Our New Pantry & How I Organize It

Hi friend! I hope your week is going amazingly well!  Ours is a short one with parent/teacher conferences starting Thursday and a girls’ trip to Roundtop on Friday!  I’m sooo looking forward to it!  Join me on Stories for all the fun!

BLOG UPDATE

Usually on Wednesdays I share the “best sales”, but honestly, I have to admit I’ve been getting kind of burned out on that.  I felt like I was getting in a rut searching for sales and having to force it sometimes.

After giving it some thought, I decided to discontinue that “best sales” series on my blog. It started as a fun way to share awesome things that were on sale, but as Stories continues to grow, that platform seems like a better place to share those fast finds.

I’d prefer my blog to have ‘meatier’ content if you know what I mean.  I can still add some great sales to the end of my Friday blog posts like I’ve been doing for years – if I find some worth sharing.

Also, instead of reposting my Tuesday Goodies in a Wednesday blog post, you can always find them on Stories live or on this blog page.  Sharing them here again was starting to feel redundant.  Let me know if you agree.

Finally, I go live on Amazon once a week and you can watch those videos here, even if you miss the live time.

My online career started with my blog in 2010 – over 12 years ago!  So much has changed and evolved and I’ve had to grow with those changes.  My blog will always be my first love and where I can connect with you and share content that will live here forever.  It’s also the only social media component that I actually own.  Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and other platforms could disappear one day . . .

I’m so grateful for your readership and support over the years.  I hope these changes sits will with you.  I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments. ♥

OUR NEW PANTRY

In light of everything I’ve just shared, today’s post focuses on our new pantry! I’ve been wanting to share this with you since I moved into this new house and it’s finally ready for you to see!

One of the things I found very useful in my old house was a large, walk-in pantry.  It did double duty as a place for all of our dry goods and also as storage for decor.

With my job and because I like to switch things out seasonally, I keep on hand several decor pieces like vases, faux florals and decorative objects.

The minimalist in me wants to keep things paired down and my Type A personality wants everything neat, tidy and organized. I feel like I achieved that with our new pantry. C’mon in!

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

I’ve worked hard to achieve that balance in my pantry.  I’m so thankful for it’s grand size.  Above the shelves you see are two more rows of shelves that I’m not even using.  It actually makes me feel good to have empty spaces with some breathing room.

I could store taller items up there if I adjusted the shelves, but honestly, I can’t ever see myself wanting to climb that high to bring something down.

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

This pantry came with a pretty wooden ladder and railing, but I prefer to keep it leaning against the adjacent wall to keep it out of the way.  And, it’s actually easier to just pull out my tall step ladder than the tall, heavy wooden one, so if I happen to need a ladder, that’s the one I usually use.

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

HOW I’M ORGANIZING OUR NEW PANTRY

COUNTER

Let’s talk about the functional counter space in here first.  I love how they added a wooden counter that’s actually useful for cooking with small appliances.  We make our morning toast in here and also air fry Jordan’s chicken nuggets for her school lunch here.  It’s so nice to have this space so that those daily appliances aren’t out on our kitchen counters.

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

But honestly, the air fryer and toaster are both so pretty, they’d look good out on the kitchen counter!  It’s more a matter of them taking up valuable space.

I like to keep the kids snacks handy right at eye level in these woven baskets. These are things they can reach for themselves for when they’re packing their lunch.  It’s also nice for me to be able to easily see what we’re running low on.

Woven Baskets

DRAWERS

It’s so cool how these under counter drawers pull out and they’re also pretty tall so larger things can fit in there.

Starting right in front is where we keep items we use often like bread, canned goods and seasoning packets.

Below that is more of a dessert drawer with s’mores fixin’s, cake mixes and hot cocoa.

In the middle drawers are pastas, sauces and below that baking goods like flour and sugars.

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

To the far left are extra storage bags, lunch boxes, our dutch oven and then seasonal kitchen items like Christmas mugs and plates.

Pantry Storage

On the right side aren’t drawers, but shelves where I store cookbooks, serving platters and trays.  My cooking binders contain all the recipes I like to keep handy. I have one for main dishes and appetizers and another one dedicated to desserts!

