Whether you’re a real gourmet or a regular “down-home” girl who makes the most of mac and cheese, a clutter-free kitchen is always an asset. Of course, the countertops and cooking areas need to be clean, but overall organization is essential, especially if you’re always looking for the oregano.

Keeping a tidy pantry makes your kitchen a better place to be. Not only will you be able to readily find your ingredients, but you’ll know what you need when it’s time to shop for groceries, and you’ll simply feel less overwhelmed. Revamping your pantry will save you time and give you more space for your items, and it doesn’t take much to get it under control.

I’ve been there. I start out with a pantry that would make Marie Kondo proud. But before long, and with kids around, all the stuff I once had well-coordinated and catalogued becomes something more like chaos. I can’t find items I know I just bought, and I become stressed out as I prep dinner.

I promised myself that I’d never again allow my pantry to become a pigsty. It only took a short time to revamp it to reflect the organized person I knew I had inside me. You can do it too. Stop stuffing yours with odds and ends without any classification or consideration. Your pantry deserves better, and so do you.

 

  1. Group Your Goods

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best way to maintain some sort of pantry decorum is to group your items by category. You can choose how to determine what goes with what, as long as it makes sense to you. For instance, I group my goods by mealtime. All the breakfast stuff is together, same with lunch and dinner. Snacks get their own space. As for items that fall into more than one category, I give those their own area. Things like spices, sauces, seasonings, and sweeteners “live” together, while there’s little chance that my Golden Grahams would have anything to do with dinner.

The groupings never get physically close to one another, otherwise they start to merge, leaving me with a pantry that becomes one big “blob” of everything. When I have something that seems uncategorizable, it goes on my “miscellaneous” shelf. My chia seeds never seem to find a home base!

 

 

  1. Take Inventory

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every month or so, I stick my face in there and get the lowdown on what I’ve got and what I need. I also check on expiration dates and unused/unopened items. This helps me clear out the clutter, realize what I no longer need to buy, and what belongs on the week’s grocery list.

I can also check if anything has been put back in the wrong section (blame the kids, naturally), or should be re-positioned. I tidy things up and turn all the labels face-forward. It’s somewhat relaxing to go through this process, knowing that I’m making my life easier in the long run.

While you’re doing your run-through, take the time to swap out some of the less-healthful items for something better. Whether you want to go organic or just want to lose the excess sugar and fat, a revamp is even more impressive when it benefits your health.

For instance, do you really need all those crackers and croutons? Instead, load up on air-popped popcorn and dried edamame. As for the sugar-laden items, finish off what you’ve got as a treat, then move towards something better, such as mini protein bars, low-sugar cereal, raisins, and air-dried apples.

 

  1. Let There Be Light

 

 

 

 

 

 

A dark pantry is anything but inviting. Plus, you’ll be less likely to keep it clean when you can’t really see what’s going on in there. No matter the size of your pantry, there’s always a way to light it up. Add a bulb up top or even use those stick-on, press-on wall lights. They’re inexpensive and convenient. If you’re fortunate enough to have a large pantry, perhaps a walk-in, you probably have lights in there already, so you know that this perk is a real plus.

If your pantry is dim, you may not notice spills, or worse, an infestation! You never know when some ants want to partake in your pantry items. Plus, good lighting allows you to easily grab what you need without rummaging through you items and making a mess of your hard work.

Good luck with your revamp. It’ll make a huge difference every day.