Here is what our pantry currently looks like –

The pantry has yet to be painted, mainly because we weren’t sure what to do with it. It’s the ugly little secret of our kitchen. The shelves are spaced too far apart, not allowing for an extra, much needed shelf. There’s not any kind of dividers to keep things in their own place. Nothing seems to ever go in the same place and it’s just a bit dark and dingy.

Melody was such a joy to work with! She was super helpful and attentive to our needs. After taking measurements, discussing what we would like to get out of the space, she was able to create the best solution for our space. Within only a few minutes she had a detailed design ready for us. Here’s how California Closets would change it –

The new pantry would have brand new shelving above that would be sectioned off for easy organizing. The shelves above are all adjustable to that they can be arranged for maximum storage, one thing we’re completely lacking with the current shelves. The bottom section has kid friendly sliding baskets that are metal and make it easy to spot snacks and produce in, and to the left and right of the baskets would be smaller shelves perfect for narrow boxes, such as cereal and other snacks.  The Shelving is installed right on top of the existing floor, however it can be floating for those of us who need a floor replacement in the near future. I really love the smooth white finish for our space, however they have so many other beautiful finishes and textures, some higher-end finishes are imported from Italy. All finishes are sustainable and CARB compliant.

Melody gave us some great tips for keeping the space tidy and functional.

1. Creating sections with shelving and dividers help give everything a designated home and allows you to keep things tidy easily.

2. Incorporating baskets allows easy access to snacks for your little ones and gives those odd shaped items, like chips, produce, etc. a home.

3. Using glass jars or air-tight storage containers helps keep food items like pasta bug free, gives the pantry a cleaner look and allows you to see when items become low.

4. Giving the pantry a fresh coat of paint in a light color will give the space a bright and clean feel. Incorporating a fun wallpaper on the back wall will add a fun and unexpected touch.

California Closets not only create organizing systems for pantries but bedroom closets, garages, entertainment systems, etc. They’ll create a custom system that’s tailored to your needs and budget and I love that they’re all on board the KonMari method of organizing. The KonMari concept is if you hold an item and it doesn’t bring you joy, get rid of it! This is the perfect method for getting that bedroom closet functional again. By keeping only what you love you give your space order and function.