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.
kayzma says
I’ve thought about this as well with the microwave in the pantry….what is your solution for your food not getting zapped with rays every time you warm something up?
YoungHouseLove says
We don’t use it often and from what I understand just the items directly in front of the glass could be exposed (I think that’s why they say not to stand with your face against the glass). So as it heats, we keep the door open without standing in front of it (and without having any food in front of it). Hope that makes sense!
xo
s
HeatherM says
We have a few organization features we LOVE in our kitchen. One is a pull down white wire shelf that holds 3 rows of canned goods in a tiered fashion. It is great for those of us who are vertically challenged. We got ours for around. $10 @ the Container store, but it looks kinda like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000CF37W. I also got a sturdy pull-out garbage can base from Ikea (around. $16-20), put a Rubbermaid from the pet store in it, and we store our dog food under the sink line many people would a garbage can. It is a great way to hide dog food. Ikea has come a really long way in the past couple years in developing affordable high quality organizational bells and whistles for the kitchen, so keep an eye out for their new kitchen stuff.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!
xo
s
Colette says
Have you considered installing a roll-out shelf into that narrow space?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rolling-Shelves-22-in-Deep-Do-It-Yourself-Pullout-Shelf-RSDIY22/100677535
YoungHouseLove says
That would be awesome!
xo
s
Megan C says
I keep a cute plastic woven basket in my pantry to hold small snacks that fall through the wire shelves in my pantry. It lets me know what I have and it’s easy to grab and go if I’m heading to work for the day and I always know what I have on hand. Plus having the items out of the small boxes creates less clutter!
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
s
Amanda Sheren says
When we moved into our house (in 2010), I redid the kitchen by ripping everything out an installing Ikea cabinets and counter tops. We have a galley-style kitchen in that it’s a rectangle with open dining rooms on either side so I just have two longer walls to work with. On the wall with the refrigerator I surrounded it with a tall Ikea cupboard on either side and a cabinet above the fridge, to mimic the idea of a built-in fridge. On the left is our cleaning cupboard with space for extra storage, and on the right is our food cupboard with space for extra storage (I got the tall cupboards). I splurged and got the slide out drawers for the food one, and soft closing hinges. I really love our food storage! I don’t know how I would ever go back to putting food into small cabinets. Looking back I would probably not have paid for the cleaning supply insert for the other cabinet since I feel like that cabinet is really wasting space, but hindsight is 20/20. I will most likely go back to Ikea and purchase some more slide-out shelves (they are seriously worth every penny!) and re-purpose that cabinet into more storage. Somehow when you have a kid (my Son is 15 months old), you need a ton of extra storage for all of their stuff. :)
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds so awesome Amanda!
xo
s
Jen says
I’ve found the plastic lazy Susans with the no-slip material on the face and the 3-step mini-shelves very helpful for spice containers and even canned food. I had a two-tier lazy Susan that held all of my baking supplies in our previous house (I gave up baking when we bought our condo; we’re outside much more now). I think I found all of those items at Bed, Bath & Beyond or a similar big box store. (I also keep one of the lazy Susans near the stove with olive oil and our salt and pepper mills–very handy.)
YoungHouseLove says
Those sound really great!
xo
s
Amanda Sheren says
Oh, sorry, forgot to add that I also added another tall Ikea cabinet on the other side of the food cupboard! I have it as a cabinet on top, two open places, and then pull out drawers on the bottom. I store platters and flower vases and what not on top, then I have our toaster oven, then the microwave, and then our cutting boards, pans, and pots below. I was SO GLAD that we added that to those cabinets! It has been amazing to have those appliances in the cabinet. We didn’t make them look built-in though since I’m not that handy, we just made sure to get a microwave that almost completely filled up the space length-wise with room on top for air flow, and a little room on the sides. I really love the pull out drawers as well, those have been amazing for the pots and pans.
Carrie says
I wonder if I was the only one who kept reading “panty” instead of pantry….every time. It’s a completely different post with “panty”. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
cherise says
You weren’t! Haha! And then I saw it was John who posted it. And then my brain did the supersonic overthink of 15 thoughts in half a second about John and why would he call his underwear panties, is it a regional thing like not moving with your washer/dryer, and why is he blogging about that, and, and, and…
And then I reread it again like a normal person.
