5 Things You Need to Organize Your Pantry According to Emily Henderson

Clear Containers

The key to beginning your pantry organization journey starts with a bit of design. In order to get a neat and clean look—plus extend the shelf life of your favorite products—invest in a set of clear containers that will transform the look of your pantry, like Henderson’s current favorites, the Rubbermaid Brilliance containers. 

“I take the cereal and snack bars out of the box and put them in a container, and afterward, it just looks so good and I'm really proud of myself,” Henderson says. “If you want to, even decant your spices. Buy spices in bulk, like salt and pepper, and decant them in a way that feels beautiful and functional for you.”

Rubbermaid Brilliance Plastic Food Storage Pantry Set $94.00

Shop

Decanting Containers

If you’ve ever obsessed over an organized pantry, it’s probably thanks to aesthetically pleasing containers that match and hold decanted products. Henderson explains that just about anything can be decanted, but there are some kitchen items that work better than others.

“Flour and sugar are always in need of decanting, but even things like snacks should get decanted as well,” she suggests. “This saves a ton of space, and it also gives us an idea of what we actually have left.” 

Rubbermaid Brilliance Plastic Food Storage Bulk Pantry Set of 3 $41.00

Shop

Baskets for Snacks

If the phrase "pantry hierarchy," has you a bit confused, let Henderson clarify. “My pantry hierarchy consists of a few tiers,” she explains. “The bottom tier is where the snacks and cereals live—everything that the kids grab. These are very accessible shelves and the kids know to put back whatever they use here."

Keeping the most reached-for items on one shelf keeps the others looking as organized as possible. "Above the snacks are the cooking essentials that I grab all the time that I know I can keep organized, and at the very top are baking supplies," Henderson continues. "We're not a big baking family, so flour and sugar stay on the top, but you should organize in a way that works best for your needs.”

Labels

Labeling containers not only helps you remember what you have, but also establishes a home for each product. Getting labels for your containers and cabinets is as easy as visiting a site like Etsy or Amazon, which sell premade labels and templates to get that neat, visually pleasing look.

“I need structure, and so I have labeled every drawer in my home,” Henderson explains. “Every container needs to hold a variety of items in some cases, so create some flexibility by labeling generally. Don’t specifically say Cheerios, and write cereal instead."

Talented Kitchen Minimalist Pantry Labels Set $15.00

Shop

Stackable Containers

It's easy to let items fall to the back of the cabinet never to be seen again. Henderson suggests using your containers to maximize the underutilized vertical space in your cabinet.

“Stackability is extremely important because most people don’t have large walk-in pantries, so you need to be able to utilize height in smaller spaces,” Henderson says. “Having your containers be modular, stackable, and clear is really important—this will bring you closer to maximizing your space.”

Rubbermaid Brilliance Plastic Food Storage Pantry Grains and Coffee Set $23.00

Shop

Bonus Tip: Add a Lazy Susan

“For sauces and other messy items, I use Lazy Susans that have compartments,” Henderson says. “Because certain items have a tendency to spill over, I keep messy things like syrup, honey, and peanut butter in a Lazy Susan standing up.”