Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Adding Extra Shelves And A Microwave To The Pantry

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.

Steve Carell Pants Party Anchorman

But back to the pantry. See it there, hiding in the back of the kitchen by the fridge?

Pantry Arrow

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

Pantry Before

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.

Pantry Other Houses

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).

Nelson After Mircowave Area

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…

Pantry Outlet

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.

Pantry Before Microwave Full

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.

Pantry Before Microwave

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.

Pantry Mark

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.

Pantry Prying Marking

Then using my level to double-check myself, I screwed them back into place where we wanted them.

Pantry Screwing

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.

Pantry AFTER Straight

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.

Pantry AFTER Close

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.

Pantyr AFTER Full

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.

Pantry Food On Counter

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.

Comments

  1. Abby J. says

    You know what is great for pantry storage? Hang one of those plastic shoe organizers over the door. The shoe pockets are perfectly sized for jars of sauces, salad dressings, olive oils, vinegars, etc. And the clear plastic allows you to read the label without taking the jar out.

    Reply

  2. anna says

    when we built our house, the first extra power point i drew in on the plans was in the pantry for the microwave. it’s great, and i congratulate myself frequently on having amazing foresight.

    Reply

  3. Krissy says

    Nutella! Glad you guys enjoy that chocolatey goodness.

    I don’t understand the “system” that Nathan put in place. I don’t think he does either, because he reorganizes food every time we come home from grocery shopping.

    Reply

  4. Alisa says

    Ok, so,my pantry is going to make me sound insane. You’ve been warned. We have a pantry but it’s four inches deep, so we use overhead cabinets instead. Problem is, they’re high and deep so I could never find anything. Enter home goods. Found some plastic lidded boxes there that were the perfect depth for our cabinets so, naturally, I bought them all. They stack nicely, too. In each box, I have ingredients for one meal, plus a little note so I remember which meat and/or produce to pair it with. So in our chilli box, I have spices, canned beans, cornbread mix, and a note to add meat, shredded carrots, and onions. It makes meal planning SO much easier. Then I have other boxes for snacks for my daughter (school snack appropriate box, car trip box, etc). It makes the upper cabinets so much more functional!

    Reply

  6. Ali says

    Hi guys ! Great pantry updates !!

    Love how you don’t stockpile food in your pantry! I want to get better at now ‘hoarding’ and stockpiling pantry items. Often I have way more than I use and end up wasting money by throwing away expired items. Plus, when I buy too much it just creates pantry clutter. How do you come up with your grocery list to have just what you need and no stockpiles !?!

    I wondered if ya’ll have a good system for organizing your silverware drawer, utensil drawers, etc !?!

    Also, remember you two posting years ago that you limit your ‘soaps, shampoos, shaving, lotion, skin care products to save money and space ! Do ya’ll still do that!?! Would you be willing to share what you love product wise currently !?!

    Love ya’ll & your blog!!

    -Ali

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks Ali! If you search “the simple life” that post with our most current products (and how we only buy them one at a time) should come up. As for the grocery list, we make it when we’re home, just looking in the fridge and pantry to note what we’re almost out of or completely out of and only rebuy that (there’s no buying stuff we already have since we don’t stockpile). As for our silverware/utensils, we instagramed that drawer right after we moved in (so it’ll be on Facebook in the pictures folder if that helps) which shows how we just used one of those utensil holders/dividers. Nothing fancy at all, but it works.

      xo
      s

  8. Nat S says

    I think the pantry in our house is one of my favourite features. Its a walk in pantry and it is massive. Having friends over for dinner I would walk into the pantry and they always exclaim ‘how big is your pantry, you disappeared for a second there’. We keep our microwave in there too as there was already a power point in there for it :) We are big home cooks so it is stocked with so many ingredients, plus the big appliances and pots that don’t fit in the cupboards. I have no idea where I would fit all of my supplies in a pantry like yours. Our last unit had no pantry and it drove me crazy so we brought a bookcase to store everything on, worked awesome.

    Reply

  10. Jackie says

    Do you guys watch a lot of yo gabba gabba? Because as soon as I read the title I couldn’t stop singing, “There’s a party in my tummy. So yummy. So yummy. There’s a party in my tummy.”