YoungHouseLove says
HA!
xo
s
Katie B. says
We have a ridiculously shallow pantry, which has its pros and cons. Pro is that we can’t fit a ton of food in there and we can usually see everything we have on hand. Con is that we can’t fit a ton of food in there! But, I like the challenge of small spaces and found a few ways to organize.
We have 3 baskets – 2 for grains/breads/beans/chips and 1 for small snack items (popcorn, candy, chocolate, etc.). I moved our paper products basket to above the kitchen sink (which is frankly too tall for me to reach easily, but what else can I do!?). And, coffee, hot chocolate, and teas are all in the cabinet next to the coffee pot.
Truthfully I hate the way our kitchen is laid-out, but it’s a rental so we’re pretty much stuck with it! But, I think I’m making the best of the space, even if it is a little unconventional!
P.S. – I dig the microwave in the pantry. It’s a dream of mine to have an entire hideaway space for all kitchen appliances. I hate looking at them!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Katie! And your small pantry system sounds awesome.
xo
s
Cher says
Oh man, if you guys could have come to my housewarming party (I invited you when you were on your book tour in Chicago!) last year, you could have seen my ridiculous pink pantry party. It’s got hookups for an illegal washer/dryer (illegal by my HOA, not federal or international laws) and really weird floor/trim issues I had to work around (namely nothing permanent on the floor.
Unlike your fabulous drywall, I’m stuck with 100+ year-old plaster, which is not the most solid thing in the world to latch shelves (or pictures, or even paint!) onto. I found the VARDE shelf from IKEA is fantastic-seriously, the load is balanced, it’s connected to the wall so snugly and strongly that I think the wall and the shelves have some kind of love/leech relationship happening behind my back. Vampire pantry party time?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, that sounds rough! So glad you found the Varde shelf!
xo
s
Haley J. says
Any tips you can give me on putting in the pantry shelves, since you had to rehang the old ones? I need to add more shelves to my pantry. Are those 1x2s supporting the shelves? Did you need to nail into studs? I’m a total novice at building, but I am desperate for more storage in there. ;) Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
They had been nailed, but we just screwed them into the studs. The supports are 1 x 1″ boards, which seem to work well.
xo
s
Ashley says
We just built a new home and did a walkin pantry to the tune of 9×16! I could never go back now! With 4 children, a big pantry was a must. It houses everything from the bread maker, pressure canners, tons of food and bulk items. Our trash can is built into one of our cabinet drawers. We did it in our last build too and loved it. It never gets very stinky either!
Kim says
The pantry is on my list as well. We have a somewhat deep pantry and the shelves are equally as deep, so stuff easily gets lost or I can’t reach far back enough. I would like to turn it into a semi-walk-in pantry with narrower shelves on all three walls, but that’s a project for down the line. I did recently update the grimy pantry door rack that was hanging there when we moved in. I bought an Elfa pantry door system and I’m LOVING it! The Container Store is having a 30% off Elfa sale which ends today, if that is something you are interested in!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Kim!
xo
s
Kelly says
We just redid our kitchen and I lined all of the drawers with this aqua chevron liner. It’s so cute, and makes emptying the dishwasher a little more fun. After all, it’s the little things…
http://www.amazon.com/Self-Adhesive-Shelf-Liner-Graphite/dp/B009SB49UY
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds really charming!
xo
s
Libby boyle says
When I look at your pantry I wonder how you manage with such a small space. You must be super organised!
In my last house, (Defence rental), I had an enormous pantry which I grew to really like. It took me a while to figure out how to organise it successfully. When I wrote this blog post I was pretty happy with it.
http://llibbyslifestyle.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/pantry-makeover.html
Now, I’m in another rental with another pantry and there’s lots of thinking and rearranging going on. I still haven’t got it quite right.
I like your idea of the rubbish bin in the pantry. I might try that. Thanks for the idea.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Libby!
xo
s
Libby Boyle says
I wonder how you manage with such a small pantry! You must be really organised to fit a family’s supplies in there!
In my last house, (Defence rental), I had a huge pantry. It took me some time to figure out how to use the space best. When I wrote this blog post, I was pretty happy with it.
http://llibbyslifestyle.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/pantry-makeover.html
Now, I’m in another rental with another pantry and there’s lots of thinking and rearranging going on.
Thanks for the rubbish bin in the pantry idea. I think I’ll try that.
