Picture-Perfect PANTRIES

BY GINNY SMITH

Easy ways to decorate and organize this high-traffic area

How many times have you bought tomato sauce at the store and returned home to find several cans of it taking up space in your cabinet? Or did you buy that new can in order to avoid searching through boxes, bags and other kitchen congestion?

As we all know, a well-organized pantry saves us time, money and, let’s face it, frustration. So, why do we overstuff our shelves? Tuck, shove and squeeze items in such a way that we don’t even know what we have? Why do we clutter our pantries with shoes, coats and other items that clearly have homes elsewhere?

Even though we may not fully understand the answers to these questions, we can create a pantry space that meets our needs for food storage while giving us a fresh start on kitchen organization.

Reimagine unused spaces

A separate room off the kitchen is definitely ideal for a pantry, but a designated area within the kitchen is also a great option for storage. Make use of oddly-shaped areas in your kitchen or empty walls to add cabinetry or shelving. Repurpose an old piece of furniture to use as a pantry or add shelves to the end of your island to create a small area for kid-friendly snacks. Also, you could add shelves to a nearby closet to give you the extra space you need. Simply look around your kitchen — and the areas nearby — to see if the perfect pantry is waiting to be discovered.

Decorate to motivate

Once you choose your space, take time to create a pantry that is as beautiful as it is functional. A well-organized space will motivate you to keep it that way! Think about what you’d like to store in your pantry, besides food, of course. Appliances? Seasonal items? Is the space large enough to include an area for pets with feeding bowls, food storage and toy baskets? Once you know what you want to include in the pantry, the fun part begins: designing and decorating.

Before you begin stocking your pantry, add a pop of personality to the space. Consider painting the walls a bright color and adding some patterned wallpaper between the shelves. Don’t forget the flooring! Gorgeous hardwoods, colorful tiles or even the right paint will give you a look you’ll love and motivate you to keep your space in order.