Maeve Richmond
- May 16, 2017
- 5 min read

Ask Maeve: My pantry is in desperate need of organization

Maeve helps a reader get a handle on her high traffic pantry. #organizing

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Hi Maeve! Oh my goodness, do I have a couple of spaces in desperate need. The first space is the pantry. You cannot move in it, and it is not laid out functionally at all. There is literally ‘stuff’ everywhere. I would love to have it organized and functional, but I have no idea where to begin. The second space is the master bedroom closet. It is a walk in closet, but you can’t tell because there is literally no floor space showing. Can you help? - Brooke in Kentucky

Dear Brooke,

Good news! I’ve got tips that will help you to organize your pantry and your closet. I see closets as extensions of the rooms they support. So, the pantry supports the kitchen, and the closet supports the bedroom. And when it comes to getting organized, similar concepts apply.

I’m going to guide you step by step through a pantry #makeover. Then, when you are done, you can try this same approach with your closet. Just replace ‘kitchen’ with ‘bedroom’ and ‘pantry items’ with ‘clothes’ to get the job done. It’s time to embrace these two neglected havens, and turn them into working, functional spaces. I can’t wait to hear how it goes!

Brooke's 'before' - a busy room with a bit too much going on

Step 1. Set a Clear Intention

Yes, I agree, the layout in your pantry is challenging (mostly that slanting back wall). But the shape of the room doesn’t need to stop you in your tracks? What grabs my attention most is that the room is serving as a catch-all for wide variety of items, and it’s too much for this tiny space. I also see built-in shelves, standing shelves, and things tucked ‘behind’ and ‘to the right’, just because you can.

This tiny room is working too hard! Since you’ve got great cabinet space in your kitchen, the first question I want you to ask yourself is, for what do I really need to use this pantry? Pantries are traditionally used for bulk storage of food, and ‘less frequently used’ or bulk kitchen supplies, like a seasonal blender or extra paper towels. If this is what you are going for, then let’s dedicate this space to that intention, and make it so!

Step 2: Like Things Live Together

Next, empty the contents of one shelf onto a clean and clear #workspace. Pick one item up at a time and ask yourself, “What is this?” Your answer should tell a story. So, less This is a box of Ritz Crackers, and more, These are the crackers that my daughter loves so I like to have a box or two on hand and easy to find at all times. Work to find the story that tells the purpose for each item, not what the item technically is.

Work to find the story that tells the purpose for each item, not what the item technically is.

As you work, make piles of 'like things' in your workspace in what I call categories according to you #CATY. For example, you might have a pile called, ‘easy snack foods for the kids’, another called ‘health and nutritional supplements that my husband and I like’, and another called ‘bulk kitchen supplies”. The goal is to get specific about how these items function in your life. Be honest, and have some fun as you sort – these items have a story to tell about why they are in your life! #likethings

Do this shelf by shelf until you’ve cleared the entire pantry. Once cleared, make a list of your categories. This is important, as what you have determines where you put it back.

Brooke's 'after' - clean, clear, bright and seamlessly integrated

Brooke's 'after' - wow! clean, clear, bright and seamlessly integrated

Step 3: Create Dedicated Shelves

With your pantry cleared, give it a quick sweep. Next, take look at the empty space and ask yourself, how do I want to set this up? A good rule of thumb is: active and frequently used items on middle shelves, less active and bulk items on the floor (for quick access) or way up high and tucked out of the way. Essentially, think about putting things back according to frequency of use.

I’d say fill the built-in shelves to the left first, then move on the the small shelf on the floor. That said, if you find yourself reaching to place something on the smaller low set, trust your gut. Put things back in homes that feel natural and intuitive to you. #frequency

Step 4: Introduce Trays

Brooke introduces plastic trays and weave baskets

With everything back on the shelves it’s time to anchor everything with trays. I love trays! Can’t get enough of them, and I think they will make magic happen in your pantry. Trays are going to visually and physically divide your shelves into

zones. With them in place you’ll no longer have to worry if your ‘categories’ bump all up into each other. #welovetrays

For example, stick all ‘cereals my family loves’ on one tray, and slide a tray of ‘snack foods we keep on hand for guests’ right up next to it. There are tons of tray types to use choose from, so find trays that match your style and go for it – there are no wrong choices here! (here’s some samples to get your brain moving – low cube trays like this or this are my favorite, but for a pantry something like this more bin-like tray might work best, and much cheaper too).

Step 5: Replace & Repurpose The Back Shelf

I teach a lot of parents how to help their little ones become more independent in the kitchen by storing their plates, bowls, cups and favorite foods in easy-to-reach places. If this is something you want to embrace, then the area in front of the slanted wall is the perfect spot for an independent child to help themselves. If you want to keep a shelf there, just get a new, sturdier one, and considering only putting kid-friendly items on it. If you don’t want your child in the pantry, that’s OK, it can still be the kid zone (holding sippy cups, snack bags and lunch boxes). Who knows, in time, you may want your child coming in there – as it’s super nice when they can get their own things, and help themselves! #kidpower

Step 6: Introduce Your Kitchen Decor

If you embrace trays, this alone will help the pantry to look neat, tidy and welcoming. But, another fun idea is to introduce some design elements from the kitchen into the

Brooke adds a splash of color and decor transforming the space.

pantry, so it feels like an extension of the kitchen, and not an add-on. For example, do you have more metal backsplash panels? Why not place some in the pantry along the slanted wall? Or more of that fabulous blue paint? Put a splash of color in the pantry to match the kitchen, or hang one of your fun art items or pictures on the wall. It will draw your eye inward into the pantry, making it feel even more like part of the kitchen family, and also make going in there that much more fun. #decor