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
Nice size pantry. Wish ours was that size. Ours is in our hallway and not kitchen. I have wanted to paint ours some fun color and even do something fun with the shelves. Can’t wait to see what ideas you have…might be steeling some of them. lol ;)
http://www.thedecorscene.blogspot.com/2013/09/de-cluttering-pantrykitchen.html
Kerrie says
I too have a bin in the pantry – always have, never have a problem.
I do hope the small shelf works for you but I suspect you may end up arranging the items around the edges so you can see whats in there. I had a small shelf and I had to reach in all the time and lift items at the back to even see what they were – pretty annoying.
Cheers
Samantha @ Fabulous Fabris says
“I’ll wait while you pin it” LOL! :)
Great start. I want to reorganize our food storage system (umm we have a lazy susan and it’s barely used!) but the hubby cooks, so it’s where he wants it. I shouldn’t complain really ;)
Erika says
We moved into a house with a huge pantry. It is fondly referred to as either “the zombie apocalypse pantry” or “the magical pantry”. So I had to laugh at your “magical unicorn pantry” comment. ;) I also laughed out loud at the pinning reference!
YoungHouseLove says
Hilarious!
xo
s
Nora says
OK..we all have our ways…but you asked so here goes:
first shelf = breakfast; cereal in plastic bins, pb, honey, oatmeal and bin of pancake mix
second shelf = lunch; soup, crackers, cookies, boxes of mac&cheese
third shelf = dinner; rice, pasta, jars of pasta or other sauces
top shelf = cooking extras; canned tomatoes, extra oils, coconut milk, salsa, unopened maple syrup, unopened salad dressings, etc.
in other pantry space I have a baking section (flour, sugar, chocolate chips, baking powder etc etc) and then spices in a rack.
Has worked well for years…..
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesomely organized!
xo
s
lara says
not sure if someone already posted, but lazy susans would be helpful for you to get at the items in the back.
gina says
I’m sorry but I don’t like having garbage and food in the same closet, doesn’t seem appealing or hygienic.
YoungHouseLove says
I had the same worry as you, but it has worked out surprisingly well (John addressed that in the post for ya). Someone actually commented that their doctor confirmed that a human mouth has more germs than a garbage can. Crazy right? They said even a dog’s mouth is less germy than a human’s mouth… which doesn’t surprise me that much (Burger is a spoiled brat, haha).
xo
s
Rachael says
I’d so love a pantry in my apartment. I have practically no cupboard space, but since I rent, I can’t do a lot about it.
Your pantry party reminded me of something my mom and her friends just did. One of their group’s home burned to the ground on Christmas Eve–the family was safe, but they lost everything they owned. Luckily their insurance covered the home and furniture,etc, and they were in a “new” home fairly quickly. When they moved in, my mom and her friends threw them a “pounding party” as a housewarming–everyone was to bring a pound of something to stock their pantry, and lots of guests brought more. Loosing everything and having to replace it all is very, very expensive, even with the insurance, and the emotional toll is huge, and (according to my mom) the family really appreciated the gesture.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, that’s so sad. What an amazingly sweet thing you guys did for them.
xo
s
Suzanne says
Someone’s probably said this already in the last 5 pages of comments, but I put one of those shoe organizers over the back of my pantry door and it’s made finding stuff so much easier. I can keep things like sesame oil and ranch dressing packets in there so they don’t get lost behind things on the main shelves. But I don’t know if that would work on a pantry that’s just a closet (mine’s like a tiny room, with space between the back of the door and the first shelf. No chance a bottle of salad dressing will shatter if I slam the door.
YoungHouseLove says
Smart!
xo
s
Kristen says
“I’ll wait while you pin it.” Bah ha ha.
El says
I do love a large pantry! I have a reach in pantry with two doors. I have a wire rack on each door for cereal and canned goods-it keeps those items very visible. Also in the door, each child has their go to snack section. I store large stuff in my pantry in addition to food. So larger serving dishes, platters, crock pot, pressure cooker, mixer, etc are on the lower two shelves, then ‘food’ on the next shelf, baking is on the next shelf, with paper products & extra keurig coffees/tea boxes on the top shelf. Most dry goods are stored in clear glass jars (lentils, dried beans, rices, oats, quinoa, barley, pasta) which makes that ‘food’ shelf look pretty (visually when you open the door). My baking shelf has tupperware bins with flours, sugars, choc bits, with baskets for cake decorating, etc. I keep my spices laying down in a drawer to the left of the stove (filed alphabetically) and my oils/vinegars are stored in a cabinet to the left of the stovetop as I use them when cooking. One or two won’t fit and are in the pantry on the ‘baking’ shelf. My extra paper towels are stored in the garage as they don’t really fit in my pantry.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds smart! Thanks to everyone for sharing their tips!
