1/22/12

My Kitchen Pantry "From Pandemonium to Organized Bliss"

Hey, everyone.  I'm so excited to be able to cross a major "To-Do" off my long list of "To-Dos" for 2012!  I worked like a fiend yesterday, to get this project accomplished -- Organizing the Kitchen Pantry.  I was so excited and full of energy when I first got started, but after a couple of hours, my enthusiasm was starting to wane.  I thought I was never going to get finished, but I persevered and LOVE the results!  Okay, before I show you the "befores & afters," let me share with you my view on kitchen pantries.  I don't feel the need to add extra pretties, like stenciling or pretty paper.  I want my pantry to be totally functional & organized.  If I had one of those large, walk-in type pantries, I might want to pretty-it-up; but for me, a clean and organized pantry IS ".   I know, I'm strange!   So let's get started, shall we?

Beware the "monster" that resides behind this closed door!
So glad it's a solid door & not a see-thru.....LOL!

EEEK......so much chaos!

It really got this bad right around Thanksgiving -- ya' know, when all the extra items come into play.

Truly no rhyme or reason as to where things are located -- this is so NOT ME!

Not good use of this great additional storage space.

Good grief........

this all came out of the pantry!  I tried to group things together in categories as I removed them from the pantry shelves so that I could better see how much space I needed for each category.

All cleaned, wiped down & swept!  See that wood on the second shelf?


Those are 2x4's (The Man cut them as I needed them) that I will be using to create tiers so I can better see what's on each shelf & utilize the space better.  My shelves are stationary & deep, so I hope this will work.  Got the idea of making my own tiers HERE @ Inspiration for Moms.  Yes, I could have painted them, but really want to make sure the concept works.

Are you ready for the newly organized space?

TA-DA!  I just love how it turned out!

Much better!

There are 2 tiers on this top shelf, but I couldn't get in a very good position to show you the very back.  The "way back" area of this top shelf is for bulk items -- extra olive oil, cannisters of teas, chocolate syrup, etc.  I need my step-stool for those, but I don't have to access them very often.  The front of the shelf is for cereals, coffee (I have a decorative cannister at my coffee station that I refill from the big can).  I also have my meager supply of wine which I typically only need for dinner parties.  Although it's looking pretty tempting right now.....lol!

This is my favorite shelf because it had been in super-chaos condition before.  I was always buying more of an item because I couldn't find it.  I stacked and used several 2x4's on this shelf and can now see every single canned product I have -- well, all the canned veggies, fruits, & tomato products!
LOVE!!!!

The left side of this shelf is baking-related, and the right is for meats, soups, beans & rice.

Snacks, snacks & more snacks!  The Man & I are trying to eat healthy, so our snacks are more on the right side.  Things for our "Grands" are on the left.  I didn't buy any new containers for this re-org project.  I shopped my storage closet for any baskets, bins, etc. that might work.

The large basket on the left is holding paper/plastic products like cups, plates that we sometimes use when we have the entire family together.  The two baskets in the middle are for onions & potatoes.  I found a plastic lid (that I wasn't using) that fit the top of this wire shelf so the messies from the veggies wouldn't get all over the shelf or the floor.  Using the wire shelf gave me added space underneath for my disposable gloves.

I found this taller bin (again, I already had it) that works perfectly for my extra boxes of zipbags, plastic wrap, & my large package of napkins also fits in it.  I put this large basket to good use housing our bottled water.

I have a command hook on both sides of the pantry.  This one holds my plastic bag holder, but I may replace it with a metal one that I've seen.  I also keep my broom and dustpan tucked in here.

My apron is hanging from a command hook on this side.

This wire system is so great when it's functioning as it should.

You have to see one more shot of the over-all look!
Swoon!

Hope you enjoyed this tour of "Pandemonium to Organized Bliss."  The Man is calling me the 
"OCD Nana," but he quite enjoys being able to find what he's looking for and I enjoy not hearing him ask "where is such and such?"  I call it a win-win!  Anyway, thanks so much for stopping by, and please come again!

I'm happily linking to:


Thistlewood Farm






44 comments:

  1. Super job! It looks so neat & orderly now.

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  2. That's marvelous. Good job girl. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. You did such a wonderful job! Looks amazing. I agree about not having to pretty it up if it looks neat and tidy, great idea using the 2x4!