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

UPPER SHELVES

In the upper shelves, you’ll find bulk items that I organized into glass or clear containers.  It’s helpful to get the right size container for your specific food items.  For example, dog food and coffee beans get a big container, whereas chocolate chips, dried fruit and nuts get smaller containers.

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

 OXO ContainersGlass Jars

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

Glass Jars for Pantry Storage

Glass Storage Jars

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

 Glass Jars w Wooden LidsCereal Containers

Like I mentioned at the beginning of this post, it’s nice to have one spot for decor like vases and faux florals.  To keep things looking neat, I grouped like items together.  For instance, all the light colored vases are kept together and same with the darker ones.

Since I have a variety of faux plants and flowers, I tried to display them so they’d look nice in here instead of hiding in a bin somewhere that I’d forget about them or not be able to access easily.

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

Salt & Pepper Shakers • Bitters Bottles

It’s been really challenging for me to figure out what’s the right amount to keep.  I have let go of several things though and I don’t really miss.  You don’t see any 3-tiered stands anymore, and I used to have several!  I also donated my collection of blue & white ginger jars.  That color didn’t seem to go with my new kitchen and I figured someone else would be happy to have them.

I do still have several cake stands and we do use those.

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

Luke has his own set of glass jars for treats:)

Pantry Organization, Cereal Containers, Glass Jars, Woven Baskets, Cookbooks

This pantry is definitely a workhorse of a space and I’m so thankful to have this extra room to keep everything neat, tidy and well organized!

PANTRY ORGANIZATION

Below are most of the storage items I’ve found useful in my pantry.

Pantry Organization

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Shop My Pantry Organization

If you’re reading via email, click here for the shoppable images

I can’t believe we moved into this house in March and I’m just now showing you the pantry!  It goes to show how much time it takes to get things settled and how you want them- when you’re doing it yourself! I’m still working on the primary bedroom, would you like to see that, the closet or laundry room next?

If you want to see more of our new home, check out these posts:

Kitchen Tour

Living Room Tour

Home Office Tour

Back Patio Tour

You might be surprised to learn that I’ve already started taking down our Fall decor because I’ll start decorating for Christmas after Halloween.  I’ve done that for a few years now and LOVE getting to enjoy the holiday decor all the way into January!

When you do start decorating for the holidays?

Oh, and are you okay with bidding adieus the the Just Sales posts?  Or would you prefer that I still include them on Wednesdays after the ‘meatier’ content?  I read all of your comments and appreciate your opinion!

Also, if you haven’t already subscribed, click here!

Have a fantastic day friend!

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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

44 Comments

  1. Your blog is the first one I go to each morning so I really like it alot. I agree on the “just sales” going away. You do a great job with lots of great content. Looking forward to seeing how you decorate the new house for Christmas!

  2. Megan, your new pantry looks incredible. I thought your old one was lovely, but this looks even better if thats possible. Pantry Goals for Sure!

  3. I much prefer the meatier blog content (family, fitness, organization, nutrition tips etc). While I still love seeing your fashion finds, I don’t generally utilize the “sales” content all that much. If I see something I love on the blog or stories, I’ll snatch it, sale or no! Either way, love your blog and following you on insta ❤️

  4. I like switching out the best sales for ‘meatier’ content. I was always bummed on Wednesdays to miss something really great from you! Like this beautiful pantry! Would love to see the closet next!!! Thanks for all the inspiration! 🙂

  5. Your pantry is amazing! I think you’ve made some wise choices with content on your blog. I love that you will still include your Tuesday goodies on a blog shop page for those who like to purchase from the blog. I always love your shopping features, but a list of sales was something I would typically gloss over. Basically, your instincts are on point and you do an incredible job! 🙂

  6. Your pantry is my dream pantry!!! I love it!!! You have done a great job organizing everything.

    I love your blog and I agree with you about switching out the sales for “meatier” content. I also follow you on Instagram and love what you share there too.

    Thank you for all the inspiration!!!

