A messy kitchen pantry may flourish for months, even years, before grabbing our attention. It is often hidden behind a door allowing the "out of sight, out of mind" reflex to kick in, and we move onto to something more visually urgent like dishes piling up in the sink. However, I will argue that organizing your pantry is the project that will have the most impact on your kitchen, consider the following benefits:
Why Organize the Pantry
1. Saves money by identifying what you're using.
Also, helpfully, what you're not using, and what you've bought in duplicate (or in same cases, triplicate).2. Allows you to take stock of your cooking habits.
I once got ambitious and bought a small amount of saffron, which as most cooks know is very, very expensive. That saffron sat in my pantry and moved with me, unopened, to 2 different apartments. When I finally tossed it, I realized I was still in the beginning stages of home cooking and only bought the saffron because I thought I should own it. If you go out on a limb and buy a new product, commit to using it that day or week. If not, it will only be taking up room in your pantry.3. Tells you what you should and should not buy in bulk.
I make oatmeal daily for breakfast so I buy a mason jar full once a week from Whole Foods. I realized when clearing out my cabinets that I could actually stock up and buy a month's full. Pasta however, was languishing at the back of my pantry. From now on, I'm only buying pasta when I plan to make it that day or week for dinner. (Read more of my personal organizing strategies in Help Me Organize!)We'll begin organizing the pantry with decluttering. I'll tell you which items to let go, and which is keep and re-organize. I'll show you how: How to Declutter Pantry
Kitchen Pantry Organization
Everything you need to know to organize your kitchen pantry.
Kitchen Organization Guide
Enroll in Kitchen Organization 101 to learn the best techniques, tips, and tools to keep your entire kitchen free of clutter, organized, and in good working order.
