There are those who take pride in their pantry and there are those who brace themselves for the avalanche every time they rummage inside. Are you constantly rummaging through shelves of food, trying to find what you need? If so, it’s time to get organized!

Here are a few benefits of organizing your pantry:

● Save time: When you know where everything is, you can find what you need quickly and easily. This is especially helpful when you’re in a hurry to cook dinner or make a snack.

● Save money: When you can see what you have on hand, you’re less likely to buy things that you don’t need. This can help you reduce food waste and save money on your grocery bill.

● Reduce stress: A cluttered pantry can be stressful. When you can’t find what you need or when things are expiring, it can lead to frustration and wasted time.

Organizing your pantry can help you create a more peaceful and relaxing kitchen space. If you’re ready to get started, here are a few tips for organizing your pantry:

1. Start with a clean slate. The first step is to empty out your pantry and give it a thorough cleaning. Make sure to get rid of anything that you don’t need or use. This includes expired food, damaged packaging, and items that you just don’t use anymore.

2. Group like items together. This will make it easier to find what you’re looking for when you’re cooking. The categories I have in my pantry are baking, cans, snacks, sauces, nuts/dried fruit, pasta, grains, crackers, and treats. These are the categories that work for me but yours may look totally different. Take stock of what you have and choose categories that make sense for you.

3. Measure your space. Most people buy containers first and then find that they don’t fit. Make sure to measure first so you avoid buying containers that won’t work in your space.

4. Use containers and baskets. Packaging takes up valuable real estate in your pantry. Decant whatever you can into clear canisters such as the OXO Pop collection. A more budget-friendly option is the Brightroom Canister set from Target. Clear canisters like these will help you see how much you have at a glance and avoid buying duplicates. The best food products to decant are things that you always have on hand. At a minimum, I would recommend decanting flour and sugar since their packaging is not sturdy. Many other baking products such as baking soda and cocoa are also good candidates for decanting. Decanting into air-tight containers will also help keep your food fresher for longer. For everything else, I would recommend using bins to group like items together. I like these Brightroom Bins but choose whichever bin suits your style and space.

5. Label everything. I would not recommend skipping this step as this will help you and other members of your household find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. You can use a label maker, chalkboard labels, pre-made labels or simply write on the containers with a marker.

6. Utilize the available space. If you have limited space, you can use vertical storage options, such as hanging shelves or a shoe organizer for cans. Some pantries do well with lazy susans or tiered shelving.

7. Keep it simple. Don’t over-complicate your pantry organization system. Choose a system that works for you and your family and stick to it. Make sure it’s easy to maintain so that it can stay organized and functional.

Organizing your pantry may seem like a daunting task, but it’s worth it in the long run. A well-organized pantry can save you time, money, and stress. It can also make your kitchen a more relaxing place to be. If you’re not sure where to start, follow the tips above. And don’t forget to maintain your pantry once you’ve organized it. By putting everything back where it belongs after each use, you can keep your pantry tidy and make it easy to find what you need.

What is your favorite pantry organization tip? Share it with us in the comments below!