    Reply

  11. cassie says

    Hi John and Sherry! And Clara and Barnacle ;)
    I just noticed a possible afterthought of your newly positioned shelf that I’m not sure if you have realised; As nice as it is to have a short shelf for short items, this usually only works if you can slide out the shelf so as to access the things at the back. Man I wish I didn’t sound like such a Debbie Downer, I just want to make sure I offered that hot tip as you guys have given me so many!
    Eg. If you have all those jars at the front, how will you access the jars 3 rows back without rearranging everything?
    I lived with a deep, ‘normal’ pantry for 3 years and hated it because with depth comes inaccessibility :( You either need to have the shelves spaced far apart to be able to see to the back or install some form of drawer (plastic and cheap/installedand exy) otherwise things get ugly real quick!

    I hope that was helpful, not ‘knowitallful’ and that you have fun sprucing up your pantry! xo Cassie

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks Cassie! We actually chatted about that with each other (ex: is this going to drive us crazy) and have decided we only want to stack “like-cans” behind each other. So we will put the same soup or salsa in front of each other if we have one and a half cans, but we won’t hide beans behind a can of soup because we’ll never find it! That way we can just remove the front can when we’re done with it to access the same item behind it. Here’s hoping it works!

      xo
      s

  12. Beth says

    Love the great step by step instructions in all your projects. Looking at your kitchen photo in this last post, I was wondering if you had thought about changing your dark cabinet hinges to interior ones. That would be a bit of a pain in that you would have to a fair amount of wood puttying, but it would really continue that updated/modern look you have started.

    Reply

  13. Christina says

    I buy a lot of grains and less used flours etc at a bulk foods store and LOVE using mason jars to store them. Glass is healthier than plastic and the lids provide a good seal for freshness. Plus, they’re cheap. A label maker easily identifies contents!

    Love the hidden microwave idea!

    Reply

  14. Rosie S says

    We have the Rev A Shelf garbage/recycling pull out, if you have the space, it is wonderful! Also, a recommendation for the smell issue…..I SWEAR by those bags of volcanic rock….they are hard to find, but they DO absorb odor and last forever, so, worth hunting for.

    Reply

  18. Vicki says

    My Aunt had the neatest pantry, it was only about 8″ deep, floor to ceiling, and the doors were two sets of bi-folds…. nothing was ever lost and she knew just what she had! And it occupied a spot in an oversized, underused hallway.

    Reply

  19. threadbndr says

    In my Arts and Crafts bunglow, the ‘pantry’ is in the basement! I guess 100 years ago they did more ‘root cellar and shelves for home canning’ instead of ‘pantry’. And those shelves are 4×4 and dimensional 2x4s – serious shelving LOL. I do use it for storage – my bulk goods and (since I do home can) for glass jars.

    But my food storage in the kitchen is more like your first house – in cabinets and drawers. One of the things I need to puzzle out is how and where to squeeze in one of those skinny pull out pantry cabinets (like the center section of the one in your second house). My kitchen is a galley style and very tight, but since it’s just me now, it’s finem and for a house of this vintage, it’s got a decent amount of storage – just not a pantry LOL.

    Reply

  21. xin says

    We just move into our new house 4 months ago, and the first thing I did was removing the wire shelves and put in plywood shelves. My pantry closet was the original backdoor coat closet, so it’s about 30″ wide and 26″ deep. I added 16″ deep shelves, not by design, just because I am cheap, and wanted to get as many shelf boards as I could from a 4 by 8 3/4″ plywood. I use bins on the 16″ shelves for the smaller items, and I put the cereals and snacks in big plastic jars. Again, since I am so cheap, I just buy those big jarred snacks from BJs and reuse the containers. I ended up with several of them in each size, so they looks pretty nice and unified. And they are transparent, so I can see how much we have left before buying more.
    I also have big plan for the rest of the 10″ vertical space between the shelves and the door. I am going to build some shelves to install to the back of the door, like what Ana White did for her daughter’s closet. http://ana-white.com/2010/08/behind-closet-doors.html But since you have less space there, you can build something like this for your smallest items. http://ana-white.com/2013/07/plans/door-spice-rack
    There is still some space left on both side of the door, which is about 4″, not occupied by the behind door shelves. I am planning to hang my aprons and some other rarely used items there. I want to use every inch of that pantry, so I won’t have much clutter in the rest of my newly renovated kitchen. I can show you some pictures once I am done with it.

