Tips for organizing a pantry using dollar store containers, recycled boxes, and repurposed baskets and bins, plus a free pantry inventory checklist to make grocery shopping easier.
I honestly had wanted to organize our pantry for a long time, but the price of my “vision” was pretty steep. After doing my homework and finding that even the cheapest pantry storage options in Walmart were at least $5 per container, I resolved to finding something more budget-friendly.
(Yes, y’all. I’m cheaper than Walmart. Hey, I take it as a compliment.)
So here ya go- 3 cheap pantry storage options:
1. Wrap cardboard boxes in pretty paper or fabric with labels. I collected diaper boxes for a few months with this plan in mind, and they work perfectly! The only cost was the $8 roll of paper I used. You can see my DIY pantry crates from yesterday’s post.
2. Use Dollar Store Containers. So those handy clear containers there…did not cost me $5-$10 a pop. I found them at the dollar store! (Dollar Tree to be exact if you live in the U.S.)
I bought 8 tubs and 10 containers with pourable spouts. I cut out labels with black cardstock I had lying around, labeled them with a white chalk marker, and taped them on. I could have gotten fancy with printed labels, but I kept it simple.
I’m not totally sure these are air tight, but they are doing awesome so far. And they’re much more air tight than the store containers all of the food was in before anyway.
I resolved to create a pantry inventory list to hang on the wall in here too. I usually have a running list in my head of things I need to buy when we run out, but I never fail to forget at least one item every week.
- Paper Wrapped Diaper Boxes– $8.00 (This was a DIY; the link will take you to the tutorial.)
- Dollar Store Plastic Containers- $18.00 (These containers are comparable in price. Or these containers and these containers can be bought in bulk.)
- Can Dispenser Containers- $18.00 for 3 from Walmart (These are similar to mine.)
- Repurposed Baskets and Jars– $0.00 (This basket and this basket are similar to mine.)
Wow, what a makeover! Who would have thought cheap storage containers and diaper boxes could look so good? You are really making me wish I had a pantry right now 🙂 Love it!
Aww if it makes you feel any better, I guarantee it won’t stay this neat for long. Haha
I absolutely love this! You’re so right about storage containers being so expensive. These are some amazing solutions.
Thanks, Rebekah! So glad I could give some good alternatives. 🙂
Amazing! I am so jealous I don’t have a pantry to clutter up then declutter! So much gratification. You did a great job!! Thanks for sharing at Think & Make Thursday!
Leigh Anne
Houseologie.com
I’m positive it’ll get cluttered again but I can wish. Haha Thanks for the love!
Looks Great!! I have an idea for my diaper boxes, but may have to snag some from that project to use in our pantry! I’d walk by and stare in awe, too. Good work!
Thanks, Jamie! If anything, snag some from a friend or local daycare. 🙂
Love this! Great ideas and a gorgeous printable!
Thanks, Jennifer!
Love, love, love your organized pantry!! Makes me wish I had a pantry….. We are military – maybe in the next house! I love the look you achieved, especially with the diaper boxes and by “shopping your house”. Great ideas – thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Lanita
I went to battle for our floor plan just so I could have this pantry. Hope you get lucky one day to have one too. And thank you so much for your service and sacrifice!
Wow! Thanks so much for the dollar store tips. Next time I am near one (we live in the middle of no where-ville) I am going to look for those. I really need to organize my pantry but the cost for the containers was overwhelming. I am pinning so I can remember!
Haha Definitely snag some when you venture to non-nowhereville. 🙂 I am always amazed at the dollar store. Thanks for the pin!
I just love cleaning out my pantry every few months… but, oh… what I’d do for a pantry that size!!!!
I went to bat for our floor plan just so I could have this pantry. 🙂 It was worth it.
I’ve been planning on making the switch to an open pantry, I really enjoyed seeing how you organized yours. I’ll have to check out my Dollar Tree 🙂
Thanks Angela! I always forget about the dollar store but when I do go, I find the coolest stuff. Can’t imagine why I don’t go more often.
