Pantry Shelving Styles

A poorly organized fully stocked kitchen pantry can be equal to one that is bare and empty. Either way you may feel you have to run to the store.

Plan a redesign or a simpler reorganization of your pantry, pantry shelving styles, and accessories for maximum utilization of space and shelves, whatever the pantry size.

Think vertical

Pantry spaces usually have limited horizontal area but have more room vertically.

Current options in pantry shelving styles offer versatility and function as you begin to think up and down for shelves versus across or back.

So instead of fewer shelves with greater depth, consider more shelves with maybe less depth or shelving with shelving options and styles that are more organizational, such as:

Pullout or roll out shelving

LazySusans

Adjustable

Also consider the construction material and their benefits in available shelving styles:

Chrome or metal: easily maintained and durable

Wood: sturdier but also heavier

Wire: lightweight and less expensive

A walk in kitchen pantry may seem like it offers a lot of storage space, but poor planning of shelves and available space can decrease storage capacity.

So even if you don't have the luxury of a walk in pantry, a well-planned cabinet or two with proper pantry shelving can be equally sufficient if not more.

Organize or reorganize

A kitchen pantry is an element of the room that can be used daily, whether it's optimally organized or not. And even if the shelves start out fastidiously tidy, many different hands and minds can move and think (or not think) differently.

Some ideas to help keep this space in the desired order:

Label shelves

Increase the number of shelves or styles of shelving to adjust to pantry needs

Group similar items together on shelves

Create an inventory and mark when items are added or depleted for shopping lists

Regularly clean out expired goods from your pantry

Give the space a thorough cleaning at least once a year and remove everything to wipe down shelves

Addhooks

Consider painting pantry walls to add brightness and clearer visibility of items

Install lights where needed for the same reason

Vertical shelving means higher shelves, so be sure and keep a stepstool or small ladder nearby.

More information on pantry shelving