14 Instant Fixes for a Total Pantry Makeover

In the typical pantry, every inch counts. For that reason, your chaotic collection of mismatched food storage containers may not be doing you any favors. Praised by organization experts and design bloggers alike, OXO Good Grips POP containers stand out for a number of reasons, stack-ability chief among them. Every set includes a mix of different sizes and shapes that all stack neatly together so you don't waste any precious space. Ten-piece set available on Amazon; $99.99.

Related: 8 Organizers You Need for Everyday Clutter

Over-the-door organizers are small-space heroes! You can double your storage space with this sleek, multitiered rack. If, however, you're low on cash, try repurposing a shoe organizer instead! The compartments will work just as well to stockpile snacks, spices, cans, and other pantry essentials. Available on Amazon; $45.

Related: 12 Bite-Size Projects to Rescue Your Tiny Kitchen

Clutter in the pantry makes meal planning a pain: With a mess of bags, boxes, and cans, it's sometimes hard to see what you have on hand. And while cans are easy enough to stack, what should you do with bags and boxes of dried fruit, spice packets, or chocolate chips? Baskets offer a simple and affordable solution, and if you adhere a label to the front of each one, you'll always know where you've stashed your snacks and supplies.

Related: 13 Unexpected Uses for Baskets

Canned food: What's not to love? It's easy to prepare, great as a side dish in a pinch, and stays fresh longer than most grocery store staples. But without proper storage, cans can clutter your pantry or countertop. Bring order to this chaos with a rack that holds 36 cans at a time and features a tiered design that makes it simple to see what you have and what you need to pick up at the store. Available on Amazon; $26.

Related: Spreading Out—14 Ways to Get More Counter Space

So, you squirrel away plastic grocery bags after shopping trips, do you? Well, why wouldn't you, when you always need a spare bag to tote items around? Don't let your pantry or cabinets get overrun by these plastic nuisances. Instead, simply stuff them into an emptied-out tissue box. The plastic seal in the box's top will make it easy to dispense one bag at a time, while the cardboard structure keeps the rest of the bunch compressed and contained until you need them.

Related: 3 Ways to Shrink Your Shopping Bag Mess

Okay, so maybe this isn't exactly a must-have for an organized pantry, but it certainly makes for a more attractive view. The next time you junk an empty cardboard salt container, salvage the metal spout to DIY a pour top for a mason jar. Use your new pour-spout jar to store a variety of dry ingredients. As a bonus, the container's clear glass means you'll know exactly when you're running low on staples. 

In your ongoing quest for an organized pantry, there's no need to reinvent the wheel—you already have a time-honored prototype. Though you may consider it a relic of a previous generation, the lazy Susan has persisted into the 21st century for a very simple reason: It works! Indeed, what it lacks in glamour it makes up for in no-frills utility. Got a shelf or cabinet so deep that it's a hassle to access items way in the back? Let the OXO Good Grips Turntable bring them front and center. Available on Amazon; $16.99.

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