Since we have all been spending ample time at home, home improvement projects like redecorating rooms & organization have been trending for months. I think being home from work & school either made us realize how inefficient and cluttered our homes were, or we made it that way by always being there. No matter the reason, we have collectively decided that we need to own plants, paint weird designs on our walls and organize our pantries.
Well, I’m about 10 months late on this trend but honestly, that’s because I was resistant to following this one. My main reason being, if you do a quick Pinterest search for “Pantry Organization”, you’ll see that they all look the same. This clear container, wicker basket with chalk sign labels aesthetic everyone has adapted is cute, I honestly do like that modern feel of it, but I also don’t like it for a few reasons.
It doesn’t seem practical. I might be overthinking this but I don’t see how having all of your kid’s snacks in a glass container with a screw-off lid will work. I see one of two things happening: 1. They will break the containers trying to be independent and get hurt. 2. They will constantly ask you to open them which is more work for you!
Also, it’s expensive. Whether you go to Amazon, Homegoods or At Home, getting enough of those containers can be expensive. I just couldn’t rationalize spending $30 on a set of two clear boxes for fruit snacks.
How I organized My pantry on a budget
Staying true to form, I turned to Dollar Tree to help me out. Literally, Dollar Tree is my answer to everything. I primarily looked in the back of the store on the storage wall for large bins and the kitchen section for small containers.
The color selection will vary by store. I actually visited multiple stores to find the sizes and colors I wanted. I opted for white or clear/transparent. It mimics the Pinterest aesthetic but on a budget. I think this look is so popular because of its versatility. If you buy white or clear containers you are least likely to get sick of them when compared to colorful containers. Also, in case you want to change things round, you can use them for other things without worrying about them clashing with your home’s decor.
Shopping Suggestions for Kitchen Storage Containers
If you aren’t feeling the Dollar Tree selections but you still want to be budget friendly, check out Target, TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshalls & Amazon. I ended up getting two clear containers from Target & I got some cereal containers from Ross. They really compliment the overall look.
Why You Should Reorganize Your Pantry
Although we’ve spent a good amount of time talking about the aesthetic of the pantry organization, the #1 reason to take on this project is to the increase functionality of your home.
Having an easily accessible pantry helps in three main ways:
- Helps with Grocery Trips: When you can take a quick look and see which containers are empty, you are more likely to make a better shopping list. Prior to this, I would have to dig around to see what I have and this often resulted in me buying duplicates of things because I didn’t see them in the pantry or forgetting to check a box that was in the pantry but was actually empty
- Helps your kids be independent: Consider organizing your pantry in a way that makes your kid’s snacks be accessible. The top shelves of my pantry hold things like rice and items I use to cook dinner. The bottom shelves are mostly snacks. This way the kids can grab them as they please without having to involve me. That might sound like a lazy mom hack (and it is) but it helps cut down interruptions when I am working from home, on a call, or trying to get some ‘me time’ in. I have always been an advocate of independent children! Allowing my daughter to do things like this helped us greatly when we went from 1 to 2 kids.
- Ease of mind: Being organized and having a system helps give life structure. I thrive in these conditions honestly. Planning out weekly meals, shopping trips & picking out a light snack is a lot easier when I can open the pantry door and immediately get an idea of the pantry’s inventory. Like folding and putting away laundry, putting away our new groceries in this system helps me feel in control and helps me think clearly. It sounds nuts but I love it!
I have a video of my organization process up on my Instagram. If you found this article helpful and want to see more, please check it out and share! Budget-friendly pantry for the win!
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