Welcome to our new pantry space

 

IT'S FINALLY DONE...

And organized.  Aaaahhhh.  Now that feels nice!

Scott created the built-ins with wood we had hanging about.  We painted the shelving white and I painted the back wall a soft green color.  Nothing fancy.  Just practical.  ;)

 

I added wicker bins and baskets so I could organize things by category:  meal components, crackers & chips, snacks & treats, and the one at the very bottom holds our paper plates, plastic utensils, napkins and baggies.  The very top shelf holds baking supplies.

 

After the first built-in was done we realized we needed more space, so Scott added the second built in to go further into the angle of the closet.  There was only so much we could purge without tossing things we'll need.

I brought in a wire rolling cart for all the miscellaneous and canned foods.  It's very narrow so it fits perfectly against the wall.

I used up a good portion of my wicker to organize this space.  The tote at the end holds all of the extra paper shopping bags. 



I put up one of our new handmade chalkboards.  This one I jazzed up a bit with some jute strung across the top and attached with upholstery nails.  AND Seven little clothespins ~ one for each day of the week.  I went to BHG.com and printed up a bunch of labels with our favorite main course meals on them.  It was easy...go HERE if you want to make your own. 

I didn't worry about sides or desserts.  Maybe I'll add those later.  I like this chalkboard here ~ I can jot down the ingredients I will need as I plan my weeks menus.  When we use the last of something, we can write it on the board as a reminder.

Alex helped make these tags.  Next time I think I will print the labels on sticky address labels so we can just peel and stick them.  That would have been so much quicker.

I love these mini clothespins.  I wrote the days of the week on them with a fine tip marker.  I'm not looking for anything extravagant...I like utilitarian...especially in this type of space.

Big Improvement, huh!

More to come tomorrow when I reveal the LAUNDRY ROOM

Previous posts about this space:

http://ponderedprimedperfected.blogspot.com/2012/01/good-day-2012-nice-to-finally-make-your.html
http://ponderedprimedperfected.blogspot.com/2012/01/storage-under-stairs.html
http://ponderedprimedperfected.blogspot.com/2012/01/imagine-impossibilities-challenge.html
http://ponderedprimedperfected.blogspot.com/2012/01/imagine-impossibilities-challenge-take.html
http://ponderedprimedperfected.blogspot.com/2012/01/well-stocked-pantry-p3-style.html
http://ponderedprimedperfected.blogspot.com/2012/01/imagine-impossibilities-challenge-take_23.html


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The Well Stocked Pantry ~ P{3} Style

If you are tired of hearing about closets and pantries you might just want to skip this one...

I don't have any other fun, finished projects to share.  Tons of unfinished projects, but I'll bet you are getting pretty tired of seeing those.  I know I am.  Yes, I am talking to you as if I have a regular following here for my (not so) daily dose of DIY goodness.  HA!  I pretty much feel like a blog failure.  I'm kinda joking, but not totally.  It's all for fun.  But, if you don't mind, I am going to continue on with my illusions...
Since we are working on this big, seemingly never-ending purging, organizing, building, and decorating project, I have a serious shortage of spare time.  Not that I had much to begin with.  And I've been kind of cranky.  Yeah, that's right.  My desire for chocolate, wine, and escaping to a quiet room with a good book has increased lately.  If only it happened regularly!!!  (All, of course, after the kids have gone home for the day). 

Previous posts about the under stair closet space here and here and here.

I have compiled a list of pantry items to help me with this organizing ordeal we've taken on.  Haha.  There are a few cooking and homemaking websites with more specialized "well stocked pantry" lists.  They all have nice lists.  Each had items that, in my book were keepers, and some not so necessary items.  So, I compiled my own ~ based on what we use as a family, and the types of meals and snacks we like to have on hand.  This list would probably be different for your family.  I encourage you to create your own list.  Or copy this and delete what you don't need and add what you do.  Use this as an organizing tool when you set up your pantry space (look at me assuming everyone else has a disorganized pantry, like myself).  It really comes in handy to know what items you need dedicated space for, when you are doing your space planning. 


