Do you live in a small apartment and have trouble finding space in your pantry? Then this post is perfect for you! Learn how to maximize your space with these tips and keep you pantry organized!
Small spaces
I live in a small apartment with very limited kitchen storage space. In fact my dad build me this stand alone pantry shelf, which sits in our “dining room” and is the main area we have for storing our kitchen goods. On this shelf we have both cooking goods, storage goods, teas, supplements, snacks and yes, alcohol! We keep the remainder of our supplies in a hall closet.
Traditional cooking supplies
When starting out with traditional cooking, the supplies needed for each recipe may seem overwhelming at first. I mean I have five different types of vinegars on my shelf and more in the closet. But I have been cooking for quite some time, and believe me, I did not start out this way. It starts small and recipe after recipe you start to build a supply closet of amazing pantry items! But the more cooking you do, the more you realize it all comes down to a few staple ingredients.
Tip 1: keep a stock of these ingredients
While it may be nice to have lots of options, space does not always permit this. I mean, you can see from my shelves that there is not much more I could buy. In traditional cooking these ingredients are commonly used and should be well stocked. Make sure each of these are organic, if possible.
- Apple cider vinegar
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Avocado oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut oil
- Raw honey and 100% maple syrup
- Baking Soda
- Starch of choice – I keep on hand sorghum and cassava flours and wild rice
You can do SO much with these ingredients! I like to recommend the three different oils because of their different uses. Avocado oil is the best for cooking as it has the best heat tolerance. Coconut oil is also great, and I prefer to use that in desserts if I am not using butter. Olive oil is best for salads and other non-heated recipes.
We use apple cider vinegar when making bone broth and for other staple cooking recipes. I am obsessed with balsamic vinegar as a base for salads, so for me this is a must. Last your sweets and starches. If you are avoiding sugar and/or starches than you do not need to include these items. I do like having them for when I am having an itch to bake or to add some honey to my matcha, completely up to you!
Tip 2: use storage bins and containers
Once your pantry gets to be packed like mine, you could find it difficult to grab what you need. I like to further separate out my goods using baskets or transferring them into an air-tight storage container for stacking. I have all my baking supplies (baking soda and powder, etc.) kept in one basket and my supplements in another. I also have a snack basket to keep all of the snack bags in one place. Ross and Home Goods are great options for purchasing cheap baskets.
Using stacking containers can create more space and also declutter your pantry. I use these from Amazon and have found that they keep the food very fresh. I like to keep my nuts, seeds, rice and other food items in stock. You can also keep snacks that you consistently purchase. I would only use them for items you intend to continue using, so you do not have to relabel them after each use.
Tip 3: keep your goods organized by use
As I mentioned before, each of my baskets are for certain food groups including baking, supplements and snacks. Most of the items in these baskets can stack on top of each other so consolidating them keeps your pantry organized. I also keep all of my sauces, oils and other jarred goods together. Getting a Lazy Susan can help keep your jars organized, I bought mine off Amazon.
Decide between look and use. Sometimes it might look really good and organized, but you find that you are constantly having to refill or rearrange items on the pantry to keep up with the look. If you like doing this, than go for it! I have a really hard time making my jars and cans look organized and have given up on trying to keep them looking a certain way.
Tip 4: If you purchase multiples, keep the extra hidden away
I love to stock up on items, especially if we are going to Grocery Outlet and I find a good product. In order to keep my outfacing pantry looking semi-organized, I keep any extra items stored away in our hall closet for refill when needed. If you don’t have a hall closet, keep a box in your bedroom closet.
Tip 5: Keep a grocery list at hand
I am constantly forgetting what we need when we are grocery shopping. The best way to stay on top of a stocked and organized pantry is to keep a notepad in the kitchen for when you remember an item you are running low on. I then use this to generate my own grocery list to make sure I don’t miss anything.
You can do it!
With these tips, your pantry should be stocked and organized in no time! If you like these tips, leave a comment on what you think! As always, I would love your feedback. Also, don’t forget to tag me on instagram if you recreate my recipes or tips, I would love to see your masterpiece! If you would like to learn more about me, see my about page or leave a comment for a recipe or blog request. Thank you for tuning in, it means so much 🙂