    Reply

  22. Shey says

    Wish I could upload a pic here. My husband just made my pantry for me. It was a laundry room in the kitchen, we just moved the laundry elsewhere and took that space for the pantry. I have a bench that I keep my coffeepot and bowls of fruit on–it’s also great for setting down the grocery bags on. Then I have shelves above with partitions so I can “group” things. Below is bulk storage for potatoes, extra mac and cheese, etc. Also have a wine rack that’s big enough for paper towels (which is what it mostly holds). Then I used any extra wall space for a cork board, a spice rack, a set of hooks for grocery bags, etc. I also turned the back of the door (which is completely flat) into a chalkboard. I added white wood trim to the door–actually ON the door–to complete the chalkboard effect.

    Reply

  23. Angela says

    Bwa ha ha. This was the funniest post yet. “I’ll wait while you pin it” and “Not a longer term solution….” were my favorites. It’s looking great. Love the progress updates.

    Reply

  24. ashlee says

    We have an older pantry that looks similar, but it’s a pretty good size. There’s a huge space where I think they had hooks or something though. So we have the massive dog food bag there, along with hooks for shopping bags and baby bibs. (I imagine it’ll be a fun hide and go seek spot for our little man when he gets older though) The shelves are organized by food type (breakfast, snacks, pasta, etc.) We do have our toaster on a shelf in there so when it’s not in use it doesn’t take up counter space. I do want to get wire shelves in there and add more shelving but that’ll be later. Our itty bitty linen closet needs help first.

    Reply

  25. Joseph says

    I’m pretty jealous of you pantry party and we definitely won’t be throwing one of our own anytime soon. Our’s is on the level of your first situation. That is definitely on the priority list for our next house.

    Reply

  26. Kelly says

    We bought a ventless gas fireplace insert at lowes for under $300. Our living room didn’t have a fireplace originally, but there was a bump out in the wall where the old coal shoots used to be in our home. We made the bump out look like a fireplace by adding an old mantle my husband salvaged and exposed some brick around the opening. The insert was pricey, but we have never regretted it! All we needed was a gas hook up, no vent! It’s a great option when you think about doing your fireplace!

    Reply

  28. Deborah HH says

    Pantry tips for a long and safe life (learned from my mother and the hard way—which is to say, on my own :)
    1. keep lightest things on top, heaviest things on bottom—because accidents happen, and a cereal box hurts less than a jar of olives when it falls on your head.
    2. Keep canned goods divided from those ready to eat (canned corn, for example), and those used to prepare a dish (tomato sauce).
    3. Keep baking supplies located together: salt, soda, baking powder, yeast, flours, sugars, et cetera.
    4. Use shallow boxes or trays to hold spices. Keep savory spices in one, and (traditionally) dessert spices in another. Store bottled flavorings in a taller, smaller box so they can’t get knocked over.
    5. Keep mother-approved snacks for children in a easy to reach tub or a bottom drawer. A child may eat four boxes of raisins at one time, but chances are, he won’t do it again.
    6. Divide bottles from jars if you have the space, because it makes checking the pantry/making out the shopping list easier.
    7. Keep staples together: beans, rice, pasta, et cetera. Also, boxed mixes such as cake mixes, brownies.
    8. Thumbtack a thick string of twine to the wall inside or someplace handy and keep clothes pins on it, for sealing opened packages of cereal, chips, pasta, et cetera.
    9. I use a small box to hold packages of seasoning mixes upright.
    10. Potatoes and onions should not be stored together, but they should be stored in a dark yet airy location. I use my biggest dish towels to line baskets—tumble the potatoes in one, and the onions in another, and cover them over the top. If at all possible, store as close to the floor or in the coolest location.