xo
s
Liz says
I noticed your lack of grocery sack storage and had to share!: I made a grocery sack holder to keep them contained. I sewed up a bag and then used a quilting/embroidery hoop to keep it open, and then hung it from a hook in my pantry. The pantry itself is still in sore need of organization help, but at least my bags have a home :) https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/69286_10100696183459833_1625302821_n.jpg (Sorry for the big ole link, tiny.cc didn’t like it!)
YoungHouseLove says
Really cute!
xo
s
Caitlin says
Love this update! I’m not sure if anyone has suggested this already, but we bought “Cabinet Binz” for our kitchen cabinets several years ago to make use of the deep and hard-to-reach shelves. HIGHLY recommended!! It’s so nice to be able to pull out the bin and see everything in it rather than having to dig through the shelves to find something… It’s especially great with the short and deep shelves like your new one.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/cabinet-binz/207773
YoungHouseLove says
Those are great! Thanks for the link!
xo
s
Amanda says
Our trash is in the pantry as well, though ours doesn’t have a lid. We haven’t ever had a problem with smell excepting the one or two occasions that I the away raw meat packaging and forgot it for a couple of days.
My big pantry update was to set pieces of plywood that I painted white on top of our wire shelves. It’s a rental so I can’t do anything permanent. I don’t understand the point of those uber flimsy wire shelves. Seriously! I put a few (6, maybe?) cans of food on one and it bowed badly in the middle. Also, everything kept falling over. Wire shelving sucks.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, that stinks!
xo
s
Natalie says
We have a narrow but deep pantry so we have some shelves and step thingys in ours to make it easy to get to the items at the back.
http://landhousereno.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/cleaning-out-pantry.html
YoungHouseLove says
Smart!
xo
s
Amy B. says
Pinning this!! ;) So funny! I recently painted our pantry and it made a huge difference in there. Everything looks so much cleaner and fresh! Our trash can has lived in our pantry for the past 7 years and it has never been any trouble. Happy priming and painting to you guys!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Amy!
xo
s
An says
“I’ll wait while you pin it.”
You’ve said many funny things. That may be my favorite.
Evie says
Ahem, until my most athletic cat discovered it, my most brilliant pantry idea was to install a 6″ deep shelf in that wasted space way up near the top. Any wider and I couldn’t access it, but wow, even a narrow shelf up there is a good use of space! It (used to be) a great place to keep things I only used once in awhile but wanted to have on hand for spur of the moment use, like a couple cans of cranberry sauce in months other than November, a couple cans of sauerkraut for when the rare mood hit us, things like that. But uh on, it was spur of the moment head ducking when my kitty knocked off a jar as I stood there unawares one day…!!! Ack. Now that I know he climbs up there for some daily jungle fun, I still find that small top shelf useful, though no more heavy things get put up there, needless to say. LOL
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! He claimed it as his own!
xo
s
Evie says
Ahem, until my most athletic cat discovered it, my most brilliant pantry idea was to install a 6″ deep shelf in that wasted space way up near the top. Any wider and I couldn’t access it, but wow, even a narrow shelf up there is a good use of space! It (used to be) a great place to keep things I only used once in awhile but wanted to have on hand for spur of the moment use, like a couple cans of cranberry sauce in months other than November, a couple cans of sauerkraut for when the rare mood hit us, things like that. But uh oh, it was spur of the moment head ducking when my kitty knocked off a jar as I stood there unawares one day…!!! Ack. Now that I know he climbs up there for some daily jungle fun, I still find that small top shelf useful, though no more heavy things get put up there, needless to say. LOL
Lauren L says
The short shelf would drive me crazy bc I would only be able to reach and see the stuff that’s exactly in front. It’s nice to have overhead space so you can grab the can that’s three deep without having to push everything over to make a path, not to mention knowing that it’s even back there! But that’s just me, I’m a little anal retentive about my pantry organization ;D
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! John and I chatted about that and hope it doesn’t drive us bonkers. We’re planning to only put “like-cans” behind each other if we can (ex: three cans of tuna or peanut butter jars behind each other, but no rogue soup hiding behind a can of beans).
xo
s
Elisabeth@SimplyParkers says
This is from a couple years ago, but we’re all about glass jar storage: http://simplyparkers.blogspot.com/2011/10/pantry-overhaul.html :)
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
s
Minnie says
My pantry has a good amount of space, but it is mostly depth so I loose things very easily. My dream pantry would be shallow so I can see everything in it. I like the idea in the comments about a stadium pantry, and I might have to try to figure out how to do that in my apartment!
carrie says
Our walk-in pantry, which didn’t exist at all when we bought the house, was the first room in the house that was 100% complete. I was totally ready to throw a pantry party!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
abby - little city adventures says
This is an awesome idea!!
