It’s a sad, sad thing… that I still have my Christmas tree and decorations up! I have been so busy with my Shaklee business & this blog, that I seemed to have forgotten that it wasn’t Christmas time anymore. That is my #1 priority today. I must get it down!
On to today’s challenge
You all made it through yesterday! I can tell it wasn’t a favorite spot to organize. I totally agree. I dread putting clothes away, as well as going through them. So thanks for sticking it out with me! For those of you who did the challenge, doesn’t it feel much better to have completed it? I think so. 😉
Pantry Organization
After seeing the results of the poll on my side bar, I knew you all wanted me to post this challenge. I am very anxious to see all of your pantry makeovers. I think this will be the biggest transformation so far! I saved this challenge for today, since its Saturday and you will have 2 days to complete it (if you need). I know how my pantry looked before my organization and I know its not an easy task. So I will keep it short today so you can get busy. If you dont have a “pantry”, organize a food related cabinet today.
Thank you so much for being a part of this challenge. It has been a blessing to me, to be able to inspire and help you all get your lives organized! Have a great weekend!
My challenge for you
1. Take a picture of this space.
2. Empty your ENTIRE pantry! You heard me girlfriend… ALL of it. 😉
3. Wipe it clean… mop it if it requires a good cleaning.
4. Get your trash can and start purging the out dated food.
5. Get LOTS of organizing bins & your labeler. You will need them in this space.
6.Have fun! This is a fun space to organize.
7. YAY! Your finished. Take your “after” picture & don’t forget to come back to share with us.
My Pantry Organization
My kitchen pantry is about 1.5 ft wide… so not a lot of room to fit anything. I had to do something, but wasn’t sure what. After I thought about it, I figured we could hang our coats in the other coat closet (closer to our garage)… and free up space to make a pantry in our hall. Its on the other side of our kitchen.
My husband converted this to a pantry a couple of years ago, and we love it! It fits so much more than we could have ever fit in our kitchen pantry. Again, this is a bare pantry to us. I really need to go grocery shopping, but it was easier to organize while bare.
This make do pantry isnt really that big either, but way better than before.
I took everything out and cleaned the shelving. Then placed everything back into categories & containers.
I containerized everything I could, to get control of chaos.
This isn’t half of my cookbook collection. 🙂 Im a sucker for cookbooks.
My baskets hold my cherished vintage table cloths and aprons.
I picked these Rubbermaid containers up at Big Lots. Yes, they are BPA free!!
I had to label anything that a label could stick to!! 😉
My favorite part of the pantry are these plastic drawers. They hold so much and are so easy to get to. The left side of the pantry holds household items…
1. Batteries
2. Tape/glue/scissors
3. Lightbulbs
4. Candles
5. Paper products (napkins,plates,etc)
6. Tools
7. Lunch Boxes
and the right side holds…
1. Popcorn
2. Breakfast (oatmeal, poptarts, grits)
3. Seasoning packets
4. Chips
5. Taco kits
6. Packets (pizza, muffins)
These are great if you dont have a lot of space but want control of the clutter!
Thats my little pantry makeover. Its not very pretty but works great for us!
If you are new to the challenge, click on the button below to see what it’s all about and join in!
Don’t forget to vote today! Just click on the box and your vote is cast!
21 day challenge, pantry Posted in 27 comments
27 comments on “Day #7 ~ Getting Organized Challenge (The Pantry)”
Okay, so I guess I’ll be organizing my pantry as well as taking my Christmas decor down as I watch the Saints game. WHO DAT!!!
Oh my. This should be interesting. I keep trying to organize my pantry, but it just doesn’t stay that way. It’s a very deep pantry, so things get shoved to the back and get lost. I have my work cut out for me on this one and it may be Sunday before I’m able to finish it. All three kids will be home most of tomorrow, then a birthday party, but then they go to stay with the grand parents, so I’ll pull an all nighter. Another trip to Walmart for more baskets and containers is a must. I think I’ll start this challenge first so I can get a better idea of what I need to buy to help better organize it. Our Walmart has been remodeled and they don’t have near the selection of things they used to, it’s getting on my nerves. I have dreams of slide out shelves for my pantry one day.