    Reply

  29. Maria says

    Favorite line, “I’ll wait while you pin that.” :)
    I’ve had our pantry on the make more functional list for a little while now so I can’t wait to see what all you do.

    Reply

  30. Angela, blue i style says

    I’m working on my pantry to day actually! I’m still at the “food all over the counter” phase. I’ll be blogging about my completed pantry as a guest over at PrettyWellOrganized at the end of the month (I just hope it doesn’t take me until then to get it done!!)

    Reply

  31. Kacy says

    I guffawed out loud at my desk where you said: I”’ll wait while you pin it.” ha ha ha. Thanks for the laugh – and sharing your organizational dilemmas – we struggle with our pantry mess as well.

    Reply

  32. Diane says

    Highly recommend wire shelves on the door. I hung 2 units, 3 shelves per unit, approx 20″ wide and 5″ deep. Great for large spice containers, boxes of macaroni, oatmeal etc. Kept things the boys could get snack on. Put about 12″ between the 2 units to hold taller things. I think I got them at Home Depot or Container Store

    Reply

  33. Elisha says

    After looking at your open shelves over your dishwasher I thought to give it a try which meant moving my pantry. Love it have been living in my house 2 years why didn’t I try this before.

    Reply

  34. Mary says

    I love my deep pantry shelves – especially after getting extra big lazy susans for them! I can find things quickly; the top shelf doesn’t have one but stores things I don’t use much and extra tall things (fancy vinegar bottles e.g.).

    Reply

  35. Kim says

    1. Every single time I read your posts, I do that thing where I’m laughing loud enough for people to want to know why…y’all are stinkin’ hilarious. (no garbage pun intended)
    2. I don’t know how you keep up with all the comments from your readers, but you two set the bar really high for bloggers. I almost didn’t comment bc I didn’t want to add to your work load, but I had to say it. You’re the only bloggers I follow regularly bc the others I’ve tried do NOT entertain me daily like you do.
    3. Thanks for the inspiration, information, and….dang it, can’t think of another i-tion word. Must check the Young House Love blog for ideas.

    Reply

  36. Michelle says

    We have wire shelving in our pantry that I would love gone. Crock pot feet get stuck in it as it is the smaller/closer together wire shelving. Things topple over. I have baskets in there to keep like things together. That works well for us. Helps keep it organized. My trash is in there too. But, I have a sheltie that is a food hound. I wish I could make mine grow a bit though. It is a corner pantry, a very small corner pantry. With the garbage can in there, there really isn’t room for anyone in there. Neat idea putting your micro in there! I can’t wait to see yours all finished. :)

    Reply

  37. Claudia says

    Hey Guys,
    Your blog is great! All your DIYs are awesome and informative but my problema is that neither I or my husband are handy, nor do we ever have the right tools for the job. My latest lamo project was simply modifying a pre-fab white particle board shelf ($17 at Wal-mart) so that it would fit just right in a small coat closet . I want to organize our board games that are on the floor in there. Well, I don’t have a table saw so I can’t trim down the boards. What do I do? Buy an expensive table saw that takes up tons of room? Everything I embark on has some major glitch like this. Serious kudos to you guys for all that you are able to transform. Where did you guys learn how to do all of the stuff you know how to do?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I would ask the guys at Home Depot to make the cuts for you. They’re usually happy to do it, and as long as you bring your measurements, you’re all set and can just install things when you get home. We just learned from googling and slowly trying new things and buying new tools. It’s all trial and error over here! Haha!

      xo
      s

  38. Amy says

    Love this post! I just recently tricked out my pantry with coordinating baskets and bins and I love how organized it is now! All baking stuff together, all oils and vinegars together, snacks/pasta products/etc. It’s amazing how some organization can make life so much easier!

    Reply

  39. Lauren Anderson says

    We recently relocated to 700 SF from a large 4 bedroom home (temporarily while we build a house) and we had NO pantry. It was so bad, so I feel your pantry woes from house #1. We installed a customized system in the spot between the wall and our stackable laundry machines which takes up about 4″ of depth, and has been a lifesaver. We got them from Container Store in Arlington, VA and haven’t regretted the $125 purchase. It’s the ELFA system. Super durable, very high quality and it’s been awesome to select which baskets make the most sense. If you’re doing an over-the-door option, I’d strongly recommened ELFA for quality. Looks great so far!