The minute I have a place that will allow for a pantry I am coming back to this post 🙂 I am always up for a frugal organization project! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yay! Hope it comes in handy one day. 🙂
Wow Lauren, your pantry is amazing! It’s so organized and pretty. Happy to feature your pantry and DIY crates at our party this morning. Always happy to have you share with us!
Thank you, Sharon!!! You’re the best. 🙂
Oh how I wish I had a pantry to do this too! I’ve always loved the idea of covering cardboard boxes with fabric or pretty paper! Your pantry is so pretty and organized!! Pinned!
Thank you, Selene!
So awesome how inexpensivley you redid that pantry! It looks great too! Sharing on FB! Thanks for linking it up at Monday Funday!
Yay! Thank you for the share, Katie! And thanks for hosting
Those diaper boxes are genius! Such a gorgeous pantry!
Thank you, Jessica!
Absolutely BRILLIANT! I’ve definitely got some major pantry envy! Thank you SO much for sharing at the Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop Lauren! Happy Friday girl!
You’re so sweet, Kristi! Thanks!
Collecting boxes as mine are no longer in diapers… Where can I find the wood-look paper?
I found my paper at Hobby Lobby. If you click the link for the diaper box tutorial in this post, I provided a link to the paper where you can buy it from Amazon. Hope that helps! 🙂
I absolutely love what you did! My mama was the queen of projects that hardly cost anything, yet looked fantastic. She used to do something similar with large boxes. I was always amazed at what she could do with limited funds. Your pantry looks fantastic!!
Necessity is the mother of invention, right? 🙂 It’s always interesting what you can do when you’re very limited on resources. Your mama must have been ahead of her time before Pinterest started inspiring us to “up cycle” everything. 🙂
Hi,
I have searched Wal Mart site for the can dispenser. Do you have a brand name?
Thanks
Ah darn! I don’t. I ripped the label off when I put them in the pantry. They’re the clear plastic soda can dispensers where the food storage containers are.
Looks totally amazing Lauren!! I think you might have just motivated me to get started on our pantry!
Kendra @ http://www.joyinourhome.com
Woohoo! Get on it girl! It made me feel 100% better.
Ok, I’ve gotta find some diaper boxes for those pantry boxes! So nice!
Also, is it possible to fall in love with a pantry? Because I believe I just did!
I have a giant pantry, too, but everything is just thrown on a shelf randomly (I keep using the excuse that I moved a month ago, so it is ok. Lol)
I’d love it if you’d join me at Talented Tuesday! http://www.myownhomeblog.com/talented-tuesday-link-party-12/
Love it!!! I can’t believe those are diaper boxes haha, they look totally amazing 🙂 What a fab way to repurpose your stuffs 🙂 Huzzah!
Thanks, Anna! So glad you like them. 🙂
Lauren the pantry looks fantastic. I can’t believe you did it with under $50. The crate paper looks great. We don’t have the dollar tree in Australia as you do in the US so it all costs at least 3 times as much for us at some of the discount stores, but I will definitely shop the house and see what I can use too.
Thank you, Angela! I’m so sorry y’all don’t have a Dollar Tree! I’m sure there are still some reasonable storage bins out there somewhere. Wish I could help. :-/
Lauren, this looks amazing! And I can relate to trying to organize on a budget with a young toddler in mind! Love the inventory list and I’m going to be using that! Finally someone who gets it! Is there a way you can take a close-up of the pourable jars and containers you got from Wal-Mart and Dollar Tree? I’m never so lucky! Thank you!
Thanks, Rosemary! I’ll try to get a better shot of them to post. Here’s the link to the Walmart containers though. This is the gallon sized one: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Anchor-Hocking-Heritage-Hill-1-Gal-Jar-with-Lid/16486706 I use it for storing our protein powder instead of those giant plastic containers. There are smaller sizes of that jar too.
I love your humor! You are so human… we could be great friends if you lived closer! LOL
I really appreciate your ideas! Keep them coming!
