Last Updated on June 2, 2025
If your pantry is more chaotic than cute, don’t worry—these small pantry organization tips actually work. With just a few smart tweaks, you can maximize every inch (and actually find what you’re looking for).
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A pantry is one of the most used storage spaces in your home. Every day we forage for ingredients to whip up different meals to eat. With boxes, bags, and jars of food piled in one space, it’s very easy to see how things can get disorganized. Organization becomes even trickier when you have a small pantry. I constantly found myself digging for things because nothing was in a specific spot. After a trip to Costco, my husband and I were literally shoving things wherever they would fit. For someone (like me) who likes things clean and organized, it creates a nightmare of a mess!
BEFORE:
I drool over influencers who have huge, walk-in butler pantries that are perfectly organized and have every container labeled, but unfortunately, that’s just not my reality! But just because you have a small pantry doesn’t mean it can’t be tidy and well organized.
1. Take Inventory of Your Pantry Items
The first step of the pantry organization process is to figure out what all you have. Take everything out of your pantry and separate them into common groups. Once you have all of your like items together, you’ll get a sense for how everything can be contained. This is also a great opportunity to toss out expired food or donate items you know you aren’t going to eat.
Once you’ve got your pantry cleared out, take the opportunity to wipe down the surfaces. When I pulled everything out of my pantry, it was littered with grains and other random food. My pantry was also an off-white color, which drove me nuts because nothing in our house was off-white. So, I re-painted the entire thing white, which helped give it a clean, bright look. This is an easy way to give your pantry a mini make-over.
2. Measure Your Pantry
In order to figure out how many organization containers you can fit in your pantry, you have to see how much space you actually have. Measure the length and depth of each shelf. I knew I wanted to have a mix of plastic containers, plastic bins, and wicker baskets. Once you confirm the space you have to work with and compare to the organization containers you want to use, you can easily lay out a plan.
3. Invest in a Storage Container Set
If you don’t have a storage container set, you’re missing out! It was pretty much the most fun I had with my pantry organizing. I only ended up using half of the containers, but if I ever get a bigger pantry, I will be glad I have extras.
I bought this 24-pc set, and I use these nifty containers to store so many different things: cereal, grains, baking powder – they’re amazing! Plus, they come with cute little labels and a pen, so you can label each container. They’re also erasable, so you can switch them out if you need to. This is especially helpful in our house, since I eat a strict gluten-free diet, but my husband does not.
4. Leverage Wicker Baskets for Small Items
I love the look of wicker baskets, so I knew I wanted to incorporate them. They not only add visual interest to your pantry, but they work great for organizing small items like grains, nuts, and baking powders.
I bought these wicker baskets from Amazon. They are really good quality, come in a pack of two, and have done a fantastic job of helping to organize my pantry.
5. Use Plastic Bins for Large Items
The best way to corral large bulky items is to use large plastic bins. Make sure you’ve properly measured your shelf space, since these tend to take up more room. I bought these large white storage bins from Amazon. I store everything from cooking oils to spices and extra condiments in these bins.
6. Organize Cans With a Lazy Susan
I have never owned a turntable organizer before, but I absolutely love it! We only needed one, which was perfect for our household. I store everything from cans to salad dressing on it. You can also stack cans to get more storage out of it. It’s nice to be able to spin it around, rather than digging through a shelf trying to find that one can of beans.
7. Label Containers for Easy Findability
My container set came with labels, but my bins and baskets did not. Labeling actually helps with organization, because it keeps everything in its home vs. just throwing things in there. Try these labels from Amazon. They’re really easy to slip over different types of storage bins. Plus, you can easily swap out the labels with printer paper (which I’ve done a few times already).
I hope this post was helpful and you have the most fun organizing your pantry! I have since moved from this home into one that didn’t even have a pantry. You can read all about it in my Best Pantry Alternative post. But all of these small pantry organizers have set up camp in our new pantry, so I’m very happy I bought them.
Small Pantry Organization Tips: FAQs
How do you organize a really small pantry?
Start by decluttering and grouping similar items together. Use bins or baskets to corral loose goods, and take advantage of vertical space with stackable shelves, door organizers, or risers. Clear containers also help you see what you have at a glance.
What should go in a small pantry?
Stick to essentials you actually use. Think dry goods like pasta, rice, and canned items, plus snacks, baking ingredients, and cooking oils. Group by category to keep things streamlined, and avoid overbuying bulk items you don’t have space for.
How do I make my small pantry look bigger?
Use matching containers or baskets to reduce visual clutter. Stick with lighter tones, clear jars, or wire bins to create a more open, airy feel. Labeling also helps everything look more intentional and organized.
What’s the best way to store snacks in a small pantry?
Designate a single bin or basket just for snacks—it keeps things contained and easy to grab. For kids, keep it low. For adults-only treats, store them higher (out of reach from small hands!).
Discover more pantry posts:
→The Best Pantry Alternative
→Pantry Storage Ideas
→The Ultimate Pantry Makeover
This post is about small pantry organization.