    Reply

  40. Page says

    Tell me, how do you keep from banging the pantry door into the door to the garage or vice versa? Especially with the microwave in the pantry? We have a similar setup, and we have a terrible time! If someone forgets and leaves the pantry door open…well, let’s just say it’s got battle scars.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Just one of those door stopper things with a rubber tip. They sell them at Home Depot for like $1 I think! Ours is in the top hinge of the garage door, but you can also mount them right to the base of either door and it’ll keep them from bashing :)

      xo
      s

    • Page says

      So sorry, I wasn’t clear with my question. Say if Clara forgets to close the pantry door while grabbing a snack from that just-right-height shelf :-), or Sherry is putting something in the microwave, what prevents John from banging it with the garage door when he’s coming in from outside?

    • YoungHouseLove says

      It just bounces off the door-stopper, so instead of the doors or the knobs meeting, that little doorstopper (which is on the door to the garage) bangs the pantry door, but it’s rubber-tipped so it keeps the doors and knobs from getting bonked. Hope that makes sense!

      xo
      s

  41. Mel says

    Hi Sherry and John,
    I have been following your awesome blog for some time now but this is the first time I’m writing a comment. Recently bought my first house, which needs a lot of updating so I’m going through your archives and the book a lot these days. What I would like to know is where you have bought the fabulous white bowl that is living on the countertop in your dining area off of the kitchen? I have been looking for a bowl like that for ever but unfortunately couldn’t find one online or in the stores.
    Sorry if someone has already asked but I have been going through the comments for various posts to see if somebody else has already asked but couldn’t see.
    Thanks guys and stay warm :)
    Mel

    Reply

  42. Karen says

    This is why I love your blogs, guys:

    ” Even with a pregnant wife who currently has a werewolf-like sense of smell.”

    You’re smart and funny!!!

    Reply

  43. Gina Randall says

    Because of this post, I ordered the five piece kitchen organizer set from Lowes.com, but when it arrived it only contained one under shelf basket. When I called to resolve the issue, Lowes told me that it is a manufacturer error, that there is really only one shelf included. They are now going to pull the item from shelves and I guess the website. So disappointed.

    Reply

  44. Jess says

    I am wondering how you knew there was enough ventilation for your microwave. Just how deep the pantry was? Or if the microwave touched the sides? Thanks in advance!

    I have been an avid reader for years. Last week, my husband and I bought our first house! This is our first “checklist item.” Its a bit of a fixer upper, but because of your adventures, you have made me confident in our abilities! I have bookmarked so many of your ideas over the years to use when I finally have a place of my own and I’m so excited to get started!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Congrats on your new house Jess! Such an exciting time! We wanted a few inches of air space around the sides and back so nothing was rubbing or felt too tight. So if your cabinet or pantry is 40″ wide and 20″ deep, you’d want a microwave that’s significantly smaller than that (I just made up those measurements, but you know what I mean). We have around 8″ on each side of ours and around 7″ behind it.

      xo
      s

  45. Emma says

    You said… “Except for maybe the artfully jumbled pile of bags on the floor. I’ll wait while you pin it.” ROFL! You totally have me laughing out loud! And really, everyone’s pantry has stuff like a bunch of recycled bags… mine does, LOL! They’re always overflowing and getting in the way. It’s seems like they multiply overnight like rabbits.

    But I really thought that was going to be the comedic highlight of the post until I read these…

    “Less like a grocery store mid-looting”

    “Magical unicorn pantry”

    LOL! OMG! You guys are SO HILARIOUS! You really made my day, have me really smiling and laughing so much. And to answer your question, I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to magical unicorn pantries, but neither of my two (yes two) kitchen pantries look anything like that. If I can manage to keep things from randomly falling off the shelves and keep the cereal boxes vaguely closed and upright, I call that I good pantry day. :)

    I really love your blog. Thanks for sharing all this stuff with us.

    Reply

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