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  4. Wow! That is quite impressive! I hadn't really ever thought that raising the products up on shelves would make such a difference but after seeing yours I am sold! My pantry is about the same size as your and you should see it. LOL! It's a wreck and a half! Thanks for sharing this so I could see how well this works first hand. Looks fantastic, you really did a great job!

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  5. Wow!!! You did such a great job!! And I love your risers!! ;)

    Would you mind stopping by and linking up to my Saturday Like Party? You did such a fantastic job on your pantry...I would love to show it off to my readers!

    http://www.inspirationformoms.com/2012/01/21-days-to-clean-organized-home_21.html

    Oh, and thanks for the mention!! :)
    Laura @ Inspiration For Moms

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  6. I love how neat and organized it looks! I know it's a big job but it is so worth it in the end when you have to find things. I like the tiers you had hubby make...that is a great idea!!

    XO,
    Jane

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  7. OMG, that is so on my to do list also. Yours looks so neat and tidy do you want to come help with mine? I have to do it about every 4 months. How does it get so disarrayed in a pantry. Mine has a glass door, so makes it look even worse. Thanks for posting, and reminding me that I need to do mine:)

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  8. It looks great!!! I think I've told you this is on my list too. I worked on some cabinets today & next up is the pantry. I won't get to it until the weekend though. You know how long this stuff takes! I need to buy a few baskets. I'm planning to do the same thing with the wood to make tiers. We never can remember what we have & we end up digging.

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  9. Looks great...I never show my pantry...and there is a GOOD reason why I don't!!!

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  10. I sooooo wish my pantry looked like this. I keep buying extra too, because I can't find things that I KNOW I bought. As far as hubby, if it doesn't jump into his hand when he opens the door, then we don't have it because he is not going to look for anything!! He just hollers for me. Great job!!!

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  11. Wow I'm impressed for sure! I would love love love a pantry like this! You did an awesome job on it- I was amazed at how much came out of there! The wood boards did a perfect job!
    Kudos on the project!!
    Liz

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  12. I wish I had a pantry like that, yours looks so neat and orderly, I also like how you used what you had for containers!

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  13. When I do stuff like that, my family calls me OCD! LOL You're a freak just like me. LOVE IT. Great job!

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  14. I am having new shelves installed in my pantry and can't wait to get it organized. I have lived almost 3 years with wire shelves, things slipping thru the cracks and cans tipping over! Your looks so nice and neat!
    I am having a digital scrapbook software giveaway - if interested, stop by!

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  15. Seems like everyone in blogland is re-organizing their pantry. Goodness knows I need too-maybe this will be the day-I can't find anything!I like the idea of the risers.

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  16. Looks amazing! I really love the risers idea -- my pantry is very deep, and things get lost. Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Brilliant! I love the idea of using the wood to stack! Everything looks organized to perfection.
    blessings,
    karianne

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  18. Oh Wow Cass,
    I am impressed. I just cleaned my pantry out after Christmas and threw
    out anything old, but have never thought to categorize it all. I do have some done that way, but most of it not, and I love the you have your tall basket with the alum foil and stuff at the bottom, cause mine is on the top shelf and falls on me more often than I would like to admit when I try to get other things off the shelf. One thing I really dislike about my pantry is that the door is not as wide as the whole pantry so you have these hidden areas, so if you have any
    suggestions I would love to hear them. I also have the wire shelves on the door and they are great.
    That was a great idea to use the boards to make it staggered so you can see everything. I can see I am gonna have to rethink or should I say think it out and try what you did here, cause that is the problem sometimes we just neaten it but don't really think it out, and it sort of surprises me cause I usually do think things out, but not here for some reason........
    hmmm, gonna be wondering about that now!! lol
    I really need to put the least used things on top like you did, mine is the opposite, they are on the bottom. thanks for some great ideas
    that will surely make life easier for me.
    Blessings and so good to hear from you hon, Nellie

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  19. Hi again Cass,
    Just wanted you to know I was so inspired when I left here that I have already redone my pantry, and can't wait to see how it is gonna work out, I can already see having the alum foil and bags down on the bottom works great. We had these big kitty food buckets and it was perfect for putting all that in. It was pretty easy and quick to do since I had already cleaned it out
    before, but also think I found some great solutions for those hidden ends of the shelf, so will
    see how it works out, I have thought that many times before!! lol
    But definitely think some of your ideas will make a huge difference,
    no more anything falling on our heads.....absolutely love that!
    I moved the cereal to the top shelf, that was a great idea.....

