How to Organize a Kitchen Without a Pantry

Last Updated on August 29, 2023 by Ellen Christian

Wondering how to organize a kitchen without a pantry? Organize your kitchen on a budget with these simple kitchen organizing tips.

How to Organize a Kitchen Without a Pantry

I love our 1865 farmhouse but one thing I have always wished I had was a pantry. Since this house doesn’t have a pantry, I’ve been decluttering and looking for kitchen countertop storage ideas for years.

Check out my post on how to keep plastic containers organized. Or, learn more about these must-have kitchen essentials in a minimalist kitchen. Of course, the first step is to declutter your kitchen.

Creating a pantry in a small kitchen is your first option. Just because your home doesn’t have a pantry doesn’t mean that you can’t create one. So, if you’re wondering how to organize a kitchen without a pantry, ask yourself if you can designate a spot to become your pantry.

Creating a pantry in a small kitchen

Do you have a closet that you can turn into a pantry? Or, can you create a shelving system that will organize your food? This kitchen pantry cabinet is a wonderful project you can do for extra space. Here are a few other ways to make a pantry.

• Use a bookcase
• Add shelving to one wall
• Create a pegboard storage system
• Add a slide-out system near your refrigerator
• Use an existing closet
• Hang dried goods from your cabinets.
• Use a cabinet you already have.
• Use a sideboard

How to organize kitchen cabinets

Many people choose to devote one or two cabinets as their pantry. If this is what you plan to do, make sure that you have organized the rest of your cabinets first. If you take away a cupboard to use as a kitchen pantry, you will have less room for your other items. 

Here are a few kitchen organization ideas you can do to free up cupboard space.

• Hanging mesh produce bags
• Mason Jar utensil crate
• Create labels for your Mason Jars
• DIY drawer dividers
• Tin can organizers
• Make magnetic clipboards

DIYs to organize a kitchen without a pantry

Pantry alternatives

If you’re wondering how to organize a kitchen without a pantry, you might want to consider a few pantry alternatives. I love the sliding drawers with inserts that allow you to store cans and food out of sight. If you have the storage space in your kitchen, consider this as an option.

You may also want to create a toe kick storage drawer. This takes advantage of space that may not otherwise be used. And, it’s a wonderful way to stay organized. 

Here are some more kitchen organization ideas you may want to try.

Kitchen counter organization ideas

If you’re wondering how to organize a kitchen without a pantry, avoid using your counter space as storage. It may be tempting to pile things on the counter. But, that only creates a cluttered look. Instead, evaluate what you use regularly that needs to have easy access. 

In my kitchen, my coffee supplies need to stay on my counter at all times. If this is true in your home, organize your coffee station with supplies on the counter.  You may want to consider hanging your coffee cups to keep them out of the way.  This pallet coffee station DIY will show you how.

Here are a few other things we commonly keep on the counter.

• Paper towel holder
• Bread box (this bread box makeover is gorgeous)
• Candle (this DIY candle holder is gorgeous)
• Canisters (if you don’t have them you can DIY kitchen canisters)

This DIY cord keeper will keep unsightly cords off the counter and out of the way.

How to organize kitchen cabinets

Every kitchen is unique but most people who are wondering how to organize a kitchen without a pantry end up using their cupboards. Here are a few simple ideas that you can incorporate.

• Use pull out shelves to easily reach items stored in the far back of the cupboard.
• Add smaller shelves on top of larger shelves. Spice organizers and can organizers are great examples of this. Here are some tips to reuse empty spice jars.
• Use see-through containers on top shelves so you can easily see what’s inside.
• A whole corner cabinet is a simple way to take advantage of an unused corner.

Check out these cheap DIY organization ideas if you need more inspiration. And, check out the perfect modular organizing bins I use.

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