There’s a party in my pantry. And everyone’s invited. Although, it’s not really a party. And the pantry is far too small to host any sort of gathering. Hmmm. This invitation is going over just about as smoothly as Brick Tambland’s.
But back to the pantry. See it there, hiding in the back of the kitchen by the fridge?
This is the only “before” I could find of it with the door open. By all the wallpaper and brown trim I could’ve sworn this was from before we moved in, but something about it being stocked with our mess of food tells me this is post-move. #sherlocking
Regardless of when the photo was snapped, you can see that it was – how should I put it? – lacking in any sort of order and organization. Except for maybe the artfully jumbled pile of bags on the floor. I’ll wait while you pin it.
Our initial treatment of that space was not at all indicative of our excitement to finally have a legit pantry. In our first house we just stocked food in some upper cabinets, and in our last one we had a pretty intense pantry-cabinet contraption that was equally functional and frustrating. So having a standard pantry closet (like the ones we both had growing up) is a welcome change for us.
And thankfully, over the last eight months of living with it (and getting increasingly frustrated by our lack of function), we’ve come up with a few ideas to make it work a lot better for us. First off, we wanted to move our microwave in there. I know it’s not your usual placement for a microwave, but since removing our hulking over-the-range microwave, we wanted a better spot than on the counter – and we’ve had luck with a microwave that was hidden behind a cabinet door in our last kitchen (we don’t use it very often, and we really liked that setup).
So because we had a good experience concealing our last microwave, relocating this one to our nice deep pantry felt like the way to go. There would be ample room for ventilation on the sides and back of it – and we’d keep the door open while it’s in use. The only hitch was that there was no outlet in the pantry. Until recently…
We actually got this done about a month or so ago (you may have noticed that the microwave has been MIA for a little while). Right before Christmas we had our go-to electricians swing by one morning and add an outlet right where we wanted it, to the tune of $110. And with that, the microwave had a spot to plug-in, our counter was clearer, and the pantry felt one step closer to being more functional for us.
We’ve been using it that way for over a month now and it has worked out well. Except that to make room for the microwave, we had to lose one of the existing shelves. Simple solution: reposition the shelves to capitalize on that unused space. But sometimes the simplest solutions take weeks to make it to the top of our to-do list.
Yesterday we finally emptied the pantry (a fun task full of exciting discoveries like “I didn’t know we still had cookies back here!”) and went to work adjusting the shelves. Our original plan had been to lower the bottom shelf (with the microwave on it) so that the shelf above it could go back in the same spot. But we’ve since moved our trash can in there too, so we couldn’t go any lower without obstructing the can from opening.
Trash can sidenote: we moved that into the pantry over a month ago on a trial basis with the worry that it could stink up the whole space or otherwise annoy us, but sort of like how a trash can under the sink doesn’t seem to be an issue – especially when it has a lid to seal it – this one has been fine in there. Even with a pregnant wife who currently has a werewolf-like sense of smell.
Instead of lowering the microwave shelf to make room for another shelf above it, we opted to put the missing shelf back in above the microwave shelf. But by hanging that one a little higher, it would create sort of a half-shelf that’s perfect for cans and smaller pantry items. So I, very technically, used a pasta sauce jar to mark how much space we’d want.
The next part was really easy. I used my crowbar to pry off the existing braces (which were just nailed in) and marked level lines where they needed to be re-installed.
Then using my level to double-check myself, I screwed them back into place where we wanted them.
The whole thing took about an hour, and most of that was spent emptying the pantry, taking pictures for you guys, and eating back-of-the-pantry discoveries. Once it was completed we were inordinately excited to test out our new small-things shelf. It’s really nice to have a “bonus shelf” for those shorter items that used to get shoved to the back or clutter up the other shelves.
We didn’t bother to restock the whole pantry yet because (as you can probably tell) there’s still more to be done. Primarily: priming, painting, and further organizing those shelves. We’re planning to add a few more systems to keep things organized on those bigger shelves, and might even hang some added storage on the door. Sherry has also been thinking about using some cheery wipeable shelf paper or something, so this pantry party is best described as half-baked.
