Pantry Challenge Part 2 and Free Printable Labels!

Yesterday, I shared the first part of my Pantry Challenge. Let's just cut to the chase, shall we? Here's the final product!

Making it Pretty:

An organized space makes me happy, and this is no exception. The final step for me was to update my labeling. While I liked my bright, cheerful BHG labels, I wanted to go for something a little more sophisticated.

After seeing Darlene Nemeth's easy chalkboard printable tutorial, I just had to jump on the chalkboard bandwagon! The best part about this is that I get to look at a pretty font instead of my far-from-perfect handwriting (I'm always pretty self-conscious about that). I cropped down the chalkboard background and rounded the corners using PicMonkey, and then I created the labels using Microsoft Word. I love the way they turned out!

As with my previous labels, I affixed them to all containers using clear contact paper. (That stuff is great!)

Breaking It All Down:

To review, here are the "zones" I put in place to functionally use the space:

Top Shelf: Bins

As you can see, the only unifying theme up here is that there are my DIY-ed decorative bins. They contain items I don't use everyday, but that I want easy access to. The brown box next to them contains a few extra pantry staples like canned goods and condiments. (We keep most bulk canned goods - including home-canned preserves, fruits and vegetables - on a shelf in the basement.) Finally, in the extra space to the right, I have some rarely-used baking items, like sprinkles and colored sugar.

Second Shelf: Snacks

In addition to snacks, I store peanut butter and a few small dry goods in the corner space. As I was saying in yesterday's post, items in that corner space tend to get buried, so I elevated them using an over-turned clementine crate.

I got the idea after seeing tiered shelf organizers {affiliate link} on other blogs. Since I didn't have any and really didn't want to spend the money to get some (story of my life), I got creative. I've actually been using this method for a few months and it's working great!

Third Shelf: Baking

This is where I keep all my flour, sugar, and other baking goods, plus oils and vinegars. You can see that the vinegars are on a clementine crate as well. I love adding the extra label to the box so Hubby knows where everything goes too. :)

Bottom Shelf: Kind of Random

I guess you could call this the "basket shelf" One basket that just fits into the corner space holds potatoes, next to it is a berry basket (easily accessible for picking garden produce - hopefully soon!), a basket to hold Hubby's lunch bag and travel mugs, and the basket we use to collect eggs. The baskets don't all match, but each has its own unique function.

From our previous issues, I realized Hubby's lunch needed to have a designated space. I took the "Lunch" basket from the top of the fridge (where it was just accumulating junk anyway), and I was amazed at how well everything fit once Hubby got home!

Floor: Mostly Empty

I found a box that fits perfectly in that nook to the right and filled it with the extra dry goods from the Mennonite market. They'll be easily accessible when it comes time to refill my Oxo Pop Containers. {affiliate link}

To corral all those extra plastic bags that were floating around, I used a cereal dispenser, which is tucked into the space to the left.

 The best part about having an empty floor space is that it's very easy to sweep up the inevitable spills and crumbs that occur as we get snacks out of the pantry.

Time for A Before & After:

 

Who Doesn't Love Free?

I did this entire pantry makeover using materials I already had. I love a good $0 transformation!
And here's the best part: I made some free printable labels just for you!

 Click on the image to download the PDF of a full page of ten pantry labels.

I hope you can put these cute labels to good use!

I link up at these fabulous link parties.