The Pantry Organization Tips You Should (and Shouldn’t) Take From Khloé Kardashian

Alejandra Costello, a professional organizer based in Arlington, found her passion for organization at a young age, particularly in the kitchen. Even as a child, she meticulously organized groceries, arranging canned goods by type, labels visible, and dry goods and snacks thoughtfully placed for easy access. This early interest developed into a career where she helps others bring order to their lives, with the pantry remaining her favorite area to sort. Costello emphasizes that an organized pantry is easy to maintain if set up correctly, viewing it as prime real estate within the home where everything has its place, and if an item doesn't have a designated spot, it shouldn't be purchased. Local experts agree that efficient pantry organization can save both time and money. Key questions to consider include individual buying habits, daily needs, and meal planning strategies. By establishing a system, individuals can minimize the time spent on shopping, food preparation, and serving meals. An organized pantry ensures ingredients are readily available, snacks are easy to grab, and restocking needs are clear, potentially inspiring homeowners to enhance their pantry's aesthetic with fresh paint or custom labels for storage jars. Kim Hitchcock, a sales trainer at the Container Store, highlights the kitchen as the social hub of the home, where various family activities occur. Therefore, pantries must be accessible, visible, and adjustable. She recommends the customizable elfa shelving system for its flexibility, functionality, and appearance. Hitchcock also points out that the back of the pantry door is an often-overlooked space for additional storage, ideal for shallow items or frequently used essentials like a grocery list. Professional organizer C. Lee Cawley suggests starting with simple organizational tasks, such as creating a dedicated coffee station where all related items are within easy reach to streamline the morning routine. This concept extends to the refrigerator, where grouping sandwich meats and cheeses in a single bin, along with mini condiment jars, simplifies lunch preparation. To involve children, Cawley recommends a basic three-bin system for lunch items—one for savory snacks, one for staples like desserts, and one for juice boxes—placed on lower shelves so kids can pack their own lunches. For food storage, Cawley advises using square containers for square items like rice and pasta, and lazy Susans for round items such as canned goods, oils, vinegars, and spices. Square, clear, airtight containers (like those from Rubbermaid and Oxo) are preferred for dry goods and baking items because they maximize space and allow for easy inventory management. An organized pantry and fridge, according to Costello, make cooking significantly easier, reducing preparation and clean-up times. The article provides ten professional organizer tips to achieve a more organized kitchen and pantry. These include placing lighter items on higher shelves and heavier items on lower ones for safety, organizing items like a store so similar products are grouped together, and adopting a 'first-in, first-out' approach. It's also recommended to always have ingredients for an emergency meal on hand and to designate a healthy snack bin within children's reach. Utilizing lazy Susans for easy access to items, especially spices and condiments, is highly recommended. Labeling everything, from individual ingredients to entire pantry zones, is crucial as it encourages adherence to the organizational system. Maximizing space, particularly the back of pantry doors for shallow items, is another key tip. Inexpensive tension rods can serve as drawer dividers for dishes or pot lids, and a designated spot for non-food items like flashlights and batteries helps keep them accessible. Finally, dedicating 10 minutes each Sunday to plan meals for the week, assess fridge and pantry contents, and update the grocery list can significantly improve kitchen efficiency and reduce waste. #KitchenOrganization #PantryDesign #HomeEfficiency #StorageSolutions #ProfessionalOrganizing #MealPlanning #KitchenTips #HomeManagement #SpaceMaximization

