The "Perfect" Pantry?

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Is it too early for ‘Spring Cleaning’? Something about these warm days and the spring-like weather have given me the urge to clean.

I have been in the mood to purge my closets and re-organize. I started upstairs in the playroom. Aren’t toys always the first to go? My girls still haven’t noticed that 3 entire garbage bags of toys and clothes have been taken to Goodwill. The cleaning bug drove me straighten up our coat closet, empty out most of my dresser drawers, and finally it led me to the kitchen pantry.

It’s funny to me that I have lived with this pantry for almost 4 years and it has never bothered me in the least. But last week when I opened it up, I gasped at the conditions our food had been living in! It was time to take action, serious action.

Does your pantry make you cringe? If so, here are my tips for creating a pantry you can be proud of--- without spending a fortune.

First, empty out the entire space. Take everything out and decide what should be kept and what can be thrown out. A good pantry purge can be almost therapeutic.

Second, paint where needed. This step is probably optional, but the edges of our shelves were an eyesore. With leftover paint that I had in my garage, I was able to touch them up quickly. I also threw in a few stripes on the back of the shelves for fun. My husband laughed a bit since they would basically be covered up by the food and they weren't 'perfectly straight' :) But for some reason I like the hand-painted detail. They feel a ‘little frenchy’ to me. And if you are looking to take a risk, the pantry is a safe place to do it. 

 

Third, cover those shelves. I considered painting them, but then I wanted a little texture, something to distract from the crumbs that always seem to gather on the shelves. So I opted for a cork shelf liner. It’s easy to apply and creates an instant update.

Fourth, reorganize items as you put them back in. Group like items together. Use any baskets, tubs, or crates you may have around the house. I made a trip to a fancy ‘organizing store’ and found that I could easily drop several hundred dollars on pretty containers. I couldn’t justify spending that much, so instead I found a few plastic ones at Wal-Mart. They were only $3 each. I figure if I pick up a new one each week when I do my regular shopping, it won’t break my budget.  And over time I will be able to store a lot of our “regular dry goods” in an appealing way

Finally, if you have the space, consider adding some color and organization with a bit of painted pegboard. We found this on pinterest and my hubby was kind enough to build it. The total price of the project was less than $20. And it not only makes my pantry look cool, but it also helped to organize my cabinets by moving the clunky pans out and up.

 The biggest lesson I learned from my pantry project is that it must be functional. I have seen so many beautiful photos online and in magazines of pantries lit by chandeliers and filled with apothecary glass jars. If you can pull that off- I say go for it. But at the end of the day, I know that in my pantry durability, affordability, and ease are what my family needs right now.

I am pretty proud of our ‘new and improved’ pantry. It feels good to have a jump on Spring- even if it is several weeks away! 

Linking up to these parties, stop by and check them out!
-Thrifty Decor Chick
-Too Much Time on My Hands
-Home Stories A to Z 
-Tatertots and Jello
-The 36th Avenue
-Whipperberry
-Serenity Now
-Under the Table and Dreaming