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Article published in helium.com

TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR PANTRY

As an organizer I actually love organizing people's pantries. This last weekend I went into a home in a rural county of North Carolina and spent five hours in my client's pantry. When I had first seen the room I thought, wow what a nice sized pantry. My client didn't tell me she used to own an herb business or that she had been a chef.

So her pantry was more than a little difficult.

The following are the tips that I used in reorganizing her pantry and they will work for you and for anyone who is trying to gain control over their ability to find anything in their pantry.

1. Always keep like with like. If you have 10 bottles of vinegar then by all means keep them together on a shelf. Usually right next to the Olive Oil.

2. Then arrange them by size of bottle, jar, can or box. If the tall boxes are in the back you will still be able to see the small boxes or cans in front.

You have to be able to see what products you have on the shleves to keep from overstocking on items you use infrequently and yet never remember to buy that which you are truly out of.

3. If you have the space to designate shelves to particular items then definitely do this.

For my client the top shelf is all about baking. She is a chef and bakes on a daily basis. The shelf which is at chest height is what she wants to see first in her pantry.

4. If you don't have space to designae shelves for particular products then separate items on the shelves and maintain them with shelf separators, if necessary.

5. One of the best items that you can keep in your pantry is a grocery list. Hang it on the door or put a magnet on the door and attach it that way. Either way you will have a list that is designed to keep you buying the right items when you need them.

6. So now you have a pantry that is arranged by size, and by product. So your next challenge is to know that you put the things that you use the most in a closer proximity to the door (if a walk in pantry) or in the front of the pantry so that you can readily reach for and grab what you need when you need it.

7. Size, product, and frequency of use? So, how else can you help your pantry to stay organized? The lease invasive way is to use a labeling system that will help you and those you live with remember what goes where as they place things into the pantry or go into the pantry looking for items.

As sections of the pantry become empty, your grocery list (which is designed just for you) is right there with a pen hanging on the side for you to check off which items you need to buy on your designated shopping day.

Your shopping list is also the best way to control binge shopping. You know, that "Oh I really want that chocolate candy bar! I'll just get it now." A shopping list helps you when you're trying to eat healthy, stay on a budget or just simply because you need a quick trip to the store because you have unexpected company.

So try these tips out in your pantry. If you have trouble getting started, don't hesitate to email me at denise@progressiveorganizingsolutions.com

Published 2007 on www.helium.com