Transform Your Pantry in 8 Simple Steps

First, remove all of the items from the shelves. Throw away any expired food or spices. Next, you'll want to organize like items in piles.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Baking goods (ex. sugar, flour, salt, baking powder, sprinkles, etc.)
• Soft drinks, juice boxes and bottled water
• Spices
• Cooking spray, oil and vinegar bottles
• Kids' snacks
• Canned goods
• Staples (ex. beans, rice, pasta, etc.)
• Potatoes and onions
• Small appliances (ex. mixer, slow cooker, blender, etc.)

Upgrade white wire shelves with wood shelf covers or replace them with wood shelving. This change not only offers a customized look, but they also provide a sturdy base for your baskets, canned goods and small appliances.

Pantry shelving designs come in many shapes and styles. Measure your space and consider your needs before choosing the best one for your pantry.

Baskets are ideal for pantry organization. They can be used to store pantry essentials like oil and vinegar, pasta sauce, cereal, baking goods and paper towels. Choose from options like stackable wood crates and natural rattan baskets.

If you want to easily see what’s inside a basket, choose a clear plastic bin. Place kids' snacks at eye level, so they can easily grab and go. Metal baskets are great for storing fruits and vegetables. They offer airflow allowing fresh goods to ripen.

Label all your bins and baskets, so it's easy to organize and identify items quickly.

A tiered space rack is one of the most practical ways to store and organize spices, especially if you use them often. For a pantry shelf, opt for a freestanding spice rack. If you want to make use of wall space, you can purchase a hook-on option. Choose metal or bamboo spice racks which will hold up longer than plastic.

Canisters, which often come in sets, are perfect for storing dried items like pasta, rice, beans, nuts, coffee and more. Look for lids with silicone seals to keep air out and maintain freshness. Choose from plastic or glass, depending on your preference. 

Lazy Susans are an easy way to display cooking sprays, oils, vinegars, sauces, spices and more. They turn easily to provide easy access for hard-to-reach items. They're typically made of plastic or bamboo wood and are available in one or two tiers.

If you don't have pantry lighting, simply add puck lights or bar lights. Cabinet lighting is available battery-operated or with a rechargeable USB plug-in. They're easy to install and can instantly add much-needed lighting to a space. These lights can operate via motion sensor, remote or by pushing to turn them on and off.

For more ideas on pantry lighting, check out our under-cabinet lighting guide.

When you're organizing a pantry, take advantage of every inch of space -- including the back of the door. Hook-on door organizers provide valuable storage that can hold drinks, canned goods, sauces and more. They're usually made of an epoxy-coated metal that's durable and easy to wipe clean. Detachable baskets can be moved to accommodate short or tall items.