The pantry was large, but it was underperforming and needed a specific organizational system. When full, the shelves were messy and visually overwhelming. A U-shaped layout created wasted space in the corners. The pantry’s most notable feature was its potential. Kokaliares cleared out everything, so she could give the existing shelves a fresh coat of paint before beginning to organize. First, she found a personality-packed wallpaper to jazz up the space. Then she grouped items in categories, such as baking supplies, packaged snacks, pasta, and canned goods. After measuring shelf depth, width, and height, Kokaliares selected plastic bins, glass jars, airtight acrylic containers, and metal baskets to organize each category. The end result is a storage dream. Kids’ snacks are easy to reach on lower shelves, dinner ingredients are placed at eye level, and small appliances and bulk items reside on the top shelf or floor. A sturdy step stool offers access to out-of-reach items. Vinyl labels made with a cutting machine identify jar contents. “Adding labels in this pantry helps not only me to remember where each item belongs, but my family as well,” Kokaliares says. White plastic bins hide busy packaging so the space feels neat and clean. Clear glass jars ($10, Target) and plastic containers help Kokaliares to know when she’s running low on dry goods and to-go snacks. Vinyl adhesive labels stand in for the original pancake mix packaging. Kokaliares writes expiration dates on the glass jars with a permanent marker, removing it easily with nail-polish remover. Sturdy wire bins ($45, The Home Depot) stand up to heavy canned goods and can be pulled out to quickly reveal what’s hiding in the back. Twelve-inch lazy Susans prevent dressings, condiments, and jars of pasta sauce from disappearing in dark recesses. A nonskid silicone surface keeps the goods from sliding.
