Pantry Organization Without Buying Anything (Using What I Already Had)
Pantry organization doesn’t have to mean buying a bunch of clear bins or spending money you don’t have. I organized this entire pantry using baskets, trays, and random things I already had around the house—and honestly, I like it better this way. And if you’re tired of being told you need matching bins and perfectly labeled containers just to feel organized… you’re not alone.
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| Let's see how we can organize a pantry with what I already have! |
If you’ve been reading Vintage Style Gal for a while, then you know I jumped on the clear bin bandwagon several years ago when I organized another pantry we had. At the time, we were always short on storage, so we picked up pieces of furniture along the way to give us what we needed.
(I’ll link that post here so you can see how I organized my pantry back then.)
When that piece of furniture moved into our bathroom for extra storage, those clear bins went to the basement—and found a new purpose there.
Since the whole premise of my blog is to save where you can, I didn’t want to run out and buy more. And honestly? I tend to like spaces with a little more character than rows of plastic bins anyway… which brings me to today’s post.
Using What I Already Had
I started by gathering up baskets that were collecting dust in the attic, along with a few trays I had tucked away and wasn’t using.
No sense letting things sit when they could actually be useful.
As some of you know, our kitchen is slowly heading toward vintage vibes all the way, so I did line the shelves with a Pioneer Woman non-stick shelf liner (they no longer have the type I purchased, but this one is so lovely. I love the vintage floral pattern, and let’s be honest—things spill in a pantry. This just keeps the wood shelves from getting ruined.
I do have a few more ideas for this pantry, but I’m trying very hard to stay focused on finishing this kitchen first. That has not been easy for me.
When I get an idea, I want to run with it immediately. But after months of living in a house that felt like a hoarder show, I’m really trying to keep things more under control.
That said… I could not look at this pantry one more day. Something had to give.
The “Let’s Just Try It” Phase
I brought everything down from the attic and set it on the island—baskets, trays, and even a plastic organizer with a shelf inside.
I’ll just tell you right now… I did not like that plastic organizer at all. The cans did not fit perfectly inside which surprised me since isn't that what they are made for?
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| The plastic shelf bin didn’t hold much, and honestly… it just didn’t hold much either. |
At the start of this project, I wasn’t sure if I might end up buying more of those. But the second I set it on the shelf and added a few cans, I knew—it wasn’t happening.
And that’s when I had that lightbulb moment.
I don’t even know why I sometimes fight the “use what you have” mindset… it never lets me down.
So I went all in.
What Didn’t Work (And Why)
I started with a large basket and tried using it for canned goods.
Nope.
The bottom wasn’t perfectly flat, so the cans sat crooked—and it just looked messy. Sometimes you don’t know what won’t work until you actually try it.
Why Trays Worked Better Than Baskets
I swapped the basket out for a large tray… and immediately, it worked.
Everything sat flat, it looked cleaner, and I could actually see what I had.
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| This old tray is getting a work out, look at all of those cans it is holding! |
That metal tray? I made it over 20 years ago. It was a clearance find from Hobby Lobby that I painted and covered with scrapbook paper. This gal has always enjoyed giving items makeovers.
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| See the old tray makeover? I have been changing things up for years. |
Do I still love how it looks? Not entirely - paisley yes, love it, the stripes, not so much.
But it works—and that’s enough for me in this space.
Once I realized trays were the way to go for cans, I ran and grabbed my white scalloped trays.
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| Corralling cans is the best way to organize, at least that is what works for me. |
Now, full honesty—these are not meant to hold a ton of weight. You definitely can’t pick them up like this. But if you gently twist them, you can still see what’s on the other side.
I’m actually thinking about putting a pizza pan underneath with marbles to turn it into a lazy Susan. We’ll see if that happens or not.
What Worked Perfectly for Baskets
Baskets, on the other hand, worked beautifully for anything in packaging.
Snacks, bags, random items… all of that fit perfectly.
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| Potatoes stored in ice bucket, use what you have. |
(Side note: I eat two prunes every day, and yes, they went straight into a basket I used to use for pens and pencils. Real life over here.) It also shows you do not need to keep items in their original packaging. It's easier for me to put my hand in this basket and grab what I need than mess with the package they came in.
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| Prunes stored in basket for easy grab and go |
Some of my baskets even have plastic liners, so I don’t have to worry about spills at all.
Small Pantry Wins That Made a Big Difference
This is where things started coming together.
Because everything was more organized, I actually found extra space—which meant:
- The apple juice that had been sitting on the floor could move up to a shelf
- I finally had a place for our shoes
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| Work the space until you have something that works for you |
I used a copper boot tray (that I had never found a good place for before) and tucked it toward the back of the pantry.
You don’t really see it—but it works perfectly.
I also stood up the rolling cart we used for bottled water in front of it. We still have a few bottles left from before installing our reverse osmosis system, and I am thankful every single day that we made room for that during the kitchen remodel.
My husband’s pop ice? Turned it on its side to save space. You do what you’ve got to do.
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| Totally organized, yay for me |
There’s even a basket in the back holding grocery bags—something you don’t see in the photos because this pantry is honestly pretty dark.
(That’s another project coming soon… I already have ideas, and I won't be calling an electrician either.)
And before? Well, what a mess this was, take a look.
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| BEFORE, wow Cara... |
What I Left Alone (Because Not Everything Needs Fixing)
The top shelf? I can’t even reach it.
So… it stayed exactly as it was.
And I’m okay with that.
Not everything needs to be touched when you’re organizing. If it’s working, leave it alone.
The next shelf down? It’s fine. Not my favorite, not terrible either. Sometimes “good enough” is exactly that.
A Work in Progress (Because It Always Is)
I do still want to do something with the glass canisters I have in there. I had hoped to turn them into a more unique set, but I need to figure out how to remove the red ink on the other side.
If you’ve ever done that successfully, I’m all ears. I’m thinking maybe nail polish remover?
We’ll see.
Real Life, Real Pantry
Well… that’s what this gal worked on today.
Now I need to figure out dinner—because that never ends, does it?
I’m starting to think the work is never really finished… and maybe that’s just part of it, or maybe that is just me.
Have a fabulous weekend, my friend.
If you’re looking for more ways to decorate and organize using what you already have, be sure to check out my other projects here on Vintage Style Gal.
- Repurposing Idea
- Organizing Tips for Closet
- Storage in Home, 5 Ways to Get More of It
- How To Organize Closets on a Budget
- How to Store Bows
