Reset Kitchen – Updated Pantry Organization
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What is lurking in your food stores? Periodically we need to go through our pantry, clean it out, reassess everything and reset the organization. Declutter expired foods or foods you aren’t going to eat and get reacquainted with the things you forgot you had. This year when I was doing this , I wanted to tweak it a little, to better reflect my health goals.
What are your goals for your pantry organization?
Do you have family members that have special dietary needs? Maybe you would like to have their things organized together in one place. Perhaps you have a super busy household and need to make lunches to go for work or school. Are you vertically challenged, like I am, and want things you use regularly more accessible? Perhaps you too would like to eat healthier and less processed foods. Do you lead such a busy life that your pantry quickly becomes a hot mess because systems are not in place to keep it neat? Maybe you would also like to make it more ascetically pleasing.
Setting priorities for the pantry...
In my pantry I want to be able to access my healthy snacks (nuts, etc.) without having to get on the ladder. I also want to not have to move a bunch of things to get to regularly used items. And of course I want it to look pretty. You may want some things accessible to your children so they can help make their lunches for school. Do you need space to keep your pet food and treats?
Consider your containers for pantry organization...
You may want to decant some foods into other containers such as cannisters or jars. This can save space and allow you to see how much is left. Clear, airtight containers are a good choice for foods such as flour, sugar, oats, rice, etc. You can refill them as needed and know when you need to buy more. Single serve items such as granola or protein bars can be put in a basket or bin for easy access. Baskets or opaque bins can hold extra supplies that you don’t want to see. (ie. extra flour, nuts, baking supplies still in original packages.)
*Quick Tip: When shopping for containers, look for a particular colour, or neutral, and a few textures or materials to give a cohesive look. (ie. glass, metal, ceramic, bamboo, wicker, etc.) See-through acrylic bins are also very popular these days for items you want to see.
How I tweaked my pantry organization...
One of my pet peeves has been that I had to struggle to get the things at the back of a cupboard. I don’t mind having to move a couple things to get to my back-stock baskets or things I rarely use. But frequently used items were a pain to get to. To tweak my organization system I have:
- Repurposed a wicker tray and an old Ikea shelf stand.
- Repurposed a round tray and an old turntable aka. lazy Susan board.
- Purchased some narrower glass jars.
- Purchased more glass cannisters from the dollar store.
- Decanted some items into more size-appropriate jars.
Labelling containers...
Labelling containers not only lets you know what is in them if it’s not obvious, but helps others know what is in them. The nutrient list and any directions for preparation can be cut from the original package and adhered to the container’s back or bottom. You may want to write on the expiry dates or the date opened. Your labels can be as simple as writing on some tape, using a label maker, or buying fancy pre-made ones.
As our lives change, so do our pantry needs. Assess your goals, what’s working for you and what isn’t, and do what works for you. Happy organizing!
Watch my lastest video below...
Watch my previous pantry organizing video below...
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