Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Help My Pantry!

Shannon over at Rocks in My Dryer hosts Works for me Wednesday every week. This week it is backwards. Instead of giving a tip, we ask a question. So I'm asking for your help. I need help organizing my pantry. I hate the wire shelves because everything sits sideways (boxes, bottles, etc) because of the holes and then falls off when I'm trying to get something off or even if I just touch it. I am looking for an inexpensive way to make my pantry work. My pots and pans are also stored there and I have thought about hanging pegboard on the wall and hanging them. But the rest is just a mess. So help me. Look at the pictures below and give me lots of suggestions.




13 comments:

Michelle said...

Hmm...maybe have your husband build wood shelves and/or get container or boxes for some of the small stuff. Put all pot and pans on bottom...maybe even put some type of hooks into the bottom of the shelf boards for them to hang from??? I'll be coming back to see others ideas...I love organized people and getting good info. from them...Hope you get lots of feedback on this on...By the way...your pantry already looks good.

Anonymous said...

I had a similar problem I posted about on Tackle it Tuesday for my linens. Canvas drawers worked. See my blog for photos.

I think you solution will involve boxes. Group like items together (katsup, mustard, mayo) in boxes to keep them from spilling off narrow shelves.

See-though shoebox size are at the dollar store.

Britni said...

I love using small cardboard boxes (think cereal, Pampered Chef, any other boxes) to create different sections in my pantry. I have all of my extra spices (not in the spice rack) in one small box, all of the mixes in another, etc. It really helps to free up room for me.

Krista said...

Cut up cardboard to lay across each shelf. This will give you a solid surface to set all your stuff on instead of dealing with all those little bars. (But then you will have to dust them at some point.)

Jen said...

I don't have any miraculous ideas, I just wanted to suggest what the abover poster said, put something on the shelves to make them flatter. You could use packing boxes, other boxes flattened (old cereal boxes or other larger food boxes) or get some plywood cut. You could paint them to make it look a little nicer. But it's a pantry, so "nice" isn't really the goal!

Good luck!

Tami said...

Thanks for the great ideas. I'm already thinking about some thins. I'll post pics if I ever get it done.

Kristy said...

I used to have a similar pantry in my old house, and used lots of the ideas already suggested here. I used baskets and boxes in various sizes to group things, and placed cardboard on the shelves to create a more solid surface. When I ran out of boxes to cut up, I bought poster board and cut that to the right size.

I also installed a door rack to improve space and access to smaller items. I bought mine at Lowes (and didn't spend nearly this much), but this gives you an idea of what I'm talking about:
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=13164878&itemIndex=10&CATID=74107&PRODID=10016912

There are a ton of organizers you can buy for the wall - everything from pot lids to racks for plastic wrap and alumninum foil.

Browse the Container Store website (or store, if you have one near you) or the organizing aisles at a home improvement store, and I'll bet you get lots of great ideas.

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Try this: http://www.thebigcloset.net/

Mom2fur said...

I like your pantry! I would suggest some square or rectangular baskets or boxes to contain things. Or, you could lay plastic placemats down--then at least nothing would fall through the spaces!

Anonymous said...

It's not too bad. One suggestion that may help: hang the pots (perhaps along the side or something...somewhere to make them convenient for access). It'd give you a little extra storage space. I've heard labeling sometimes helps one keep organized better, too (not for everyone, of course, but some like the visual cues). Good luck with the re-organizing! :)

Tami said...

I really like the hanging the pots and pans. It will give me more room on the shelves. I saw a blog with pegboard ideas and I really like the way it looked. Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions.

Anonymous said...

An idea that I use at work. I have the guys stop by the local flooring store and check their dumpster for discarded flooring. We use it to make shelves all the time. Durable, washable, and takes a beating.

Anonymous said...

We put a sheet of plexiglass over our wire shelves. Before the plexiglass, we used thin, scrap plywood. This keeps everything from falling through the cracks, literally.