Genius Pantry Organization Ideas You’ll Absolutely Love

It’s the time of year when pantry organization ideas are on my mind.  Fall makes me want to clean out and get everything in order before the colder weather comes.  I like to make sure our pantry is well stocked and free of expired foods so I can throw together a meal quickly.  Trips to the store after a long day at work are no fun.  Having everything on hand so I can come home and cook a meal is helpful.

A little organization can go a long way in helping you plan meals and quickly prepare them.  I am sorely lacking when it comes to meal planning.  However, I do like to open my pantry and be confident that I have all the ingredients for our favorite go-to meals.  Here are some organization ideas to help you get your pantry in great shape for the upcoming winter.

Clear Out and Wipe Down

The first thing you need to do is take EVERYTHING out of your pantry and wipe it down with your favorite cleaning solution.  Bags sometimes tear open, and food occasionally spills out.  Give everything a good wipe-down while the pantry is empty.

Toss Expired Food

Nothing is worse than needing an ingredient only to find it expired.  Look on every box, bag, and can for expired items.  Some canned foods can go a little longer, but just in case, here is a handy food expiration best practices site.  You’d be surprised how much of your food expires without realizing it.  This will free up some extra room.

Group And Organize

I like to group and organize my cans and types of food together with the labels facing out.

This makes it easier to see how much of an item I have on hand.  I generally like to keep 5 of each item in our pantry.  This saves a lot of trips to the grocery store.

Consolidate

Sometimes, it makes sense to consolidate things into containers for easier storage.  Cookies, crackers, and cereals often occupy so much room with bulky boxes and packages.  Putting them into containers can save space.  Here are some great room-saving ideas:

Shazo Airtight Container Set for Food Storage – 8 Piece Set + FREE 18 Chalkboard Labels – Strong Heavy Duty Plastic – BPA Free – Modular Design Storage – Clear Plastic w/Visual Window Easy Lock LidsSPACE SAVER Food Storage Airtight Pantry Containers [Set of 10] 1.6L /54oz + 14 Measuring Cup/Spoons + 18 FREE labels & Marker – Ideal for Sugar, Flour, Baking Supplies – Clear Plastic – LeakproofReusable Silicone Food Storage Bags,WOHOME Airtight Seal Food Preservation Bags/Food Grade/Versatile Preservation Bag Container for Vegetable,Liquid,Snack,Meat,Lunch,Fruit,/2xLarge 50oz+4xSmall 30ozDWËLLZA KITCHEN Airtight Food Storage Containers with Lids – 6 Piece Set/All Same Size – Medium Air Tight Snacks Pantry & Kitchen Container – Clear Plastic BPA-Free – Keeps Food Fresh & DryBAYKA Food Storage Containers with Lids, 6 Pieces Set Airtight Food Containers with Chalkboard Labels, Interchangeable Lock Design & Heavy Duty BPA Free PlasticDWËLLZA KITCHEN Airtight Food Storage Containers – Pantry Snacks Kitchen Container, Baking Supplies, 4LB Sugar & Flour Canister – 4 Pc Set All Same Size – Clear Plastic BPA-Free – Keeps Fresh & Dry

Replenish

After you’ve taken stock of everything in your pantry, add the items you need to replenish to a list immediately so you don’t forget to buy them.

Pantry organization is everything!  Having your favorite items on hand and organized in your pantry saves time, but in the event of an emergency, it can save you money and needless worry.  Think of bad weather when you can’t get out.  Even personal financial disasters can be eased by knowing you have a stocked pantry to get you through for a while.

Stocking The Pantry

It’s becoming difficult to fill your pantry because of rising food prices, but using digital and paper coupons can save even more money and keep stocking up without breaking the bank.  Check out this guide on Mastering the Art of Couponing on The Frugal Mompreneur to learn how to use coupons and stretch your dollar further.

Want more organization tips?  See how I organized my closet using the KonMari Method.