After we’re done painting and everything’s dry we can actually organize it so it looks a bit more appetizing and less like a grocery store mid-looting. And then we’ll be back with the end result.
Man, it looks so nice empty and clean like that. Then again, the rest of the kitchen looks like this, so I guess it’s not really a long term solution.
How do you guys have your pantry organized? Do you have certain bins and systems that you love? Have you drooled over those amazing room-like pantries on Pinterest? Sometimes I catch Sherry just gazing at them and muttering things like “magical unicorn pantry.”
Also, let me know if anyone is throwing a pantry party anytime soon. I’ll bring my friend Brick. He’s a hoot.
Lynn @ Our Useful Hands says
Hahahaha I loved this post. John you kilt it! We have a free standing almost floor to ceiling pantry with pull out sliding shelves. I love it like a 3rd child. Its an immense size but manageable. I grew up with a kitchen closet pantry that was under our stairs so it went back pretty deep and talk about finding lost cookies back there is an understatement. It was a place you could hide in as a kid for hide and seek it was that big. Oh and Sherry how is your necklace sharing with Beyonce going? ;)
My best, Lynn
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
Brenda says
My current studio apartment has almost zero kitchen storage. At my previous apartment there were more cupboards, so I just used one of those as a pantry. Now I just shove stuff on top of my fridge/keep a few snacks in my desk drawer for when I want a peanut butter cup and I’m on my computer.
Angela L says
When we reworked our kitchen, the pantry tripled in size! Getting a bigger pantry was one of my goals in the renovation (that and a gas range!), and I love the added storage so much: http://gusandangela.blogspot.com/2011/11/kitchen-after.html
YoungHouseLove says
So awesome!
xo
s
Julie says
This is the no-drill Elfa storage I was talking about. LOVE IT and don’t be fooled by the no-drill, it’s very stable and super versatile with the different sized bins you can purchase. http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/pantryOrganizers/doorWallRacks?productId=10016912&N=74107
YoungHouseLove says
Looks great!
xo
s
Theresa says
I couldn’t live in our small, downtown condo without back of the door shelves. I have one in our panty and another on the door in front of our stacked washer and dryer. They hold an amazing amount of stuff and being thin, it is easy to not lose stuff like you would on a deeper shelf. We got one’s you screw to the door, not over the top. No one knows they are there except us.
YoungHouseLove says
Those sound awesome!
xo
s
Steph Reiner says
FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS, DO NOT PUT CONTACT PAPER!!!! ok actually I can’t tell you how to live your life but having just spent 7 hours with a blow dryer slowly peeling that out of the cabinets of the house we’re moving into in 2 weeks, I’m pretty sure contact paper is from the devil. But I am curious if you have a better/smarter solution for keeping those shelves clean that involves less cursing! :D
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks for the tip Steph!
xo
s
Isabel says
Pantry? What is that??? My mom’s kitchen has an amazing one but I haven’t seen one since I lived there… wop, wop. We don’t have that much dry/canned food but what we have we store in a regular cabinet. As part of our phase 1 mini kitchen overhaul, we’re putting the microwave, and hopefully the trash can too, in a spot where instead of a lower cabinet the previous owners used to have the washer. Since our cabinets are old and new ones are a phase 2 thing, we may have to do some cabinet door franken-steining, but based on your past success, I’m hoping it works!
YoungHouseLove says
Good luck Isabel!
xo
s
Katharine says
#sherlocking — Love it!
mimi says
I have a tall Ikea pantry cabinet and it’s pretty functional. It has a bunch of interior drawers and some stable shelves. I recently added an extra shelf and drawer to accomplish the same purpose as your new shelf – a home for canned goods and other small stuff. It makes that stuff so much easier to find and keeps it out of the way of the big stuff.
