Best Pantry Layout

Having an organized food area is an important part of an efficient kitchen, but what is the best way? If you struggle with organizing, this guide on the Best Pantry Layout will help get you on track.

Layouts are an important part of good pantry organization, and this guide is a great place to begin.

Being organized can save you not only time but money as well. Nowhere is this more true than in your kitchen pantry.

Just like in a grocery store, where you keep things matter more than you might realize.

Stock rotation, good lighting, airtight containers, and convenient storage all work together for a streamlined setup.

How does your pantry look now?

Before deciding on the layout, look at how you have things set up now. Ask yourself the following questions to determine if adjustments are needed for a more efficient space.

1. Do you have enough space?
2. Are there any areas that are difficult to access?
3. Is everything visible?
4. Is the lighting sufficient?
5. Is the floor being utilized?
6. Are there any areas that are not being used efficiently?

Make a list of updates needed to update this area into a space that will allow you to use up food before it goes bad.

What belongs in a kitchen pantry

The main purpose of a pantry is to store food, specifically dry goods, in an organized way, allowing you to find ingredients quickly.

Today, pantries have grown in size, so many now have the space for other things such as paper goods, bulk food items, seasonal dishes, and small appliances.

By utilizing all areas, you will be able to store more in your pantry than you might realize.

A Pantry’s Prime Real Estate

Prime real estate is any areas that are easy for you to reach, not your 6-foot-tall spouse, but you. The best area is anywhere between your chin and hips. That area is your sweet spot, and where you will want to store food and other items, you use most often.

If, for example, you use pouch mixes each day for dinner, you will want to keep a basket of those mixes within easy reach.

On the opposite end, you will want to keep things you use less frequently in those hard-to-reach areas, such as the top shelf, a corner area, or the floor.

Let’s break it down:

Prime Real Estate – Chin to Hip

1. Frequently used foods
2. Heavy items you use at least weekly
3. Spices and seasonings
4. Oils and marinades

Top Shelf – Lightweight items

1. Paper towels and napkins
2. Paper plates
3. Food wrap

Hard to reach corners – Seasonal items

1. Holiday plates
2. Seasonal appliances

Lower Shelves and Floor – Heavy items

1. Small appliances
2. Bulk food storage

Use the areas you have to your advantage, and you will instantly transform your entire layout.

Consider the Size and Shape of Your Pantry

The size and shape of your pantry will play a big role in determining the best layout for you. Some pantries are small and narrow, while others may be large and spacious. Take measurements of your pantry to understand how much space you have to work with.

Use those numbers to add in additional shelving, pull-out drawers, or wall organizers.

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Utilize Vertical Space

One great way to maximize storage in a pantry is by utilizing vertical space. This can be done through shelf risers, hanging shelves, hanging produce bags, or even stacking bins.

Using vertical space allows you to double the amount of storage in your pantry without taking up extra floor space.

DM Pro Tip: If you are short on space, try hanging produce bags from the ceiling. Use these bags to store onions, garlic, and potatoes.

Keep Like Items Together

Another key to an organized pantry is keeping similar items together. This allows you to easily find what you need and prevents food from getting lost in the back of shelves.

Consider grouping items into categories such as baking supplies, canned goods, snacks, and breakfast items.

If you have never used categories to organize, read our Pantry Category List to get started.

Design Your Pantry Layout

Now that you have an idea of where you are and where you want to be, you can begin laying things out.

1. Use a piece of paper to draw a rough draft of where you want to put things in your pantry.
2. Group like items together in areas that make sense to you.
3. Write each area on a sticky note.
4. Go into your pantry and place sticky notes for each area you wrote on your layout.
5. Look things over to be sure you have enough space.
6. Move sticky notes around until you are happy with the layout.
7. Bring in any storage containers you plan to use.
8. Consider using clear storage containers for dry goods such as flour, sugar, and rice. This not only keeps them fresh but also makes it easy to see when you are running low and need to restock.
9. Leave empty space on shelves for new purchases or seasonal items.
10. Label shelves or bins so everyone knows where things belong.

If you are still short on space, there are a few more areas you can consider in your design.

Utilize Door Space

Don’t forget about the door! The inside of your pantry door can serve as valuable storage space. You can hang wire racks, spice racks, or even a shoe organizer with pockets to hold smaller items like packets or spices.

You can also use this space to hang a whiteboard or chalkboard to keep track of shopping lists, meal plans, food inventories, or reminders.

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Use Under-Shelf Baskets

If you have shelves with enough vertical space between them, under-shelf baskets can be a great way to utilize that extra space. These baskets slide onto the shelf above and can hold items like chips, snacks, spices, or smaller jars.

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Add Drawer Organizers

If you are lucky enough to have drawers in your pantry, be sure you are utilizing that space efficiently. Use tension rods, baskets, and top labels to help you see things clearly.

Drawers are great for storing food, spices, and snacks. You can also use drawers to store baking sheets, cutting boards, or food storage bags and foil.

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Make Use of Wall Space

If you have room on the walls near your pantry, add hooks to hang items like aprons and oven mitts. You can also use a clear wall holder for mixes and seasoning pouches.

This frees up space inside your pantry and keeps frequently used items within easy reach.

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Consider a Rolling Cart

A rolling cart can be a great addition to your pantry organization strategy and will help you utilize the floor more efficiently. These carts are shallow and can easily fit under the bottom shelf.

You can use it to store items you don’t need daily, such as small appliances like a crock pot or air fryer. The wheels make it easy to move around and access those items when needed.

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Achieving the best pantry layout is about making thoughtful use of every inch of space while setting each area up to meet your specific needs. By incorporating smart storage solutions like door-mounted organizers, under-shelf baskets, and rolling carts, your pantry can become both functional and efficient.

These steps will get you on your way to an organized pantry layout, transforming this food storage area into a streamlined and functional space.

More Pantry Tips:

Get even more tips on decluttering, cleaning, and organizing your kitchen pantry.

1. How to Organize a Pantry Floor
2. How to Organize a Pantry With Wire Shelves
3. How to Maximize Space in a Pantry