This article explores nine ingenious pantry organization hacks recommended by professional organizers to transform cluttered pantries into efficient, aesthetically pleasing spaces. Beyond conventional methods like grouping items and labeling, these tips offer creative solutions for maximizing space and accessibility. One prominent hack involves creating a designated "grab-and-go" drawer, especially useful for children's snacks or quick breakfast items. This method advocates for decanting items from their original packaging into easily accessible and visually appealing containers, ideally placed at a child-friendly height to encourage independence and prevent mess. Shira Gill, an organizing expert and author, highlights its benefit for busy mornings and preventing snack avalanches, while Pam Meluskey, co-founder of Settled, emphasizes the visual appeal and accessibility. Another innovative suggestion is to utilize vertical space by hanging kitchen tools from a rod or rail installed under pantry shelves. This technique, demonstrated by designer Jess Weeth of Weeth Home, allows for the storage of lightweight items like measuring spoons or produce bags, freeing up valuable drawer space. S-hooks can be used to hang small pots or utensils, enhancing both accessibility and organization. For pantries lacking sufficient illumination, the article recommends installing battery-operated lights. Emi Louie, a professional organizer, stresses that under-cabinet lighting is a "game changer," particularly stick-on motion-sensor lights that illuminate deep shelves and cabinets. These simple additions can significantly improve visibility and prevent items from getting lost in the back of the pantry. The often-overlooked pantry door is another area ripe for optimization. An over-the-door organizer, equipped with baskets, can significantly increase storage capacity for jars, spices, or snacks. Natalie Schrier, founder of Cut the Clutter, points out that this space is generally underutilized but offers substantial potential for added storage. Repurposing cardboard magazine holders is presented as a versatile solution for storing awkwardly shaped items. These holders are ideal for vertically organizing aluminum foil, parchment paper, plastic cutting boards, and boxes of pasta. Julie Stobbe of Mind Over Clutter specifically suggests using holders with solid sides for better stability and neatness. For increased flexibility and storage of bulk or entertaining essentials, a rolling cart can be strategically placed in a pantry corner. This mobile storage unit keeps items accessible while allowing them to be moved as needed, as illustrated by 27 South Home Design's use of a bronze rolling cart for entertaining supplies. Lazy Susans are universally praised by organizers for keeping everyday items within easy reach. They are particularly effective for oils, vinegars, condiments, sauces, and canned goods, preventing items from getting pushed to the back of shelves and forgotten. To manage expiration dates, a practical tip involves writing these dates on the back of decanted canisters using a dry-erase label. While the front of jars might feature aesthetic labels, the back can serve as a discreet and erasable reminder of freshness, as suggested by Pam Meluskey. Finally, tiered shelving is highlighted as an essential tool for maximizing space and visibility. Whether for cans, spices, or other containers, tiered organizers ensure that every item is visible at a glance, preventing duplicate purchases and promoting efficient inventory management. Shira Gill notes that this approach helps individuals see everything they own, eliminating the frustration of discovering forgotten items. #PantryOrganization #HomeHacks #ProfessionalOrganizer #KitchenStorage #Decluttering #HomeImprovement #SpaceSaving #SmartLiving #EfficientKitchen

Marie Kondo, the renowned organization expert, has provided practical tips for maintaining an organized closet throughout the year. Her approach emphasizes the strategic arrangement of clothing items to ensure a tidy and manageable wardrobe, regardless of the season. Kondo suggests a system of categorizing clothes by both color and length. Specifically, she recommends placing longer and darker items on the left side of the closet, gradually transitioning to shorter and lighter-colored items on the right. This method aims to create a visual flow that simplifies the process of finding and storing clothes. Kondo's organizational philosophy is rooted in her widely recognized KonMari method, which encourages individuals to keep only those items that "spark joy." This principle extends beyond merely decluttering and aims to help individuals clarify their personal values. By engaging in the process of selecting items that resonate with them, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of what is truly important in their lives. This self-reflection can then be applied to other aspects of life, fostering broader positive changes. Her most recent appearance on Netflix's "Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo" further showcased her methodologies. In an interview with House Beautiful prior to the show's premiere, Kondo elaborated on the transformative potential of her method. She highlighted that repeated application of the KonMari method allows individuals to refine their understanding of their own values. This clarity is instrumental in making informed decisions about how they wish to engage with their work, build relationships, and navigate other life choices. The core idea is that a well-organized physical space, achieved through intentional selection, can lead to a more organized and fulfilling inner life, enabling individuals to enact significant personal growth and change. #MarieKondo #ClosetOrganization #KonMariMethod #HomeOrganization #DeclutteringTips #LifestyleTips #WardrobeManagement #SparkingJoy #HomeDecor