3 Brilliant Solutions for Optimizing Your Small Kitchen Pantry

When my husband and I were looking to move, we walked into the house we currently live in and knew it was the perfect home for us. It was beautiful! It had open, airy spaces and large windows. It had the perfect amount of room to live comfortably, yet was small enough to easily manage and keep clean. I was thrilled! We were intentionally downsizing, and I couldn’t wait to have less housework so we could spend more time as a family doing the activities we hold dear.

However, one downside to the home was it's small pantry. At first it seemed big enough, but as we began to settle in, it soon became clear the pantry was not ideal for a large family of seven. I definitely had to get creative, but now I have a pantry that is functional for us and our daily needs. It also allows space for extra items when hosting get-togethers or stocking up on extra food for hurricane season.

Having a small pantry can have its challenges, but it doesn’t mean it can’t be made into a valuable storage space. You just have to know how to optimize and organize it, so today I’m providing you with 3 solutions to do just that!

Solution #1 | Utilize the height of your space.

Notice where any open space may be and how you can better use it. Vertical space often gets overlooked, but can provide a significant amount of added storage when used properly.

Adding organizers above or below your pantry shelves by using a shelf riser or under-the-shelf basket can quickly transform any pantry, and increase the available storage instantly. Make sure to measure your shelf before buying organizers so you get the ideal fit.

Also, decanting your items into containers that make the best use of the height of your space can help tremendously, as well. For example, choosing cereal containers that are tall and slender to fill the height of your space is a better option than a shorter, wider container that leaves the space above it unused.

Solution #2 | Add storage to the door.

Over-the-door pantry organizers can significantly bolster the amount of available space in a small pantry. It instantly adds a ton of functional storage in just a few minutes with a small investment (ranging between $30-50). Most of them are customizable with adjustable shelving, and the metal ones are extremely sturdy, holding a sizable amount of weight.

Solution #3 | Create a backstock.

Not everything needs to go in the pantry. Instead, place a reasonable amount of all the items you use on a daily or weekly basis in your pantry while storing the rest—seasonal items, duplicates, leftover bulk, infrequently used items, etc.—in an area you have available (albeit less convenient) for additional storage. This can be another closet, cellar, basement, or the garage. This allows you to easily access everything you need without the clutter and overflow. When things start running low, simply refill whatever you need from the backstock.

I hope these tips help make your small kitchen pantry feel much bigger! If you’re interested in more, I invite you to grab this free guide to help fill your pantry with some of my favorite go-to organizers.