Penni McNamara says
Had to laugh at this post. When I was in 4th grade (1980) my teacher was getting married. The room parents planned a “pantry party” for him and his wife. I remember being baffled what this was about…as it turns out we were all supposed to bring in food items to stock their new pantry. Bisquick, maple syrup, canned goods,etc. Even at the ripe old age of 9 or 10 I knew it was a random party idea :)
Anyway – on with my comment. Is that your only pantry space????? How on earth do you have so little food??!! As always…looks great!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh, a pantry party is a thing?! That’s awesome. We need to throw one for John, asap. As for our food, I think we try to eat as much produce/fresh fruit/fridge stuff as possible, and we don’t save up packaged stuff (only buy it when we’re out instead of stockpiling it) so we have fewer pantry items than some people – although looking at the cabinet in our first house makes me laugh. That’s all we had!
xo
s
Allie says
We have never had a proper pantry or china cabinet so when we moved into our new (to us) house we rerouted the stairs and made room for a HUGE walk in 9′ x 5.5′ walk in pantry/china closet. I feel like I won the lottery and I may or may not often be found just standing in there gazing at its beauty.
YoungHouseLove says
AMAZING.
xo
s
Andrea says
Definitely need to do this to my pantry as well but it somehow magically keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the to-do list as well… I hope you guys go with a crazy, fun bright color in the pantry!
Rachel says
We always had the trash can in the pantry growing up. And without a lid. As long as we took it out regularly, we never really had a problem. The only issue was at parties or when guests were over if they tried to help. Because no one could find our trash can! No one ever looks in the pantry!
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
Nicole B. says
I don’t know why, but I love seeing into other peoples pantries! Like if I was a maid, I’d totally look in everyone’s pantry after cleaning.
Nicole B.
Peggy says
For my pantry, spice cupboard and refrigerator, I love to use lazy susans. I have a huge one in my pantry for canned goods, a medium size one in my fridge, and some small ones in my cupboards. I don’t know how other people get along without ’em!
YoungHouseLove says
Smart!
xo
s
Holley says
I have total pantry envy. I’ve never lived in a home that had one, and it’s absolutely on my dream home list! Easily my favorite thing I did in my current home (townhouse = tiny kitchen) to maximize space was getting the Prodyne spice rack from Amazon. I saw a photo of these in someone’s kitchen and fell in love. I have 4 of them on my only wall, and it’s just perfect!
YoungHouseLove says
Will have to check it out!
xo
s
kara says
So funny that you have a pantry post today. Our pantry is very well organized, but I’ve been stocking up because our due date is quickly approaching, so some things are getting pushed out of their normal spots. Yesterday my husband was making cookies and half way through he was like, “WE’RE OUT OF BROWN SUGAR!!!” I said, “no, check down by the pasta and rice.” He was like “OF COURSE! Why wouldn’t our brown sugar be with the pasta and rice?!”
Oh the curses of having an organized pantry! haha.
YoungHouseLove says
SO FUNNY!
xo
s
Richelle says
Ugh, pantry organization is “on my list.” (Coincidentally, those three words now make my husband flinch, Pavlov’s dog-style.) Our pantry is actually a separate little room with its own tiny window, so the possibilities are almost endless… which seems to be part of the problem.
How do you guys approach open-ended options like that? I seem to be paralyzed by not having enough of a “box” to work with…
YoungHouseLove says
I think the key is just getting started, so we dove in and got the plug added and rehung that shelf. Now we have to empty it all out to paint, which gives us another oportunity to evaluate if we want to alter anything or add stuff. And then once it’s painted and we load things back in, we can try some systems (like bins or lazy susans or back-of-the-door systems to make it more functional). So you can hopefully just get started and figure things out as you go!
xo
s
tsmith says
Enjoy your blog! Here’s a hint for stinky inside garbage: scrape/dump all food scraps into a plastic store bag, store in freezer, and toss in outside garbage each garbage collection day! Takes care of stinky garbage and “nosey” dogs!
