This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.
Oh boy, where do I start when it comes to organizing a kitchen pantry?
If you’re a messy gal like me or someone who finds it extremely hard to organize your pantries, I feel ya! I tend to have OCD behaviors, so no matter what solutions I’ve come up with, I was never satisfied.
I used to struggle with space, no matter how big or small, because all I cared about was making it look neat, pretty, and presentable while being able to maximize the room available. When space was limited, I felt like it was a game to challenge myself to maximize and optimize as much as possible without it looking like I had to try.
I honestly love to prep and cook every meal of the day – breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even some delicious snacks in between – so you can’t blame me for hoarding different spices and ingredients that I can’t do without. This made decluttering a “I’m-going-to-go-crazy” task since every item in my pantry has a specific use.
One of the best solutions, though, that I discovered throughout the years was using spinning organizers, also known as lazy Susans. My mom actually told me about them, and I thought, why the heck didn’t I buy one sooner?
After buying one from the dollar store, I became so obsessed. Today, I own so many of these, and I can’t live without them! Those lazy Susans allow me to easily spin and grab whatever spice or ingredient I need, making my pantry both convenient and organized.
But other than the lazy Susan, there are so many other clever hacks I am using today, which I’ll be sharing with you!
With my experience in tackling space issues and organizing my kitchen, I’ve decided to make this post for you so you can find out all of the amazing and cheap organization ideas that you can easily find at dollar stores like Dollar Tree. I am so confident that these hacks and ideas will help you keep your pantry neat, accessible, and efficient. Let me know which ones you’re using and how you like ’em!
1. Dollar Tree Storage Baskets
Photo by The Plus Life
Oh, a woman can never have enough baskets in her pantry, so you need to get yourself at least 20 of these and sort them by category, size, or purpose.
The funny part is, even with 20, you’ll probably still want more!
One thing I like to do is slap some pretty labels on them, which can help with “hard-to-search” for organization.
I LOVE how it looks and it does make everything all neat. I You can say easy to find what you need in a pinch.
2. Dollar Store Glass Containers
Photo by The Social Home
When I was younger and living with my parents, I remember they used to buy a bulk of these glass containers from the dollar store as if they were for free.
I thought they were crazy obsessed, but now I understand why they needed them — to separate all those natural Asian herbs and medicines for soups and recipes.
And trust me, they bought A LOT.
These containers will make great additions to your pantry for beans, lentils, pasta, and anything else you need to store neatly.
3. Hang Baskets On The Walls
Photo by Apartment Therapy
These cute hanging wired baskets can be purchased at more expensive stores, but why do that when you can just snatch them from Dollar Tree for a few bucks?
I love using them to hang onions, potatoes, and anything that is meant to be kept outside at room temperature.
What I love is you can hang them wherever you want — even if it’s just to make yourself feel like a kitchen decorator on a budget!
4. Store Vegetables in Magazine Racks
Photo by @sarahshanahan_lifestyle
Who said magazine racks are for books?
Yeah, girl, you can store any type of food in there, including your starchy vegetables, and loads of them too.
I even like to store canned food in there to keep things organized without feeling like a hot mess.
What’s cookin’?
Just a pantry that looks like it’s been hit by a professional organizer ᅳ all thanks to a repurposed magazine rack!
5. Hang Snacks on Clothes Hangers
Photo by The Kitchn
I hang all my tops and pants, so what’s stopping me from hanging my favorite snacks on some clothes hangers with clips on them?
It’s not just because it’s smart — especially when you don’t want your opened items to go bad.
Unfresh sealness is the real villain here, and no one wants stale chips ruining their snack time vibes!
6. DIY Corner Pantry Makeover
Photo by Angela Marie Made
It’s so easy to give your pantry a quick budget makeover with some raw wood, paint, and stain.
Sure, those aren’t one-dollar items, but they’re still cheap, especially when you do it yourself.
To add onto the makeover, grab these black wired baskets and put them in the corner to maximize space.
Oh yeah, add some IKEA LED lights for a nice glow, and you’ll fall over in love with your new, Pinterest-worthy pantry!
7. DIY Dollar Tree Over The Door Pantry Organizers
Photo by Simple Made Pretty
On my blog, you’re going to keep hearing me say “over the door'” storage because they are literally the best invention ever.
Whoever created this needs to be given the Nobel Prize.
You know how much stuff you can store on this little piece of magic?
So much that I’m convinced it could hold my entire life — minus the drama, of course!
8. DIY Back Of The Door Pot Lid Storage
Photo by Worthing Court
I don’t know if you experience this, but my father always yells at my mom for hoarding so many pots and pans.
The worst part is they all have covers, and it’s near impossible to store them without stacking. Well, here’s the solution… DIY behind-the-door pot lid storage holders.
You can hold so many of them that your husband won’t even be able to complain — he might not even notice the lids multiplying!
9. Lazy Susan Pantry Organizer
Photo by The Zhush
One word here…
Lazy Susan is all you need for your spices and stored DIY flavoring ingredients.
Oh boy, without the Lazy Susan, it’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack — except the needle is your paprika, and the haystack is a cluttered mess of spices!
10. Organizing Pantry with Color Bins
Photo by Show-Me Daily Life
Oh, I love color, especially teal. It’s so pretty that it makes your home look HGTV-worthy.
If you’re a more joyful and colorful person who enjoys Care Bear colors, then add the rainbow! What you can do is add labels to these bins and make them look all nice and pretty for the ultimate organized feel.
Bonus: You’ll know exactly where everything is, so no more “Where’s the sugar?” moments that turn into a scavenger hunt!
11. Shoe Organizer Hacks
Photo by Her Happy Home
These cheap plastic over-the-door shoe organizer hacks will do just the trick for your zip locks and other small items that belong in your kitchen.
Because let’s be real, who needs shoes in the kitchen?
Unless, of course, you’re organizing your snacks like they’re your favorite pair of heels!
12. Dollar Tree Spice Cabinet
Photo by Full Hearted Home
I love buying these mini glass jars for my spices because it just spices up my pantry — literally!
There’s something so appealing about seeing parsley, garlic, and cumin (all packed with amazing health benefits) lined up like little flavor soldiers ready for action.
Plus, who knew organizing your spices could make you feel this fancy?
13. Dollar Tree Can Holders
Photo by My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
These dollar store can holders will never go out of style, just like Taylor Swift said — “Cause we never go out of style, we never go out of style!”
So go ahead, organize your pantry and sing along while you do it. Who knew storage could feel so nice and Swift?
14. Under The Shelf Basket Organizer
Photo by Style Degree
Do you like these under-the-shelf plastic organizers?
*Raising up my hands*
I know I do because they’re like secret storage ninjas — quietly hanging out, ready to hold all my clutter without anyone even noticing.
15. Double Storage Space with Stackable Racks
Photo by RiOrganize
You can double your storage space with these clever organizers, and suddenly your pantry feels twice as big!
It’s like life is a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re gonna get, but at least now you’ll know where to find it!
Leave a Reply