I’m working on easing back into reality after an eventful, yet low key 4th of July weekend! I’m so glad Baby D didn’t decide to join us 🙂
We tackled a lot of home projects this weekend including a full day of home brewing a new beer to have on tap, building new adirondack chairs, scrubbing the boat… OK, so those were mostly Hubbs’ projects, but one that was all mine?
TOTAL PANTRY OVERHAUL.
I think I have a new favorite room in the house!
Let’s take a quick look at the before and you’ll see why I was so anxious to get my hands on this disaster of a space…
Eeks. That’s embarrassing.
One of my favorite things about this house when we bought it was it’s big, walk-in pantry, and I had not been making very good use out of it. Time for a change.
Step 1: Clear it out!
…even if it makes my kitchen temporarily look like this:
Step 2: Scrub it clean!
Well hello, belly. Aren’t we just poking out there further everyday?
Anyways, one day we’ll rip out those wire shelves, paint the pantry and replace with nice wood shelves… but it was not that day, so instead I scrubbed.
Step 3: Label!
I spent a little time writing down what I wanted to ‘group together’. I knew I wanted a whole shelf for grains, and after a little research and driving around town, I found these at Hancock Fabrics:
They are called Wallies. They are peel and stick chalkboards that you can put on anything. I was thrilled because they helped me turn ordinary jars into these:
Step 4: Restock!
Before the close-ups, let’s take a look at the total picture:
A bit different, right?!
I used the immediate shelves on the right to store our non-food lake essentials. Paper napkins, solo cups, straws, plates, bowls, etc. The highest shelves (that I can’t reach) now hold some of my serving platter accessories.
I bought a small wire shelf (Target) to help with storing cans. All my canned goods are easily visible. If I have 2 of a certain item, they line up behind each other so I can easily tell how much I have left.
Two mini lazy susans (Target) quickly organized my oils and vinegars, and make it easy to locate the one I am after.
My spice rack that hangs on the wall is even easier to navigate now. The top is for the oversized bottles, the second rack is for cooking spices, the third for baking spices and the lowest shelf is for spice blends.
Ah, my favorite part! I used those awesome chalkboards to clearly label my grains and baking supplies. (Miscellaneous baking supplies in the white basket (Target)).
The best part about the chalkboards is that I can easily erase and re-label if I find myself using a different ingredient more. Also, storing grains like this makes it easier to shop the bulk bins for extra savings!
And the back of the pantry door makes the perfect spot to store my grocery bags.
So, let’s compare: before & after
I’m in love with my new space! Everything is easy to find and I’m quickly able to see what I’m running low on.
Also, I found I’m more apt to using all the healthy grains and beans I have in stock because I can actually SEE that I have them in stock. Same with my raw almonds in the mason jar- I snack on them much more frequently now that I can see them!
What room in your house needs a makeover?
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
beautiful!!! i loe those labels
John J. says
Is this the same person whose purple bedroom was a candidate for hurrican relief? You’ve come a long way, Baby!!
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
I am SO jealous of your big pantry.. to begin with!! It is AMAZING!! I love the chalkboard stuff too! I really need to get a good set of jars to store my grains, etc. in!
Lisa @ I'm an Okie says
this looks FANTASTIC and i am actually going to save this post for later use whenever i get around to doing this!
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum says
Holy moly, you are one motivated pregnant woman!! Way to go!!
Sam says
Omg, jealous! It looks so good and it is so big!! good job 🙂
RhodeyGirl says
I’m happy to hear everything is ok with the baby. Take it easy and don’t reorganize too many closets!!!
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, and Beers says
I am sooooo impressed. Will you come organize my pantry tooooo? It’s been on my to-do list for about three months now.
Jen says
I love it! It looks so clean. I love the labels!
One of our goals before baby comes is to organize every room in the house. We plan on tackling my office and our upstairs bonus room this weekend. I am scared!
blackhuff says
Oh wow! You did a great job with the pantry overhaul. And I love those labels. So cool!
