9 Reasons Your Pantry Is Always a Mess, According to the Organizing Pros at NEAT Method

A messy pantry is kind of a nuisance—and can seriously hinder your kitchen’s workflow, especially when you’re in a hurry to whip up a meal on a busy day. Rummaging through a cabinet for 10 minutes to find a single can of corn under a Tetris-style fortress of tins, cereal boxes, and pasta packages? No, thank you.

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way forever, say the organizing professionals at NEAT Method, who helped us corral the kitchen storage in this year’s REAL SIMPLE Home. Here, they share their best tips for tidying up cabinets, including the biggest mistakes they see clients make when it comes to pantry organizing—and how to solve them.

You Mix Food Categories 

It’s easy to fall into the trap of tossing things into your pantry without sorting them, but this habit is perhaps the biggest reason your setup is in disarray. “If all types of food are placed randomly throughout the pantry, finding what you need and keeping track of stock can be a major battle,” the pros at NEAT Method say. “Sort like with like and keep it that way using labeled baskets. This will allow you to quickly assess what you have for simplified meal prep and shopping trips.”

You Buy Everything in Bulk

Costco has a special place in most people’s hearts, and who can blame them? The deals offered in-store make it one of the most magical places on Earth. (Hello, $5 rotisserie chickens!) The problem, though, is that people tend to purchase too much stuff when they see a bargain. And this leads to mayhem in your cabinets. 

“This one may be a bit controversial but bulk purchases often lead to overflowing bins, canisters and overall chaos in the pantry,” says NEAT Method. “Instead, purchase only the amount of food that will fit in your available space. If your snack bin is overflowing, that’s a sign to eat through what is there first before buying more.”

Of course, you should purchase things in bulk that you’re absolutely certain you’ll use up, but consider buying things more strategically from places like Costco.

You Don’t Declutter Often Enough

Another reason your pantry is messy might be that you’re simply not decluttering enough. Just like your fridge, you should actually do a quick inventory check and cleanout often. NEAT Method’s recommendation? After every grocery trip.

You Don’t Toss Expired Foods

Let’s say you’re on your game and do a regular audit, but your shelves are still crammed with cans. There’s a good chance you’re holding onto some spoiled stuff—and you’re not alone! “We come across expired food in almost every pantry project,” NEAT Method confirms. “Make an effort to regularly check expiration dates and toss those that are past their prime in order to clear space and alleviate clutter.” 

You probably need to be a little more ruthless in your purging approach. In addition to automatically tossing anything that’s past its “best by” date, consider nixing products approaching that date too if you know deep down you won’t use them soon.

You’re Stacking Cans Inefficiently

One of the biggest mistakes the pros at NEAT Method see with canned goods is clients grouping them together with limited visibility. “Whether lined up or stacked, those that can’t be seen are easily knocked over, tucked in the back and lost in the corners until well past their expiration date,” they say. “This also increases the likelihood of buying more of something you already had but couldn’t find.” The pros suggest using a tiered riser to arrange canned goods in levels for increased visibility.

You’re Not Decanting Enough

The pros at NEAT Method are big fans of decanting for a few reasons. According to them, clear canisters allow you to keep an eye on stock and containers with air-tight seals keep foods fresh for longer. Plus, it just looks good and, well, neat! “We recommend placing the expiration date on the back or bottom of every canister using a removable label or marker,” NEAT Method adds.

That being said, not everything needs to be—or should be—decanted, according to our organizing pros. What should be are pantry staples that aren’t used completely once opened, especially in packages that don’t reseal properly. “Typically this includes flours, sugars, pastas, cereals, pancake mix, nuts, and other snacks,” they explain. You don’t have to worry about things that are used completely once opened, like a small box of spaghetti. 

However, they don't recommend decanting anything unless you are willing to keep up with it. "Do what works for your lifestyle—decanting does take a little extra time and isn’t for everyone," says NEAT Method.

You’re Not Labeling Things

Speaking of marking the expiration dates on items, it’s incredibly important to label everything, not just canisters. NEAT Method recommends labeling bins and baskets, as well, so everyone is on the same page to keep the system organized. “It makes it clear to everyone in the home exactly what belongs where so there’s absolutely no doubt.”

And You’re Not Using Turntables

Turntables (aka lazy Susans) are the unsung heroes of cabinets, and they’re a product the NEAT Method pros swear by. But lots of people aren’t taking advantage of them! “They are one of our favorite solutions for those awkward pantry corners and perfect for corralling bottled items like oils, spreads, sauces and other condiments,” NEAT Method says. “Plus, they allow you to easily access items stored on upper cabinet shelves with a simple turn.”

You’re Using Too Many Round Containers 

While most organizing pros can’t pass up a good turntable, using too many round containers in a pantry isn’t ideal if you’re trying to maximize space. A rectangular or square canister will use up every square inch of real estate. NEAT Method adds that smaller pantries can benefit from fewer canisters and more bins.