We rent but have a decent kitchen and our microwave is set in-between two vertical cabinets. It’s a bit odd looking, I’m not going to lie. But someday when we’ve got our own place I’ll keep this idea in mind, it really does clean up the whole kitchen! Great job!
As for organization, I hate the look of all the bulky bags and boxes so I’ve begin putting everything into mason jars or larger glass containers when I bring them home from the store. It makes everything so much prettier and easier to see!
YoungHouseLove says
Smart!
xo
s
Faith says
“I’ll wait while you pin it”, LOL… SO FUNNY, TRUE. First laugh of my day, at at the very end of a hard one thanks.
Stephanie says
Peanut butter, Nutella, Craisins AND pistachios?? Is this my pantry or the Petersiks?? ;-)
Looks great, guys!
YoungHouseLove says
Pantry twins!
xo
s
Dana Leigh says
I have a ‘U’ shaped kitchen with the majority of the counter top space being on the bar side of the kitchen, which equals very little counter space for appliances. The only things out are a toaster oven and a small food saver shrink-wrapper-doohickey.. So I put my pantry in the closet under the stairwell with 3 1/2 x 1 inch shelves to store food. The microwave is on a kitchen cart in there as well. My best friend (a guy) was over one day and laughed at the idea of making that area a pantry/microwave closet – he has the same lay out as me. A year later he proclaimed that it was a great space for it as if he’d never seen it before….. ;)
Dana Leigh says
…. oh, a side note to something you mentioned waaaay back …. I also have a kitchen drawer dedicated to household tools. So convenient! I wouldn’t have it any other way!
YoungHouseLove says
HILARIOUS!
xo
s
Maggie says
We once toured a rental house with a GLORIOUS butler’s pantry. We didn’t move there, but I still dream of all the storage (even though the rest of the kitchen was about 40 years outdated…). We’re in an apartment with just cupboard space now, but we shop weekly and don’t keep a ton of extra stuff around.
And I feel just a little bit cooler knowing we have the same crockpot. Love that thing.
YoungHouseLove says
Heck yeah, I call her Alice because she’s like that robot from the Jetsons that makes us dinner.
xo
s
Connie Randall says
Along with your other many talents – you are hilarious. Have you thought about doing stand up?
YoungHouseLove says
John actually did comedy stuff in NYC back when we met (he was in improv in college and then took some comedy classes in NYC with folks who later went on to be on SNL). I always say I stole him away from that glamorous life, but he says he likes having a family and sleeping as opposed to working the circuit late at night in Manhattan, so I think he’s sweet.
xo
s
Diana says
I’m jealous of any sort of pantry! My sister has a walk-in one that is literally bigger than the only bathroom my husband & I have. I’d be so organized with all that space!! We are like your first house, mainly just one upper cabinet. I get really frustrated when I do my big beginning of the month shopping trip but so appreciate how it’s taught me not to buy more than we need!!
And love the microwave in the pantry idea! Need to remember that for our next house!
Heather says
I found that lino (linoleum) offcuts are super shelf liners. They are glass friendly, cleanable and come in all sorts of patterns.
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip!
xo
s
jen carlisle says
I am laughing out loud at your second pantry. We have the exact thing. In fact last weekend I finishing taking the folding part out of one side and adding shelves… just like yours. Love it!
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
Melissa D. says
Ah! Now I feel totally motivated to clean and organize my pantry (sigh)!
Erika K says
Pantry organization has been on my mind! It must be a spring cleaning thing or something…anyways, I am planning a pantry overhaul at our house. We have no order to the pantry currently. It’s a big ol’ mess of random stuff. I also love to peruse the magical unicorn pantries on Pinterest. I envy Sally Field’s pantry on Brother’s and Sisters. Droollllll…