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Sometimes the littlest changes can bring the biggest results. Switching out wire shelving with wood shelves was a game-changer for our pantry. I always look for simple systems and ease of use when planning out a new system and the pantry was no different. One of the biggest frustrations for me in our kitchen were the shelves in the pantry. The wire shelving wasn’t stable enough to hold glass storage containers and it wasn’t functioning the way I hoped. I know it’s a little detail and the shelves were fine, but by adding something like stable shelving, it completely changed how I could organizing the space. The concept is simple – add wood shelves (we hired this out), new storage solutions, more space, and an additional shelf. Want to take a peek?
Here’s the before:
The during – everything was removed, holes were filled, and the space was painted.
Once the shelves were in I used Post-It notes to plan the space:
Then I lined the shelves with plastic shelf liner (non-stick) to protect the surface of the shelves:
Next was the fun part – filling the space. I used 4 basic organizing items in the pantry – acrylic bins, glass mason jars (this post has a couple sources and details), acrylic turntables, and acrylic tiered storage. I chose all clear storage because I like being able to see everything at a glance and I find that it’s easier for the kids to grab their own snacks and gather supplies and food for their lunches.
Once I had the space planned out I filled jars and bins and placed everything into the pantry. Then I arranged and re-arranged and lived with it for a couple weeks, tweaking it a bit for out needs. And here’s where it’s at today – I’m sure it’ll be tweaked a bit but as of right now we’re loving it. I added labels to the picture so you can see what’s where – the shelves aren’t actually labeled 🙂
One of the reasons I wanted to add wood shelves was so we could add turntables for baking and cooking supplies – I love this feature. Not only does it make it easy to access, it frees up so much space. I also love the tiered storage for canned goods. I could put the canned goods on the second to the top shelf and still be able to see everything. (The crock holds potatoes and/or squash and the basket holds grocery bags.)
I separated the baking and cooking supplies on the middle shelf – this is also where I put the majority of the glass storage. I like having all the cooking and baking supplies grouped together.
Here are a couple more views:
See that narrow shelf at the very top? I keep bags of flour and ‘overstock’ of vitamins and Halloween candy up there 🙂
So that’s the pantry redo – 6 shelves and the whole pantry gets a new life.
I labeled the glass storage jars (and I love how this functions) – check out this post for all the details and sources.
There are affiliate links in this post – go here to see my full disclosure policy.
Cindy Says...
I LOVE it! My pantry has wooden shelves, but they’re very deep and almost unusable. I just added wooden pull-out shelves this summer and it’s made a huge difference. I too have floor space and added a 3 inch high wire cart on wheels so I could put my extra bags of floor, potatoes, etc. The wheels enable me to pull out the cart so I don’t scratch my hardwood floor.. The whole remake has made a huge difference in how we use the pantry. I love your blog and follow you every day.
Becky Says...
Post authorThanks Cindy!
Michelle Says...
It looks great!!! We did this same thing over Labor Day weekend. It is a game changer. I love having solid shelves. No more containers tipping, or crockpot feet getting stuck between the wires (I had the tighter mesh shelving.) And the shelves are going to be installed in the garage, so they’re not going to waste.
Karen Clinger Says...
This is just what I needed to see as my current pantry set up is driving me crazy! Thank you.
Tory Says...
My pantry is narrow but 22″ deep. 🙁
Rachel Says...
Mine is narrow and 11 inches deep…..so this just isn’t a possibility. I am considering keeping all my baking flour(gluten free) in the outdoor freezer just to have a bit of space.
Jennifer Says...
Ah I would love to have a pantry this size to fit everything in! My pantry has to be in multiple cabinets and spaces which makes things a bit difficult!
Amy Says...
I was wondering where you purchased the shelving that you used for your pantry?
Becky Says...
Post authorI had a contractor build the shelves for us 🙂
Jessica Says...
I love this!! I want to go home and do this right now!! Do you happen to know the size of the wood shelves (width/thickness)?? It looks fabulous. I might just have to do this!! My wire shelves just aren’t doing it, and I feel stuff gets lost! Thanks for the inspiration!
Becky Says...
Post authorThanks Jessica! All the shelves are 16” wide except for the very top one which is 12” wide. They have a false front and sides to make them look look thicker than they are – you can see that if you look real close in the pics 🙂
Michelle G Says...
Mine too Jennifer! We have an old house. My overflow goes in back closet! Waaahh!
Deborah Says...
