Pantry Organization

I was perusing one of my favorite blogs yesterday evening and read a post about organizing the pantry. Before we continue, I must first give you a short back story.

When we moved into our house, we had incredible help...we're talking like 20-25 people who washed dishes, set up beds, hung clothes in the closet and put food in the pantry. The problem (and blessing) was that I didn't put anything away in my kitchen and therefore, didn't know where anything was located.

We are still in the process of finding what drawer or cabinet works best to hold everything, but the pantry remained untouched. Compounding the problem was the fact that the pantry is very tall and deep. I realize that doesn't sound like a problem, unless you are a short gal like me who also has short arms.

We do have a step stool that used to be kept in the pantry for such reasons...but it has temporarily disappeared. Anyhow, looking at this blog finally motivated me to do something about it and I stayed up way too late getting everything in the right spot.

Now, I hesitate to link the original blog here because it will make mine look bad in comparison...so I will not show you her makeover until you have seen mine first :)

If I were a really good blogger, I would have taken before pictures, but I am not...so just imagine a messy pantry with all my baking items on the top shelf well out of my reach.

Here was the plan:
1) Place frequently used items on the shelves I can easily reach.
2) Arrange like items together so I can find them quickly (baking, canned goods, breakfast foods, etc.)
3) Make use of containers we already own. AKA, spend no $$.
4) Keep it simple so it will be easy for Kory and I both to use it and keep it organized. (No alphabetized canned veggies)

I am really pleased with the way it turned out. You will notice the pantry isn't super full. Part of that is because we have been trying to buy less groceries recently and eat more of what we already have stored away. It is also because I tossed several bags of chip crumbs and a couple containers past their expiration date.

I was thrilled to find the perfect containers around our house for this project. This bowl contains snacks and was a garage sale find from our church in Myrtle Creek.

I bought these mason jars off Craigslist a couple weeks ago for crazy cheap. I am planning to use them everywhere I can..so far in the garden and pantry.

This basket was part of a gift basket I won at a friend's baby shower. It was a Starbucks basket, which was funny since I don't like coffee at all. I ended up re-gifting the coffee and mug for a friend's birthday, but held onto the basket because I knew it would come in handy someday.

This bottom shelf is usually home to the step stool. I guess I better go find that now while I am thinking about it.

Finally, as promised, the original blog that inspired me. I don't really have any desire to be as organized as Jen as I think it is a little over the top personally, but it motivated me enough to get off my bum and do something, so I call that a success.