When someone goes to open your pantry do you think “please don’t let that can fall on their head”, or do you have to give the person a detailed explanation of where something is like “on the third shelf behind that bottle of sauce you will see the packet of sugar”? I know my husband gets frustrated with me as I know where everything was but for him I would practically have to draw him a map to find something. I myself was also unhappy with my pantry, the time I waste trying to find something and the double up buying of especially canned items made for one frustrated Mumma.
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting with Kmart at the Kids Business Bloggers Brunch. I knew I wanted to get my pantry sorted and Kmart had just bought out a great new, budget friendly range of storage solutions especially for the kitchen that I knew this was the push I needed to get my over cluttered pantry sorted.
I started by searching through Pinterest for inspiration and I was quite surprised to see that many of the “glamorous” pantries I found, I could find perfect matches of the storage items at Kmart.
Here is a snapshot, direct links can be found on my Pinterest Board.
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| Snapshot of Pinterest Inspiration |
Here are my simple steps to getting your pantry organised with Kmart. I will given a $100 gift voucher to buy the items I have used to organise my pantry.
STEPS TO ORGANISING YOUR PANTRY
1. Draw a picture of your pantry with dimensions. This will come in handy when finding the right storage solution.
My pantry is tall, narrow and deep (probably the worst kind of pantry to have) which makes it difficult to fully utilise the space at the back and up high.
My dream pantry would be wide and shallow so I could use lots of pantry storage containers for all my baking goods.
2. Decide what you use the most and are they in the most convenient place in your pantry?
Grouping similar items together like cans, baking supplies, pastas-grains-rices, herbs etc helps to keep things organised.
We have been in this house for 3 years and I am pretty comfortable with where I store things in the pantry, I just need a better way to access them.
My cans will remain at the bottom as there is less height for them to fall from and potentially hurt little heads.
Unfortunately my glasses and mugs have to be in the pantry as I have very little other storage space, yes my kitchen is quite small. On the flip side my mugs from Kmart and nice to see everytime I open the pantry.
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| Dot Mug $2 each |
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| Silicone Grip Mug – $2 each |
What items do you use the most? Ask yourself this when deciding where to place “groups” in your pantry.
3. Visit www.kmart.com.au and view their storage solutions. You will find the price, dimensions and images of the majority of their products.
Making choices in the comfort of your home makes it easier to plan your pantry layout.
Here is what I used:
2 x Large Wire Basket at $7 each
2 x 6 Piece Pantry Set at $12 each
6 x Handle Baskets at $3 each
2 x Large Pantry Storage Shelf at $4 each
3 x Wire Spice Racks at $4 each
2 x 3 Litre Cereal Clip Containers at $5.50 each (still to buy more store was out of stock)
1 x Wire Bag Holder at $5 (still to buy more store was out of stock)
2 x Set of 4 Glass Spice Bottles at $3 each
TOTAL COST – $98
2 x Large Wire Basket at $7 each
2 x 6 Piece Pantry Set at $12 each
6 x Handle Baskets at $3 each
2 x Large Pantry Storage Shelf at $4 each
3 x Wire Spice Racks at $4 each
2 x 3 Litre Cereal Clip Containers at $5.50 each (still to buy more store was out of stock)
1 x Wire Bag Holder at $5 (still to buy more store was out of stock)
2 x Set of 4 Glass Spice Bottles at $3 each
TOTAL COST – $98
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| Kmart Storage Solutions |
I also bought a few extras out of my own money for the kitchen which I will show you at the end.
4. Draw into your pantry the storage items you want to use to see if they will fit.
5. Take your shopping list to Kmart and pick out your chosen items.
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| Shelves lined with storage solutions |
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| Great selection of $2 items to brighten up the kitchen. |
6. I tackled each shelf at a time as it was easier to handle with the boys.
Remove all items check for use by dates etc. wipe and dry the shelves.
Remove all items check for use by dates etc. wipe and dry the shelves.
Clean and dry the storage items you bought.
Start to fill the containers.
7. Repeat until all shelves are finished.
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| BEFORE SHOT |
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| AFTER SHOT |
BOTTOM SHELF: I really love my pantry now, it feels brighter and less cluttered. The large wire baskets at the bottom are a perfect fit for my space and means no more can stacking.