Aw yay! Thank you! We can totally be friends. It’s amazing how the internet makes the world seem not so big after all. 🙂
Great ideas! I started saving glass jars a few years ago, especially one size that hold about 1 quart. I was buying a lot of peaches in that jar during that time. Those jars were just perfect for holding various nuts! So I labeled them “walnuts”, “almonds”, “pecans”, “sunflower seeds”, etc. The glass keeps them dry and handy. Then I discovered that they fit perfectly on a round turntable that I got at Walmart. We just spin that turntable, pick up the jar we want and return it to its spot. To clean, I usually just wipe off the outside and lid where our hands touch them. This is much easier than searching through plastic bags. Glass mayonnaise jars work great for some food that I buy in bulk. I also have a turntable holding all my herbs and spices. It works for us!
Those are smart ideas, Martha! We go through jelly jars like it’s our job (toddler addicted to PB&J over here). I might have to steal that one.
Gosh, I’d be happy if my pantry looked as good as your before! The diaper boxes are GENIUS, btw.
I hate to raise a concern, but can’t not say it…the dollar store plastic bins would make me nervous. Who knows what chemicals off gas from plastic that is made with all the current USA safety standards, let alone something dirt cheap made in who knows what country with less standards than we have. And even if they are made here, our standards for chemical pollutants ain’t so hot, trust me. They do look SUPER cute, but if it were me I’d work on replacing them little by little w/glass ASAP.
Guess I’m Debbie Downer, but as a mama and a cancer survivor I can’t shut up 🙁
Everything you do looks so good, I’ve been poking around your blog for hours this afternoon. You have an extraordinary sense of detail and oodles of talent. Hope you forgive the motherly health concern 🙂
Karen
That’s a good point! I’ll definitely have to look into the glass options then. So glad to hear that you beat cancer! I can totally understand the safety precaution. Thank you so much for the love. 🙂
Hi Lauren!
I just found your blog-LOVE IT! Your pantry is the bomb!! You said “I keep walking by the pantry and find myself just staring at it in awe. How many people can say that, right? Actually, don’t answer that. I’m probably just weird.” You are SO not weird! I stare at my clothes drying on the clothesline-so there! We can be weirdos together! LOL
I do agree with Karen on the glass though. I repurpose all my glass jars for my pantry. They work great for stuff “out of the box” like Goldfish and my homemade taco seasoning and stuff like that. And, I guess they’re free, technically.
Again, nice job! (Go ahead an stare, you earned it!)
Holly
Aw thanks, Holly! We organized our pantry exactly a year ago and it’s still, to my surprise, staying really organized. I like the idea of the glass jars though. I haven’t done that yet but might have to give it a go. Although, I haven’t stopped and stared at it lately. Haha! 😉
Hi Lauren, you did an amazing and inspiring job! Where did you find your containers that you used for your cornstarch, rice flour, etc? I am looking for some those sizes but only finding expensive options. Please guide if you are able! Happy New Year!
Lindsay
Hi Lindsay! So sorry for my delay! I got mine at the Dollar Tree, but by now, they might not be there anymore. I’ve had a hard time finding cheap ones with pourable spouts like that too. Maybe Ikea?
I love the boxes… totally thought they were real wood crates at first. I was looking at my laundry room closet-turned-pantry and noticed the shelves are the perfect size for the small Home Depot moving boxes so I think I may try this (I have a 23 and 14 year old… way past diaper stages). It will make it look a lot neater at least. I have to have really good quality food containers because pantry moths are a huge problem where we live. I had to toss 2 trash bags full of food because they got into some cheap plastic food containers… was not happy!
I would agree with the above comment on the dollar store containers though. A lot of their stuff has BPA which is a known carcinogen. For the prepackaged stuff like raisins in boxes though they should be fine. You just don’t want those chemicals leaching into your food. I love the simple chalkboard labels. It’s amazing how those little details can make everything look so much nicer.
