If there’s one place in the kitchen where odds and ends always seem to end up, it’s the pantry. Half-used packets, duplicate tins and uneaten snacks bought with the best intentions all find their way here, slowly turning even the most practical pantry ideas into a frustrating magnet for clutter.
The good news is that a well-organised pantry doesn’t require matching jars for every ingredient or a setup that only works on Instagram feeds. The systems that actually stick are the ones designed for real life and the way you shop, cook and snack day to day.
Below, we’ve distilled expert advice into ten straightforward rules for pantry storage and organisation. Whether you’re working with open shelves, pull-out drawers or one single hardworking cupboard, these principles are designed to bring a sense of order back into your kitchen.
Rule 1: Prioritise visibility in your pantry
The easiest way to keep a pantry under control is to make sure you can actually see what’s in it. When ingredients disappear into deep shelves or crowded cupboards, they’re far more likely to be forgotten, overbought or quietly pushed past their use-by date.
“When everything is visible pantries become a lot easier to use,” says Gareth Davies, design director at Classic Interiors. “Full-extension drawers, shallow shelves and stepped risers all remove dead space and stop items getting lost at the back.”
Clear storage containers can make a big difference to your kitchen storage, too. “Decanting dry goods into glass jars or canisters helps you keep track of what you have at a glance,” adds Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr. “It’s a simple way to reduce waste and avoid rediscovering ingredients long after you meant to use them.”
As Design Director at Classic Interiors, Gareth Davies brings over 20 years of experience designing kitchens that balance smart storage with everyday usability, creating spaces that work beautifully for real homes.
Al Bruce is the founder of Olive & Barr. He began his career 25 years ago, training as a cabinet maker at college, before working his way up through the handmade kitchen industry. Combining craftsmanship with a strong eye for design, he went on to launch his own Shaker kitchen company in 2018.
Rule 2: Create clear pantry storage zones
A pantry without zones is a bit like a wardrobe with no hangers. Things technically fit, but nothing ever feels easy to find. Giving categories their own 'zone' adds order to your kitchen and makes everyday cooking feel far less chaotic.
“Zoning is one of the simplest ways to keep a pantry organised long term,” says David Balko, CMO at Wren Kitchens. “Grouping items by category – such as baking, breakfast or everyday staples – makes it much quicker to find what you need and far easier to restock.”
He adds that zoning also helps keep clutter in check. “When everything has a clear place, it’s immediately obvious when something doesn’t belong. That underlying structure stops a pantry or larder from slipping back into chaos over time.”
David Balko brings over 25 years of brand, design and client-side experience to his role as CMO at Wren Kitchens. With deep knowledge of kitchen retail, production and omnichannel strategy, he helps bring functional, aspirational kitchens to real homes.
Keep pantry clutter at bay with simple storage
With its stepped design, this extendable bamboo shelf stops jars from getting lost at the back of the cupboard, providing easy access to herbs and spices when cooking.
Keep your pantry organised with this set of five jars and matching rack. Each container is crafted from tactile ribbed glass, so it's easy to see when your spices need a top-up.
Keep your cupboards clean, hygienic and organised with this set of five kitchen storage containers made from see-through plastic.
Rule 3: Store frequently used items at eye level
Where things live inside the pantry matters just as much as how they’re stored. If the items you use most are awkward to reach, they’re more likely to be pushed aside or replaced unnecessarily.
“To make cooking quicker and reduce waste, access is everything,” says Gareth Davies. “Everyday essentials should be stored where they’re easy to grab – at eye level – while bulk supplies and reserves can live lower down without getting in the way.”
“It’s a simple hierarchy,” he explains. “When the things you reach for most are easy to see and access, the pantry naturally becomes more efficient – and far less frustrating to use day to day.”
Rule 4: Choose mechanisms that improve your pantry access
Not all pantry storage is created equal. The pieces that really earn their keep are the ones that make everyday access to staples easier, especially in deeper cupboards or tall pantry units where items can quickly do a disappearing act.
“Full-extension drawers and pull-out shelves are incredibly useful in a pantry,” says Gareth Davies. “They give you clear visibility from front to back, so nothing gets lost, and they make heavier items like tins, oils and jars much easier to reach.”
Turntables and door-mounted storage can be just as effective when used thoughtfully. Lazy Susans work particularly well for sauces, spices and smaller jars, allowing you to store more while still seeing everything at a glance. Two-tiered versions are especially useful in small kitchen pantries, while wall- or door-mounted racks help free up shelf space by keeping frequently used items neatly within reach.
That said, Gareth recommends being selective rather than throwing everything at the space. “Well-engineered storage should make the pantry easier to use every day,” he adds. “Overly complicated inserts often look clever at first, but they can quickly become dumping grounds rather than genuine solutions.”
