How to Organise the Perfect Kitchen Pantry
Make sure your dried goods and preserves are stashed in style, even in a small kitchen
Whether you have a large or small pantry – or are simply using a drawer or existing cupboard to stash kitchen gear and dried goods – make sure it’s beautifully well ordered. When you’re cooking up a storm, you don’t want to mess up your timings by not being able to find something fast enough.
There are so many different options, shapes and sizes to consider when designing a pantry that choosing how to organise it can be tricky. Here are some tips to help you order your space, whether it’s a single cupboard or a dedicated room.
There are so many different options, shapes and sizes to consider when designing a pantry that choosing how to organise it can be tricky. Here are some tips to help you order your space, whether it’s a single cupboard or a dedicated room.
Go bespoke in small spaces
If you have a small space, work out what you want to store and have a carpenter build shelves to your requirements. Here, the homeowners have narrower shelves for their teas and spreads, and taller, split ones for the microwave and cereals.
Really think (and measure!) what you will use the cupboard for before having it made. This also means you’ll be able to fit more in, as using narrower shelves for smaller items will maximise the space. Don’t forget to think about the position – make sure the items you use most frequently are on easy-to-reach shelves.
Nose around a sleek, minimal kitchen in a period London house with bags of storage
If you have a small space, work out what you want to store and have a carpenter build shelves to your requirements. Here, the homeowners have narrower shelves for their teas and spreads, and taller, split ones for the microwave and cereals.
Really think (and measure!) what you will use the cupboard for before having it made. This also means you’ll be able to fit more in, as using narrower shelves for smaller items will maximise the space. Don’t forget to think about the position – make sure the items you use most frequently are on easy-to-reach shelves.
Nose around a sleek, minimal kitchen in a period London house with bags of storage
Divide (and conquer) your drawers
Even if you don’t have a pantry, drawer organisers are a great way of making sure things like herbs and spices are easily to hand when you’re cooking. They look stylish, too, so no more messy drawers.
There are lots of different designs and combinations out there, or consider using sock or jewellery drawer dividers to create different depths and sizes, depending on what you’re storing.
Even if you don’t have a pantry, drawer organisers are a great way of making sure things like herbs and spices are easily to hand when you’re cooking. They look stylish, too, so no more messy drawers.
There are lots of different designs and combinations out there, or consider using sock or jewellery drawer dividers to create different depths and sizes, depending on what you’re storing.
Fit folding doors
If you like the idea of having a pantry but don’t have the space for a walk-in one, then creating a wall of folding doors is a great way to create a pantry-style display that can easily be hidden when needed. If space is at a premium, you could use sliding doors or pocket doors, which can be tucked away when the cupboard is open.
If you like the idea of having a pantry but don’t have the space for a walk-in one, then creating a wall of folding doors is a great way to create a pantry-style display that can easily be hidden when needed. If space is at a premium, you could use sliding doors or pocket doors, which can be tucked away when the cupboard is open.
Don’t forget door space
Maximise space by fixing spice and oil racks onto the inside of cupboard doors. Not only will this make use of otherwise dead space, it’ll mean your goods are easily visible and accessible. Painting the racks in the same colour as the cupboard doors will mean they blend in and look like part of the design.
See how you can use vintage pieces to boost storage all over the house
Maximise space by fixing spice and oil racks onto the inside of cupboard doors. Not only will this make use of otherwise dead space, it’ll mean your goods are easily visible and accessible. Painting the racks in the same colour as the cupboard doors will mean they blend in and look like part of the design.
See how you can use vintage pieces to boost storage all over the house
Borrow from the blackboard
Another way of labelling jars is by using blackboard paint, or blackboard stickers, and writing on with chalk pens. This stylish, monochrome design also gives unity to your cupboard – when you have a large variety of food packaging it can start to look messy very easily.
Another way of labelling jars is by using blackboard paint, or blackboard stickers, and writing on with chalk pens. This stylish, monochrome design also gives unity to your cupboard – when you have a large variety of food packaging it can start to look messy very easily.
Repurpose
Be creative! Here, specially designed pull-out units have been made for trays, but you could use magazine files for smaller trays and other slim items. Finding designs in the same colour as your pantry or cupboard interior will help to keep an uncluttered look, and will also look more ‘designed’.
