In order to choose the best pantry design, you'll need to not only maximize the storage of the area, but also plan to store the items you use daily near the entry door for the highest degree of efficiency. Even the tiniest kitchen pantry made by converting an old broom closet can be highly efficient if all its stored items are easy to access. As a general rule of thumb for any kind of pantry design, store the supplies used the most at about eye level or slightly lower, then store lighter goods on upper shelves and heavier items on lower ones.
If you leave a sufficient amount of space between the lowest shelf and the floor, you'll have room for bulkier, yet effective storage such as rows of recycling bins and/or airtight tubs of dry pet food or pantry staples. Just under the shelves that contain your most used supplies, you may want to include a counter top in your pantry design. Having even a small counter space can allow you a place to rest canister jars on while you fill a container with some of their contents to take back to the kitchen.
For a neat, uncluttered pantry, cans, boxes and packages of foods may be placed into large metal or plastic bins lined up in orderly rows on the shelves. For extra supplies or goods that you won't need that often, it's best to have these in containers on upper shelves. Don't make the bins too heavy or they will be difficult to lower down when needed. When you design a pantry to best meet your needs, it's a good idea to wait at least several days before implementing your plans in case you've forgotten to add something you need or want. Your pantry design is something you'll have to live with once it's done, so taking the time to get it right is important for the effective functioning of your home.
An aesthetically pleasing pantry design as well as a effectively functioning one can help you feel calm and organized. Limit the materials and colors of shelving, drawers, bins and baskets to create a pulled together look. Use small corners of your pantry by adding racks, hooks or other organizers depending on your type of belongings. Aprons and kitchen towels can be convenient to reach easily if stored on a rack or hooks on the back of the pantry door.