YoungHouseLove says
Never heard that before!
xo
s
Jess says
We do this! I’d never heard it before moving in with my boyfriend, but it makes a HUGE difference. The only catch is sometimes forgetting to grab the stuff from the freezer on trash day!
Meg says
Our pantry can best be described as a veritable disaster filled with tons of didn’t-know-we-had-this treasures, which can be fun when you’re organizing — but that rarely happens! I actually feel very guilty anytime I go pawing through there, because I know we’ve dumped so much money into foods we don’t even know we have. You’ve inspired me to go through ours and get it together this weekend — it’s really time!
Amanda says
We have a similar pantry setup, but ours is about half as wide. Our trashcan and microwave are in there with shelves for dry goods which we store in standardized containers. A few baskets and large glass jars hold miscellaneous small snack items, and a wire shelf hangs on the door for baggies, plastic wrap, and aluminum foil. Since the cabinet is so small we installed a second wire rack on the cabinet next to our stove/oven to hold can goods. It works for us, and has for the last five years, but I’m still dreaming of a day when it’s all in the same place and looking good. Pinterest has some great eye candy for sure!
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds really efficient!
xo
s
Keeley says
I like your pantry! I would have never considered putting both the trash can and microwave in there, but it looks like it works!
Our pantry is relatively shallow with a standard-sized door. But the strange part is that it’s wider than the door opening, so we have to reach into corners on both sides to get stuff. I don’t know what to do, but I know it need a modification. Thanks for inspiring me to tackle the project. I hate buying items again because I can’t find them!
Jessica says
Not a pantry question, but have you ever thought about using your desk in the kitchen as a work zone since you only have 1 desk in the office currently? Or do you have plans to demo that section of the kitchen? Love the nutella in your pantry too – we spend time in the tropics each year and found a macadamian-chocolate spread. Pretty much nutella on steroids, I’m obsessed and bring it home every time we visit!
YoungHouseLove says
We’d love to eventually turn that into floor to ceiling cabinetry for storage! Sitting at that little desk facing the wall is just too sad for me (I’d rather be at the table so I have a window views), so I have only tried it once before declaring “NOPE!” – haha!
xo
s
Jen says
Hi there! Love reading your blog and following along on all your creative projects and solutions. Just curious if you guys considered leaving the microwave in the same general area that was shown in this post’s before pic and modifying the upper cabinets just to the right of the desk area to create a built-in look for your microwave. Seems like that would look nice, function well, and save your precious pantry space.
YoungHouseLove says
We actually did think about that a bit but thought that area with the desk would never look very balanced even if we modified it (the counter is two-tiered, which really bugs us – we’re weirdos). So we’d rather just have that counter space open and not have anything big hanging over it like a microwave, and tuck ours away instead since we don’t use it very much and we had it behind a door in our last house). We’re hopeful that we’ll still squeeze all the storage we need out of the pantry while keeping the microwave in there!
xo
s
Annie Dee says
In our previous house we had a generous double pantry. We took the opportunity to make one of the shelves a “canned goods” shelf. We added a short lip (just a bit wider than the shelf material) to the front of the shelf and put the shelf clips in so that the front clips were one row lower than the back. Voila! The cans always roll to the front and we never “lost” anything in the way back of the deep pantry shelf!!
YoungHouseLove says
So cool!
xo
s
Morgane@Bear Dolly and Moi says
this is very timely, our microwave just died and i am debating not getting a hood microwave and just putting a simple one in the pantry! we already have a plug there, but we have wire shelf (which I do not like at all). Do you know how much space is needed around the microwave for safety? Are just a few inches enough?
thanks for another inspiring project!
YoungHouseLove says
Apparently a few inches around it are recommended so it can vent (nothing should be pressed up against it on any side) and leaving the door open while it’s in use also helps to keep it ventilated. You just don’t want to trap heat or block those vents on the sides or back.
xo
s
Annelies says
Seems nice to have a pantry like that, I just have to stuff things in cupboards. Why didn’t you move the top two shelves a bit higher since there still seems to be some space on top left and then you have more room to move things around on the shelf above the microwave? Just my first reaction. Another question, will the pantry stay as it is in the final set up for the kitchen (was it worth to pay for the extra plug)?
