Pantry organization is do-able!
First of all: If you have a pantry, you are so blessed!! :) Pantry organization will be easy for you.
If you don't have an "official" pantry; not to worry, dedicate a nearby closet for kitchen supplies, pantry staples and storage. You will probably need to buy some sort of shelving for this "personally-designed" pantry :)
Of course, as with all de-cluttering and organization; you will need to remove all the items in your pantry. Say it ain't so! Sorry, but pantry organization follows all the same organizational rules. Take it in small, do-able steps. Throw away the old and/or relocate those items that found their way into your pantry that don't belong there. Wipe out the shelves; line them with contact paper if you like for easy clean-up.
Now, it's time to do the "pantry organization" dance and re-shelve. 1. Store like items together. Try not to over-stuff! Cereals Bread mixes Nuts and seeds Snacks Canned fruits and vegetables Sauces Pasta Olives Line up and stack if necessary, so you can see what you have available. This will help when finding items and in making your grocery shopping list. Use baskets to store pantry staples together. They are darling and can hold a lot of items. I like to put my dry seasoning packets (onion soup, ranch dressing, etc.) in a narrow basket and keep on a shelf in the pantry. Use a basket or stand-up container for pasta; same goes for nuts, seeds and mixes. Cute and efficient. Kudos! :)
Check out more great pantry storage products in my store. 2. Store all your heavy items on the bottom shelf or floor of the pantry -- wouldn't want to ruin your nice shelves with too much weight.
3. Use storage containers liberally for pantry organization. You can buy stackable, air-tight plastic containers or save old pickle jars and spaghetti jars to store beans, flour, sugar, oatmeal, cereals, rice and snacks. Wash them out good before using to get the pickle smell out :) You could also use a combination of plastic and glass containers; re-use jars and buy the stackable ones when you can afford it. Host a Tupperware party and get free items. Tupperware sets the standard for great pantry organization products. Check out the ones below or visit my store for others. They are under the Home & Kitchen Organization section.
Julie's Keep Your Home Cooking Store 4. Put snacks or kid-friendly items low enough for the kids to reach them when needed, and so they can help unpack the groceries or help in the kitchen getting supplies :)
5. When unloading groceries, try not to shove items in your pantry in an effort to make it fit. You will quickly have pantry de-organization! Everything should have a place -- I realize sometimes that's easier said than done :) You can designate an area for junk and items that just don't fit right anywhere else. I usually put a basket on the floor of my pantry to "catch" items like this -- I put a bag of onions, a sack of potatoes and rice waiting to be opened in there too. It gives grace to pantry organization :)
6. If you have room, keep your broom and wet sweeper in the pantry for easy accessibility.
7. Use food storage clips. Major boon to pantry organization! This will save you on spills and items going stale in your pantry. Make sure the kids understand their use, so you don't accidentally dump the chips out because it didn't have a storage clip :(
8. Chips and snack bags can be stored in a basket on the floor of the pantry or in a basket on the top of the refrigerator if you have that kind of space. Hope you can see that just a little pantry organization in a simple manner can really save you time and frustration :)
Create personalized labels by clicking on the banner below. Pantry organization with class :) 
1. Spices: Spices are really expensive, so acquire as you go and need them. Of course, salt and pepper are a must; and then buy others as your recipe calls for them. You can save money if you buy in bulk, especially those spices you use often -- the initial outlay is a bit pricey though. Keep spices near your cooking range for easy access -- a "lazy susan" turntable can work well with spices.
2. Keep items in your pantry that can be used to prepare a quick meal with short notice. The easiest meal for me is spaghetti and my family loves it, so you will always find spaghetti fixings in my pantry -- either the ingredients to make sauce or pre-made sauce, noodles and parmesan cheese (fridge storage). As well, I keep some ground chicken or sausage in my freezer to add to the sauce or serve on the side to accommodate the meat haters in my family. I actually like to keep pantry staples for several possible meals at the ready "just in case." I always have a jar of pesto, mushrooms, pasta, macaroni and cheese, refried beans, canned chicken, tuna, peanut butter and jelly, cans of fruit, kidney and/or pinto beans for chili, and usually a smattering of "cream of's" are in there too. That's how you want to think when stocking your pantry. Think about the foods your family likes to eat and meals made in a hurry -- stock those items as you can afford them. Your pantry staples may differ, but should meet your family's unique tastes :) It's also nice to stock a few dinners to make for a friend if they are in need. I came home one day after grocery shopping and my oldest daughter had made soup and bread (refrigerator biscuits) for our neighbor who had learned her grandmother died. As a stay at home mom, this was one area the kids and I could serve and help others. It taught the kids a good lesson in giving.
3. Stock in your pantry: White flour Whole wheat flour White sugar Brown sugar Baking powder Baking soda Cocoa Powdered sugar Nuts and seeds Popcorn Cornstarch Yeast -- if you bake home-made breads Again, gear these pantry staples toward your family's needs and tastes. Your items will grow as your recipe base grows and your family establishes a pattern of favorites :) Find great pantry storage products in my store. You will find them under Home & Kitchen Organization.
Julie's Keep Your Home Cooking Store 4. I always have chocolate chips in stock but keep them in the freezer. We love chocolate chip cookies, and my kids like to bake too. We are missionaries living in the Philippines, and everything that can melt, will melt with the humidity here. I keep all my pantry staples in air-tight containers too. They often have to spend a few days and nights in the freezer first to kill the bugs. The question in the Philippines is not if your flour will have bugs, it's how many?
Well, I think that should get you started with your pantry staples coupled with some dynamite pantry organization -- you are ready! Blessings to you, Julie :)
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