How To Organise Your Pantry

The size and shape of your pantry will impact your organisational approach. Here are the most common pantry types:

• Walk-in pantry: This pantry style provides enough room for you to step inside. It offers ample storage space and easy visibility.
• Butler’s pantry: A separate, concealed space that’s often used for food prep, cleaning or extra storage.
• Pull-out pantry: Often found in small kitchens, this is a narrow unit with sliding shelves that pull forward.
• Corner pantry: A built-in unit that maximises unused corner space.
• Freestanding pantry: This type of pantry is a standalone cabinet that can be added to any kitchen layout.

The first step to creating an organised kitchen pantry is to get the right storage accessories. Here, we’ll give you a rundown of the best items for neat and tidy pantry perfection.

Perfect for storing dry goods such as pasta, rice, flour and cereals, airtight glass jars and canisters help keep ingredients fresher for longer. They also make it easy to spot what you’re looking for!

To create a sophisticated aesthetic, opt for matching sets. Browse Myer’s collection of canisters and jars to find a cohesive set that elevates your pantry.

Maximise vertical space with stackable tubs that make the most of narrow shelves. Clear sides help you see contents easily.

Advantages include:

• Saving space by using the full height of your shelves
• Keeping similar items grouped so nothing goes missing
• Clear sides that make it simple to check stock levels
• Modular shapes that fit neatly together without wasted gaps
• Easy rearranging when it’s time for a quick tidy-up

Discover containers and food storage solutions to bring peace to your pantry.

Storage baskets can give your pantry a bit of natural charm. Whether woven, bamboo or metal, they keep loose items together in style.

Here’s why we love using baskets for pantry organisation:

• Adds warmth and texture to open shelves
• Keeps snacks, packets and bottles grouped neatly
• Makes it easy to pull out a whole category in one go
• Helps hide visual clutter for a cleaner look

When it comes to organised pantry ideas, a spice shelf is a must-have. These make the most of shallow spaces and keep all of your beloved spices within eyesight.  

A lazy susan is especially helpful if you don’t have a lot of pantry space to work with. It will bring order to tricky corners by spinning bottles and sauces into easy reach.  

Advantages include:

• Tiered levels that double your visible storage
• Better access to jars, tins and small bottles
• Reduced clutter and fewer items pushed to the back
• Smooth rotation on a lazy susan for grab-and-go convenience

Labels and organisers turn a busy pantry into a meticulous library. With names and categories marked out, everyone in your household will know exactly where things belong. It helps you track stock at a glance and keeps shelves feeling calm even on busy weeks.

Once you’ve got your hands on some spice shelves and stackable containers, it’s time to start organising. In this section, we’ll provide tips on how to organise a pantry so it looks good and is easy to navigate.

Clear containers and simple labels take the guesswork out of pantry storage. You can see exactly how much is left and where everything lives.

Helpful tips:

• Choose airtight containers to keep food fresher for longer
• Use consistent shapes to maximise shelf space
• Label by item and date so you can track refills
• Keep labels simple so anyone in the household can follow the system

Grouping items by category creates a pantry that feels intuitive and easy to use. When similar things live together, you spend less time searching and more time cooking. It also makes it simple to spot gaps before you shop.

Top tips:

• Keep everyday items like pasta and snacks within easy reach
• Create zones for baking, breakfast, tins and oils
• Place small categories in baskets or tubs to stop items drifting
• Stick to your zones so the system stays clear over time

Keep heavier products like bulk rice, flour or appliances on middle shelves (at waist level) to avoid lifting strain and reduce the risk of spills or accidents. This will make your pantry safer and easier to use.  

Follow these tips for best results:

• Keep large bottles, jars and appliances on sturdy middle shelves
• Avoid placing heavy items up high where they’re harder to control
• Use lower shelves for lighter, less fragile goods
• Check weight limits on shelves if you’re storing bulk staples

Organising pantry shelves should be an ongoing process. Regular decluttering clears out expired goods, frees up shelf space and helps you stay on top of what you truly use.

Here’s how to set a consistent routine:

• Do a quick check every month for expired or stale items
• Wipe shelves as you go to keep surfaces clean
• Rotate older products to the front so nothing is forgotten
• Remove anything you never cook with to make room for what you actually use

The most efficient way to organise a small pantry is to think in layers and zones. Here are some useful organising pantry ideas for smaller spaces:

• Use clear containers, stackable tubs and narrow baskets
• Keep everyday items front and centre, then place occasional ingredients higher or lower
• Labels will guide everything back to its proper home and stop clutter from building up

Keeping your pantry organised long-term is all about small habits. If you want to know how to organise a pantry for longer than a week, the trick is to have a clear system plus regular check-ins.

Follow these tips to stop clutter creeping back in:

• Return items to their category zones after each shop
• Do a quick tidy every week to keep shelves in shape
• Refresh labels when contents change
• Rotate older items to the front so nothing gets forgotten

Both options work, but clear containers usually keep your pantry tidier and easier to navigate. They show stock levels at a glance and stack neatly, while original packaging can be bulky or inconsistent in shape. If you prefer to keep some items in their packets, store them in baskets or tubs so your shelves still feel orderly.

The best way to organise pantry items is to label them in a way that’s consistent. Clear, easy-to-read labels help everyone find what they need and return it to the right spot. Use short names, stick to one label style and refresh them whenever contents change so your system stays accurate and tidy.

Quick tips:

• Use bold, easy-to-read text
• Keep label wording short and clear
• Include refill dates for staples when helpful
• Stick to one label style for a tidy, unified look

As a general rule, it’s best to clean out your pantry every few months to keep shelves fresh and clutter free. A seasonal tidy makes it easier to spot expired items, wipe surfaces and reset your system so it stays easy to use all year round.