de-clutter your kitchen pantry and maximise space
Organising your pantry is an achievable afternoon task that is going to bring a sense of calm to your everyday life.
The first step to de-clutter your kitchen pantry is simple: empty it out! Move everything onto your kitchen bench so you can clearly see what you’re working with. This gives you instant visibility over all your kitchen items, helping you do a quick inventory check. From here, start decluttering. Most of us are guilty of keeping types of foods we’ll never use (or shouldn’t use because they expired years ago). Donate any unopened, unwanted items to a local food relief organisation, like Foodbank, and make sure to check the expiry date on everything.
To stay on top of your newly organised pantry, create a weekly meal plan or keep a list of quick recipes on hand. A meal plan not only helps organise your week, it supports food waste reduction by preventing unnecessary purchases of perishable fruits and vegetables. Another great habit is dedicating one night each week to leftovers. Repurposing uneaten food saves time and reduces waste.
Organisation tip: A popular trend in modern kitchens is an easy-grab snack drawer. Fill it with muesli bars, crackers or nuts so you can access snacks quickly without rummaging through the pantry.
To design a more functional and accessible pantry cupboard, group items into categories like condiments, canned food, dried goods, and dried herbs. Our pantry pull-out baskets are perfect if you’re looking to maximise storage space, they allow you to pull everything forward for instant access. Incorporating wireware or kitchen pull out cabinet solutions can transform your pantry storage, making your weekly shop easier because you can instantly see what needs replenishing.
If you’re working with a butler’s pantry, take a little extra time to re-organise the space. Treat it as a chance to build a clutter-free zone that doubles as a preparation area. Consider what you’ll store here. Whether it be small appliances, pots and pans, food storage containers, or everyday items like your toaster and kettle. A thoughtful setup ensures your butler’s pantry supports a truly functional kitchen. If you’re planning a renovation, kaboodle offers plenty of inspiration for designing a practical, functional pantry layout.
For a more visually appealing setup, consider using storage bins, glass jars, or kitchen storage containers like the Inabox kitchen storage range available at Bunnings. They’re perfect for categorising pantry essentials and types of foods, from pasta to rice to snacks, and are a great budget friendly way to achieve a clean, streamlined look. If you love displaying your items, open shelving can add character while keeping everyday staples within easy reach.
To take your pantry storage solutions even further, explore our wide range of kitchen accessories designed to elevate your kitchen cabinets, pantry layout and overall storage solutions. We hope these tips help inspire your next kitchen refresh.
faqs
why should I empty out my pantry before organising it?
Emptying your pantry gives you full visibility of everything you own, making it easier to take inventory, check expiration dates and identify what you actually use. It sets the foundation for a clutter-free and functional pantry.
how can I reduce food waste after organising my pantry?
Creating a weekly meal plan, storing foods in clearly labelled containers and dedicating one night a week to leftovers can significantly reduce food waste. An organised pantry also helps prevent over-buying because you can easily see what needs replenishing.
what organisational tips are suggested for making the pantry user-friendly?
Group similar items together (like canned food, dried herbs, snacks and baking supplies) and use pull-out wireware, storage bins or baskets to maximise accessibility. Categorising items makes everything easier to find and helps keep your pantry tidy in the long-term.
do I need special storage containers or systems to get started?
No. Start with what you have. However, incorporating food storage containers, glass jars, or stackable storage bins can help maximise your space and create a more streamlined, visually appealing pantry. Pull-out baskets or wireware can further enhance functionality if you’re looking for next-level organisation.
how long will this pantry re-organisation take?
A standard pantry can be organised in an afternoon. If you have a larger space, like a butler’s pantry, it may take longer depending on how much you store and whether you're also decluttering appliances or kitchenware.
where can I find more inspiration or storage product ideas for the pantry?
You can explore our wide range of kitchen storage solutions, including wireware, kitchen cabinets, storage bins and pantry accessories. For more inspiration, visit our design blog or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
how do I organise my pantry?
Start by emptying it completely, decluttering expired or unwanted items, grouping similar foods together and using storage solutions that suit your space, like pull-out baskets, labelled containers or open shelving. Establishing a system makes maintenance easy.
how do I organise my kitchen cupboards?
Remove everything, declutter what you no longer use, then group items based on function—such as pots and pans, plates, glasses, pantry items and cooking staples. Use vertical dividers, pull-out solutions and baskets to make better use of your storage space and create a more functional kitchen.