5 Steps to an Organized Pantry that Actually Works for Your Family

Has your pantry been in survival mode after the busyness of summer? Cans of soup are mixed in with mostly empty cereal boxes, you can't find an ingredient for tonight's dinner, and you’re trying to figure out where to place the grocery delivery for the week. If that's you, then read on for 5 simple steps for a more organized pantry.

Your pantry is one of the most-used spaces in your home. From grab-and-go breakfasts to after-school snacks to family dinners, it’s a hub of activity. When it’s cluttered or chaotic, cooking and mealtimes can feel like a chore. But when it’s organized, your pantry can save you time, money, and frustration, while making your kitchen run more smoothly for everyone in the house.

Here’s how to create a pantry that works for your real life.

Step 1: Empty & Evaluate

Start by removing everything from your pantry. Yes, everything. It’s the only way to see what you really have.

As you remove items from the pantry:

• Toss expired items.

• Donate unopened, non-perishable foods you won’t use.

• Group what’s left into broad categories (baking, snacks, canned goods, breakfast, etc.).

This step alone often frees up more space than you expect and helps you see what you actually need versus what you’ve been buying on repeat.

Step 2: Create Zones

Think of your pantry like a mini grocery store. Everything should have a designated home:

• Everyday essentials: Eye-level for quick grabs like snacks, breakfast, or dinner.

• Kid-friendly snacks: Lower shelves or bins so children can grab their own after school.

• Bulk or backstock: Higher shelves or a bin on the floor help keep extras out of the way.

  
  

When items have clear “homes,” it’s easier for the whole family to put things back where they belong - instead of any random open space on the shelf.

Step 3: Use the Right Containers

The right bins, baskets, and containers make a big difference, not just in appearance, but in keeping your pantry functional. As a reminder, we NEVER buy containers before Step 1 is complete.

• Airtight canisters can be used for staples like flour, sugar, rice, and oats. But don't get overboard with decanting all the staples. Stick to a few of the most used items then store the rest in a bin together. For example, if you use several types of dry beans to cook, it may be too much to decant them all. Instead place the bag of beans in a bin just for "beans."

• Clear, narrow bins for individually packed snacks or granola bars are great for kids.

• Lazy Susans for oils, condiments, and sauces are a great way to see all the bottles without them getting lost on the back of the shelf.

• Large bins or baskets on the floor work great for backstock or items that are used less.

  
  

Pro tip: Measure your shelves before you buy containers to ensure they fit perfectly and maximize your space. You may even want to do a hand-drawn mark-up of how you would like the space to function before purchasing organizing product.

Step 4: Make It Work for Your Family’s Habits

Your pantry should reflect how you actually live and cook:

• If you prep lunches daily, create a “lunch packing” zone with lunchboxes, sandwich bags, snacks, and lunchbox staples.

• If your kids come home hungry, make a snack bin with grab-and-go options they can reach without help.

• If you cook from scratch often, keep your spices, oils, and grains in an easy-to-access spot.

Step 5: Maintain with a Quick Weekly Reset

A five-minute tidy once a week will keep your pantry from slipping back into chaos. Toss expired items, combine duplicates, and make a short list of what’s running low before your grocery trip.

When meal prepping and ordering groceries for the week, I like to take a quick inventory of everything in the pantry (and refrigerator). This helps make sure I don't reorder items that I already have, ultimately helping me save money and decrease the amount of clutter.

Bonus Step: 

Labels are your best friend when it comes to organizing your pantry. They help everyone know where things go, especially when multiple people are unloading groceries.

The Southern Sort Difference

If time is not on your side, then contact Southern Sort instead! At Southern Sort, we don’t just create beautiful pantries, we create systems that work for your real life. Our goal is to make cooking easier, snack time smoother, and grocery unpacking a breeze.

If your pantry feels more like a puzzle than a helper, let’s turn it into your favorite kitchen space.

Click below to book your pantry transformation — an organized kitchen is just a session away!

Hey! I'm Tiffany - a passionate, decluttering and organizing expert serving the Golden Isles. As a mom of 4, I quickly learned how clutter creates so much stress in our lives and impacts our home in a negative way. And learned that having systems in place can help create a more stable home for our families.

That's why I am on a mission to help busy women in Brunswick, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island, and the surrounding areas declutter and create systems that help their homes function with ease.

Interested in learning more about Southern Sort's organizing services, click the link below.