This looks similar to my pantry. We took the closet in the third bedroom and turned it into a pantry. Granted it isn’t as organized as this one. And I think the shelving in ours is farther apart. How far apart are the shelves in your pantry? I do have glass jars for storage, but everything is spilling out into the room. Yes, we have too much products in too little of space. Hubby is a bargain (over) shopper.
Debra Says...
We have a cabinet pantry which is deep, shelves close together and hard to see anything. On top of that I have too much food, bits of this and that, cereal, canned tomatoes, soups, baking supplies and snacks. In my basement I have a pantry under the stairs for overflow. This is a long and narrow closet with a wider boxy end. Here are all my canned goods, condiments, cooking supplies, beans, and appliances that are now t used very often. We put down a tile floor, painted it tangerine, white wood shelves (left over from putting in Elfa shelves in the bedroom closets). It works, downstairs is better than the kitchen one, but not ideal. So far I haven’t come up with a better plan. I also have a lot of dishes, that I solved by putting in a “butlers pantry/closet” in one of the bedrooms. I inherited all my grandmothers good China, that makes three sets plus my own.
Kristie Says...
Where do you keep new packages of the things you store in clear containers? Do you wait until you’re completely out of granola before buying more, for example? Or just pour the new on top of the old?
Marybeth Says...
The three tiered shelves you show with jars and cans on them don’t look the same as the ones on Amazon that the link takes you to. Those say they are spice racks and some of the comments say they are not for cans. What are the dimensions of the ones in your pantry?
Supermarette Says...
That’s true. It must have changed since the link was originally posted. I clicked on it and it took me to a wire spice rack shelf, not the clear plastic one that’s shown in Becky’s pantry. Does anyone have any leads on the clear plastic variety?
Carol Says...
Love it. I have those wire shelves, and cannot stand them. Why do builders use them, anyway? Cheap, I guess. You had your wood shelves professionally installed? Who would I look for, to do this? My husband isn’t handy at all.
Kim Says...
What basket/shelf system did you use on your pantry doors? I’ve been hunting for a good pantry door system and your’s looks like the kind of sturdy I’m looking for!
Becky Says...
Post authorIt came with the house 🙂
maggie Says...
Hi Becky, May you please let me know the distance in-between your 6 shelves please? The length/width of the wooden shelf too ? I am homebound for a week taking care of a family member and would love to surprise them with their pantry when they feel better. Thank you for sharing.
b r Says...
Post authorHi Maggie! There are 16” in between each shelf 🙂
maggie Says...
Thank You!
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Amy Siles Says...
How wide is your pantry?
b r Says...
Post authorIt’s 4 feet wide 🙂
Cristina Smith Says...
Consider your lighting when choosing shelves: I turned a deep, narrow closet into a pantry. Along one wall I installed Elfa wire shelves and did it myself. I like the shelves because they are easily adjustable. I did try solid shelves but in this case there is just one overhead light in the closet, and the solid shelves made for dark shadows. The wire shelves let more light through. You will want good lighting to see your stuff!
Mary Says...
My closet is 4 ft. wide, there is 18″ from the floor to the first shelf then 16″ between each shelf. But I end with only four shelves instead of five. Can’t figure it out, sure could use one more shelf. What did I do different?
b r Says...
Post authorThere’s a half shelf at the top 🙂
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Jennifer Casazza Says...
I love the clean look of your pantry shelves! You said you hired it out. Did he install something that can be purchased or did he build it himself? Love your blog!
b r Says...
Post authorHe built it from scratch 🙂
Dawn Says...
I’ve looked at sooo many ways to organize the pantry and this is by far the best, most practical way!!! I’m getting the stuff to do mine!
Samantha Powell Says...
What are the dimensions of your pantry?
b r Says...
Post author4 feet across / 18 inches deep / 8 feet high
A Butler Says...
So glad I found this post. Our pantries are almost identical, but I needed your ideas to get mine organized. I now know everything that is in my pantry and the area where it’s located. The acrylic bins, lazy susan and can holder really saved space and organized like items together. So happy with my pantry now!
Kathryn Says...
I have a similar pantry with the wire shelves. To make inexpensive and better use of them I had 1/8” thick smooth hardboard cut to fit each shelf at my local Home Depot. You can paint them or cover with contact paper to pretty them up. Everything slides smoothly now.
Kathryn Says...
Where do you store your spices?
b r Says...
Post authorYou can see them here: https://www.cleanmama.net/2017/06/organized-herb-spice-cabinet.html