How to Organize a Deep Pantry – Easy Tips & Ideas

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Learn how to organize a deep pantry with these easy tips and ideas. Maximize storage space, keep items accessible, and maintain an efficient pantry!

Does your pantry feels like one of those black holes where food items disappear behind deep shelves? I’m right there with you. I live on a 100-year-old homestead in the heart of Europe. Together with my husband, two rambunctious little boys, and a farm full of animals—horses, cows, chickens, you name it.

Our pantry space is the most used spot in our house. It’s where we keep our fridge, the boys’ snacks, my baking supplies for sourdough, and a wild mix of dry goods and small appliances. It’s also where chaos reigns supreme, especially after a frantic trip to the grocery store. I’m beyond grateful for our pantry. But no matter how many times I’ve organized it, decluttered it, or tried to impose an organization system, it slips back into disorder faster than my toddlers can raid the snacks. The depth of the shelves turns it into a narrow pantry nightmare—stuff at the back of each shelf becomes invisible, leading to food waste from forgotten jars of pickles or cans of tomatoes. It’s a daunting task, keeping this deep pantry storage under control, especially with family members constantly in and out.

I decided it was time to stop the cycle.

I invested a little money in some storage solutions—think gorgeous wooden crates from Ikea instead of plastic bins or clear containers—to match the vintage charm of our home. My goal? A well-organized pantry that’s practical for daily use, not just a pretty Instagram shot. Here’s how I tackled this deep pantry organization project, plus my best tips for anyone wrestling with their own pantry.

The First Steps: Facing the Chaos Head-On

The first thing I did was take a deep breath and dive in. I’d been putting this off because it felt so overwhelming. Our entire pantry is a treasure trove of much stuff—cereal containers, breakfast items, cooking items, and seldom-used items like that bread maker we drag out for special occasions. The lower shelves were weighed down with heavy items like sacks of potatoes, while the upper shelves were a jumble of dry goods I couldn’t reach without a stool. The front of the shelf was prime real estate, but the back of the shelves? A total mystery—I’d forgotten what was even back there.
So, I started with a clean slate. I pulled everything out—no fancy pull-out drawers or slide-out shelves here, just me, a cup of coffee, and sheer willpower. I ran an inventory of all our food categories: baking supplies (flour, sugar, yeast), dry goods (grains, beans), and the boys’ snacks (those granola bars they love). The good news was that this gave me a chance to rethink how we use this deep pantry cabinets. I noticed how the lot of space was being wasted by things we didn’t need daily, and how the vertical space could be my friend if I played it right. It was time to make some changes.

Decluttering and Making Good Use of Space

My mission was clear: keep what we use every day, ditch what we don’t, and make it all accessible. I moved small appliances we rarely touch—like that juicer we use twice a year—to the garage. Extra food storage containers filled with canned goods got relocated to another storage space on the homestead, freeing up the pantry door area for better flow. I kept my fermentation projects—kombucha, cider, whatever else I’m brewing—on the lower shelves because I like them at eye level where I can check on them. Potatoes and similar items stayed too; they’re daily essentials that deserve the best place in this small kitchen setup.

Here’s a practical tip:

I’m a huge fan of “shopping my house” before buying new stuff. I reused an old clear plastic basket I already had instead of running to the Container Store for clear bins or deep containers. Sure, I could’ve grabbed a lazy susan or pullout drawers, but I didn’t want the total cost of this pantry makeover to climb too high. Those wooden crates were affordable and fit the aesthetic, which matters to me more than clear storage containers. It’s not just about finances—though that’s a perk—it’s about avoiding clutter. The more much fun stuff I bring in, the more I have to clean, and that steals time from what I love: cooking, baking, and raising my boys. If I kept handling an item—like some random gadget—and it wasn’t useful to us, out it went. Clutter’s a thief of time, and I’m done letting it win.

The Snafu and the Workaround

I’d measured my deep pantry shelves to fit two large crates per shelf—perfect for broad categories like snacks or baking supplies. I thought I had it all figured out. But then came the snafu: I forgot about the thick lip on the edges of the deep shelves, so my crates didn’t fit as planned. No slide-out shelves or deep bins to bail me out here! I could’ve called my husband—he’s the measuring wizard—but I’d already committed. Instead of panicking, I pivoted. One crate per shelf turned out to be the best way, keeping everything visible and avoiding that back of the pantry graveyard where things get lost. I didn’t bother with shelf risers or a label maker, but the crates gave me a different way to organize that felt natural. The top shelf now holds lighter dry goods, while heavy items stay low—no more teetering stacks threatening to topple.

Building a System for the Long Run

I skipped pantry labels—the crates make it obvious where everything belongs. Breakfast items like homemade granola go in one, baking supplies in another, and cooking oils in that reused basket. The narrow pantry depth doesn’t feel wasted anymore; it’s all about good use of space. I even decluttered the boys’ snacks, phasing out store-bought options and switching to all homemade treats. My resolution to grind more of my own flour means I’ll need room for grains, so this new pantry organization will keep evolving. I’m also planning to order a pressure canner —my first foray into that world after years of water bath canning—so I’ll need extra space. The best way forward? Keep it simple. No over-the-top deep pantry organization with pull-out drawers or fancy gadgets—just a realistic setup that works for us.

The Result: A Pantry That Actually Works

Here’s the finished deep pantry: neat, sturdy, and no more different items lost in the void. Everything’s at eye level or within reach—the easy way to avoid digging through deep bins for chocolate chips. A month later, it still looks the same, proof this organization system holds up. The small kitchen vibe feels bigger now, and I’m not wrestling with much stuff to find what I need. The best place for daily essentials is right at the front of the shelf, while seldom-used items are gone for good. It’s not just functional—it’s a little vintage-cute, which makes the long run feel promising.

Best Tips on How to Organize a Deep Pantry

• Use labels if you’re into precision, but crates or clear containers work just as well for broad categories.
• Keep heavy items on lower shelves and smaller items in deep containers or baskets for easy access.
• A lazy susan or pullout drawers can tame deep pantry shelves, though I made do without.
• Group similar items to cut food waste—no more expired cans hiding at the back of the shelves.
• Clear the back of the pantry by using slide-out shelves or simply keeping less stuff.
• Make vertical space your ally—don’t let the upper shelves become a dumping ground for seldom-used items.
• For dry goods or baking supplies, try cereal containers or clear storage containers to see what’s inside.

Happy Organizing, Homesteaders!

This wasn’t just about fixing a narrow pantry—it was about reclaiming time and sanity in my small kitchen. The entire pantry feels like a win now, and I’m excited for how it’ll grow with our homestead life—more grains, more homemade snacks, maybe even a stash of pressure-canned goodies. If your pantry’s a daunting task, start small: clear one shelf, try some deep bins, and see what sticks. It’s not as hard as it seems once you take the first steps. Check out my video for the full transformation —it’s much fun to see it come together—and drop your best tips or struggles in the comments. Happy organizing, friends—your well-organized pantry is waiting!