A Custom Pantry Transformation
Recently, The Blue Heron Home Team completed this total pantry closet makeover in the Moon Valley, Arizona neighborhood.
A New Organization Project
A few months ago, Blue Heron Home received a text - ‘HELP! My wife wants our pantry organized for her birthday! She wants a totally new setup because we are running out of space. Can you help??’ Thankfully, we LOVE a full space transformation - and got to work right away.
I began by stopping by to take photos and measurements. During the consultation, I also asked questions to get to know the clients problem areas, dream pantry ideas, and what their must haves were.
Our clients shared they wanted things easier to access and find. It was also important the pantry didn’t look like an explosion when the doors were left open! They wanted more shelving, along with designated zones for baking, kids snacks, dog items, and their extensive water bottle collection. Truthfully, this is quite the list, especially for a medium sized pantry. Check out what it looked like before as we began to declutter…
Before, the pantry was dark, cluttered, and limited on storage.
Custom Elfa Design & Install
The first step was meeting with the Elfa closet designers at the Container Store. I took accurate measurements and worked with the in house closet designers to maximize every inch of the pantry space.
After the pantry design as complete and the build was in the works, I began choosing product. I carefully matched the new pantry shelf measurements to all my favorite bins, turntables, and canisters. I made sure to choose product that would meet the clients goals listed above - all while working within their budget!
I sent over the plans to our in-house handyman. He demoed the old pantry, patched, painted, and installed the new shelving. One of the best parts about working with Elfa is that their shelves are adjustable - you can move them up or down to meet product size, then return any extra shelves that you didn’t end up needing!
Our client had a LOT of pantry zones - and we were able to make room for every single one. And yep, this is their water bottle collection AFTER decluttering it...they love to stay hydrated!
A Perfectly Organized Pantry
After the new pantry shelving was installed, it was time to organize! I began by decluttering any old or expired food or random items that didn’t belong in the pantry. Then, I categorized each item. The smaller categories were grouped into bigger zones - kid’s items, baking, snacks, cooking, dog items, and a hydration station. We even organized and labeled a baking cart for the avid bakers in this busy family!
Each category and zone was mindfully added to the pantry. I made sure to keep the kids snacks at eye level for grab and go items. I also added hooks for aprons and a special candy basket for treats! I wanted this pantry to be beautiful AND functional. I decanted everyday snacks, grains, and baking items to make it easier to see which items were running low. I also utilized the floor space to make room for heavy back stock items and daily lunch boxes. After everything had a home, I finished it off with custom labels.
Our client loved the final results! They say it’s been easy to maintain and still looks great. One of their favorite parts is how easy it is now to pack their kiddos lunch. The eye level kids area also created room for more moments of independence when it comes to picking a snack. The family reports they are saving money on groceries because it’s so much easier to see what they already have and need more of, without wasting items that get stuck in the back and expire before use.
Let me ask - Are you now feeling inspired & ready to get your pantry organized? We would love to help. Learn more about our in-person professional organization services in Phoenix, Arizona or check out our virtual organization services.