Organising your pantry

So now that many of us have a little more time on our hands let's reorganise the pantry - one of the biggest 'out of sight, out of mind' culprits in any home. While we completely understand why you've been putting it off (we have too!) not only will you save space and waste less food (which translates to saving money), an organised pantry will make cooking a more calming experience. 

There's no doubt that your pantry is - and should be - unique to your lifestyle, but here are a few ideas that can guide your pantry reorganisation.  

The first step to any reorganisation is to take inventory of what you have - this is the most important step. Empty your pantry and throw away anything that is past its best before date. Wipe down your shelves then organise your stock into categories that best fit your lifestyle. 

One of the main reasons most of us forget what's in the pantry - only to find a few too many jars of tomato paste in the back - is because we can't see what we have. Invest in clear, airtight containers (feel free to match them up or reuse glass jars for a more eclectic look) and baskets that can be easily pulled out. Label everything to make finding ingredients easier while you're cooking.

Decant pantry staples like pasta, lentils and rice into your new or repurposed clear containers. Not only will this look amazing, but you'll also be able to see if anything is running low at a glance. Use the baskets to keep loose items contained - we're talking chips, salad dressings and sauces. 

If you have a lot of smaller jars and cans, see if a storage turntable or tiered spice rack will suit your pantry. Either of these items will keep your pantry items from getting lost in the back. You can also use shelf inserts to create extra levels and cleverly use your vertical space. 

And voila! Not only is your pantry now Insta-worthy, but preparing for mealtime is a much calmer experience. You will also be saving money and reducing food waste! 

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Header image by Uliana Kopanytsia on Unsplash