Pantry Organization for Real Life: Two Ways to Organize the Same Pantry

Pantry organization isn't just about making things look neat. It’s about creating systems that work for the people who use them.

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If you've ever felt like your pantry "should" look a certain way—or you've tried to follow a one-size-fits-all organizing method that didn't stick—this post is for you.

I recently had the chance to organize the same pantry space for two different homeowners, and their needs couldn’t have been more opposite. One is a passionate home cook and part-time caterer who uses the kitchen daily with her husband and son. The other is a frequent traveler who doesn’t cook often but loves hosting with beautiful platters and entertaining pieces—and keeps a stockpile of canned goods, just in case.

I'll breakdown the custom pantry storage solutions we used to make the space functional for each of their lifestyles. I’m sharing product links and explaining exactly why we chose each item—so you can steal the ideas that make sense for your own space. Take what works for you and leave the rest.

And yes, you’ll find each client’s individual before-and-after pantry transformations at the end.

Client A: The Culinary Powerhouse

When Client A built her dream home in 2022, she knew the pantry couldn’t be an afterthought. With a young son, a love of cooking, and a side hustle in catering, she had this walk-in pantry custom-designed as part of the build. We came in after she moved in, and our job was to take her vision and bring it to life.

This pantry had to work hard for both family life and business life. It needed to function like a mini prep kitchen—organized, intuitive, and flexible enough to handle everything from after-school snacks to party platters for 30.

When Client A relocated in 2023, the amazing woman who moved into her home loved the look of what we had done—and reached out to us to help reimagine the space for her unique lifestyle. She wanted to keep some of the original inspiration, but adapt it to fit her own needs.

Client B: The Occasional Entertainer

The second occupant of this space lives with her husband and their sweet pup. Their children are grown and out of the house, and these days, they split their time between two homes—one here in Kentucky and another in sunny Florida.

Daily cooking isn’t part of their routine anymore, but when it’s time to entertain? Out come the beautiful platters, heirloom dishes, and an impressive collection of serveware.

After the pandemic, they made a conscious decision to always keep a solid stash of canned goods on hand—just in case. So while they didn’t need a lot of day-to-day pantry storage, organized shelf-stable storage was still a must.

Let’s Compare: Same Pantry, Two Ways

Here are some side-by-side photos so you can see how we used similar products at Client B’s request, while also making intentional changes to reflect the unique needs and lifestyle of each client.

What We Used & Why

Now that you’ve seen how we tailored the same pantry for two very different lifestyles, let’s break down exactly what we used for each client—and why those choices worked.

Below, you’ll see what we started with, what stayed the same, what changed, and how each decision was made based on the real-life needs of the families who lived there.

The Baking Zone: Sweet, Stylish, and Smartly Stored

Client A owns The Whisk & Whip Cottage Bakery, so baking isn’t just a hobby—it’s part of her everyday life. So one of the first zones we tackled was the baking section.

Her request? Glass containers for flours, sugars, and baking staples—both for aesthetics and visibility.

We used these beautiful bamboo-lid glass canisters* along with pre-made labels from The Talented Kitchen* and grouped everything together on a wide shelf, creating a dedicated baking zone that feels like a bakery display. And yes—she’s still using the exact same containers today and loving them!

Click on each picture above to take you to everything needed to recreate each look.

When Client B saw photos of that setup, she immediately fell in love with the look—but had a very practical concern: Would the bamboo lids keep things fresh long-term, especially since she doesn’t bake often?

So, we used Client A’s shelf as inspiration, but pivoted slightly to match Client B’s lifestyle. Instead of a large baking zone, we created a smaller, more minimal setup, keeping just the essentials on hand and using airtight containers, ProKeepers Baking Kit* is my go to, that offered the same clean aesthetic with a little extra sealing power.

It’s a perfect reminder that you can be inspired by someone else’s setup—and still make it your own by adjusting it to fit your lifestyle and needs.

