How to Organize Your Kitchen Without a Pantry

Kitchen organization and storage are two things that we are all constantly working on. When planning a kitchen layout it is important to design for storage and efficiency. People often choose to add a pantry in the kitchen However, if you aren’t planning to remodel, then you may be wondering how to improve your kitchen storage without a pantry. In this blog, we are going to explore creative solutions to kitchen storage and organization.

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Where Did the Pantry Originate?

Kitchen storage has been utilizing the pantry for centuries in order to create function kitchen designs with plenty of storage. In fact, the word “pantry” comes to us from Medieval English, and it was derived from the Lain word “panis”, which means “bread”. Over time, the word became associated with food in general, and so we can see this etymological evolution in the use of pantry to refer to food storage.

During the colonization of the Americas, Europeans began building homes and including kitchen pantries. The style of these pantries varied from open shelving to walk-in storage rooms.

The 20th Century to Today

The modern American pantry is largely influenced by Hoosier Cabinet designed in the early 1900s by the Hoosier Manufacturing Company. These were designed to solve the storage woes of homeowners. The Hoosier cabinet was a free-standing pantry that combined a workstation with food storage. The storage spaces on the cabinet were also designed to hold specific foods. The average size of these cabinets was around 6 ft. tall, 4 ft. wide, and 22 in. deep.

Over the course of the 20th century, advances in food preservation and cold storage increased the shelf life of many consumer products. However, with things lasting longer, you will also need to store them longer. And so, the pantry became increasingly popular as a way for homeowners to store all the food items that were becoming available. Fast forward to 2019, walk-in pantries have become one of the most requested features according to the National Association of Home Builders.

Maximize Your Existing Storage

For those of us without a walk-in or free-standing pantry, the first step to organizing your kitchen is to take a look at what you already have. You can open up new space by condensing your plates with a plate rack, or you can use hooks and hanging baskets to create vertical storage for things like pots, pans, and vegetables. It is also a good idea to keep a box handy for items like extra cups or coffee mugs that you want to donate.

Since the goal is to maximize your space, the organization is going to be key. You can also look into storage containers designed for kitchens and food that can help you make the most of your space. One great example is using airtight storage containers to get rid of big cereal boxes or big, plastic bags of chips.

Up-Cycle the Old China Cabinet

If you have tried the above step and still need more storage, it could be time to find a “pantry”. If it is in the budget, you can purchase a pantry cabinet and shelves for your food storage. This is a great way to really make a difference in your kitchen’s functionality. Our tall pantry cabinet boxes can be ordered in custom sizes.

If a new pantry is not in the cards for you at the moment, then you will need to explore other options. One that we love is to up-cycle an old piece of furniture to serve as your pantry. An old china cabinet or baker’s rack can be great choices for this. Plus, you could add new cabinet doors and drawer fronts to make it feel new!

Floor-to-Ceiling Cabinets

If you have a larger budget and don’t mind a permanent solution, then you can try installing floor-to-ceiling cabinets. This way, you can really maximize your available storage space by extending your cabinetry. The top shelves may be a bit more difficult to access, which means they will be great spots for seldom used countertop appliances.

Finishing Up

While a large, walk-in pantry would be great, you do not need one to have a well-organized and functional kitchen. With some time and creative problem solving, you can turn your storage nightmare into a space that is comfortable to use.

If you are ready to get started or if you have more questions, feel free to give us a call at 1-855-669-5222 or an email to info@cabinetnow.com. Our team is happy to help you find the solutions to your cabinetry needs.