Storing food is as old as the discovery of agriculture, yes, maybe older than the invention of a kitchen as a dedicated room. The Pantry: don't we all wish for a well-stocked, well-organised, walk-in pantry? Well, the options are endless and this storing device can in fact become a large and luxurious separate room, which besides storing food and hiding utensils, can be expanded with stove, sink and fridge to be used as work, cook and wash area. But, we will explore the many options for designing a brand new pantry at a later time. Here I would like to invite you to just explore the existing pantry and offer tips to improve its functionality.
First of all, if a separate pantry is not an option, where is best to place it? Choosing which cupboards work best as pantry is a dilemma we all face when moving into a new home. The basic one-tip for a successful pantry I can give? Everything must be in view! Here are some basic choices to achieve this:
Shallow storage, helps to clearly see and reach all items
Flexible shelving to adjust height as needed to maximise storage
Drawers if possible, for an effective and quick open/find/reach.
But for any pantry, luxurious or humble, to be efficient and easy to manage here is a list of useful tips:
Go through it regularly – you waste food and money by forgetting what you have there
Keep it CLEAN - dust, grease and bugs are unhealthy and depressing
Keep it ORGANISED:
Heavy stuff at the bottom, light at top
Popular items in the middle, easy to find and reach
Tin food one side, preserves the other, pasta here, condiments there...
Rotate your items, adding new items at the back and bringing the old ones to the front
Leave products in their package and store inside air tight containers [pasta, sugar, flour..
Clearly label containers to help with the shopping list
Square containers make better use of space than rounded
Narrow-front containers but deep help with quick visibility
Stackable containers help make the most of your storage
Use pantry doors to store as well adding screw-on racks and shallow baskets
Boxes and baskets help keeping similar items together, easy to find and reach [spices, beans..
FINALLY: Stick-on notepad and pencil inside pantry door, write a shopping list as you go and buy what’s on the list. DO NOT OVER-SHOP!
footage courtesy of Network TEN, live broadcast on Thursday July 6, 2017
James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James Treble has more than 25 years of experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design. His knowledge and experience in adding value to homes, through clever design & styling, is now published for all to learn and benefit from. Interior Design For Profit is now available online.
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