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If I lived alone, I swear, I might not be the most organized person in the world, but I would have a tidy home in which I knew where everything was. My pantry is like a microcosm of the rest of my house. By that I mean it’s pretty and organized for 15 minutes and then it’s a disaster.
Oh, sure, I’ll clean it out and organize once every three months or so and assume that since I’m going to put everything back nice, then everyone else will, too. Right?
Ha, you know that’s not right! Here’s why. For everyone else, the pantry is to get a snack. For ME? The pantry is to figure out what in the world I’m going to throw together tonight for dinner and oh, while I’m here, do I have any chocolate chips?
Then, I blame it not staying organized because I have wire shelving. I feel like it’s so annoying (and not cute). How do you organize a pantry with wire shelves? After researching, we put together the most comprehensive guide.
How To Organize A Pantry With Wire Shelves
Before you start organizing, it’s crucial to understand your pantry’s layout. Do you have a walk-in pantry? Are all of your shelves wire? You can use wire shelving to its full potential by understanding its strengths and weaknesses. Its open design allows air to circulate, preventing mold, but small items can easily fall through the gaps.
Assess Your Pantry Inventory
Declutter
First, empty your pantry and take stock of everything you have. Check for expired items and discard them. Donate duplicate appliances, things you never use, or don’t want. Throw away all trash. Then, clean all of your wire pantry shelves before putting anything back in.
Group Similar Items Together
Sort by categories like baking supplies, canned goods, cereals, snacks, etc. This process helps you understand the quantity and variety of your pantry items, which is critical when deciding where to place things on your wire shelving.
Choosing the Right Organizers
While wire shelves provide ample storage, their design can make storing small or unevenly shaped items challenging. The solution lies in using pantry organizers. Here are some options you could purchase:
Bins and Baskets
They provide a flat surface, preventing small food items from slipping through the gaps. Choose clear bins to see what’s inside easily, or label them for quick identification.
Shelf Liners
Plastic shelf liners provide a smooth surface, ideal for storing small items directly on the shelf. Plus, they’re easy to clean.
Lazy Susans
These revolving trays make reaching items at the back easy. They are perfect for storing spices, oils, or condiments.
Can Organizers
They save space and make it easy to access your canned goods like soups.
Risers
These tiered risers give you a solid platform to set your cans, jars, sauces, or dressings on, which is great for your wire pantry shelves. Also, it allows you to see everything and nothing gets forgotten.
Under-shelf Baskets
These attach to the shelf above, providing additional storage space for light items.
Organizing Your Pantry
Once you’ve chosen the proper storage containers, it’s time to arrange your pantry items. The goal is to create a system where everything is visible and easy to access.
Top Shelf
This is an excellent place for rarely used items or bulk storage. Place items in labeled bins to prevent them from being forgotten.
Eye-Level Shelves
These should house your most-used items. Place items like canned goods in a can rack. Likewise, put your dry foods like pasta and rice in clear canisters. Lazy Susans can hold your spices, oils, and sauces.
Lower Shelves
Store heavier items, like bottled drinks and potatoes, on the lower shelves. Use vertical organizers for baking sheets and cutting boards.
Floor Level
If your pantry has floor space, use it for additional storage. You can store large appliances or bulk items here. I use large stackable bins and baskets down there too!
Amazon has tons of basket options in every size and color you could need.
Don’t Forget the Door!
If your pantry has a door, then you just found a crap ton of extra storage space in your pantry.
I mean, just look at all of the STUFF you can put on the door of your pantry? And then you just close the door and all of that stuff is tucked away. This one from Amazon is great because it isn’t very wide and should fit well on the door.
Optimize Pantry Storage
Here we delve deeper into specific organizational strategies, storage solutions, and tips to optimize your pantry’s efficiency.
The Importance of Labels
Labels play a pivotal role in maintaining an organized pantry. They help you quickly identify contents and remind you and your family members where items should be returned. While many opt for traditional sticker labels, you might consider chalkboard labels for a stylish yet functional aesthetic that can be easily changed as needed.
