Since I asked them to bare all, it was only fair I show you mine.
Exhibit A. My dirty little secret - this messy, disorganized, so bad I buy the same things three times before I realize I have plenty, pantry closet.
It was bad. I've cleaned this out a bunch of times but always ended up with the same disarray in a few short weeks. Something had to be done..
So instead of just stacking everything neatly in there, I devised a bucket method. Like items would go in these plastic bins (found at ikea). Staples got a beautification with matching containers (since I'd be more likely to keep it neat that way). When I need something, I would know where to find it.
So much better! And because I'm fancy like that, I added some sleek labels to the bins and the jars.
I did this more than a month ago (I wanted to test it out before I shared) and it has totally made a huge difference. The pantry is still looking pretty and it has been zero effort to keep up. Yea. Now if I could only do this to my clothes closet.
Stay tuned to tomorrows post for a sneak peek of the storage goodies coming your way next week.
Great idea. We had a problem with our spice drawer in our last house. I eventually want to put spices in small jars to keep things neat looking.
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ReplyDelete'm so jealous that you actually have a pantry - we have very shallow cabs to work with too (some of my large dinner plates don't fit!). But I do love those white bins - can you share a link? Thanks much!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great makeover!! Those labels you made for the jars and bins are awesome- I LOVE how they look!!
ReplyDeleteI was just mentioning how my pantry is a black-hole full of have empty boxes...ugh!
ReplyDeleteIt's time for me to conquer...your plastic tubs are super for keeping items grouped together. where did you find your labels?
Great job!
@Yby5 I made my labels myself.
ReplyDelete@random musings - sorry i don't remember the ikea product name but its in their kitchen organization section.
You are fancy like that- love it! I just finished Closet #3 of my disaster closet series. (When we moved into our foreclosure we just threw stuff in closets while we renoed the rooms, and 8 months later every closet in my house is a hot mess! The Playroom Closet is my favorite so far, thanks to a fun pop of color- http://oneprojectatatime.blogspot.com/2012/01/bam-goes-playroom-closet.html
ReplyDeleteI'm obsessed with smart and good looking storage ideas. I love the bins. I did something similar in a few of my cabinets with clear trays ... love them!
ReplyDeleteLove the labels. How did you make them?
ReplyDeleteI seriously think making something pretty means you'll be more likely to keep it pretty. We did something similar with our pantry and it's usually pretty clean: http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/painted-pantry/
ReplyDeleteSo much better, and what an easy fix! I did something similar to underneath the kitchen sink a few weeks ago, and eventually I need to conquer our kitchen cabinets. How I wish we had a real pantry!
ReplyDeleteWould you share how you created those cool labels?
ReplyDeleteMrs. Limestone, may I ask what kind of printer you use for your color printables? It looks like the pantry labels are done with a Silhouette but I'm interested in what you use for your color prints.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Patti
I need to copy you. My pantry cabinet is the same mess yours used to be. I have 8 cans of pinto beans, and I don't really make stuff with them that often! Oy. Where did you get the glass jars? I have black ones like that, but want to be able to see how much I have of things.
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired. Sometimes... when I want Jeremy to make out with me I'll organize our cabinets. Organization = sexy.
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny, I just attacked my pantry as well. http://www.oldtownhome.com/2012/1/25/Kitchen-Cabinets----Getting-Organized/index.aspx It's not nearly as nice looking as your end result, but at least the "cabinet avalanche" issue has been resolved.
ReplyDeleteI love the labels you created and can't wait for the conquered closet series! ;-)
I seriously have to thank you for this common-sense solution. I had been racking my brain in the past few months trying to come up with a way to store our spices. Right now we keep them in a cabinet on stacked shelving, but it's impossible to find anything unless you take allllll of the spices out. Enter Mrs. Limestone!! Totally making this change this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI am excited about all of this! I think I have some motivation because the other day I realized I had 3 containers of flour.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited about this. I am in a major organization/home improvement mood right now and am desperate to bring order to my life. Please guide me. Also, love your chalkboard door. Finally got around to chalkboard painting something this weekend after wanting to do it for years.
ReplyDeleteYour pantry looks great! I think I need to adopt the bin method. I do a mass organization only to find that everything is a jumbled mess a few weeks later, too. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a pantry (or much kitchen cabinet space, really :P) but I need to make some labels myself. I've had too many near misses with my husband's Metamucil and the container of brown sugar...
ReplyDeleteI need to conquer my life first but yes, I do have a master bedroom closet that hurts both my and my husband's eyes. :-/
ReplyDeleteI love those labels. What font is that?
ReplyDeleteIt looks so great! I really adore those white bins, I have been eying them up myself. And the best part is that you created an absolutely fab space that is easy to maintain! Love that!
ReplyDeletexoxo!
Jen
Sorry I dont remember - it was something basic like Arial. I just pushed the letters together so they overlapped (therefore making the vinyl come out as one piece rather than having to lay each letter on their individually)
ReplyDeleteImpressive. I need to do the same. Mine is a mess. I'd love to see how people store food storage containers. That is the worst I think. I feel like I get hit in the head with a piece of gladware every time I open my pantry.
ReplyDeleteThe labels really make this pop. And like with like in buckets is smart. Like with like is pretty much always smart when it comes to organizing. :) Very nice!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the inspiration. I desperately needed to clean out my pantry closet, and remembered I had extra storage bins, and it looks so much better!!
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