Many clients reach out to us because their pantry slowly became harder to keep up with over time.
Between busy schedules, grocery runs, kids grabbing snacks, bulk purchases, and items getting pushed to the back, it can quickly start feeling cluttered and frustrating to use.
That was exactly the situation one of our Baton Rouge clients faced when they contacted our team at Professional Organizers Baton Rouge about our pantry organizing services.
Why This Client Wanted Help With Her Pantry
Our client felt overwhelmed trying to keep up with her pantry. Food items were getting lost in the back of shelves, groceries were hard to put away, and the space no longer felt functional for their daily routine.
The pantry had plenty of storage space, but it just needed better systems, expired items removed, and better organization to make it easier to use and maintain.
See the Before Photo:
Our Pantry Organizing Process
We started by taking everything out of the pantry so we could sort through the items and see exactly what the client had.
We then started checking the expiration dates on all of the items. We had brought boxes and trash bags to help remove expired items and clear out clutter throughout the process.
After going through the pantry and checking expiration dates, we ended up filling about three large boxes with expired food and items that needed to be discarded.
Before we start organizing any client’s pantry, we always ask whether they would like us to check expiration dates on food items. Some clients do, while others prefer not to. If they would like us to check expiration dates, we then ask whether they want us to immediately throw expired items away or set them aside for them to review first.
For this particular client, she wanted us to go ahead and discard anything that was expired so the pantry could be fully cleared out and reorganized.
Organizing the Pantry Items Into Simple Categories
Once we were done checking expiration dates on items, we started grouping everything that was staying in the pantry into simple categories. For example, canned goods were grouped together, snacks had their own section, breakfast foods were placed together, and items like paper plates, zip-top bags, and pantry staples were organized into their own areas as well.
Creating categories like this helps make the pantry much easier to use day to day because the client can quickly find what they need without having to search through multiple shelves or containers. It also makes it easier to see how much they already have of certain items, which can help prevent overbuying during future grocery trips.
At this point in the organizing process, we were really starting to create a system that would feel easier for the client to maintain long-term, instead of the pantry continuing to feel overwhelming or difficult to keep up with.
Wiping Down the Pantry Shelves
Once everything was removed from the pantry, we took time to do a full wipe-down of the space before putting anything back. We used paper towels and cleaning wipes to clean the shelves, wipe up crumbs and sticky spots, and remove any residue or spills that had built up over time. We also did a quick sweep of the pantry floor.
We do this during pantry organization projects, so it helps give clients a clean, fresh start before everything is reorganized and returned to the space.
Incorporating Organizing Products for the Pantry
Once everything had been categorized and the pantry shelves were cleaned, we started incorporating organizing products into the space. At the time, the client didn’t have bins, baskets, or other pantry organization products, so we helped determine which products would work best for her pantry layout and the items she needed to store.
Some clients want to incorporate organizing products into their pantry, while others prefer not to, and either option is completely fine. We can organize a pantry with or without products depending on the client’s preferences and goals for the space.
For this pantry organization project, we used a variety of bins, baskets, and shelf risers to help create more structure throughout the pantry. We used different-sized containers for snacks, pantry staples, and smaller loose items, while shelf risers helped make canned goods and condiments easier to see and access.
Once the organizing products were in place, we started returning all the categorized items to the pantry in a way that felt functional and easy to maintain.
See the After Photo:
The Pantry Result
By the end of the session, everything had a designated place, which made the pantry much easier to use day-to-day.
One of the biggest differences the client noticed afterward was how much more space they had once expired food and unnecessary clutter had been removed. The pantry felt much more open, they could walk into the space more comfortably, and it became much easier to quickly find what they needed.
One thing we focus on during pantry organization projects is creating systems that feel realistic and easy to maintain long term. Our goal is not just to make the pantry look organized for one day, but to create a setup that works better for everyday life.
Our client was so happy!
See the side-by-side of the Before & After Photo:
How Our Baton Rouge Professional Organizers Can Help
At Professional Organizers Baton Rouge, we help clients organize pantries, kitchens, closets, bedrooms, garages, and more.
Whether you need help decluttering, unpacking after a move, or creating better organizing systems throughout your home, for example, in your pantry, our Baton Rouge professional organizers are here to help create spaces that feel easier to manage day to day.
Along with pantry organizing, we also provide kitchen organization services in Baton Rouge to help clients create kitchens that feel more functional and easier to maintain.
If you’re still deciding whether hiring a professional organizer is worth it for your space and home, feel free to contact us with any questions. We’re always happy to help and talk through what the process can look like for your specific situation.
Curious how much it costs to have your pantry professionally organized? Check out our guide on the cost of pantry organization.
Feel free to give us a call at (225) 963-6775, or you can fill out a form online, and we’ll contact you!
