Building a pantry ideas are welcome...

k4slr6 · February 2011

We have 2 large closets in our entry way that are connected and each has 2 sliding doors. We are going to transform ? of one of the closets into a pantry(about a 4ft wide space and runs floor to ceiling). Right now there are 2 wooden shelves that are at the top of the closet that run the entire width of both closets. The rest is bare. Any ideas of how you have organized your our pantry? We are going shopping for supplies this weekend. Thanks!

Kitten80 · February 2011

You could look at adding an "Elfa" type system (container store) - they have generic ones at the hardware store (the generic don't have as many options for finishes/baskets/etc. but are cheaper so if you are looking for basic shelving, I would go that way). You can get the rods cut to the size you would need to fit below the existing shelves and the shelves cut if they need to be...the only reason I suggest this is we are finding that in our old "fixed" shelves, there isn't anything you can do to adjust other than rip it out and buy more hardware to re-hang. WIth the "elfa" type systems we have though, you can adjust the shelves as many times as you want because they hang off the support braces. You can add or subtract shelves as needed. If you go this route, make sure you ask the hardware store how many braces to give you max. weight support if you are going to put lots of canned goods or appliaces on it.

I am jealous - I want a closet like that! We bought a $50 freestanding pantry with 3 shelves this weekend because we have no closets other than the ones in each bedroom. So your place sounds like heaven! lol.

Have fun!

k4slr6 · February 2011

That sounds exactly like what I need. I love the baskets idea. I can always find them other places for cheaper. The closet is awesome...but it is an old farm house so there are not any closets in the bedrooms. Looks like we have the opposite problems. Smile

married_eg · February 2011

We are in the middle of a pantry project. We are not quite finished, we need to finish trimming, but I love it so far--especially that we did skinny can shelves. The big space at the bottom is for our trash can and recycling.

I am in the middle of painting the door today and the black insets that you see are magnetic paint, when I finish 3 coats of that, I will paint over it with black chalkboard paint. I am doing it on the inside and out side of the door, so I have plenty of calendar and list room.

Oh and our pantry is about 4 ft X 4 ft.

HTH!

Emcat1980@yahoo.com · February 2011

Do you have a place to store onions/potatoes/garlic already? If not the pantry is a great place - in a breathable basket, dark and dry spot.

We are moving into our house this summer and have a nice sized pantry. I plan on keeping all staples in air-tight jars....flour, different kinds of sugar, rice, pasta, dried beans, etc. Have a spot to store if you buy anything in bulk (heavy stuff on the floor, light stuff like papertowels high up). Other staples for us include canned tomatoes, canned beans, nuts, etc. Be sure you have plenty of room for storing all of your pantry staples.

You need to come up with the organization system that works best for you....buy cans/jars/boxes or by grains/veggies/snacks, etc, and stick to that.

You may want to designate a specific area/shelf for baking if you bake a lot, keeping all the supplies handy.

Just a few things to consider as you build/designate shelves.......

Do you need places to store extra appliances or is this just for food?

Do you plan on keeping a broom or any other cleaning supplies in there?

What about a place to store entertaining objects like platters, etc?

A place to keep all the extra plastic grocery bags so they can be accessed/reused easily?

If you are keeping spices or other small objects consider a lazy susan or two.

Do you have pets and need to store pet food in bulk in the pantry? There are great airtight options at Petco/Petsmart for bulk pet food storage.

Are you planning on keeping tupperware in there? foil/saran wrap? ziplocks?

I really like having a designated spot (inside of the pantry is great for this) for either the chalkboard idea or a mounted dry erase board or even pad of paper so you can keep track of a grocery list, items you need, staples you're running low on,. etc.

k4slr6 · February 2011

I LOVE the paint idea! We are totally doing skinnier shelves for cans. Thanks!

k4slr6 · February 2011

Emcat:

Do you have a place to store onions/potatoes/garlic already? If not the pantry is a great place - in a breathable basket, dark and dry spot.

We are moving into our house this summer and have a nice sized pantry. I plan on keeping all staples in air-tight jars....flour, different kinds of sugar, rice, pasta, dried beans, etc. Have a spot to store if you buy anything in bulk (heavy stuff on the floor, light stuff like papertowels high up). Other staples for us include canned tomatoes, canned beans, nuts, etc. Be sure you have plenty of room for storing all of your pantry staples.

You need to come up with the organization system that works best for you....buy cans/jars/boxes or by grains/veggies/snacks, etc, and stick to that.

You may want to designate a specific area/shelf for baking if you bake a lot, keeping all the supplies handy.

Just a few things to consider as you build/designate shelves.......

Do you need places to store extra appliances or is this just for food?

Do you plan on keeping a broom or any other cleaning supplies in there?

What about a place to store entertaining objects like platters, etc?

A place to keep all the extra plastic grocery bags so they can be accessed/reused easily?

If you are keeping spices or other small objects consider a lazy susan or two.

Do you have pets and need to store pet food in bulk in the pantry? There are great airtight options at Petco/Petsmart for bulk pet food storage.

Are you planning on keeping tupperware in there? foil/saran wrap? ziplocks?

I really like having a designated spot (inside of the pantry is great for this) for either the chalkboard idea or a mounted dry erase board or even pad of paper so you can keep track of a grocery list, items you need, staples you're running low on,. etc.

Didn't even think about potatoes etc.

We are going to have a couple of food shelves and then a section for cleaning/tupperware/crockpots since we have a lot of space. Great idea on the baskets for potatoes I will add that to my list.

And I will put saran etc in there. You brought up a lot of stuff that I hadn't thought of yet. Thanks ladies!

Building a pantry ideas are welcome...

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