Last week I worked on a two day pantry project, most pantries take me 2-6 hours to complete but this one took two days because we had to remove all of the items, dismantle the existing pantry, sort and toss the items, and then install a new custom pantry. On this project I acted as a project manager by coordinating with a cabinet company, providing suggestions for the pantry layout, scheduling and supervising the handyman and the installation, and reorganizing the pantry.I started the makeover by removing all of the items and sorting them into categories on the dining room table. I checked all of the dates and tossed the expired items. Here is the pile up of pantry items that we decided to keep on the dining table…
Once I was done sorting, my handyman Robin removed the existing wire pantry and patched the walls. Holy Moly there were a lot of holes! It was nice to have a blank slate for a little bit!
The next morning the cabinet installer came to complete the installation. Here is the new pantry before I moved all of the food back in, isn’t it pretty?
Now for the before and afters! When I started the old pantry looked like this! It was JAMMED with food, things were piled on the floor and shoved on the shelves. It was my client’s least favorite room in the house. It may appear to you that I threw everything away but that is not true at all! Yes, there were items tossed but by placing all of the “like” items organized on the pantry shelves, all facing front just like at the grocery store. I also downsized messy bags of flour, sugar, and rice into slim canisters from Target. Enjoy!
It is so important to keep “like” items together, I chose to store the soup on a roll out shelf so that nothing gets lost in the back.
Isn’t this chip basket great? No more messy bags taking up tons of room on the shelves or the countertops.
I love to combine loose items like meal bars, oatmeal, and snacks in to clear bins to save space and provide a visual for what is in stock. There is nothing worse than reaching into a box of breakfast bars to find that it is empty!
I always tell my clients to take the time to remove soda cans from the packaging so they are more convenient to grab and go. Also, they take up less space and look neater.
16 comments :
Very impressive – I wish I had a pantry like that.
Random question …. but where did the dog treats end up being stored in the newly organized pantry ?
There is a closet in the kitchen that I moved all of the dog food and treats and the cleaning supplies to.
It turned out great Amanda! You were so right, it is a pantry I love.
Hugs…Tracy @ cotton Pickin Cute
Wow what a great pantry! I cleaned and reorganized mine but would love to have new shelving that was more appropriate for storage.
Wow, wish I had a pantry like this, and I wish I lived closer to you…you could do my whole house!!
thanks for sharing.
It is so beautiful – huge and pretty!! Lucky you!
Wow, that is beautiful!
You did a beautiful job!
Did you help plan the cabinetry too?
Wow that is a fabulous makeover. It looks amazing
This is so impressive! I wish we had a pantry! I only have a few kitchen cabinets…so my storage solutions have to be creative (such as pots and pans being stored in the dishwasher! Ha!)
This turned out AWESOME!!!! Thanks so much for sharing at my party!!! Can't wait to see what you link up this week!!! Just in case you haven't entered, my giveaway for 1000 full color business cards ends tonight at midnight!!! I'm featuring this on my blog right now! XO, Aimee
Oh my… this is exactly what I'm working on now… trying to organize my messy pantry!!!! I'm taking a Pantry Challenge http://www.prairiestory.com/2012/02/pantry-challenge.html
Wow! Very nice. I'm inspired (and a wee bit jealous, lol). I found you via A Bowl Full of Lemons' link party. I think I'll come back.
It is beautiful – huge and pretty!
Organizing your pantry by putting things in order (according to usage or size) could really make you place clutter free. There would be more space available and its very easy for you to see if you already need to buy things needed to ensure that you have enough stock.
I really liked the Before and After pics. I think there are very few expert Pantry or Closet Organizers that really understand the customers requirements and help them in the designing process. I got my pantry done by one of the local designers over here and they were just forcing their ideas on me. Now I would have to spend more money again to do another makeover.