Keeping an Organized Pantry

The pantry is probably the fastest space to go awry. Once that first box is on the wrong shelf, new boxes will follow. And it’s exhausting to maintain. After strolling the isles, battling the checkout line, loading and unloading groceries, we are just too tired to put things away. So things just get shoved anywhere on the shelf.

Here's how to organize that kitchen pantry.

-Group like things together. This can either be all your pastas, rice and grain in one spot or even keeping all the ingredients necessary for your favorite, most often cooked meals in one place. You will know which system will work for you.
-Spices should be kept in alphabetical order. That’s how you find them at the store and that’s how you should find them at home. I know it sounds anal, but it does work. It makes finding things easier!
-Spices should never be purchased in large amounts. After 6 months they usually lose their potency. If it is not fragrant nor is it going to do what you want. Take advantage of the really small jars for those once a year spices. Big jars are cheaper per ounce but not when you start throwing old spices away.
-Keep a pad and pen in your pantry. Use this to jot down anything you notice that’s getting low. When you are ready to go to the store, grab this list so you don’t have to rummage thru your pantry again. This list will be the start of your grocery list.
-Take 10-15 minutes each month and look through your pantry. Take inventory and toss out any out dated items. General rule:  If you can’t remember buying it, toss it… it’s probably too old anyway.
-Arrange items by date. Recently purchased items should get sent to the back and older items should be moved to the front. This guarantees that you are eating the older products first.
-You can also purchase plastic lazy susans or “step” shelves from places like stacksandstacks.com to help you find things more easily.

Keeping your pantry organized will save you time in the kitchen. Take a few minutes to put things away when you get home from the grocery store and encourage families member to put things back in their place.

Contact A Perfect Closet to speak with one of our custom pantry design specialists.

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Keep Organized with A Perfect Closet

Once you decide on a custom closet you can rest assured knowing that organization will no longer be a concern. Your designer from A Perfect Closet can help you choose a scheme to incorporate drawers, hanging sections, and accessories that will optimize your space and accommodate your wardrobe. Now comes the fun part; beyond accessories, you need to choose finishes for your new closet organizer, and we can provide simple tips to keep your design modern and exciting.

A Perfect Closet has many different options to spice up a closet beyond the bare bones. Velvet-lined drawers are a great way to add a luxurious aesthetic and create a boutique-like feel. In addition to the sleek and sophisticated look, the functionality is enormous. With expensive jewelry, dainty rings and delicate necklaces prone to tangle, a cushioned drawer will protect all your most precious pieces while keeping them organized.

If you are aiming for a look that is a bit more gender neutral, or perhaps you aren’t keen to showcase the mishmash of colors and patterns that live behind your closet doors, wood is a great option. Many people choose melamine for the basic construction of their closet systems because it is reliable and budget-friendly. But, we have a slew of wood textures that can add a wow-factor to an otherwise understated design.

Contact A Perfect Closet to speak with one of our custom closet design specialists.

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Find Style and Simplicity in the His and Hers Closet

The upcoming year is looking to bring a slew of fresh looks and ideas into homes everywhere. Consider incorporating one or all of the following storage trends into your next closet makeover.

- 2 Sides
Couples are sharing more than ever now, all the way down to the closet. What is commonly known as the “His and Hers” closet is apparently all the rage these days, with couples looking to create a system that effectively brings together their belongings and distinctly separates them in a nice clean way.

Typically, His and Hers closets feature a combination of two different kinds of finishes: dark colors like espresso for the man and bright vibrant whites with shiny metals for the woman.

- See through
People really want to see their items at a glance without having to open anything, which is why they’re opting for transparent materials such as Lucite and glass to adorn their closet designs.

Since people are investing in a dream closet, they want to make sure that it truly represents them. See-through materials allow clothing to be displayed similar to how products are shown at exhibitions. Not to mention, they make each and every piece of clothing feel like they’re part of a special collection.

- Lighting
Adding to the idea of making a closet look as glamorous as possible, people are slowly adding LED lighting to their closet systems, especially overhead lights above hanging rods. Lights accentuate certain areas of the closet and are a lifesaver when you can’t differentiate between a navy blue cardigan and a black one.

Of course, LED lighting can be a bit on the pricey side, but it is well worth the investment, as it has the power to turn a boring closet into a personal boutique.

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Equip Yourself With the Right Tools

Essential Pantry Items to Keep You Organized and Stress-Free

Outside your refrigerator, your pantry is the go-to stop to get food. However, it quickly loses that title if you have to spend time whether you bought something or where a food item is.

Instead of putting yourself in confusing situations every single time you walk into your food storage area, equip yourself with the right tools so that you have a well-stocked and well-organized pantry all the time.

- Clear Bins
There is no excuse to not have see-through bins in a pantry. Clear bins are self- explanatory: they allow you to see your food items at a glance. Whether its pasta or a pile of pinto beans, storing them in something you can see without opening it will prevent the pantry from becoming the Twilight Zone.

- Lazy Susans
If you still don’t know what a Lazy Susan is, it’s a rotating tray that keeps bottles and their labels facing front at all times. They’re perfect for utilizing the corner spaces of your pantry instead of letting them go to waste. Lazy Susans are a lifesaver for those who own many different kinds of spices.

- Baskets
Baskets group your food and make it easy to identify. In addition, they allow you to move a group of food items at once for easy organization. If you really want to go the distance, label each and every single one of those bad boys.

- Trays
Trays function similarly to baskets, except that they are mostly flat, and you can place groups of related items on top of them for other family members to find exactly what they need. For example, if the man in the house needs a PB&J fix, put the bread, the peanut butter, and jam together on the tray. Making chili for the family? Group the beans, spices, and sauces together for an easy take out.

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