    Take care, and thanks for sharing
    your ideas hon,
    Here is one satisfied customer or
    blogger..................
    Blessings, Nellie

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  20. Wonderful! You inspire me to tackle my mess!

    Smiles,
    Carol

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  21. I'm so jealous I hope you'll link this up at my What We Wore and Made Party over at http://raegunwear.blogspot.com/search/label/WWWMW

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  22. Great Job. I need to get off the computer and get busy!!

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  23. THIS, my dear one, is so awesome, I could just spit. I LOVE what you have done here. Soooo pretty, too.

    I am working on a post about pantry organizing...may I link to this post? My daughter is doing her pantry and I will be sharing photos of hers, too.
    Thanks, girl....
    xo bj

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  24. Oh how I love an organized pantry! Your did a fantastic job. Love the tiered idea with 2 x 4's. Who knew?

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  25. I am so impressed! Looks wonderful!

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  26. Hi Cas, Your pantry looks fantastic! You did an amazing job and your tiered shelves are brilliant! I read your post above about google friend connect and I am trying not to worry about it too much...as I am hoping that others will figure it out and then tell all of us others what to do! Have a wonderful Sunday! Angie xo

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  27. Thank you so much for visiting my blog today and for your sweet comments. I am your new follower!

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  28. OMG, CAS, it looks absolutely wonderful !! You truly did an amazing, inspiring job! I have the wire shelves on the door, too, and love them! Thanks for sharing.

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  29. Thanks for linking up my friend! You know I already think you are a rockstar! What an "impossible!" I wish I had a piece of homemade bread to send you! :)

    blessings,
    karianne

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  30. WOW!!!! if i pay for your air fare and feed you for a week -- would you come and do mine!!! : ) this is simply awesome!!!!! you sure rocked this project!!!! congrats and now you reap the rewards...hugs...your newest follower!

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  31. I am so jealous of your pantry. I am hoping to re arrange some things in our kitchen so we can have a pantry. The organization looks great and I am sure it makes it so much easier finding what you are looking for when you cook. Enjoy!

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  32. Hi Cass,

    Such a wonderful difference! Do you want to come do mine. lol

    Dee

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  33. I’m sorry it took me so long to get to your « Impossibility Challenge » post – this thing called “work” got in the way! But I’m here now and it’s great to read about your Pantry cupboard Makeover. Like you, I don't see the need for a "prettied up" cupboard - but a tidy, clean and functional one...well, that's a necessity. Well done on such a great job!
    Congratulations on making your impossibility possible!

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  34. Looks good enough to eat!! You must be thrilled with the results! Thanks so much for joining our Impossibilities Challenge.
    Kelly

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  35. I love a newly organized pantry and the kids give me the opportunity to do it over and over again... ;-)

    Yours looks great. The tiers are a grand idea!!

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  36. Swoon ... all you ladies with your envy-inducing organized pantries!

    Thanks so much for linking up to our Impossibilities challenge!

    Linda
    itallstartedwithpaint@gmail.com

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  37. What a great result! So organized and functional!! Thanks so much for linking up to the challenge! Karah

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  38. Love the paint color you chose and I love that you have the hooks for your oven mitts right next to the pantry closet looks great!

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  39. I too swoon over an organized pantry!

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  40. Im new to Pintrest. Love the new pantry. Im changing my pantry by moving bulky less used items to top shelf. I use white sink basins for kids snacks and drinks on lower shelfs. Love the rack on the door. I can use for all my spices that take up 3 kitchen cupboards. Thank you

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  42. This is a really cool post. I love this kitchen. It is completely the style that would fit me.whirlpool washer door locked light flashing

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  43. This is a really cool post. I love this kitchen. It is completely the style that would fit me.orbit faucet timer troubleshooting

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I truly love to hear from you and try to respond to each and everyone. If you have "no reply blogger," I will respond in my comments section and then visit your blog as soon as I can.

Make this a great day!
Carol

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