Storing Appliances in a Pantry
If you are struggling with clutter in your kitchen, clear things off by storing appliances in a pantry. The easy solution for a neater, more organized kitchen.
This pantry organization tip will keep out the things you use often while creating a home for those you don’t.
I have a weakness for kitchen gadgets.
I don’t know what it is, but seeing a new way to open a can is enough to reach for my wallet. And, seriously, can you ever have too many cooking gadgets?
If you love to cook then I am sure you have a pretty impressive collection yourself. But don’t worry, I am not one of those people that forces folks to declutter things they love and enjoy.
If you love it (or them) and have enough room, then you have met the criteria needed to keep them.
However, if you are short on space, you will need to make some decisions. Decide what will have to go to make room for what you want to keep. Declutter what you do not use, need, or love so you can make space to hold what you do.
Here’s an example.
I love my indoor grill and use it several times throughout the week, but it’s big—actually, it’s huge—and not something I want to have out on my counters all the time.
Having a designated spot to store it, one that is easy for me to get to whenever I want to grill, is the best solution to keeping my kitchen clutter-free.
Where can you store small kitchen appliances?
When it comes to appliances, there are three areas where you can choose to keep them.
- On the kitchen counter.
- In a cabinet or cupboard.
- In the pantry.
Let’s break each of these areas down to give you a better idea for what will work best for you.
Kitchen Counters
I am pretty selfish when it comes to my kitchen counters. I only keep out what I use several times a day.
That means in our home, our coffee makers and toaster are all you will see sitting out. Why? Because having open counters is more appealing to me than having a collection of appliances lined up in a row.
What applainces are best stored on a kitchen counter?
There are no right or wrong answers here other than this: If you use it every day or several times a day, keep it out.
- Coffee maker
- Toaster
- Toaster oven
- Can Opener
Cabinet or Cupboard
If you use an appliance once or twice a week, you can keep it stored away inside a cabinet or cupboard in your kitchen. Look for a space that is near to where you use the item in question. See if you can do a bit of rearranging to make a home that makes sense.
This will allow you to keep your appliances close by without sacrificing any of that beloved counter space.
What appliances are best stored in a kitchen cabinet?
Remember, if you use it weekly it is better to keep it put away yet near to where you commonly use it.
Kitchen Pantry
Finally, you have your kitchen pantry, the last best spot for storing your kitchen gadgets and appliances.
This is a great option for appliances you use occasionally, whether weekly, monthly, or seasonally.
What appliances are best stored in a kitchen pantry?
If you use it occasionally you can free up space by storing it in your pantry or other dry food storage area.
If you have not considered a pantry a good option for extra storage, stick with me as I try to change your mind.
Storing appliances in a pantry
Most folks may think a pantry is meant only for storing food, and you would be correct for a majority of the space, but not all of it.
Cleaning supplies, paper products, seasonal items, and even small kitchen appliances are all great options for your pantry. The trick is most appliances are rather heavy, so you will want to choose a location that is easy to get to without risking injury to your head or your back.
I made the mistake of storing my heavy stand mixer on an upper shelf in my pantry, and the first time I tried to get it down, the weight of it took me off guard.
I can’t tell you how close I was to knocking myself out cold with that mixer.
Lesson learned: I now keep my heavy mixer closer to the floor, making it so much easier for me to get to
Best Appliance Locations:
- A lower pantry shelf – things that are medium to light weight such as a crock pot or an air fryer.
- The pantry floor – large bulky items such as an indoor grill or roaster.
- A corner – heavier items such as mixer.
It’s true that these areas are a bit awkward to get to, and this is why they are so perfect for appliances.
Prime real estate is a term I often use when speaking about organizing. This is the area that is easiest for you to access and the best location for keeping anything you use frequently.
Think waste to shoulder. That is your sweet spot, your prime real estate.
This location is best for food items such as condiments, baking supplies, pasta, or canned goods.
What appliances should you keep where?
The answer to this question all depends on you. If it is heavy for you to lift, keep it where it is easiest to pick up like a sturdy shelf that is near your waist.
If it is a lighter appliance, you have a few more options as to where you want to keep it.
Remember the goal of organizing any area in your home is to make it easier to access the things you need to perform a task. You also want to make it just as easy to put those items all the way away when you are done.
This means if bending over is painful for you, you will want to incorporate something to help make this easier.
Appliance Cart
An appliance cart is a great tool to have, especially if you have room to store it. The wheels make it easy to move around allowing you to bring your heavy appliances into the kitchen so you can use them without having to haul things around.
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Pull out Shelf
Another option is a pull-out shelf with a heavyweight capacity. You will want to do your research before investing.
- Can it handle the weight of what you plan to store on it?
- Will the type of shelving you have work for this organizing tool?
- Do you have room to install it and open it completely?
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Corner options
Another option for storing appliances in your pantry is a deep corner. These can be tricky to organize making them a great candidate for holding appliances.
Deep corners can hide things, so another tip is to install a counter battery light to help brighten up this area.
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Stackable Shelving
Setting up extra shelving in a pantry can double up the space you have to work with.
This option is good for small appliances such as a panini press or a rice maker.
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No matter what option you choose to invest in, I want to encourage you to have things set up before you start moving appliances in.
Move a few things to your pantry and see how you like it. If you love the move, you can relocate a few more items later.
It took me a bit to get used to the change, but once I did, I loved it. Having those bare counters greeting me each time I came into my kitchen was worth the extra few steps a few times a week.
And the funniest outcome was I found myself using those appliances more once they were gone than I was when they were out.
I think the clutter keeps all motivation away, causing us to lose our love for doing things we once used to. If you love to cook but haven’t been doing so for a while, it might be the state of your counters in your kitchen.
When storing appliances in a pantry, it is important to set things up with sturdy shelves, drawers, and carts. Invest in tools that will help you to keep your kitchen and pantry streamlined, and you will set up a system that will benefit you for years to come.