Are you getting the nest ready with all of this scrubbing and overhauling? 🙂
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
WOW! The pantry looks great!
I think my spare room closet needs an overhaul!
Kath says
Love this post AND chalkboard!!
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
Brittany it doesn’t even look like the same pantry! I love those chalkboard labels — what a good idea!
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
I did tons of organizing while I was nesting, and tackled every room in the house including garage and fridge…but I disnt do our pantry. This post makes me want to get the can organizer and lazy Susan’s … I just might have to do it during nap time one of these days! Great post! And love the chalk board labels!
Anna @ Always a Benanna says
I LOVE those chalkboard stickers. I can think of so many ways I could make them useful in my house. I’m going to have to pick them up!
Katie H says
You look SO adorable! Love the outfit you are reorganizing in.
I am super impressed with your organizing skills! You have some major nesting going on! Just about every room in our place needs a makeover- we just moved in (well Brian did, I’m following soon) and there are boxes everywhere! I kind of like the clean slate though.
Persnickety Hall says
Whoa! That after is fantastic! I love your lazy susan idea!
Jenny says
Dan thought I was nuts when i pulled everything out of our pantry and did the same thing. But it looks great and feels so good to have it done! Nice work!
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
Great work on the pantry! It looks wonderful. I just went to the Wallies site and now I’m obsessed! My bedroom closet could use a makeover. I actually started yesterday, It is the finishing part that is a challenge… 😉
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
Great job organizing! I need to take a lesson from this and get my cupboards in order.
Sarah for Real says
Ok, this is silly… I read the line about how the bottom part of your spice rack was for blends and immediately thought “blog friends”. You know how people combine the word “bl-ends.”
So, we go on the bottom of your spice rack then eh? Hahaha
Maria says
My goal in life is to have a pantry like that. Nesting pregnant women, please come to my apartment!
Stephanie says
I love your make over! I *NEED* those Wallies! I am going to stop by and pick some up from Hancock Fabrics!
Hey – did you know they’re putting in a Container Store in South Park?!? I can’t wait for that to open! FUN!
Brittany says
I looked that up first and got SO excited because I thought it was already open… it wasn’t unfortunately so I had to improvise. I can’t wait for it to open next year though!!
Brittany says
testing… to see if people get emailed when I reply 🙂
Stephanie says
Nope, no e-mail. 🙂
Jen says
i’m so jealous of your pantry! we have to store all of our food in cabinets. looks awesome!
Meri says
Wow you did a great job with it! I love the thought you put into the little organizational details- that will be the stuff that makes it easier to maintain! Although of the weekend projects- I would have chosen the home brew myself haha 🙂
Lauren says
Nice work!! Those stick on chalk labels are too cute. Doesn’t reorganizing just make you feel at peace?
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
you have me completely craving a pantry-cleanout now. 🙂 I’ve GOTTA get those wallies! so smart than buying the expensive already-labeled containers!
Sarah says
I’m so glad you’re feeling better. What a relief! (and your pantry looks fantastic!)
Sherry says
How inspiring! It makes me want to tackle our pantry and office. The labels are a great idea and I love the can stacker. I improvised by using pieces of wood. I think I need a trip to Target. Great job you fabulous looking pregnant woman!
Karlee @olivewineandfood says
i looooove your jars! my mom and i made chalkboard paint jars last year for christmas gifts and they were time-consuming and messy, i need to get my hands on some of those labels!
Corey @ the runner's cookie says
You did an awesome job organizing!! I love the chalk labeled containers. And I am totally jealous of your walk-in pantry – I want that!
Kristin @ eat healthy. be happy. live well says
Absolutely AMAZING!!! I am definitely heading to Target to pick up some of those items! I just cleaned out my pantry and could totally use the lazy Susan’s and the shelf you used for the cans. What a great idea! Thanks for sharing all about it 🙂
Baking Serendipity says
Those labels are so cool! Your makeover is awesome. I love the walk-in pantry and you are definitely using that space perfectly 🙂 Want to come over and clean out mine now? 🙂