Image Courtesy of Tidy Mom

If one of your new year’s resolutions is to get organized, your pantry is a great place to start. It’s small (compared to the other parts of the home!) and it’s something you use every day, so you’ll definitely feel the payoff. As with all things, getting started is often the hardest part, so try this plan of attack for the organized pantry you’ve been dreaming of.

Purge

Remove everything and give the walls, shelves, and floor of your pantry a good scrub. A clean space will make you carefully consider everything that goes back in and will help motivate you to keep it tidy. You’ll also be able to take note of the items which haven’t seen the light of day in months, be it appliances or canned goods, and decide if they can be donated.

Think inside the box

Bins, baskets, and canisters are your pantry’s best friends. The right containers can keep you organized, keep your food fresh, save space, and prevent the inevitable waste that occurs when bags aren’t sealed properly. Insider tip: if you’re hoping to cut costs and repurpose receptacles you already own, say mason jars for example, first consider what you’ll put inside. If it’s something that needs to be scooped out by the cup full, the neck might not be wide enough. It might be worth investing in new containers specifically for your upgraded pantry.

Like with like

You’ve probably heard this one before, but group like things together. Finding what you need is so much faster with this method, and doing a quick inventory before hitting up the grocery store becomes simpler, too. This type of organization will also save you money; when you can quickly see what you already have, you won’t mistakenly purchase what you don’t need.. 

Because so much time is spent in the kitchen, and by extension the pantry, you’ll be amazed how the changes you make in this area will affect so much more. And if another change you’re looking to make in the new year includes moving, be sure to call George Moving and Storage to get the job done right!