Kitchen Cabinets and Pantry Part 2

 Today I decided to tackle the pantry.  Timer set for 15 minutes, I opened the door to the pantry and began to take before pictures.  Right away I started seeing things that I didn't remember having in my pantry.  It was a mess.  I didn't have a clue where to begin.

I started by taking everything out.  My hallway was lined with stuff.  Some of those things I didn't remember ever buying.  I took down the pockets that hung over the door because they were starting to tear and I knew I had some Clever Pockets that I was planning on using in there anyway.  I brought out a trash can, a box, and my container stash.

Right away I found that I didn't own the containers that I wanted for the cereal...well, I had one.  I used that one and put on a list that I wanted to get some cereal containers.  Not just for the cereal, but also the instant rice and instant mashed potatoes (staples in this house). 

The shelf on the top had quite a few things shoved in the back that no one could get to, so I figured anything up there needed something to contain it.  I had a couple of mesh baskets and one that fit up there that I could easily label that wasn't clear.  I don't like using one that isn't clear, but I had to work with containers that I had on hand.

I also decided that I was going to move the kid's snacks in here instead of where they were in the kitchen (my pantry is in my hallway...it's not my favorite spot, but it's what I have). I like the kids being able to get their snacks themselves, and the twins couldn't reach them where they were in the kitchen without climbing on something.  I had these great stacking bins that I got in a dollar store one time thinking I was going to do something with them...I have no idea what it was, but I'm pretty sure this is going to be a better purpose for them.

Ready for my "end" result?

I'm not sure I like the way that I have the cans, but I don't have a way to stack them so I can see all of them.  I do have them in rows of items that are the same (all the tuna is together etc.) but I can't just see everything. 

Oh, I also moved the cans of soup into the kitchen.  I have all the other meals that are quick and easy in there and I had the snacks in there before, so it was an easy switch.  Want to see how that cabinet is after a week?  Plus I put in stuff from the pantry that should have been in there before too.

I moved a few things around, but that kind of movement is expected as I begin to organize each cabinet.

The one thing I'm debating is the idea of moving the pastas to the pantry.  They are a go-to meal around here, but I have to go to the pantry for the other things like sauces and such anyway.  I think it will depend on what my cereal containers look like when I get them.  If the pasta will fit easily with the rice and potatoes, it will make sense to me to put them together.  I don't have those containers yet, however, so I can't really do much about that.

So, what do you think?  Any suggestions?