How We Organized Our Multipurpose Pantry

Is your pantry closet used for storing more than just food? Among other things, our jack-of-all-trades pantry also serves as a sewing corner, cleaning supply closet, and book storage area. Come and see How We Organized Our Multipurpose Pantry.

In the past, I never used storage containers or labels, or arranged my grocery items in rows of like items. I put cans on one shelf, boxes on another, and had a messy gaggle of everything else on some corner shelves in the pantry. Last Friday, I sent my fifteen-year-old daughter to organize the chaos. After finding a few opened and expired pancake and cake mixes, she suggested we watch some KHLO- C-D (Khloe Kardashian) organizational videos. Although I’ve never watched any of the Kardashians’ shows before, and only vaguely know which Kardashian is which, I was impressed with Khloe’s home organization.

I spent about $75 on a big chip/snack basket, Rubbermaid cereal containers, a handled pet food container, a few bins with colored lids, and a big set of Flip Lock containers from Sam’s Club. I already had some chalkboard labels. I like the idea of chalkboard labels because I can easily change the name on a label if I’m using chalk.

We organized the cans in rows according to the contents. Suprisingly, nearly all the can goods fit on one shelf.

I put low volume items in Flip Lock containers and placed them above the can goods. All of these slightly out of reach items are used once a week or less.

I placed the Little Debbie containers, condiment back-ups, and other often-used items on the most accessible shelf.

Since we’re a homeschooling family, I dedicated several shelves to my children’s book collection, homeschool yearbooks, and etc. The bookshelf at the top of the pantry contains our wedding Bible and books that my 7th and 10th grader will need in the future. I also store my cupcake taker and punch bowl on the top shelf.

The top corner shelf contains my chip/snack basket, and various other clear containers. My husband pointed these pretty bins out at Hobby Lobby. They were 50% off of 24.99. When paired with the 40% off coupon, they were only 8 dollars. I love the colored lids.

The second corner shelf contains pet food and a basket filled with Ramen noodles and tostadas. My tablescape plates cover the bottom corner shelf. I keep open plastic bins filled with yarn, ribbon, and other craft supplies below the pantry shelves.

I decorated my little storage haven with a sewing mantra, a rooster print, and a plaid curtain on a tension rod. There’s a friendly rooster rug on the floor in front of the shelves. Pantry closets and laundry rooms are places where you can display quirky decor items without judgement.

The space above my sewing shelf holds the cereal containers, trash bags, and my sewing storage. The Sprint bag houses my huge cookie cutter collection. My Dad worked for Sprint Telephone, so the tote bag is special.

The baby dresser next to the sewing area has chargers, platters, and a coffee pod basket on top. I store holiday dishes and linens inside the drawers. My mother-in-law found this little dresser at a flea market years ago. Before we added onto our house we used it for storage in our galley kitchen.

The sewing corner holds my embroidery machine and my regular sewing machine. I have a sewing room print, thread spool holder, framed embroidered letters that spell “sew,” and a marker board to keep a running list of sewing supplies that I need to order. There is plently of room to sit and sew in here if I want solitude. If I want to watch tv while I sew, I can carry my machine to the dining room table. My in-laws made the gorgeous sewing chair from a dining room chair. They upholstered it with sewing material and put wheels on the bottom. It slides easily under the sewing machine cabinet that holds an old Singer straight-stitch machine that I bought for $20 at a silent auction. You can see the handle of my sewing basket and my tiny sewing trash can just below the chair.

My cleaning equipment hangs beside my beach and softball bags. If you install hangers for your brooms, mops, and tote bags, you will use them and your life will be more organized. I leave sunscreen, bandaids, and other necessary items in my totes so I can grab a few beach towels (or softball snacks) and go. Storage hangers like my over the door iron and ironing board holder keep useful items accessible, yet out of the way.

When my son brought his little refrigerator back from college we placed it in the pantry and have been filling it with Coke and Gatorade ever since. My amazing new Yeti Roadie cooler is ready for a trip to the beach or the ballpark at all times.

I feel happy and blessed to have such a big, merry place to store my stuff. I’m even more satisfied, now that it’s neat and efficient. I hope you enjoyed How We Organized Our Multipurpose Pantry!

Blessings,

Kristie

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