Introduction
Not every home has a pantry. But if you don’t have dedicated storage space, it doesn’t mean you can’t organize your kitchen. Stocking up on necessities including food is a growing trend. According to the USDA, food storage is increasing year-over-year. If you don’t have a pantry, don’t panic. In fact, it’s easy with these eight tips!
1. Start with the small stuff.
So, how should you organize a kitchen without a pantry? I look for items that are easy to move around and store. For example, I have kept my spices in an old spice rack from Target that was designed to be wall mounted. It was small enough to fit on a countertop without taking up much space, but it also has hooks on the back so that I can hang it from nails. Check this idea to save space too.
My kitchen utensils go into a drawer organizer that hangs on the side of my fridge because it doesn’t take up too much room and allows me immediate access to everything I need when cooking or cleaning up after meals.
2. Organize kitchen by zones.
If there are areas of the kitchen that have a specific function, such food storage or stovetop, don’t mix them together. Instead, organize kitchen zones that include a space for pantry items and use labels to show what they are.
For example, you could divide your kitchen into different areas: “pantry/cabinets” and “stovetop/tools & appliances.” This will make it easier to find items when you need them and avoid wasting time looking for things in all parts of the kitchen.
3. Think in terms of what pantry item I use most and least.
Once I’ve determined how much space you have to work with, it’s time to start thinking about your most- and least-used items. If possible, think in terms of what your family uses most frequently—and where they use that item. For example, if your family eats breakfast every morning and lunch every day at home, then the food that makes those meals should be easily accessible by everyone who uses the kitchen.
Keep dishes used daily close by baking sheets further away. Baking sheets aren’t quite as visible but still accessible enough for when you need it.
As time goes by and needs change (or even as you rearrange things because of new arrivals), make sure to keep these guiding principles in mind so that everything stays organized!
4. Use corners to your advantage.
The corners of your kitchen are great for organizing small items that you don’t use all the time. For example, if you have a corner cabinet or nook where you can store extra spices or baking ingredients (think flour, sugar, and various flours), it will ensure they’re out of sight but still easily accessible when they’re needed.
Another way to use a corner is by placing a small appliance in one—for instance, if you have limited counter space and want to keep your blender handy but out of the way, put it in an unused corner. It’ll be both convenient and out of sight. This can also work with other appliances like food processors that you’ll need access to the top in order to function properly!
5. Reclaim counter space.
You can reclaim counter space by making use of the space under your sink. If you have a small cabinet, put all of your baking supplies here. Also, if there is a little bit of room in the back corner behind your stove, you could store microwave popcorn bags and other snacks in that area.
Another great way to reclaim counter space is by using a wine rack on top of cabinets or above your refrigerator. You could also buy an over-the-door organizer that will let you hang pots and pans from hooks so they take up less room on the stovetop or countertop.
You can also add extra shelving above hanging cabinets if possible (or between two sets of hanging cabinets). A multi-tier shelf works well when it comes to organizing canned goods and spices; just make sure there’s enough lighting so everything is visible!
Lastly, don’t forget about wall mounts for appliances like microwaves and toasters! These help save precious floor space so that kitchens look cleaner overall.
6. Vertical storage is your best friend.
It’s important to use vertical space to its full advantage. Here are a few ways you can use vertical storage to organize your kitchen without a pantry:
- Use a spice rack for spices you don’t use frequently. Spice racks are also great at storing canned foots like dried fruit, nuts and other snacks. Your grocery store will have some as well as Target.
- Place a cookie jar on top of the microwave as an alternative place for cookies instead of having them on top of the fridge where they could attract pests from outside or inside your home if you live in an apartment building with shared walls.
Hanging a tool rack above the stovetop will bring all those utensils and gadgets in easy reach. Check out this article from Apartment Therapy. If there’s no room for this kind of hanging storage (or if it just doesn’t look right), consider adding dowel rods between cabinet shelves; this will allow each shelf member to hold multiple items while still giving them plenty of space below it too! This works really well with pots and pans but also things like measuring cups too.”
7. Consider a kitchen island storage pantry possibilities.
A kitchen island is the ultimate kitchen add-on. It is a great way to organize storage in your pantry-less kitchen. If you’re not using the island for extra seating, use it as a food preparation area. Keep your cutting board and knife set at the ready. Also, see what small appliances fit best underneath to clear up countertop space .
8. Look for double-duty items.
- Think of ways that you can use your other kitchen cabinets to store food and supplies. For example, underneath cabinets can also be used as a holder for paper towels. You could use a cutting board to hold knives.
- Look for bins and baskets that are stackable. Clear food storage containers are good to view what is inside but most can fit snuggly on top of one another.
- Store spices in a basket or bin on your countertop. If you don’t have enough space in one cabinet, nest your bowls inside each other. Keep spices accessible near the stove so they won’t get lost. Else, consider storing them inside an upper cabinet out of sight but still easily accessible.
- Use wine racks as drawers! They’re perfect for holding baking supplies like cookie cutters (especially if placed on top). Measuring cups/spoons/bowls and anything else you might need while cooking up some delicious treats. Avoid too much clutter piled high above your headspace.”
Conclusion
So, there you have it. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of organizing your kitchen without a pantry, don’t be! Start with some small changes and work your way up from there. You don’t need a ton of space — just creativity. And if all else fails? Organize around what works best for you and leave everything else out in the open; after all, “a cluttered kitchen is a utilized kitchen,” right?
