Pantry Storage Solutions For Your Kitchen Remodel

There was a time around the turn of the last century when every home had a pantry. The kitchen was the heart of the home, and the pantry was the center of the kitchen. Around mid-century, the pantry fell out of favor as spaces become more streamlined and “modern.” Fast forward to today, and realtors and remodelers report that one of the most frequently asked for features by both home buyers and homeowners is a full pantry. 

In today's fast-paced world, having an organized pantry makes everything that happens in the kitchen easier, whether it's an after school snack before doing homework at the island, or preparing a holiday meal from for the entire family. Having an organized pantry gives you quicker access to supplies, appliances, and more while letting you easily see what you need to repurchase. 

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If you're planning a kitchen remodeling project and you're planning on including a pantry, you have a wide variety of options when it comes to pantry storage solutions for organizing your new space, from baskets and bins to drawers, shelves, and containers. 

Here at Toulmin Kitchen & Bath, we work with our clients to give them custom-designed pantries that meet their unique needs. Here are some tips for designing your new pantry space, and the latest accessories to help you create an organized center in the heart of your home!

Planning Your Pantry Build

Before you begin construction, plan your space. Examine your needs. Are you looking for storage for dry goods? Will you need to store seasonal serving items? Do you want to have a space for your mixer or maybe a spot for brewing your morning coffee? Do you want a sink, countertop workspace, a second refrigerator, or a beverage center?

Think about how you'll use your new pantry. Here are some design ideas to give you maximum functionality. 

Shelves

The standard depth of shelves is 16 to 20 inches. Make the highest shelf a little shallower, around 12 inches, to make those items easier to access. If you find things getting pushed back and forgotten, consider shallower shelves. 

Shelf Heights

Try to plan for what type of items you'll store on your shelves. Plan for about 2 inches of clearance above the tallest item. Here are some general rules/ideas:

• For canned goods allow 6 ½ to 7 inches for canned goods

• 14 to 16 inches for cereal boxes

• Include taller space 18 to 20 inches for larger items like bins of onions and potatoes.

Adjustable Shelving

If you're seeking more flexibility, consider installing adjustable shelves. If you need to change up the height of your storage areas, adjustable shelving is the way to go. 

Floor Space

Make sure you give yourself a little space under the bottom-most shelf. Typically 20 to 24 inches is good but raise it higher if you need to. This not only gives you room to store large bulky items like dog food, or cases of bottled water, even crates on wheels for onions or potatoes. Plus, you won't have to stoop to get items on the bottom shelf. 

Key Items... Don't Be Afraid To Reorganize!

The easiest shelves to access are between waist height and eye level. Put your frequently used items here. If you're planning on using bins, this is where to place them. Once you get a workable system up and running in your pantry, don't be afraid to experiment, reevaluate, and re-organize, for example, to make kid-friendly items more easily accessible for your little ones!

Pantry Storage Solutions and Organization Tips

Once you've designed your pantry, there are many options to consider when it comes time to organize. There are so many ways to bump up the efficiency of your pantry storage, including baskets, bins, containers, and drawers. 

Here are some excellent pantry storage solutions to consider when it comes time to get organized!

Peg Board

Consider installing a pegboard on a wall. It's a versatile option that allows you to collect pots, pans, colanders, and utensils in a convenient area. Plus, you'll free up valuable shelf space.

Mason Jars

Mason jars come in a wide range of sizes perfect for everything fro dried beans and rice to pasta and dried herbs. You can see exactly what you have and what you need!

Baskets 

Baskets are a great go-to storage option that are a perfect way to keep small items organized, for example, loose bags of snacks for the kids, envelopes, or all of your herbal teas. 

Modern Spice Storage

Consider mounting a sheet of stainless steel underneath a shelf. Then get small jars and glue magnets to the lids. Fill them with various spices and herbs label the jars, and you'll have a great looking display that's functional too!

Under Shelf Storage

Slide an under shelf basket onto your existing shelf, and you've added a second layer of storage. Use this area to hold plastic wrap or foil to keep them handy. Or use one to store bread and prevent it from getting crushed.

Think Vertical

Maximize your space and go all the way to the ceiling with shelving. You can use the highest shelf to store seasonal items or create a display area to show off your serving pieces when not in use.

Shelf Dividers

Storing large flat items like cookie sheets or pot lids on their sides uses much less space. Get a wire rack and mount it to the shelf and use it to store multiple flat items.

Chalkboard Labels

Having a labeling system is the key to a well-organized pantry. Using chalkboard labels allows you to switch out foodstuffs like flours, or cereal. It's a great way to repurpose storage containers as needed.

Can Organizers, Stair Step Shelves

Adding a can organizer can keep your canned goods visible. A stair-step shelf is another alternative. Storing items in your pantry is only useful if they're visible. Organizers like can racks or stair-step shelves allow you to inexpensively and visibly store items for easy retrieval!

Your pantry doesn't just have to be functional, it can be beautiful too! Don't hesitate to paint the walls a bright color, spend some time on lighting choices, and make sure you include all of the amenities you need like extra refrigerator space, prep space, and even a sink or additional dishwasher. Think about how much use and enjoyment you'll get with a well-organized pantry. 

If you're planning a kitchen remodeling project and you live in the greater Tuscaloosa, Alabama area, give the award-winning design experts at Toulmin Kitchen & Bath a call at (205) 366-0807. Our design team will get to know you, understand your lifestyle, and help you to design and create the perfect pantry to meet your family's specific needs!