Easy-to-access pantry storage solutions
This Lazy Susan is crafted from solid oak and finished with a water-resistant coating, making it durable, long-lasting and easy to clean.
Declutter your kitchen with this under-shelf foil and cling film organiser, designed to store film, foil, and bags.
Featuring knife-friendly cutting surfaces across the two boards, this set also includes a slimline storage case that fixes to the inside of a pantry door.
Rule 5: Don't be afraid to make a pantry feel beautiful
Practicality will always matter when designing a pantry, but there’s no reason it can’t be a pleasure to look at as well. When a space feels considered and welcoming, it naturally becomes easier – and more appealing – to keep in order.
Small styling choices can make a surprisingly big difference – especially when you're dealing with a pantry in a small kitchen. Decanting your favourite spices into delicate reeded glass jars, using woven baskets to corral loose items, or keeping to a soft, cohesive colour palette throughout a walk-in pantry are all little touches that help bring a sense of calm to chaos.
Ultimately, the most successful pantries are the ones you enjoy opening. While nothing needs to be overly styled or perfect, a well put-together space will feel both useful and visually pleasing, meaning organisation stops feeling like a chore and starts to happen almost without thinking.
Rule 6: Decant dry goods selectively
Decanting can be incredibly useful when it’s done with intention. Rather than transferring everything into matching containers, focus on the dry goods you use regularly, where visibility and freshness really make a difference.
“Decanting staples like rice, pasta and flour into clear jars makes it much easier to keep track of what you have,” explains Al Bruce. “You can see quantities at a glance, monitor food quality and avoid items being forgotten at the back of cupboards."
Rule 7: Rotate food to reduce waste
Even the best-organised pantry can fall into disarray without a simple system for managing stock. Rotating food as you store it is one of the easiest habits to adopt and one that can significantly cut down on wastage.
“To reduce food waste, I always recommend keeping older or opened items front and centre,” says Gareth Davies. “Newer items should go behind them, so what needs using soon is always the most visible.”
Labelling your jars and containers is another step that makes a big difference. Noting down expiry or opening dates when decanting food helps keep it fresh and prevents waste and if you opt for uniform labels while you’re at it, your pantry instantly feels more pulled together, too.
“When you can clearly see what needs using up, meals come together more easily and ingredients are far less likely to be forgotten,” Gareth adds.
These pre-printed water-resistant spice jar labels make organising your pantry effortless. 144 minimalist white labels help you quickly identify herbs, seasonings and pantry staples, keeping jars neat, consistent and easy to read at a glance.
Rule 8: Organise the pantry around how you cook
“Storage should always reflect how a household actually lives,” says Tom Howley, director at Tom Howley Kitchens. “Grouping items by category – baking supplies together, breakfast items in one place, everyday staples within easy reach – helps create a pantry that feels intuitive rather than overly styled.”
This approach also makes cooking quicker. “When ingredients that are used together are stored together, you spend less time searching and more time cooking,” adds David Balko from Wren Kitchens. “It’s a simple shift, but one that makes a noticeable difference in how smoothly the kitchen runs day to day.”
Tom Howley has spent more than 20 years designing kitchens around the way his clients actually live. He specialises in creating kitchen islands that balance style with smart, hardworking functionality.
Rule 9: Ensure the pantry is well lit
“Lighting is often overlooked, but it plays a huge role in how functional a pantry is,” says Mike Biddulph, founder of Goldfinch Kitchens. “Well-lit storage is simply easier to use, and it makes the space feel far more considered.”
He also points out that how you light the space matters just as much as how bright it is. Cooler LED kitchen lighting ideas are ideal for pantries, as it gives clear visibility without generating excess heat – something that can affect the quality and shelf life of stored food.
Integrated LED strips, motion-sensor lights or discreet internal fittings all make it easier to see what you have at a glance, while keeping the pantry practical, food-safe and genuinely pleasant to use.
Mike Biddulph is founder of Goldfinch Furniture, where he blends craftsmanship and social purpose, creating bespoke furniture while training young apprentices and championing ethical, made-in-Britain design.
Rule 10: Maintain your pantry 'system' with regular resets
Even the most organised, stylish pantries need a little maintenance to stay that way. The trick is getting into the habit of quick, regular resets that stop clutter creeping back in.
“A monthly check-in makes all the difference,” says Steve Larkin from Kitchen Door Hub. “Taking a few minutes to clear out expired items, wipe down shelves and regroup loose products keeps the pantry feeling manageable rather than overwhelming.”
He also recommends keeping things flexible: “Storage needs change over time, so it’s worth revisiting what’s working and what isn’t. A pantry that’s easy to adjust is far more likely to stay organised long term.”
If you have an older larder that’s no longer working as it should, a simple rethink can make all the difference. Our guide to building pantry shelving teaches you how to transform these units into a space that’s both practical and organised.