WOW! Great Ideas! I am def going to steal the drawer idea when I get to my pantry..my lower pantry is right next to the ground and its close to the entrance of our home so it gets soooo much dust in it…there are no doors to it either. So I believe that it would be a great idea! Thanks
I’ve been waiting for this challenge to get me motivated to organize mine!
I also wanted to let you know that I went to your Shaklee site and became a member! I’m excited to get my order and start using it!!
Oh boy, this is one I really not sure how to handle…lol. I just keep saying “it will be worth it” over and over. I have one of those deep pantries. I’m glad we have 2 days for this !!!
So glad I found this! Where can I find a label maker like that?
Sabrina… YAY! Let me know when you get your Shaklee!
Crystal… Label maker was about $17 at Target. 🙂
Thanks for joining in ladies.
Your pantry looks amazing! I love all the drawers and containers for everything. And all the labels. Very inspiring.
I’m the same way with cookbooks–I have tons, including that Deceptively Delicious. Fun stuff!
And best of luck with the Xmas decorations. Our decorations are down simply because my mom is amazing and helped before she went home last weekend. If not for that we’d still be dealing with ours, too.
I love looking at people’s pantries. You have done a great job. I am a sucker for cookbooks too 🙂 I dont have a pantry. I just use a big part of our kitchen cabinets for food storage, but I might just tackle organizing it better too. Thanks for the post 🙂
it’s so funny that today is my first time on your site and early this morning I cleaned out my pantry!! I need bins! I love yours!!
Do you know what size the red lid containers are? Do you have jars sitting down in them? Have any idea what they cost you at Big Lots!
Can’t wait to get my scour paste. I’m actually excited to clean my oven!!! (I’m aware that here is something wrong with me!)
Thanks so much!
It looks awesome! I wish that I had that much space. My pantry is wee for 6 people.
Um…this should be interesting since… I DON’T HAVE A PANTRY! Ack! We just don’t have the space in our kitchen to add a pantry. Few and tiny cabinets mean that my pantry is the countertops. Yes, that’s right. I have cans, boxes and bags ON my counters. WHAT DO I DO TONI?!!!!
This is such a neat idea!
I am a new follower and I would love if you would come and follow me back at my new blog.
Also check out my latest post.
Passions by Ashley
Keely, The containers fit the big mason jars inside of them.. I think mmaybe they are 3 or 4 quarts?? They are only $3.00 each so a great deal! I cant wait for you to get your scour off!! Let me know how you like it.
Toni, I LOVE your pantry! I will be purchasing containers and a label maker and working on this project at a later time!
Awesome pantry. I think I’d just keep opening the door so I could see it. 🙂 Your hints and tips are so easy to follow.
I put my Christmas decorations away today. The pantry has to wait–but hopefully not for long.
Sorry Toni. I linked up 2x somehow. I got an error first and re did it this morning and now I see them both there. 🙁 Oops.
I think I have pantry envy! Yours looks amazing.. I just have cabinets that are full of food and NO space for the cookbooks.. so I have to rely soley on http://www.allrecipes.com
Nice organized pantry!
Toni thanks for this great 21 day challenge, i jsut post my pantry. I still have to do day 6. thanks again
Hi, Toni!
Where is the little thing that let’s me link my pix to your blog? I don’t see it.
Am done with the pantry, linen closet, dresser and I even did the cupboard above my ovens…it was in dire need of help.
You can check out my pix at proof-of-love.blogspot.com since I can’t find the button to link them
Thanks for keeping us all on track – you’ve even inspired my 8 year old daughter….I’ll have to post her pictures.
~a
Under the last linked pictures there is a button that says “click here to enter”. Its in red. If you dont see it, I might refresh or wait a minute. Its working on my end.
Toni
Toni, this challenge kicked my butt. I felt pretty good until I just re-read your post; I think I need more containers!
My pantry is organized but I think I’ll go through it and use some of the items up in our menu plan for next week. Thanks for the reminder to not forget about this area!
I’m in love (lust?) with your pantry! All those containers make me super giddy! I cleaned out my pantry before I found your blog and after seeing your pantry…it looks like I need a redo! 😉
I seriously love this challenge. It is definitely making a difference in our home! I have decided to reward myself when I finish by painting my living room. Thank you so much!
Emily
http://neverendingbutterflies.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/21-day-organization-challenge-days-5-and-7/