Perfectly organized pantries, shelves full of beautiful containers with consistent labels andneatly stored food– that is the dream of many housewives. Do you also want such a beautiful pantry? We'll show you how to organize your kitchen supplies and get your pantry in order.
Organize kitchen supplies and keep the kitchen tidy
Pantries come in all shapes and sizes: large, small, walk-in, with drawers, shelves, rolling cubbies... and the list goes on. Making the most of a pantry depends on organization. Even if you only have a single pantry, proper organization can do more than just thatmake cooking easier, but also save you from buying unnecessary food that is already in stock. In the article you will find many tips and tricks on how to properly organize your supplies and create more order in your pantry.
Do I actually need a pantry?
If you rarely cook in your own kitchen for one reason or another, you may have asked yourself this question. The answer is simple. No matter how much time you spend in the kitchen, you will always need space for the food that doesn't belong in the fridge. A missing pantry is considered one of themost common furnishing mistakes in the kitchen. Without such a cupboard, packaged food is stored in all the drawers and kitchen cupboards, where it is forgotten and after a while ends up in the trash. With a well-organized pantry, you always have everything to hand - regardless of whether you're cooking a meal or simply looking for something to snack on.
How can I organize my kitchen supplies?
There is no one right way to organize your inventory. The size of your pantry and its organization will depend on your personal needs and the space available in the kitchen. If you cook and bake in the kitchen every day, then you may need a larger cupboard for your kitchen supplies. Families with two or more children can even benefit from a separate pantry. Well-stored food lasts longer and you don't have to go shopping every day, but can do a bulk purchase once a week.
Properly organizing your kitchen supplies requires some planning. Think about what foods you eat every day and pay a little more attention to them. For example, if you bake frequently, you should pour baking ingredients such as flour, sugar, baking powder, cocoa, etc. into suitable containers and organize them on a shelf with easy access. BelongPasta dishes to your family's favorites, then the containers with pasta also deserve a central place in the pantry. The main thing is that the groceries are organized so that you can quickly find what you are looking for.
Tips for more order in the pantry
Having organized kitchen supplies saves you time and money by avoiding unnecessary double purchases. To avoid chaos in the pantry, you should organize all your food clearly. It's best to store all your supplies in a single cupboard rather than stacking them upvarious kitchen cabinets and drawersto distribute. Ideally, the pantry should have drawers and pull-outs so that everything can find its place.
Transfer dry supplies
Transferring food eliminates pantry clutter. Food comes in very different packaging. If everything has to go into one cupboard together, it creates real chaos. It is therefore worth removing some products from their original packaging and putting them into large containers straight away. We have listed some reasons for decanting food:
- More order in the pantry
- Longer shelf life of opened products
- No pests such as moths and mealworms
- Easier application
Extra tip: Before transferring the food, clean the containers and let them dry well. No moisture should remain.
Organize baking drawer
Every hobby baker knows it: the products for baking belong in a separate baking drawer. Especially if you like to experiment with different ingredients, such as gluten-free flours, spices and flavors, then having a place for baking ingredients is essential. Of course, it doesn't necessarily have to be a drawer. The main thing is that everything necessary for baking is in one place.
Store spices properly
The spices give your dishes the flavor and should not be missing in any kitchen. If you would like to store these in the pantry, there are a few options. First and foremost, it is important to decant the spices and label the containers. The spices can then be arranged, for example, in a separate drawer or on a special spice rack or carousel. A multi-level spice rack is ideal for a deep pantry and makes it easier to keep an overview. However, if the cupboard for the kitchen supplies is small, then it is better to use a spice rack on the cupboard door.
Do you also want to organize your kitchen supplies? Below you will find a step-by-step guide on how best to do this.
Organize your pantry in 6 steps
1. Clear everything out of the closet
Take everything out. Make sure the countertop or kitchen table is empty so you can get an overview and sort your supplies. Once the pantry is empty, thoroughly clean the shelves.
2. Clear out old supplies
Now look at what supplies you already have. Check the best-before date of each food and throw away anything past its use-by date. Even if the best-before date has not yet been exceeded, but the product looks spoiled or smells bad, it has no place in your pantry. Create a shopping list now so that you don't forget basic foods later.
3. Sort into categories
After you've cleared your pantry of old kitchen supplies, group the remaining contents into categories. For example, you can divide the food into baked goods, cereals, cans and jars, spices, pasta, legumes, etc. This way the organization process will be much faster. Also set aside food that has not yet passed its best before date but is never consumed in your home. You can give these away or donate them to a food bank.
4. Use suitable containers
To make the most of your pantry space, use clear containers for your food. These keep them fresher for longer and make them easier to use because you don't have to spoon them into numerous bags and boxes. Choose containers that can be stacked on top of each other. These should also be large enough so you don't end up with half bags of food that won't fit. Label all containers so you know what's inside. This means you can always find what you need at a glance. Also don't forget to write down the best before date.
5. Organize supplies
Now comes the organization of the products. Decide which foods you want to refill and which ones will stay in their original packaging. The food that is not being transferred can be placed in crates, baskets or boxes. For example, you can use a separate box for cans and another for glasses. Or you can organize the foods by type, for example, cooking, baking, breakfast, etc. Choose a method that would provide you with the most relief. This way the pantry looks cleaner and you know exactly where to find a specific product.
6. Clean up the pantry again
You then arrange the filled containers on the shelves in the pantry. There is no specific order. It's best to place products that you use often at eye level and those that are only used now and then, as well as replacement packs, higher up. If possible, you should also bring the slightly older supplies forward and use them first. Also, try not to overfill the pantry. Leave some space between containers, boxes and baskets, otherwise the cupboard can quickly become disorganized again.
Tips for proper storage
One thing is for sure: kitchen supplies save time and effort. You should stock up on supplies, especially if there is no supermarket around the corner. This way you don't panic if someone comes to visit spontaneously or the child suddenly gets hungry for a certain dish. If your pantry purchases are planned correctly, you can also save money.
Organize kitchen supplies: list of groceries
While stockpiling is no longer essential to survival as it once was, it can still be very helpful. Check out the list below for the common foods you should have at home. The list is an example and you can adapt it to your needs. Always take a look at the list when you do a stock check.
Staple food with a long shelf life
- Flour
- semolina
- Reis
- sugar and powdered sugar
- Noodles
- baking powder
- Baking soda
- Cornstarch
- Bruhepulver
- Muesli and cornflakes
Oils and sauces
- oil for frying
- olive oil
- Vinegar
- Tomato paste
- soy sauce
Spices
- Salt
- black pepper
- Chili
- Paprika
- Thymian
- Oregano
- Ten
- marjoram
- Curry
- Bay leaves
- vanilla sugar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Star anise
cans and jars
- Honig
- Marmalade
- Lenses
- Beans
- Tomatoes
- Peas
- tuna
- More
- Sauerkraut
- Mustard
- Olive
- Rotkohl
Drinks
- Coffee
- Tees
- Bier
- Wein
- Juices
Nibbles
- Chocolate
- Cookies
- Nuts
- Pretzel sticks
In addition to all of these foods, fresh supplies such as potatoes, onions and other fruit and vegetables can also be kept in the pantry if suitable baskets are used. You can add to this list as you like so that the kitchen supplies in the cupboard suit your family. We wish you good luck organizing your kitchen supplies!