You guys are the best!
YoungHouseLove says
Alas, I’m too short. Haha! So keeping those where they are give me the easiest access. As for if this is Phase 1 or for the long haul, we’re planning to work with this pantry for the life of the kitchen, so assuming the changes we make are awesome, they stay (and if things become less functional than we expect over time, we’ll just course correct as we go :)
xo
s
Reenie says
My pantry’s on my list to remove everything, paint and add a few slide out baskets. :)
Nicole says
Our pantry is big, but so badly designed (by the previous owners). We have a 5-year reno plan so for now it’s bins, bins, and more bins! We have more bulk bags than cans and boxes so I bought a selection of single and double-wide bins at the dollar store, labelled them with a black sharpie and voila! Easy to find, easy to pull out, and no more spices falling through the gaps in the wire shelves.
YoungHouseLove says
Great ideas everyone!
xo
s
Laura says
Looks great! Our house didn’t have a traditional pantry. However, the coat closet was right next to the kitchen, and we keep our coats in our own closet so we don’t really need it. Therefore, we got creative and turned it into a pantry! That was probably our best house decision ever. I love it! We put shelves in it and installed a plug for our microwave to go in there. I also love, love, love not having the microwave out taking up precious counter space.
Stacie says
We recently updated our pantry and also put our microwave in there as well. We love it! We too were debating about what to do with the shelving in ours since it was a dark stain and we have recently updated our trim to white. I was nervous about painting the shelves in fear of the paint scratching and/or peeling when putting things in and out of the pantry. However, the paint guy at our local hardware store suggesting white washing them with a 50/50 mixture of oil based paint and paint thinner. Of course we had to sand them down first, which was the hardest part but they turned out amazing! We put a coat of poly on them after the white washing just to be safe. We’ve had it this way for a couple of months now and love it! It is holding up very well and really lightened up the inside of the pantry. Good luck with yours….you guys always do great work!
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!
xo
s
Tanda says
Is it weird that I totally sang the title of your post to the tune “There’s a Party in My Tummy” from the Nick Jr. show Yo Gabba Gabba? #lifewithatoddler
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
Tricia Embley says
Our pantry is much like your second house, long series of three cabinets to the ceiling. I so wish we had a closet and I could remove our microwave. Looks good and hope the changes work out.
Jessica M says
Peanut butter next to Nutella. A match made in heaven. Nom nom nom nom…
YoungHouseLove says
That needs to be a food group.
xo
s
Michelle | Birds of Berwick says
We did a redo to our open pantry right at the very end of the year to jump start reorganization for this year. We still have work to do, but then again, isn’t there always work to do?
http://www.birdsofberwick.com/2014/01/10/pantry-makeover/
YoungHouseLove says
OOH! That’s so pretty!!
xo
s
Rebecca says
Two things: 1) “I’ll wait while you pin it” nearly made me LOL. Nearly.
2) I never lose track of my cookies.
Dawn says
This is a bit off topic, but my husband works for Martin’s and it was so cool to see the loaf of bread on your counter. I always knew you Petersiks had good taste. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
We love Martin’s! Ukrops cupcakes for life.
xo
s
Redkimba says
My pantry closet is new to me too but unlike you, I’d never put my microwave in it. We use that thing all. the. time. It’s above my range where I can use it.
Instead, I have cans and boxes on the upper shelves, canisters of flour, sugar and rice on the main, extra deep shelf and baskets attached to the back of the door for our reusable grocery bags. On the floor of the pantry, I have my food processor and mixer in a rolling drawer. What I did is use a drawer from an old dresser and attached caster wheels to it. The drawer rolls in and out of the pantry easily so I don’t have to get on my hands and knees and lift heavy objects out of the way.
