This Ikea pantry setup isn’t finished, but it works, and it’s worked really well for us for the last few years.

At some point I might go back and refine it, but right now does exactly what I need it to do. And honestly that matters more than having a perfectly styled space.

I needed something that was easy to use, easy to restock and something my whole family could navigate without asking me where everything was.

This post may contain affiliate links. I’ve only share items that we’ve actually used and have worked for us in real life.

Before this, everything technically had a place, but it wasn’t easy to use.

Things would get pushed to the back, we’d forget what we had, and I was the only one who really knew where everything was. It worked just enough to get by, but not enough to actually make daily life easier.

• Have easier access to grab what we use all the time
• Easy to see what we are running low on
• Something my whole family could use without asking me
• Be quick to restock without overthinking it
• Low maintenance (no constant reorganizing)

I didn’t try to make this perfect, I just needed it to work. I removed the existing shelves from the wall and got to work making a plan.

I used a IKEA PAX wardrobe for a simple setup with some open shelving and lots of drawers. This way everything is visible and easy to grab. Using drawers to store my pantry items is a game changer. I don’t have to have tons of bins to keep items in since the drawer itself holds any loose items as it is.

Instead of trying to organize everything into really specific categories, I kept it broad and practical. Based on how we actually use things day to day. As you can see in the photo below, this system has all the storage you could need for an organized pantry.

When I started this project I realized quickly that I could not wait 3-4 months for my full remodel plan. I needed it put back together and functional asap. We were having a lot of hospital stays after I started the project and it wasn’t practical to keep this room pulled apart.

I have plans to finish this pantry room project someday, but it has worked for us for over 3 years now.

Each drawer in this system is dedicated to a task, person or group of items.

I have drawers for the following

• Cloth Napkins and Kitchen Towels
• Potatoes
• Onions
• Pasta/Rice
• International Foods
• Baking goods
• Extra pots and pans
• Breakfast Items
• Tinned Fish/ Chicken
• Bring to Work foods
• Each person has their own drawer with their specific favorite items (snacks, drinks, ramen etc)

I have shelves for the following

• Microwave
• Instant Pots/Rice Cooker
• Blender
• Cookie sheets and Cupcake Pans
• Canned Goods
• Quick Grab Snacks

This setup makes meal time easier since everyone can easily find everything we need. Restocking is simple and it’s stayed functional for years without needing constant changes.

This pantry is a big part of why quick meals are even possible for us.

When everything is easy to see and easy to grab, Im not starting from scratch every time I need to cook.

I use the same approach in other areas too. Like how I created a full wall medical supply hub using pax wardrobes and Also in how I organize our hospital bag. Keeping systems functional so they actually work in real life. Read about my hospital bag system here.

• IKEA PAX Frame (29 1/2 x 22 7/8 x 92 7/8)
• Ikea Shelves (29/12 x 22 7/8)
• Ikea Drawer With Framed Front (29 1/2 x 22 7/8)
• Ikea Mesh Basket With Pull-Out Rail (29 1/2 x 22 7/8)
• Ikea Upper and Lower Cabinet
• Amazon Can Organizers (click here for my kitchen favorites)

If you’re trying to get your space to work better for your day-to-day, it doesn’t have to be perfect to function.

This is what has been solid for our family and it’s made our everyday life a lot easier.