By the way, I am in love with your house! I bookmarked your page for inspiration. We bought a 20 year old track home and it’s still all builder grade everything… blah boring! Keep on posting.. love your blog!
I’m so glad it helped! I think moving boxes would definitely work! I do want to upgrade to glass containers really soon but I also found that Ikea pantry containers are almost as cheap as these (I actually linked them in this post) and they are BPA free. I need to do a switcheroo of them for sure.
Thank you so much for all of the love, Rachael!
I have a Pantry cupboard, the shelves are so deep I was considering getting Roll Out shelves as reaching 22 inches to get something from the back is just too much. The 31 inch width can be expanded to 39 inches & this article made me realize I could remove it all, put shelving along the side & end & have a really grand walk in Pantry. Not sure if I would even put a door on it – well maybe one. I am really excited as I have been trying to figure out the most reasonable & suitable for my needs.
That’s so great!!! So glad it could help! As much as I dislike our wire shelving, it is nice to have everything in easy reach.
For those of you with the builder grade shelving with slats: Some “big box” hardware stores carry plexi glass pre-cut to the shelf size. Adding that will prevent items from falling through.
Lauren – I loved your idea of covering sturdy boxes for a cohesive look.
That’s a good idea! Thanks!
I just love your pantry so I went to purchase the containers that you keep you brown sugar in but the sugar has hardened and my hubby was disappointed. I went on Pinterest to find out how to soften the sugar for quick use. How do you keep yours from hardening?
Oh no! They are super inexpensive, so maybe I just got lucky with mine and they don’t let as much air in. You can put a couple of giant marshmallows in with your brown sugar to keep it from hardening. I forgot where I learned that handy little trick. IKEA has containers that are really cheap too though, and I believe theirs are airtight. I linked them alongside the containers I used if that helps.
Very nice…..
Thanks, Trina!
Wow, Love this! You did such a great job not only organizing your pantry, but also decorating it! And the fact that it is all still organized and looking amazing is a huge plus! I keep looking for ways to make my pantry cuter, but my problem comes in with space. My pantry isn’t as big and the shelves aren’t as deep. So, I just keep dreaming…
Thanks, Crystal! I know what you mean. We upgraded to this floorplan mostly because of the extra storage space. Although, I’m convinced now that the more storage space I have, the more clutter I accumulate. 😉 The organizing of it does help a lot with the space issue.
What an awesome looking pantry! Who knew that part of the kitchen could be that organized?! Looking forward to trying that sometime soon!
Thank you, Andrea! It was driving me batty. It’s not quite as organized now, but still so much better than it used to be.
Wow! Love, love your pantry! I could stare at it forever – it makes me feel happy and peaceful. You did an amazing job. Truly inspiring!
Thank you, Lori!
Hi Lauren:
I have tried several times to print the Pantry Checklist, and have had no luck. It keeps having me resign up with my email address and still I have not gotten and email for the printable Pantry List. Can you please help or tell me what i am doing wrong. Thank you!
Hi Cecilia! So sorry you’re having trouble! I’ll reach out to you via email to get it taken care of for you. 🙂
I love this, great job! I’m so going to do this…Thanks for sharing 🙂
Glad it helped, Susan!
another fondness ive found?? the dollar store for the foldable “cloth” bins.. yes.. target has better and more colorful ones.. but i kinda cringe when i look at the price and start calculating just how many id need..
Omg, I just wrote the most beautiful, glowing comment, then lost it when I tried to post. (Apparently the internet dropped me while I was typing). Here are the cliff notes: I love your blog. It’s the first one I’ve ever looked at. Really! I’m hooked! I’ve been sitting here (for too long!) meandering through your posts and pictures just loving all the ideas you write about. The links you provide work so smoothly…I even love the color you use to highlight them! I appreciate all the info you give us, down to where I can get supplies and items that you’ve used in your decorating. (And organizing). Thanks, too for sharing so freely your family and your faith. I will definitely be stopping by often!
Thank you SO much, Deborah! You just made my day! Glad you’re enjoying it. <3