Other People's Pantries #80
From Allen (Eating Out Loud), in Vancouver, British Columbia:
I recently moved from a large house to a small 520-square-foot condo. Fortunately, before moving in we renovated a bit and my highest priority was to build in as much storage as humanly possible. My kitchen is my comfort zone and I feared having to downsize anything.
The main, tall pantry is custom built into a natural recess in the wall. Although I've created a new space for storage, it's only 4 inches in depth. Due to this, I'm trying to use more glass storage jars for pasta, cereals, grains, etc. All of the cooking oils/sauces are either kept by the stove or in the fridge.
As I take these photos, it's abundantly clear I need to do grocery shopping this weekend. I've also learned to buy baking supplies in smaller sizes (except for the baking powder which is the size of a peanut butter jar! It was the only size the store had when I needed to buy it).
Our other storage area is a small closet where the bulk of my kitchen machinery, bowls and platters are stored. This is also where we store excess shoes, dog food, vacuum, office printer, etc. I'm still adjusting and reworking my pantry spaces now that we're all moved in. Small spaces can be challenging!
On Saturdays, we peek into Other People's Pantries.
Come on -- show us your pantry.
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booked into September. If you'd like this feature to continue, please
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the order in which they're received.







Posted by: Megan | August 8, 2009 at 02:07 AM
All of the IKEA products jump out to me in these photos. They are a great place to get organizational items.
Posted by: Allen | August 8, 2009 at 02:34 AM
Ahhh, yes, I am the king of IKEA ;-) It's a great place to find all sorts of containers.
Thank you, Lydia for showcasing my pantry!
Posted by: milton | August 8, 2009 at 03:07 AM
very nice. enjoy the new place
Posted by: Lynne | August 8, 2009 at 03:49 AM
What an awesome idea to utilise the space between wall boards (if that is what you've done). I'm also liking the open wire racks in your closet. Much less flat spaces to catch dust, and easier to spot what you are looking for.
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Kalyn | August 8, 2009 at 05:33 AM
Allen, I love the way you've maximized the space in your new place. Lovely and well-organized pantries. (And I see you have a FoodSaver, one of my personal favorite kitchen items!)
Posted by: Chiot's Run | August 8, 2009 at 06:08 AM
I love those silver shelves, I have a few in the basement to augement my pantry. I also love all the clear containers full of staples, nothing looks better in the pantry!
Posted by: Melynda | August 8, 2009 at 08:54 AM
I too love the "space between" pantry. Great idea!
Posted by: Zuki | August 8, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Tight ship, NICE JOB! I also went from a large 200 yr old house to an 800 sq ft condo. 8 Ikea "Billy" bookcases saved me from looking like a book hoarding bag lady.
Posted by: Carol | August 8, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Looking at your pantry makes me want to organize and clean mine. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Allen | August 9, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Thanks, everyone!
Although you can't tell from the photos, the built-in narrow pantry also has doors which cover it up. When I took the photos (a few months ago), we had just moved and my pantry was quite empty. It's currently at full capacity ;-)
Kalyn, you've got very good eyes! I love my FoodSaver and have been using it for several years now.
Posted by: Heidi in NYC | August 9, 2009 at 02:39 PM
oh I love the organization.
Posted by: MyKitchenInHalfCups | August 9, 2009 at 04:21 PM
Small places are a challenge but with your organization I think you've got really great space! I like the narrow wall storage, things don't get lost.
Posted by: Kim | August 9, 2009 at 09:08 PM
I do so love a well organized pantry, yours is so well done...so comforting
Posted by: tia | August 12, 2009 at 12:32 AM
wow, it's so organized! i like the shelf with all the kitchen appliances! there's a lotta $$$ on that shelf!
Posted by: Marianne | August 22, 2009 at 07:52 PM
I love to see small space organizing! You have done well!
You ran with the idea of "go up not out."