I have done it a thousand times before and I am doing it again. Organizing the pantry! Who knew that such a big portion of mom life would consist of the never-ending struggle to find a place to put the family food?!?

There is something so satisfying about photos of neatly stocked and organized pantries. I pored over pantry organization ideas and photos for hours, trying to figure out how to take the pantry looks I loved and get them in my own small closet pantry.

I noticed two things that all my favorite pantries had two things in common. They used see-through clear containers and wire baskets. So, I bought some of each to test out in my pantry and see what works best for me. Here is what I have learned so far…

CLEAR PANTRY STORAGE CONTAINERS = LOOK AWESOME!

PHOTO CREDIT: TheMom100.com

WHAT I BOUGHT: OXO GOOD GRIPS POP CONTAINERS

Pros:

• Made of Clear, See-Through BPA-Free Plastic
• Airtight Seal
• Stackable

Cons:

• Expensive Per Container Cost

If you are just starting out, get a jump start on your container collection with the OXO Good Grips 5 Piece POP Container Set or the 10 Piece POP Container Set. The value sets come with a variety of small to large container sizes. I decided to buy containers individually so that I could get the exact sizes I want and need for pantry organization and storage. So far, my favorite size is the Big Square POP Container (2.4 quart).

OXO Good Grips 5 Piece POP Container Set on Amazon

Another benefit to using clear, see-through containers in the pantry is that you don’t need to label them. But if it makes you happy to see pretty labels on your containers, go for it!

TIP: Use Dry Erase markers to write on the outside of your clear containers. That way, you aren’t stuck with a permanent label on the containers and you can change the contents as often as you like! 

Large Wire Storage Baskets on Amazon

WHAT I BOUGHT: WIRE STORAGE BASKETS

Pros:

• Sturdy and Durable
• Stackable
• Convenient Carry Handles
• See Through

Cons:

• None so far!

After shopping around, I bought these stackable wire storage baskets on Amazon. I started out with just two large baskets, but loved them so much I have already gone back for more! They also come in smaller shapes and sizes as well as the open wire storage baskets style designed with an each reach-in opening at the front.

These wire baskets look so nice in the pantry! They are perfect for storing potatoes and onions. I like the little knob thingies on the bottom that keep the baskets up off the floor. I also use these baskets on the shelf to corral pantry items that used to get shoved around and lost. For example, I have one basket devoted to cake mixes, bags of chocolate chips and cans of frosting.

ClosetMaid Wall and Door Rack on Amazon

WHAT I BOUGHT: CLOSETMAID DOOR RACK

Pros:

• Easy to install
• Can be mounted on the wall or hung over a door
• Adjustable shelf height
• Inexpensive
• Maximizes small spaces

Cons:

• I have to be more careful opening and closing my pantry door so items on the door don’t slam around.

The ClosetMaid Wall and Door Rack has made a huge difference in my kitchen. It holds more stuff than I thought it would, which is amazing. This organizer has freed up quite a bit space in my cabinets and on my pantry shelves.

Honestly, I wish I would have bought one of these things a long time ago. For years, I used an over the door shoe organizer on my pantry door. The ClosetMaid Wall and Door Rack looks so much nicer! Plus, items are easier to find on its shelves and it holds a lot more than the shoe organizer ever did.

If you aren’t already using the back of your pantry door, what are you waiting for? Take advantage of that prime pantry real estate with a ClosetMaid Wall and Door Rack.

Clear containers, wire baskets, and the door rack have really helped me to maximize my small pantry space. My pantry is looking nicer and more organized already!

I am not finished, yet. I still have more to tell you about other pantry organizing stuff I bought in Pantry Organization Ideas Part Two. Spoiler alert: I don’t know how I ever lived without this WIRE CAN RACK in my pantry. I may be going back for seconds!

What are your favorite pantry organization ideas? What do you use for food storage containers? Have you tried wire baskets?