Grouping by Usage
This concept enhances the efficiency of your pantry. Think about how you typically prepare meals and organize ingredients accordingly. For example, if you often bake, consider creating a dedicated baking station on one of your shelves. This would include baking ingredients, measuring cups, and perhaps even your mixer. Similarly, you could group by category of food like breakfast where cereals, oatmeal, and pancake mix go together.
Optimizing Space with Hooks and Clips
Your pantry’s vertical space is often underutilized. Consider attaching S-hooks to the underside of your wire shelves to hang items like aprons, dish towels, or reusable shopping bags. Bag clips with magnets can be used to keep snack bags closed and hang them from the wire shelving, freeing up shelf space.
The ‘Kid-Friendly’ Zone
If you have children, consider designating a lower shelf as a kid-friendly zone. Here, store healthy snacks, juices, and perhaps even their dishes and utensils. This allows children to help themselves, fostering independence and making things easier for you.
Creating a Meal Prep Zone
For those who meal prep, designating a zone in your pantry for this purpose can be a game-changer. This could include your meal containers, pre-portioned snacks, and grouped ingredients for upcoming meals.
Backup Storage System
If you buy in bulk, you may not have enough space to store all items within your pantry. In this case, consider creating a backup storage system in a nearby closet, basement, or laundry room. Store your surplus Costco items here and replenish your pantry as needed.
Maintaining Your Pantry
Organizing your pantry is only half the battle – maintaining it is equally important. Here are some tips:
FIFO Rule
Follow the “First In, First Out” (FIFO) rule. When restocking, place new items at the back and move older ones to the front. This helps prevent food waste due to expired items.
Check Expiration Dates
Regularly check your pantry for expired items. This keeps your pantry fresh and makes room for new items.
Re-evaluate Regularly
Remember, your pantry organization system should be adaptable. As seasons change, you might find certain foods become staples while others are no longer necessary. Don’t be afraid to switch things up and re-organize based on your current needs.
By incorporating these strategies, you’ll create a pantry space that not only looks good but also enhances your cooking and meal-planning efficiency. Wire shelving, despite its potential drawbacks, can be a versatile and effective solution for your pantry if you use the right strategies and tools. No more cereal spills through the slats! Yay!
Are wire shelves good for pantry?
Yes, wire shelves can be excellent for a pantry. They are durable, versatile, and allow for good air circulation, which helps prevent mold. However, their open design can let smaller items fall through, a problem that can be resolved with appropriate bins, baskets, or shelf liners.
How do you make wire pantry shelves solid?
To make wire pantry shelves solid, the most effective solution is to use shelf liners. These liners come in a variety of materials, including plastic, acrylic, and plywood. They’re cut to size and placed on the shelves, providing a solid surface that prevents smaller items from falling through. Plexiglass or thin wooden boards cut to size can also serve as more robust, solid shelf liners.
How can I make my wire pantry shelves look better?
Shelf Liners: These are an immediate way to enhance the look of your wire shelves. Liners come in a variety of colors and patterns, allowing you to add a personal touch. Besides, they provide a flat surface for storing items, preventing them from tipping over or falling through.
Paint: If the original color of your wire shelves doesn’t suit your aesthetic, consider giving them a new coat of paint. Use metal-friendly spray paint in your color of choice. Remember to properly prep your shelves by cleaning them thoroughly and using a primer if necessary.
Wrapping Paper or Wallpaper: For a less permanent solution than paint, consider wrapping your shelves in decorative wrapping paper or wallpaper. You can secure it using clear, adhesive contact paper, which adds durability and makes cleaning easier.
Decorative Edging: Consider attaching a decorative edging along the front of your wire shelves. This could be anything from a simple painted wooden strip to a more elaborate molding, depending on your style.
Clip-on Shelf Covers: Some companies sell clip-on covers specifically designed for wire shelves. These come in a variety of materials and colors, allowing you to change the appearance of your shelves entirely.
Ribbon Weaving: For a more creative touch, weave ribbon or fabric strips in and out of the wire racks. This can add a pop of color and pattern.
Fabric Skirts: If you’d like to hide the contents of your shelves for a neater appearance, consider installing a fabric skirt around the bottom of your wire shelves. Choose a fabric that complements your kitchen decor.
Lighting: Though this doesn’t directly alter your shelves, installing under-shelf lighting can highlight your well-organized pantry and add warmth to your space.