👉 Shop Client A’s Baking Zone Here*

👉 Shop Client B’s Baking Zone Here*

Which Containers are the "right" ones

We know that the right containers make all the difference. And the “right” container? Totally depends on your needs.

What We Did Differently

With Client A her son is still at the age where clean hands and tightly sealed lids aren’t always a guarantee. So instead of going with anything too precious, we chose washable plastic containers that could stand up to real-life use.

We found these great mint green (her favorite color) at Target and they fit perfectly into the built-in cubbies at the back of the pantry A win for both form and function.

These containers were ideal for her massive (and seriously impressive) collection of spices, seasoning blends, and dry mixes used in everyday cooking and small-batch catering.

Sadly, this exact style (from Room Essentials) is no longer sold, but Target’s Y-Weave line has a very similar shape and feel that we still recommend all the time!

Client B, on the other hand, was going for a totally different pantry personality. She loved a cozy, farmhouse aesthetic and specifically requested woven baskets. So, we brought in one of our go-to favorites: the Large Water Hyacinth Bins from The Container Store.*

To finish the look, we added metal clip labels* from Amazon and used our P-touch label maker* to print clean, easy-to-read tags.

Because these baskets are larger than the mint green ones we used for the original homeowner, we shifted them to different cubbies and simplified the categories—just Dinner, Pasta, Crackers, and Chips. Fewer bins, broader groupings, and a system that matched her needs and her style.

What We Kept the Same

While each pantry had its own distinct style both clients loved the clear multi-purpose bins from The Container Store. We used sizes Extra Large*, Large* and Medium* for both projects.

These bins make it so much easier for family members to spot what they need—especially when items are stored up high. Just grab and go.

Client A, with her love of cooking and a young child at home, needed more bins—and more categories. We even added a special “lunchbox” bin just for her son’s daily snacks and school staples.

The narrower categories made perfect sense for her lifestyle, since she keeps a large variety of shelf-stable ingredients on hand for daily cooking and small catering jobs. Clear bins kept it all visible, accessible, and easy to restock.

Client B fell in love with the bins after seeing photos of how we originally organized this space for the Cleint A. Therefore we used a couple to hold essentials - just enough to keep things contained but not over-complicated.

Her special request? Cereal containers. We used one of my current favorites: the Rubbermaid Brilliance Airtight Cereal Storage Container *. You can grab them on Amazon or Target, and they’re a major upgrade if you’re over stale cereal bags and box clutter.

We also happily repurposed from the original setup (because if it ain’t broke…) a litlte spice packet organizer.

And if you peek closer into her pantry, you'll see some canned goods stored in a lower pull-out drawer—easy access, no heavy lifting.

The Final Touch: Making Room for What Matters Most

As we mentioned earlier, Client B didn’t need a large pantry for everyday food storage—so instead of forcing a system she didn’t need, we embraced the opportunity to use the space in a way that truly fits her life.

We dedicated the back wall of the pantry to her beautiful collection of serveware—platters, bowls, and trays that used to be tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets. Now, instead of being hidden, they’re easy to access, beautifully displayed, and ready to shine whenever it’s time to entertain.

Oh and don't forget we told you she really likes to have cans of food at the ready. So those worked GREAT in the built in spinner.

Ready to see it all come together?

Here are the before-and-after photos for each client—same pantry, two completely different setups, both designed to support the way they live.

Client A: The Culinary Powerhouse

Client B: The Occasional Entertainer

The Bottom Line

Whether you cook every night, host once a season, or just want your pantry to stop giving you a headache—organization should reflect your life, not someone else’s Pinterest board.

These two pantries prove that the same space can function in completely different ways. And when you organize based on how you actually live, that’s when the magic happens.

Need help bringing that kind of transformation to your own pantry? We’d love to help! Just fill out our contact form and schedule your free consultation.

👉 Shop my kitchen favorites HERE

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