With more people embracing cooking and nutrition at home, and Christmas fast approaching, creating an organised pantry can make a huge difference in the kitchen.
Whether you’re an avid cook, or preparing for your first ever dinner party season, Darren Watts, kitchen expert at Wren Kitchens, shares his top tips for designing a pantry or cupboards that make cooking enjoyable, stress-free, and accessible.
- Categorise and Group Similar Items
The first step to creating an organised pantry is grouping similar items together. Keep baking ingredients, spices, canned goods, and cereals in distinct categories, using baskets, boxes, or drawer dividers to keep them tidy.
Darren explains, “Drawer dividers are a brilliant option, as they fit neatly into certain drawer sizes and allow you to separate your ingredients. I also recommend pantries with pull-out drawers because they make it much easier to see what’s on the shelves without having to dig around at the back.”
If space is limited, consider smaller configurations, he shares, “If you don’t have enough room for a full-size larder, a great option is to create a mini larder by configuring one of your base units as a pull-out tower. These come in different sizes, and the narrowest one is the same size as a wine rack, just 150mm. So, even the smallest kitchen can accommodate one.”
- Pantry Positioning
For those designing a kitchen from scratch, pantry placement is just as important as the organisation inside it.
Darren explains, “The kitchen triangle is a great starting point. Our designers always advise that a pantry should be within easy reach of your cooking zone. You shouldn’t have to walk across the kitchen to grab an ingredient while you’re in the middle of cooking, as positioning is all about convenience.”
- Incorporate Smart Storage Solutions
Making the most of vertical space is essential. Installing smart kitchen storage, such as pull-out racks, spice organisers, or door-mounted shelves keeps frequently used items within easy reach.
Darren suggests, “Pull-out larders are fantastic for smaller kitchens because they come in so many widths. Any kitchen can benefit from one, no matter the size. If you don’t have space for a full larder, a pull-out tower is an excellent alternative.”
For awkward layouts, there are also creative solutions, and Darren says, “Corner pantries are an excellent use of space if you have a windowless corner in your kitchen. They can even be configured into dual-purpose spaces, such as a hidden home office that you can tuck away at the end of the day, or an extra-large pantry for keen cooks.”
- Maintain Regularly
If you can’t re-design your pantry, Darren also shares a couple of quick pantry hacks to make cooking more efficient.
Even the best-organised pantry needs upkeep. Establishing a routine to check and reorganise every few months prevents clutter and keeps things fresh.
Darren highlights, “Regular maintenance is essential, not only for organisation but also for hygiene. Spices and herbs are the biggest culprits for sitting at the back of a cupboard well past their best-before date. A quick refresh every season keeps everything in order and ensures nothing goes to waste.”
- Utilise Clear, Stackable Containers
Avid cooks know that pantry organisation is key to keeping the workspace clear and efficient. Transferring bulk items like pasta, rice, and cereals into clear, stackable containers makes it easy to see exactly what you have while also maximising shelf space.
Darren says, “Always label your containers clearly. This saves time when you’re mid recipe and need to grab something quickly, and it also helps you keep track of stock levels at a glance.”
With Darren’s expert advice, your pantry can become one of the most practical and enjoyable features of your kitchen, keeping everything from festive spices to everyday essentials close at hand.