  7. I love your blog and hearing/seeing different aspects of your life. I come here for that and your positive attitude more than your “sales” posts. ❤️

  8. I read every day and agree that it’s ok to let go of the just sales. You post so much content in insta, too, that I feel like you can afford to post the other stuff here!

  9. I love waking up to your blog posts, and definitely appreciate the “meatier” posts. That said, I also love “tuesday goodies” (and have purchased a lot of them!)…but I don’t do social media so I actually really appreciate the quick link on Wednesday’s posts 🙂

  10. That pantry is gorgeous! Well done. I may need to rethink my own pantry method of boxes on top of other boxes haha. I agree with another poster – I usually skip the Wednesday sales post and if I see something, I like (which is often!) I grab it then so it doesn’t sell out in my size. Love your blog as always! Xo

  11. Your blog is the first thing I do each morning. I used to skip Wednesdays because of the Best sales. So I definitely appreciate the meatier content. Love the pantry. I have a small one and I would love something like that someday! For now I will use your tips to reorganize mine. THANK YOU!

  12. Now that is one fabulous pantry!
    I’m trying to figure out how to organize mine, and while it’s much smaller, your concepts are very helpful. I value these types of blog posts, as well as fitness, organization, etc., over the “just sales” posts.
    Appreciate the effort that went in to creating them, but it’s good to evolve, too!

  13. I LOVED this post! Great products and content. I follow you for blog for posts like this one. I will not miss the Just Sale posts to be honest. My favorite posts are about interior decor and organization.

  14. Love your pantry!! So well done and I really like that you used the space to store décor as well. I always enjoy reading your blog but agree with the changes you want to make. Fun seeing Luke make an appearance! 🙂

    1. Thank you Melanie! It’s really nice to have a space to store all my decor and Luke is just getting cuter and cuter! I love that you enjoy seeing him!

  15. I’m obsessed with your pantry!! So gorgeous! Thanks for all the great organization tips and organization supplies! xo

    1. Thank you Jennifer! I couldn’t believe this pantry when I walked into this house for the first time- definitely very thankful for this space!

  16. Love your pantry! You’ve done such a great job organizing it. You have given me some inspiration for mine! I agree on the sales post and dropping it. Honestly I would scroll through quickly without buying and/or skip the post all together. Your blog is my fav. and I love the diversity of content you include. Love the organizing content and daily life/strength/inspiration you give. Thank-you for all your hard work, and Rhonda too, you are both doing a great job making everything look so professional and easy to access.

    1. Isn’t Rhonda the best?! She’s really so talented with being able to take great pictures – she took the pantry ones too! I have some new content planned in the coming weeks I think you’ll really like. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

  17. I agree with the changes…I look forward to the meatier content. I follow you on IG too, so it’s easy for me to follow along and buy something you recommend. Love the pantry – I was looking forward to this post and waited until I knew I had enough time to sit and read and take in all the organizing goodness!

  18. This pantry is amazing. I just wanted to say that I’ve been following you since you were pregnant with James. I actually love your “meatier” content the most, and I especially love your fitness tips and your motivational posts. Thank you for continuing to blog!!!

  19. I agree with you! I am not a big fan of the just sales. I come here because I like you as a person and I like the more meatier articles.

  20. Meatier for the win! I follow you on all the other platforms already but seriously love the more in-depth posts for your blog. Also – just went down a rabbit hole from Shutterfly/Spoonflower from one of your links.

    1. I think you’ll like the content I have planned in lieu of those sales posts. And YES, the Shutterfly/Spoonflower collections are amazing! I got lost in their site too!

  21. I LOVE your pantry. So inspirational and motivational for me to get in gear! I don’t have social media so I love your Tuesday Goodies on Wednesday! Thank you for all you do!

    1. Thank you Lucy! My family always put up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, but for me and with being a blogger, I’m much earlier with my Christmas decorating now. I can’t wait to share how we decorate our new home for the holidays!

  22. If you use a toaster in your pantry or air fryer, doesn’t that create some heat do you have a vent in your pantry?

  23. This was a great inspiration for my own pantry I will be working on. Where did you get those pull-out drawers from? I can’t seem to find drawers that are like this.

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