SECOND BOTTOM SHELF: The pantry sets are also a perfect fit width and height wise. The seal is excellent. Behind these containers I have store some bulk items that will fill these containers.
MIDDLE SHELF: This shelf has the large pantry shelves at the back giving me extra storage. This area also serves as my breakfast station.
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| 2 x Large Pantry Shelves at the very back |
THIRD FROM THE TOP: Glasses, mugs, milk frother, takeout coffee cups.
SECOND FROM THE TOP: Each pull our basket holds, Teas, ziplock bags etc, treat food and cling wrap and aluminium foil to the right
TOP SHELF: Again pull out baskets used due to the height – these have baking goods and dry cooking items like gravy powder, cous cous.
DOOR: Food colourings and flavourings and then all my spices.
8. See if it works for you, you might like to rearrange some sections.
I had these large cereal containers that just don’t work in my new layout and they are never filled to the top so it is a waste of space. I will be replacing them with slimmer versions versions which will work better in this space. This area has all my breakfast supplies, like spreads, tea, coffee, Milo, cereals to make it easier in the mornings.
I also will be adding the extra wire spice rack on the door and moving one of the original spice racks up and to the right for more continuity.
I also replaced the laminate edging on the shelves as it was discoloured and chipped. The iron on laminate was $10 for 10 metres at Bunnings and it really made the pantry look fresh.
I also will be adding the extra wire spice rack on the door and moving one of the original spice racks up and to the right for more continuity.
I also replaced the laminate edging on the shelves as it was discoloured and chipped. The iron on laminate was $10 for 10 metres at Bunnings and it really made the pantry look fresh.
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| Removing the old chipped laminate edging. |
Extra goodies I purchased:
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| Large hand towels – 2 for $5 |
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| Collapsable Silicone Strainer – this replaced my metal strainers which took up half of my draw space. $7 |
$100 Kmart Australia Gift Voucher Giveaway
THE WINNER IS Jodie-Anne. I think Jodie-Anne can make a big change to her pantry with the $100 from Kmart. I look forward to posting her after photo in the coming weeks.
Open to Australian Residents Only.
Now for the fun part, I have a $100 gift voucher to giveaway to one lucky reader. To be in the draw for this fantastic prize you have to do a few things. Firstly follow the entry prompts in the rafflecopter below. One of these will ask you to send through a photo of your cluttered pantry. Send this to me at cookingforbusymums@gmail.com or post it on my facebook wall.
Now for the fun part, I have a $100 gift voucher to giveaway to one lucky reader. To be in the draw for this fantastic prize you have to do a few things. Firstly follow the entry prompts in the rafflecopter below. One of these will ask you to send through a photo of your cluttered pantry. Send this to me at cookingforbusymums@gmail.com or post it on my facebook wall.
To be eligible for this prize you need to agree to use the $100 to makeover your pantry and then send in an after photo. This needs to be done within 2 weeks of receiving the gift voucher.
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I have emailed the photo of my unorganized pantry to cookingforbusymums@gmail.com
Name – sapna sharma
Email – sapshu936@gmail.com
I have the same type of pantry as you Amanda but even less space. its one of those jobs I keep putting off. You’ve inspired me to get a start on it. Great job on yours!
Anne xx
I have emailed my messy pantry!!
Kim maree (maxwell)
galwayst@hotmail.com
I have emailed you a pic!
Narelle Rock
narellerock@yahoo.com.au
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hi there – I’ve emailed my messy pantry picture 😀
nardinis@aapt.net.au
My out of control pantry needs all the help it can get… my picture says it all !
pamacca45@gmail.com
I’ve sent my pic – very untidy drawer of food (we don’t even have a pantry!).
My pantry is so small and unorganised, that I’ve had to resort to using a chest of drawers too! Help! I’ve email my photo to you.
stephaniecompton@bigpond.com
Emailed
donkey.12@live.com.au
Ahhh… the joy of even one tidy cupboard in the house. Makes it all worth the effort. 🙂
(Email via my subscription.)
Have sent photo of my pantry… the fascade of the tidy front hides the chaos that lies behind. Please help.
Emailed you my photo! 🙂
Charlotte Scotton
charlottescotton (at) gmail (dot) com
I dream of an organised pantry.
Thank you so much. I’ll also post a pic of what wonders are found behind the front rowers… can’t wait to find out myself. Now I have an incentive….. let the adventure begin 🙂 THANK YOU