The holidays are finally here, bringing homey smells of nutmeg, pumpkin and cinnamon wafting through your home. But holiday baking also brings a lot of stress. Nothing is worse than running out of flour on Thanksgiving or losing that can of cranberries you know you just bought! The good news is, with some careful pantry planning and organization, you can avoid holiday nightmares and simply enjoy cooking for the holidays.Step 1: Plan, Plan, PlanA few minutes of careful planning can save you hours of work later on. Ask yourself the important questions. What items will you need the most this holiday season? They should be easy to see and reach. Are there any items you only use from time to time? Things you want to keep away from tiny hands? While you are planning, keep your daily habits in mind. If your pantry isn’t easy to use, then odds are, your organization efforts won’t stick.Step 2: Install Space-Saving ShelvingAdd rolling shelves to deep pantries so you can store cans and jars all the way in the back. Custom shelving can create spaces for oddly shaped items. Horizontal cubbies are great for cutting boards or baking pans. If you want to maximize your storage space, take a look at our custom pantry options!
Step 3: Organize Your Food Into Fun ContainersLook for clear containers to store your food. These let you see when supplies are running low, so you can restock before a holiday meal.Give these creative containers a try:Tall glass jars for pasta
- Plastic tubs for flour, sugar and rice
- Wire baskets for potatoes, bread, onions and more
- Lined baskets or wooden boxes to hold heavier items like cans, olive oil or pasta sauce
- Rolling boxes on the floor for heavy, bulky items
Step 4: Get Rid of Bulky BoxesBoxes take up space you can’t afford to lose! Pull things like cereal and crackers out of their boxes and store them in baskets instead. Alternately, put binder clips on those bags and hang them from hooks.Step 5: Label Everything!Good labels help you and your family keep things organized, which means you can actually find your ingredients when it’s time to get cooking. Custom labels add some personal flare.Try some of these unique labels:
- Chalkboard paper makes for creative and rewritable labels
- Print out labels on sticker paper for full-color designs
- Chalkboard or whiteboard paint is great for wooden boxes
- Write on clothespins for movable labels
- Magic decals are dishwater-safe; use this tutorial to make them
Step 6:List Space Inside the Pantry DoorPaint the inside of your pantry doors with chalkboard or whiteboard paint. Use this writable space to plan holiday meals and make grocery lists early so you can buy food on sale. You save money and have peace of mind, knowing your pantry is well-stocked and ready for the holiday festivities to begin!We are always ready to help you get organized! Call 1-888-500-9215 or a location near you or go online to www.closetsbydesign.com to see our virtual showrooms and to find a designer near you.
