How to Make the Most of the Storage Space in a Pantry Closet

A kitchen closet with deep shelves does not make a good pantry. On the contrary, specific items can be very difficult to find when shelving is poorly designed. To make the most of storage space in a pantry closet, it takes more than just ordinary shelving. Just about every square inch of a pantry closet can be used, and without having to remove everything in the front to find items in the back.

I rented a home with a pantry closet, and it was very poorly designed. Like many other aspects of the home, it was not created with practicality in mind. It consisted of three shelves that spanned the width of the space and almost the entire depth. They were approximately two feet apart, and they were not ideal for storing cookware let alone canned goods and other food. When I moved out of the rental and into a home with another pantry closet, I wanted to find ways to make the most of the available storage space instead of settling for something that was less than ideal.

Add U-Shaped Shelving to Make the Most of Available Storage Space

U-shaped shelves are ideal for a pantry closet because they make the most of available storage space. Unlike plywood boards that take up the entire interior of the closet, u-shaped shelves make it easy to find absolutely everything in the pantry. As the photo shows, everything is visible and easy to access. However, a considerable amount of empty space is still left in the center.

Hang Adjustable Wire Shelving Over the Inside of the Pantry Closet Door

Make the most of available storage space in a pantry closet with the addition of adjustable wire shelving. But a shelf unit that hangs over the inside of the door. Measure carefully before buying the shelving, and choose something that will fill in the open area in the center of the pantry closet. Wire shelves are ideal for holding boxed food and other lightweight items. It will help make the most of available space by filling in an otherwise empty space.

Use Baskets to Hold Small Odd-Shaped Items on Shelves

Instead of trying to stack and balance smaller items on wire shelves, add small baskets of the appropriate shape. To make the most of available pantry closet space, use the baskets to hold spice packets, drink mixes and other small items that would otherwise end up on the floor. Narrow baskets can also be placed on interior shelves and temporarily secured with removable poster putty.

Source: Personal and Professional Home Design and Decorating Experience