This week, I wanted to share an update on our pantry!
As I mentioned previously, we finally finished the basic infrastructure on the bulk storage of my dreams.
Since then, I have been hard at work stocking the shelves up. I’ve basically added a few extra items to my usual grocery list each week and shopped sales at bulk retailers like Costco and BJ’s to fill the shelves.
It is definitely an ongoing process, but I feel pretty good about all the progress I’ve made.
The pantry serves primarily as food storage, though I do keep surplus kitchen supplies like zip top storage bags and reusable plastic containers in this closet as well. We also have toiletries and overstock cleaning supplies in this space.
I also invested in a few more of the large white storage totes from Target after living with our existing shelves and bins for a few months. I realized we needed some additional categories or bins for existing categories based on the items we use on a regular basis.
If I didn’t mention this before, I try to keep the majority of food products packed in cardboard or bags inside these plastic totes to deter any pests. The bins also prove helpful for organizing miscellaneous smaller items like Toiletries. I also use the plastic containers for paper goods like paper towels and toilet paper (since four-legged invaders like these materials for nest-building). The system has worked for us so far and I’m trying to ensure our pantry remains an unwelcoming site for common pests!
We use gamma lids for the large 6-gallon buckets on the floor to keep dry goods like surplus flour, rice, and oats air tight.
At some point, we will have to pull everything our of this pantry again to put the finishing touches on the walls, ceilings, and floors, but it is perfectly usable as-is and I am beyond grateful we got this built and well-stocked before the new baby arrives!