A "pantry" is simply a storage space for Non-perishable food items.   It is what you make of it:

It doesn't matter if it is a built in closet:

via iheartorganizing.blogspot.com via pinterest

A cabinet inside of your kitchen:

via Pinterest for iphone

A free-standing cabinet:

via inspirationfordecoration.blogspot.com via pinterest

You can create your own with a kitchen cart:

via bhg.com via Pinterest

Or a shelf (I like this crate shelf personally):

via cgi.ebay.com.au via Pinterest

Cover it with a curtain if you don't like the open shelf look. 

It doesn't take a lot of money, or a grand built-in, walk-in pantry, to have an attractive and functional pantry space.    What is most important is that it is conveniently located close to your kitchen, and it contains the items you need on a regular basis. 

Here is the Pantry list I've compiled for our family: 

Non-perishable Pantry Items

Seasonings, Sauces and Condiments

Balsamic vinegar
BBQ Sauce
Beef Bouillon Granules
Chicken Bouillon Granules
Cooking sherry
Hot sauce
Ketchup
Mustard
Onion Soup Mix
Ranch Dressing Mix
Sesame Oil
Soy Sauce
Taco Seasoning Mix
Teriyaki Sauce
Tomato Bouillon (granules or cubes for HM Spanish Rice, Taco Meat Seasoning & much more)
Vinegar (Cider, Rice & Red Wine)
White cooking wine
Worcestershire Sauce
(You might want to add whatever spices, extracts and seasonings your family uses regularly...I keep my cooking spices in the kitchen, next to the stove, so I did not list them all here.)

Baking Needs

Almond Extract
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Bread Crumbs (regular and Panko)
Confectioner's Sugar
Corn Meal
Corn Syrup
Cornstarch
Evaporated Milk
Flour (all purpose and self-rising)
Honey
Jell-O packages (miscellaneous sizes and flavors for fruit salads)
Non-stick cooking spray
Olive Oil
Rolled oats
Stuffing Mix
Sugar (granulated, confectioners, brown)
Vanilla Extract
Vegetable Oil

Beans

Pinto beans
Black Beans
Kidney Beans
Lentils
Red Beans
Re fried Beans
White Navy Beans

Fruit

Applesauce
Cranberries, dried
Fruit Cups (if you have children or don't like to shop often)
Pineapple, Crushed
Raisins

Miscellaneous

Coffee
Guest Crackers (crackers for Hors d'Oeuvres)
Graham Crackers
Nutella
Peanut Butter
Pretzels
Snack Crackers (Goldfish, Ritz, Wheat Thins)
Tea bags

Pasta and Rice

Egg Noodles
Elbow Macaroni
Fettuccine
Penne Pasta
Rice (brown, calrose, instant, wild)
Rice Noodles 
Spaghetti Noodles

Produce

Onions
Potatoes

Vegetables (Canned)

Creamed Corn
Green Beans
Jalapeno peppers
Mushroom Pieces
Pimientos
Roasted Red Peppers
Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies)
Tomatoes (crushed, diced, sauce, and paste)
Water chestnuts, sliced

Other Canned Goods

Broth or Stock (beef, chicken, vegetable, tomato)
Chili
Coconut Milk (for Thai dishes)
Cream Soups
Enchilada Sauce, red and green (my family prefers green)
Green Chilies, diced
Salsa
Pasta Sauces (Spaghetti Sauce, Alfredo Sauce, Pesto)
Tuna

Paper & Plastic

Coffee Filters
Heavy Duty Foil
Plastic Wrap
Wax Paper
Parchment Paper
Plastic Baggies (Freezer and Storage, several different sizes)
Paper Plates
Napkins
Paper Towels


If you are working on a purge and organization project of your own, I would love to hear about it!  Leave a comment or even a link to your photos or post!

Thanks for stopping by,

Sherry

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