Be creative! Here, specially designed pull-out units have been made for trays, but you could use magazine files for smaller trays and other slim items. Finding designs in the same colour as your pantry or cupboard interior will help to keep an uncluttered look, and will also look more ‘designed’.
Double your space with clever doors
By utilising the doors, this mini pantry doubles the amount of storage for smaller jars. The shallow shelves provide easy access and a clear display, meaning no little jars get hidden and forgotten about at the back!
By utilising the doors, this mini pantry doubles the amount of storage for smaller jars. The shallow shelves provide easy access and a clear display, meaning no little jars get hidden and forgotten about at the back!
Build in some pulling power
When you have a deep but not that wide space, using pull-out cupboards is a great way of being able to see everything easily. You can view from both sides, and store different-sized items in them. They also look slick and can blend into your existing kitchen. You could also customise them with fit-in spice racks, baskets for vegetables and wine holders.
When you have a deep but not that wide space, using pull-out cupboards is a great way of being able to see everything easily. You can view from both sides, and store different-sized items in them. They also look slick and can blend into your existing kitchen. You could also customise them with fit-in spice racks, baskets for vegetables and wine holders.
Max your workspace
Have pull-out shelves fitted to maximise workspace. You can store items you use everyday, such as the toaster, on narrow shelves, then simply slide out and use them without having to reposition them – great for small kitchens with limited space.
Have pull-out shelves fitted to maximise workspace. You can store items you use everyday, such as the toaster, on narrow shelves, then simply slide out and use them without having to reposition them – great for small kitchens with limited space.
Work on rotation
Fitting rotating shelves allows you see everything clearly, even in a deep space. You’ll easily be able to see which items you have in, so there will be no doubling up on products because they’re hiding at the back of the cupboard.
Have the shelves made in the same wood as the interior of the cupboard for a seamless and upmarket look. Or you could go for metal shelves for an industrial, modern aesthetic. You could even have a rotating shelf in a small cupboard, if it’s deep enough, if you don’t have space for a full pantry.
Fitting rotating shelves allows you see everything clearly, even in a deep space. You’ll easily be able to see which items you have in, so there will be no doubling up on products because they’re hiding at the back of the cupboard.
Have the shelves made in the same wood as the interior of the cupboard for a seamless and upmarket look. Or you could go for metal shelves for an industrial, modern aesthetic. You could even have a rotating shelf in a small cupboard, if it’s deep enough, if you don’t have space for a full pantry.
Rack ’em up
For cost-effective storage, you can fix racks to a plain wall for storing all your tins, jars and spices. Because the shelves are shallow in this generous and well-ordered pantry, all the items are easily visible. You could also fix racks to the back of your kitchen door or on a blank wall if space is tight – a simple way to create a mini pantry in a small kitchen.
For cost-effective storage, you can fix racks to a plain wall for storing all your tins, jars and spices. Because the shelves are shallow in this generous and well-ordered pantry, all the items are easily visible. You could also fix racks to the back of your kitchen door or on a blank wall if space is tight – a simple way to create a mini pantry in a small kitchen.
Use the full height of your space
If you have a tall room, use all the space available by building shelves or cupboards all the way up to the ceiling; use a library ladder to access the top shelves. If your kitchen is small but has a high ceiling, this could be a great way to add extra storage by building on top of your existing units.
If a ladder would get in the way when not in use you could look at folding boat ladders. The need to use every spare inch on a boat means they are often a great source of inspiration when it comes to designing a small space.
TELL US…
Do you have any clever kitchen storage tricks to share? Post your tips or photos in the Comments below.
If you have a tall room, use all the space available by building shelves or cupboards all the way up to the ceiling; use a library ladder to access the top shelves. If your kitchen is small but has a high ceiling, this could be a great way to add extra storage by building on top of your existing units.
If a ladder would get in the way when not in use you could look at folding boat ladders. The need to use every spare inch on a boat means they are often a great source of inspiration when it comes to designing a small space.
TELL US…
Do you have any clever kitchen storage tricks to share? Post your tips or photos in the Comments below.
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A simple and cost-effective way to store your food is in clear containers. The sealed lids keep goods fresh and you can easily see where things are. For a stylish (and easily replaceable) labelling idea, tie luggage tags around glass jars to identify their contents.