YoungHouseLove says
So smart!
xo
s
Scarlett says
Cheap, shallow, rectangular baskets that are the same depth as your pantry shelves, the straighter the sides the better (you lose less space between baskets that way). I have had the best luck finding sturdy ones at Asian dollar stores. That way you can pull the basket forward like a drawer and not have to reach around or unpack the shelf to get to stuff at the back!
Nancy says
If Sherry wrote this post it would need to be called “Sherdoglocking” right? ha!
Also, party in my pantry brought to mind ‘party in my pants’ (that’s just how my brain works) which is a childbearing-age-lady-friendly real company selling functional products not -ahem- get your mind out of the gutter. Love their eco-friendly products – linked to them above and am not affiliated in any way other than being a customer. BONUS: There’s a free product link for just $3.99 s&h!!! I’d say happy or satisfied customer, but I’m afraid your mind would go right back in the gutter.
okay how was that for a crazy aside???
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
Sara says
Swoon! We moved from a 1 bedroom apartment to a 4 bedroom house in April. The apartment had a huge very useful pantry. Our house, nadda. It’s totally lacking in counter space and cabinets/pantry. So we have a few heafty long term goals. Short term? Store food in the basement and even in the coat closet in the living room. We’re weirdos.
Trashcan totally isn’t gross either! You did a great job breaking that down with the under the sink reference!
Emily Ruth says
This made me smile. Especially the “I’ll wait while you pin it.” I would not be brave enough to show my pantry to the world.
Amy of while wearing heels says
I’ve never been to a pantry party. I’ve often thought of entertaining in my pantry, though I am not sure how socially acceptable that would be. In our very modest sized house, we have a rather large pantry…large enough to add a library ladder to help access the higher shelves. So, if you ever want to party in my pantry, feel free…and bring Brick :)
http://whilewearingheels.blogspot.com/2012/11/100-year-old-pantry-big-reveal.html
YoungHouseLove says
Dude, I’m SO there.
xo
s
Lisa E says
That is an awesome space!
Jenna says
Loving “I’ll wait while you pin it” and how Sherry seems to be walking around muttering things lately. Cracking me up today guys!
Taylee @ twist me fit says
I love how your microwave is in your pantry. Saves a lot of space!
Rachel K says
I cracked up at the line about waiting while we pin it!
Also I am SO excited for the follow up post!! We moved into our house less than a month after y’all did and just the other day I was thinking it’s time to tackle the pantry and finally organize it so I can’t wait to see what you do so I can steal all your ideas! I’m also more motivated than ever to repaint it since there are food splatters all over. It will just be difficult because we have wire shelves that are not easy to remove…
mary says
we keep our trash in the pantry, i find what helps keep bugs and smells at bay is sealing food waste (whatever I can’t compost) up in bags that are destined for the trash anyhow (like the bags that dried fruit and trail mix come in for example). also lazy susans do wonders for me, otherwise stuff gets pushed to the back and i find it years later..
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the tips and suggestions guys. Thanks for sharing!
xo
s
mary says
oh and i just saw the comment above about freezing food waste. I do that with compost, i stick it in an empty odor seal folger’s container but freeze it so that when i need to add to the stash, i’m not reeling from the decomposition smell. of course i currently have 3 containers in my freezer that need to go out… heh
YoungHouseLove says
Smart!
xo
s
Leah says
Two suggestions:
1. Plug your micro into a power strip. Since you rarely use the micro, keep the power strip turned off unless you’re using the micro. Saves some of that vampire energy; there’s no need to light up a clock you don’t use.
2. This would involve more cutting and work, but I really like narrow shelves around the perimeter for storing things like cans. Or, you could figure out how to install a pull out shelf (tho this is better done lower, I suppose). In our pantry right now, I use a lot of baskets to corral smaller stuff so that I still have plenty of room and don’t lose items in the back. Losing items is my biggest pet peeve, so I wish pantries weren’t so deep.
YoungHouseLove says
Great tips!
xo
s
Debra Fawson says
I love your Pantry ideas! I organized mine so great a few months ago, but keeping it that way is the real trick! I just need to try harder I guess!