Will Go
Think about who uses the pantry and how. I put snacks down low so the kids can reach them without dragging step stools across the kitchen. Juice boxes and lunch supplies also live on the bottom shelves. You can see our school lunch‑packing station here. Place frequently used items at eye level and heavier things on lower shelves.
8. Shop For Containers
Now that you can see what you have, you know what you need. I love low bins and baskets because they corral items while still letting you see and grab things easily. I used woven plastic baskets from Amazon that have a wicker look but wipe clean easily – because spills happen. Measure your shelves before you shop! Your bins should be almost as deep as your shelves to maximize space.
Here are my favourite pantry storage baskets and bins – durable, sturdy, and easy to keep clean:
Over time, I’ve added a chrome canned food storage rack – it’s a game changer. Now I can see at a glance that I have five jars of mayo and definitely don’t need more. I also added modular drawers on the floor level for onions, potatoes, and kid snacks. They’re 18″ deep and make excellent use of that awkward bottom space.
9. Put everything away.
This is the fun part – placing everything into its new home. Follow your category plan, stack like with like, and remember: the goal is that you can see everything at a glance. No more digging to the back of a dark shelf.
10. Label Everything!
Labels may seem like an afterthought, but don’t skip this step! They help everyone in the household (including guests) know where things belong, which makes long‑term maintenance so much easier. I made easy wood chalkboard labels for the baskets and shelves, and used chalkboard sticker labels for the drawers. Keep extra labels on hand because your categories will evolve, and you’ll want to change them without a fuss.
11. Pantry Organizers
A. Chalkboard Sticker Labels – from Amazon
B. Stackable Pantry Can Organizer – from Walmart
C. Vinyl Shelf Liner – from Amazon
D. Motion Sensor Lights – from Amazon
E. Modular Stacking Drawers – from Target
F. Tall Pantry Storage Basket
G. Low Pantry Shelf Storage Basket
H. Deep Sterilite Ultra Basket
I. Low Sterilite Ultra Basket
J. BINO Plastic Storage Bins
12. A few more things to consider as you organize your pantry…
- Visibility & access: The ultimate goals are to see everything and easily reach (and put away) everything.
- Shallow shelving is better than deep shelving unless you have drawers or slide‑outs – it prevents things from getting lost in the back.
- Light and bright works best – if your pantry is dark, paint the walls and shelves a bright white. It made a huge difference in my mom’s pantry.
- Add lighting – motion sensor LED strip lights are an easy upgrade.
- Balance pretty with utility – matching containers feel more organised, but this is a working space. Don’t stress if it doesn’t look like a Pinterest photo with only four glass jars. (Where do those people keep the rest of their food?)
- Maintenance: Take 15 minutes every month to check that everything is in its place and tweak categories as needed.
13. More Kitchen Organization Ideas…
- How to Organize A Pantry with Deep Shelves (So You Can Actually Find Things!)
- Easy DIY Giant Magnetic Spice Rack
- Create a School Lunch-Packing Station
- How to Organize Baking Supplies
- Small Laundry Room Makeover
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you organize a small pantry on a budget?
Start by emptying everything, decluttering ruthlessly, and grouping items into categories. Use inexpensive baskets, bins, and shelf liner to corral items. Focus on visibility – shallow shelves or bins that pull out help you see everything without spending a fortune. Dollar stores and big‑box retailers have affordable containers that work just as well as premium brands.
What are the best containers for pantry organization?
Look for containers that are durable, easy to clean, and fit your shelf depth. Low, wide baskets work well for most items because they let you see and grab things easily. Clear bins are great for visibility, but opaque baskets with labels can look cleaner. For canned goods, a stepped rack makes a huge difference. Always measure your shelves before buying!
How do I keep my pantry organized long‑term?
The secret is maintenance. Spend 15 minutes once a month checking that everything is in its correct spot. Labels help everyone in the house put things back where they belong. Also, be flexible – your categories will change as your family’s eating habits evolve, so don’t be afraid to rearrange.
Should I decant everything into glass jars?
Only if it works for your lifestyle. Glass jars look beautiful but can be heavy, breakable, and expensive. They’re great for staples like flour, sugar, and pasta that you use often. For everything else, baskets and bins are more practical. Remember: the goal is a functional pantry, not a museum exhibit.
