UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS

Stocking up

Kitchen pantries are popular among all members of a household and ways to keep them organized and using them best are important to all. When pantry cabinets and shelves are kept neat and organized, you can see all the ingredients and goods in the kitchen to make cooking and recipes easier with knowledge of what is on hand and also knowledge of items that are running low and need to be replenished.

A tidy pantry says a lot about its owner. Tidiness in the pantry makes the kitchen appear clean and orderly.

A beautifully organized and stocked pantry is impressive and a sure crowd pleaser. When you see items neatly shelved like they are in the store, it can bring about a calming and appetite whetting sensation. A pantry that is neat and uses the space well certainly beats a dusty cupboard with cluttered old cardboard boxes, packets, jars, cans and crumpled bags. There are several ways to get your pantry looking in tip-top shape and it all begins with organization.

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Storage containers with airtight lids keep ingredients fresh.

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Using clear or transparent decanters or storage containers with airtight lids have become more and more prevalent in modern times. Tall and rectangular shaped decanters offer the best use of space. Round or circular ones aren’t as space friendly. You don’t want to misuse what little space you have in the pantry and these types of bins can be your friend to help use space wisely. Decanters and storage containers also look more organized and neater when all containers are uniform. They can be used for dry ingredients such as flour and sugar and for dry pastas and beans. Using see-through storage containers is a great way to always be aware of your pantry’s stock. To keep things organized, place like items nearby and categorize areas and shelves. Using a lazy Susan for storing oils, condiments, vinegars, soy sauce and other items can be helpful, too. Decanters also helps keep ingredients fresher for a longer time. Dry cereals, cookies, chips and other snacks can go stale if not in an airtight container. If you have little ones, keep the ingredients you wish out of their hands on higher shelves but leave snacks

Canned goods should be stored in their own area.

and other kid-friendly items on lower shelves in easy to open bins. For items that can make a mess, remind the kids they should ask for help. Having a kid-friendly shelf or area in the pantry can is useful. When kids get a hankering for a snack, they can easily reach it themselves. This can also be helpful when you want kids to help put groceries away.

A tidy pantry looks like it has been decorated rather than being a practical way to store food items. To begin organizing, start by clearing your pantry completely and discarding what needs to be thrown out. Next, you can do an inventory of what you have and begin a list of what needs restocking. The next step is to begin putting like items together and deciding where they go. Canned goods should be grouped with like kinds and stacked and stored in their own area. Baking goods can be grouped together and dinner items like pasta or other jarred sauces and snacks can be grouped nearby. Oils and other liquids shouldn’t be placed up too high to avoid messy spills and breakage.

You could label your containers with “best used by” dates if you want to be super organized however, clear containers help to get things used and not forgotten about over time, so things won’t sit for too long. Keeping the pantry organized definitely helps when making your grocery list as you can see what items you are low on and also what items aren’t being consumed so you don’t purchase them again. After organizing and grouping, inventory and restocking, you are done.

Social media and popular websites often feature posts with organized pantries and even celebrities have made them a want item. Looking at a beautiful pantry space offers a sense of peacefulness and organizing your own will generate satisfaction and will restore order in your kitchen. p