Pantry Primping
As I shared last week, our kitchen pantry/closet was out of control. So out of control that a can of paint thinner was within inches of the dog food. This wasn’t good.
From light bulbs and tools to dog toys and appliances, our pantry was overflowing. So, I set out to fix it!
First I made a list of items that I wanted to keep or add to the pantry and a list of items that I wanted to remove. Then I made a plan for how to organize the remaining items. The biggest change was removing all of the tools that had built up in the closet over the past three years. They have been moved to the basement where we will soon build a workbench.
Next, I removed the storage unit hanging from the door and separated the items it was holding. Once it was empty, I moved the unit and all of the light bulbs to a hallway closet. Then I separated like items into bins (i.e. kitchen accessories, batteries, flashlights, water bottles, dog toys) and re-organized the appliances and dishes on the shelves. I used an over-the-door coat hook to hang aprons and other oddly-shaped items that are just awkward on the shelves (like my huge-but-completely-necessary electric griddle!).
It’s looking much better, right? But I wasn’t completely satisfied. I wanted a way to cover the most cluttered area of the closet and somehow separate the non-cooking related items.
I had an old shower curtain rod and a curtain that previously hung in the guest bedroom, so I quickly put them to use. (I folded the curtain up and over, using pins to secure, so that I wouldn’t have to ruin the floor-length curtain. It might come in handy elsewhere someday!). I opted not to iron the very wrinkled curtain. It’s behind a door, after all!
And with that, my pantry re-org was complete. Ta-dah!
Opening the pantry is now like a breath of fresh air. And we’re thrilled that we are much less likely to accidentally poison the innocent and unsuspecting Frankie…
Have you addressed any of your organization issues yet this year? If you’re like me then you have several more closets left to go…
looks fantastic!!!
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Nicely done! Our closets are still in a post-holidays state of disaster… uggh.
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Always love to see a good pantry redo! I like how you used the fabric at the bottom too. Great job!
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Love the pantry!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Check out my tips including how to get pen off and couch!
http://creatingahouseofgrace.blogspot.com/2010/01/different-way-to-clean.html
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What a great job and what a handsome boy Frankie is!! Totally forgot to take a photo of outside of fridge. After standing ironing for two hours – yes two hours on Sunday and then putting it all away I was shattered. Had a quick shower and cup of tea and promptly forgot about the fridge. Must try and remember!
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Erin Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Janis,
Two hours of ironing, oh my! I might have opted for a glass of wine instead of a cup of tea after that! Isn’t Frankie the cutest thing? We’re obsessed.
xo,
- e
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Great work! I’m, first off, incredibly jealous of your pantry space. I wish I had a spot to put small appliances.
I also love your use of the curtain at the bottom and the baskets. =)
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Erin Reply:
January 18th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Hi Kim!
I know, when I posted the before picture last week I felt horrible knowing that I’ve been blessed with this amazing space and that I let it get to such shambles!
I had dreams of pretty canvas bins, etc., but I kept the whole project under $20 by using cheap plastic bins and covering them with the re-purposed curtain! Love saving $.
xo,
- e
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Wow, what a difference! I love the curtain at the bottom. And I’d kill for a place to store my small appliances. I hate counter clutter so a pantry like yours would be awesome!
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Your pantry turned out great! You’re a girl after my own heart.
I love the idea of using a curtain to hide the clutter, and wonder how I could make this work since our shelving is L-shaped to go around a corner. I like the idea of hanging appliances, too. Clever!
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Erin Reply:
January 20th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Hi Laura,
I love your pantry. I was trying to figure out how I could get L-shaped shelves in mine, but it’s just not deep enough! Yours was so organized that it probably doesn’t need a curtain!
xo,
- e
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